One Hundred Papercuts

"Add/Remove..." should be "Install Applications..."

Bug #393606 reported by David Siegel
18
This bug affects 2 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
One Hundred Papercuts
Invalid
High
Matthew Paul Thomas

Bug Description

The "Add/Remove..." entry in the Applications menu does not directly convey its function; instead it depends on its context within the Applications menu to be interpreted correctly by the user. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it seems like the name could be improved.

"Add/remove what?" wonders the confused user. Additionally, applications are often thought of as being "installed", not "added," so the user might mistakenly think that "Add/remove..." only edits the menu(?). Finally, my intuition is that Add/Remove is predominantly used to install applications, not to uninstall applications, so emphasizing the ability to install applications and deemphasizing the secondary function of application removal might make more sense.

I propose changing:

  Applications

    ...

    "Add/Remove..."

to:

  Applications

    ...

    "Install Applications..."

#####################

Other suggestions:

  * "Add/Remove Applications...."
  * "Browse Applications...."

See original description
Revision history for this message
David Siegel (djsiegel-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Importance set to High to indicate that user testing is needed.

Changed in hundredpapercuts:
importance: Undecided → High
status: New → Confirmed
summary: - "Add/Remove..." should be "Install applications..."
+ "Add/Remove..." should be "Install Applications..."
Revision history for this message
Vish (vish) wrote :

Maybe > "Add/ Remove Applications "

David Siegel (djsiegel-deactivatedaccount)
description: updated
Revision history for this message
Martin Albisetti (beuno) wrote :

Channeling mpt, using a slash is probably a sign that something is wrong. I full agree with the need to mention "Applications" or "Software".
I don't think it's as easy as just saying "Install...", because you can also remove currently installed apps.
Maybe "Software manager" or "Application manager"?

Revision history for this message
GreySim (greysim) wrote :

Split the single entry into two.

"Get more applications" or "Install applications"

and

"Remove applications"

I like "Get new applications" or "Get more applications" more than just "Install applications" because installing may lead the user to think it's to properly install something they have already found and downloaded, perhaps, whereas "Get more applications" implies that the tool is also there to help you locate/browse the software.

Revision history for this message
Martin Albisetti (beuno) wrote : Re: [Bug 393606] Re: "Add/Remove..." should be "Install Applications..."

> Split the single entry into two.
>
...
> I like "Get new applications" or "Get more applications" more than just
> "Install applications" because installing may lead the user to think
> it's to properly install something they have already found and
> downloaded, perhaps, whereas "Get more applications" implies that the
> tool is also there to help you locate/browse the software.

I don't like the split because it adds more options, and we have no
way of properly supporting that with two different layouts at the
moment, but, you have a great point in favor of "Get more
applications". I'm not sure if that's the *best* term for it, but it's
on the right track.

Revision history for this message
Vish (vish) wrote :

I dont think this is an issue any more, Since *mpt* is working on the App center , this can just replace Add/remove ,with no need for this menu item. > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AppCenter ,

The app center is a better idea. Leaving the Applications Menu just to access the programs and the System menu to install/modify programs.

*Mpt* can you confirm that App center will be in Karmic or not?

Revision history for this message
Matthew Paul Thomas (mpt) wrote :

Yes, AppCenter will be in Karmic. We will be doing user testing shortly on appropriate names.

Changed in hundredpapercuts:
assignee: nobody → Matthew Paul Thomas (mpt)
Revision history for this message
Scott Ritchie (scottritchie) wrote :

The key is to get the user to run the application at least once, which means they probably want to install something. Once the application is running it should be clear that it's an easy place to remove software as well.

So I don't think we have to worry about trying to cram "or remove" into the name of the launcher - the user will discover that the first time they run it.

Revision history for this message
Phylum (metus-m) wrote :

It had always been "Add/Remove Applications" before they shrank it down to just "Add/Remove..."
Yeah, this is pretty useful..

Revision history for this message
6205 (6205-reactivated-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

"More Applications.."

Revision history for this message
Vish (vish) wrote :

This is invalid as a papercut, Since this is being replaced.

The new name , as mpt has commented , will depend on user testing.

Changed in hundredpapercuts:
status: Confirmed → Invalid
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