synaptic with dpkg progressbar in hoary

[Jean Privat]

I try the new update management system. I think it is very good but I
think more consistence may improve it.

Here is the usual upgrade scenario:

1) the update manager shows a list of available update
2) the user clicks on "Install"
3) the update manager manager window disappears
4) nothing, the user have to wait
5) the download windows appears (in the centre of the screen on my test)
6) the download starts then reaches 100%
7) the download windows disappears
8) nothing, the user have to wait a little
9) the installing windows appears (in the top left corner of the screen
on my test)
10) nothing append... ooops, it's my fault, I installed apt-listchanges
11) the install process starts then reaches 100%
12) the install windows disappears

What are the problems:
a) the user have to wait without any feedback (part 4 and 8)
b) the download ans install window are a little different: not the same
position, not the same layout (the install windows shows the package
currently installed but the download don't), no cancel button while
installing
c) when the process finish, not even a congratulation :)

How to improve ?
Use the same window for download and install
* use the same progress bar
* shows the packages currently installed (as now) but also downloaded
* if details are enabled during download (independent progress), let the
details for installation (terminal)
* when the install process is finished, display a congratulation message
and transform the "cancel" button into an "ok" button.
* add a state control on the left of the screen which summarise the
process: put 3 icons, "download", "install", "finish" and highlight the
current one (or grey the two others)

I hope these ideas may be used to improve usability.

Jean Privat