I agree that precautions must be taken to avoid clogging the bug report system with duplicate bugs. It seems an automatic bug report tool is indeed the way to go.
May I make a few humble recommendations: * A bug reporting shortcut on the taskbar, in ubuntu and kubuntu: [click icon] "Is the problem with a specific application you can pinpoint?" Yes -> Launch the app's bug-reporting-tool (e.g. since KDE apps have their own bug-reporting tool always located in the Help menu, perhaps Gnome as well). No -> Otherwise it will act as a shortcut to "ubuntu-bug linux". * Bug-report tool searches for similar bug reports: A good example seems to be KDE's bug reporting system, where you name the bug you are about to report, and write a short description. Then it performs a search and says "are any of these bugs duplicates?" If you say no, you write a full description and may submit it. * Put a "Submit a bug" link on every single page of launchpad. It will give you directions based on the application you are reporting, or (if you are not on launchpad.net/ubuntu/), prompt you for an application. The instructions should be of the form "hit alt-f2 and type bug-report linux, or click the icon that looks like [img]". The interactive nature of the bug reporting tool will handle all the work of ensuring that system specs and such are submitted, with hints on what makes a good bug report (e.g. steps to reproduce, when it happens, etc.). * Higher priority bug reports for latest versions Another way to avoid duplicates is to insist that bugs only be filed if you are using the latest version in the package manager, or the latest LTS or 6-month release of Ubuntu. This helps ensure a short turnaround time, so that stale already-fixed bugs are not reported. * Workarounds and upvotes Bug comments could be upvotable and markable as "workarounds" (which appear below the body of the bug); this is important when a bugfix has not made it downstream yet, and a user finds a bugpage with dozens or even 100+ comments. * Ability to log into launchpad.net Make password policy more flexible (as described above with many character set combinations, rather than the somewhat arbitrary combination of numbers and punctuation), make sure forget-password-email works in a timely manner, allow logins via partner sites such as google accounts or facebook (some of which use openid I think?). * Fast bug report: Some bugs are very small or obvious in cause; one can have the bug-reporting tool send a short email message with the package dev team, e.g. the user describes how to replicate it in a few words, generating email "[ubuntu bug mini-report] ctrl-K launches Foo not Bar; body: Click this link to request more information (full bug report) from the user: http://..."; -- the bug report tool still gives system information and maybe a screenshot if the user allows. Those are all of the suggestions I can think of right now. I hope they help. I am just very concerned that there is a significant barrier to user bug reports. -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/746905 Title: Bug reporting is impossible -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
