Reorder tabs in network connection editor

[Vadim Nevorotin]

When you try to add new connection or edit existing in Network Manager the first tab in connection properties contain MAC address and MTU. First problem is in MAC address - all users try to change network card MAC by changing this field, but it doesn't work! So this field should be named something like "Network card (by MAC):" or the better idea is replace this field with dropdown list with network interfaces.

Next and more important: _nobody_ of average users know what is MAC and what is MTU. If they try to edit connection, they know only about IP addresses and DHCP. So the first tab in connection preferences dialog should be "IPv4 settings" and tab Wired should be renamed to "Advanced" and moved to back of list. Something like (IPv4 settings | IPv6 Settings | Advanced).

For wireless connections it'll be greate to move MAC and MTU from first tab (where you can specify SSID) to tab "Advanced" and add Security to first tab (remove separate security tab). Moreover, nobody know what is BSSID and Mode, this settings also should be at Advanced tab. So it shoud be like (Wireless settings | IPv4 settings | IPv6 settings | Advanced). And also in DSL rename Wired tab to advanced and reordering ( DSL | IPv4 settings | PPP settings | Advanced ).

Now there is a huge count of questions like "What is MAC|BSSID|MTU and which value I should place in this fileds?" But average user's shouldn't know about this settings at all.

[Vadim Nevorotin (malamut)]

As I see in Maverick there is second MAC address field - clone MAC. One network interface couldn't have two MAC adresses in same time! This two fields is absolutelly, completely not clear for all users as I think, even including system administarors, because term "clone MAC" doesn't exists in other products. I really can't understand why such totally incomprehensible options are on main tab of network configuration dialog. In fact, before user can use GUI network manager, he should read something like manpage for it, because without detailed description of how to fill all fields in settings dialog even advanced user can't correctly configure network.

[Dmitriy Balakin (0x0000.ru)]

Great idea! Beginners often get stuck here.

[amdlin (amdlintuxos)]

in my opinion also good point

[Jan (jancborchardt-deactivatedaccount)]

Normally you add a new connection by just pluggin in a cable or clicking on a WiFi in the applet list. The average user would / should not encounter it, hence it is not a paper cut.

But since you are right that the labels can be improved, I am reassigning this to network-manager-applet. It would be great if you could report this upstream GNOME. On how to do that, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Upstream/GNOME

For more paper cut criteria, please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PaperCut

[Vadim Nevorotin (malamut)]

Well, I completely disagree about average user, because in fact DHCP servers are not in each network. So many users ought to change their network preferences and now they should use for it such awkward and confusing interface. Changing IP is a common operation, and it's described in all manuals and tutorials because it may need for any user at any time. All other Ubuntu interface is quite simple, but for using NM you should be technical specialist and a little telepath. I really think that this is unacceptable for OS like Ubuntu.

I'll report it to GMONE upstream, thank you.