Little things that matter: Installing non-free codecs in the Installer

Reader Alaukik spotted the following rewording of the non-free software disclimaer as he installed the latest Ubuntu 10.10 daily build. It changes the previously less-explanatory 'please offer me non-opensource software' to a paragraph of a more informative ilk. 

I love the fact that this option is there both for newcomers and seasoned Ubuntu-ites. It's one less thing to have to do on a fresh install. 

Image, spot | Alaukik

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Ubuntu 10.10 installer installs whilst you fill in your info

The newly redesigned Ubuntu 10.10 installer just keeps getting better.

Reader Macey stopped by the OMG! Inbox! after taking the latest Maverick daily desktop CD for a spin and noticed something particularly neat about the installer: it saves you time!

“..download the latest Maverick daily desktop CD and you will see that the first question asked is about partitioning. This is so the system can go about copying to the hard drive whilst you are still finishing the other questions such as region, user name etc. Awesome”

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Redesigned Installer lands in Maverick

The first drop of the newly redesigned Ubiquity installer for Ubuntu 10.10 has landed in Maverick.

We have previously blogged about the changes proposed for the Maverick installer but this is the first time that the new design has been available for testing.

Almost every aspect of the installer benefits from a visual retouch and, on the whole, the step-by-step run-through seems to feel quick, un-complicated and reassuring - all great traits for new users to be greeting.

Particularly worth mentioning is the fantastic new 'prep' screen that displays prior to actual installation.

Here users are able to not only check that they meet requirements but are also able to check a box during installation to provide non-open-source software.

The installer is still a WIP so the screenshots above do not equate to the final product that will bound on to your screen come October. What they do show us is that Ubuntu, once again, has raised the bar for user experience.

More screenshots below: -

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Proposed Ubuntu 10.10 installer changes will make installation faster, friendly, intelligent

A new installation and Live CD experience is being mooted for inclusion in Ubuntu 10.10 that aims to address the complexities and inconsistencies currently inherent in the process and thus make the entire process super-quick, friendly and reassuring to new users.

Why the need?

For many users the installation is their first taste of the Ubuntu pie; leave a bad taste here and the user may never come back for a second slice. By crafting a refined and reassuring overhaul of the installation/ubiquity experience users will feel more in control, informed and confident in using Ubuntu.

As such the installer will aim to behave much more intelligently, cautiously and user-friendly. Particular attention will be paid to the partitioning process which daunts/terrifies many a new user.

“The Ubuntu Live CD is the first experience many new users will have of Ubuntu. The installation experience should be attractive and effortless to reassure new users that Ubuntu is the right choice. The process should feel safe and should only highlight risk when necessary (e.g. when data will be destroyed).”

Overview

The design specification detailing the proposed changes is exhaustive and thorough but below are some of the notable changes that, having been a newbie once myself, offer up a delicious menu of change that will dramatically reduce the headache that installation so often presents.

Don’t ask the obvious

One cool idea suggested - and likely to be implemented in the installer - is automatically detecting language, wifi, keyboard layout time zone, etc settings from other installed Operating Systems or the internet. This has the added benefit of ditching two entire steps from the install process by not needing user input thus making installation quicker.

Install user essentials

Checkboxes for installing legally encumbered codec's and applications during the installation process will also be introduced. Doing so will enable users to start using their desktop as they see fit right after installation - no trying to play .mp3s and receiving a warning.

Make partitioning mum-proof

Partitioning is another area with sexy mock-ups proposed for clear and more intuitive partitioning. Gone are the fields for manual size entry (which confuses many-a-newbie) and in comes some simple options (’replace everything’ or ‘use half of available disk space’.) A new slider widget aims to allow better tweaking of size allocation, too.

Vs.

Calm installation

As is obvious from the designs so far one key aim is to to inform and confirm the users intentions during installation. Whether this is through a new ‘get ready’ screen or via a new ‘time remaining’ widget during actual installation - keeping users fully aware of what is happening - or about to happen - makes them feel much more confident in proceeding. 

Particular attention will be paid to not un-necessarily alarming the user with screams of “DATA LOSS” and “WARNING” but, after confirming their actions, proceed quietly. Other wording will be changed to make more sense to the end-user (E.g. Password 'strength: weak' text will be changed to 'Weak password'.)

It’s all about you

An improved user-account creation dialogue will offer up many oft-requested features - including the ability to take a user-account photo with your webcam!

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Ubuntu 10.04 Installation Slideshow Gets Updated

We’ve blogged previously about the new-look installation slideshow (designed by Dylan McCall, Michael Forrest and Otto Greenslade) that will greet all users installing of Ubuntu 10.04 – but today finally saw it get pushed into actual being with plenty of changes - most of which fix issues readers expressed during the initial designs.

The ever-so-slightly misaligned Ubuntu logo of before is now almost perfectly centred with its frame.

The lack of a generic “web” icon irked some. You’ll be pleased to see the official Firefox icon in its place

The push also sees updated slideshows for Kubuntu and Xubuntu - although the Xubuntu version is, in comparison to its slickly designed counterparts, a bit austere looking.

Take a peek

If you really want to see the slideshow inaction then doing so is easy.

• Download this Tarbell and extract.
• Double click on the test-slideshow.sh file inside the extracted folder and choose which derivative slideshow you wish to preview when prompted to do so.
• Spend 5 minutes of your life watching a fake installation. 

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Ubuntu 10.04 Live CD Installer gets a slick new look

The Ubuntu 10.04 Live CD has ditched the boring ‘black on white text’ menu approach and instead delivers up a GUI menu. Whilst we’re still 2 months away from the final installer design, here’s a quick peek at it as it currently exists: -

So you’ve download and burnt your Ubuntu 10.04 Live CD, you pop it into your disc tray and whirr up.

The first screen is a blink and you miss it affair.

This screen essentially tries to convey “hit a button to see other options”. Doing so will take you to the, by now, familiar menu screen where you can select options such as OEM install, memory test, disc check, etc.

The new look menu

But what happens if you don’t press a key during the fleeting all-but-a-second the first screen show for? Lo and behold you see the gorgeous new Ubuntu Plymouth boot screen whizzing by your eyes before fading into this menu: -

This screen replaces the text menu of old and you’ll now notice that languages are now presented on the left-hand side rather than in a pop-up selection screen.

'Clicking the ‘Try Ubuntu 10.04’ buttons takes you straight to the Live CD desktop so you can fool around with the latest and greatest OS.

Installation

Clicking on ‘Install Ubuntu 10.04’ does, not surprisingly, initialize the installation walkthrough.

The set-up steps haven’t changed dramatically so far, you’re still presented with pretty much the same screens as in the Alpha bar a few tweaks here and there: -

 

  

Some screenshots very kindly provided by NCLI and ricsipontaz

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