in Featured, Software |

Software Centre included with Ubuntu 22.04 is too amateurish for this modern OS

Canonical’s Ubuntu 22.04 desktop operating system is a polished open source PC operating system that for the last two years has replaced Microsoft Windows in my home. And frankly, that’s a wonderful feeling.

I agree with Canonical in its advertisement that Ubuntu is:

  • Complete because includes essential applications like a browser, email, photo and video media applications, and office suite
  • Secure due to security-by-design and included firewall, as well as five years of included security updates
  • Visually Stunning with a shallow and robust settings menu offering a simple, intuitive way to browse and make changes

Where this package falls flat for me is in the included Software Centre application. This application is too amateurish to be included in this modern operating system.

Software Centre, Software Center, or Ubuntu Software?

Across the operating system and when compared to Canonical’s own website, there are discrepancies whether this application is formally named the Software Center (EN-US), Software Centre (EN-UK), or Ubuntu Software (application ABOUT window). Pick a standard and stick with it, please.

An advertisement?

When the application opens, what is shown to the user front and center? A banner advertisement, of course! Advertisements in Ubuntu feel out of place. But don’t be too discouraged as this is not typical of the overall Ubuntu experience.

Non-descriptive tiles

The next three images display tiles, tiles, tiles, tiles, tiles, tiles. There’s no shortage of non-descriptive tiles.

And this is largely my problem. I don’t shop for applications simply looking at icons and quirky application names like postman, Hopsan, and functy. You’re making me work too hard. I can’t click forever browsing for applications like this. Please just show me a sentence or two description of each application.

Software Centre opens to reveal a front-and-center banner advertisement, followed by the Editor’s Picks of favorite icons. It’s up to you to click the icon to discover what purpose kdenlive serves if you’re not already familiar with the application’s name.
Drilling into a category (like Science) reveals pages and pages of tiles that offer little more than cute icons and quirky names.
Drilling into a category (like Finance) reveals pages and pages of tiles that offer little more than cute icons and quirky names.

Mediocre application descriptions

I suspect I can’t blame a mediocre application description on Ubuntu, but instead the application developer.

While in the Finance group, I decided to drill down into a green leaf. Because of course, green leaves and Finance go hand-in-hand in most users’ minds.

This particular application is called nervatura. It’s Open Source Business Management Framework. Ahh, I see. Okay, let’s read more.

Nervatura is a business management framework. It can handle any type of business related information, starting from customer details, up to shipping, stock or payment information.

Phew, that’s good. Because I have business related information that I need handled.

Through no fault of Ubuntu, some application descriptions are written poorly by the developers.

In summary

Kill the tiles, and add a sentence or two description of each application.

###