Re: [Ayatana] Some ideas for the Software Center

[Matthew Paul Thomas <mpt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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Alexander Lancey wrote on 11/12/10 21:24:
>
> Firstly, sorry if this the wrong mailing list.

The right place is
<https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/software-center>.

> I've been thinking about the Software Center, and I came up with three
> ideas I'd like to see.
> 
> Two are related to offline functionality - queueing and caching. I
> recently tried to select a package for installation, while I was
> offline. Instead of it setting the package aside for later, or even
> giving a concise error, it gave 404s. I think the Software Center, when
> offline, should let you know and ask if you want to install things
> later.

<http://launchpad.net/bugs/674997>

> Caching packages would also be really nice. The package I wanted was
> small, and had been suggested by another package or two. The Software
> Center could potentially look for smallish packages that are
> recommended (by your apps or based on your apps), then download the
> debs when you're idling or just not sending very much data. Not only
> would this speed up installations when/if you want to install one of
> these packages, but you could install these while offline.

Like apt-get, USC installs recommended items by default, though you can
uncheck them in the "Add-ons" section if you want to.

Downloading small suggested packages might make future installations
easier, but it would make current installations slower. This is similar
to "Web accelerators" that cache linked items on Web pages; many of the
same lessons may apply.

> The third idea is to have a button or something to make desktop links,
> since some people don't realize they ever can.
>...

I'm not sure what you mean by "desktop links". If you mean making it
easier to launch programs once they're installed, that's
<http://launchpad.net/bugs/670403>.

Cheers
- -- 
Matthew Paul Thomas
http://mpt.net.nz/
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