Usability: too many wireless networks makes it hard to find and pick the one you want
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
network-manager-applet (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
Undecided
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
Binary package hint: network-manager
Near my apartment building, there are almost 50 wireless networks.
I have my own hidden SSID, but it sorts last. So any time I want to connect, or select one of the menu items at the bottom (Hidden networks, VPN, Create New ..) it's a slow process of trying to scroll through. This was more true when I was first setting up my new Ubuntu install and had some probs connecting (vs. now where things are working and I don't need to look at the menu often). I also plan to move between about 5 locations with different access points (home, work, friend's places, etc.) and will need to manage these easily.
I would suggest:
1. An option to connect to a new network you just defined (from the Network Connections popup reached by the Edit Connections Menu OR System-> Preferences -> Network Connections), or one that you had created before. I'm reminded of Vista where it seems it is worse, but stems from the same problem: the editing of network definitions is treated as completely separate from the act of trying to connect, yet that's typically the reason you're editing/defining it -- so you can connect to it.
2. An quick menu that shows all the nets you've defined, marking which ones are available and allowing you to pick one of them OR optionally to list all available networks you can see (which is the current behaviour).
Setting a network connection to "connect automatically" helps, but IMHO the above will make it even more intuitive.
ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
IfupdownConfig:
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
NonfreeKernelMo
Package: network-manager 0.7.1~rc4.
ProcEnviron:
LANG=en_US.UTF-8
SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: network-manager
Uname: Linux 2.6.28-11-generic x86_64
I just tried Karmic Beta Netbook Remix and I confirm this bug.
IMHO the main problem is that network list is sorted by name. Instead it should be sorted by signal strength because in a public area you want to connect to the nearest network. And also in previous example, when you are at home you want to connect to your network and it should be the best signal across the others, or at the least one of the first.
In attach what i got today, my network was under "More Networks..." but it has the best signal strength.