Yaru: Enhancement: Change Icon for "Software & Updates"

[DarkTrick]

I'm writing here, because I was "forwarded" from ubuntu discourse .

Digest of my ubuntu discourse post:

Current situation:
Current look of "Software & Updates": current situation

Problem:
"Software & updates" and "Software Update" look pretty much the same.

Suggestion:
Add a gear to "Software & Updates" because it's for settings
example image (this is not a final version; just to get the idea)

Edit:
The above is apparently difficult, so I added two other suggestions:

• https://imgur.com/a/eRrfPZI
• https://imgur.com/a/tCauBzo

Base gimp file (just as reference):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjp1f0yyi5stwo5/updater_suggestions.xcf?dl=0

obsolete:

Regarding a new design I would suggestion using something cogwheel-like. I feel it is consistent to current systems - internally and externally.

• Internal: This is already used as Settings icon.
• External: tablets/smartphones use it (huge user base).

[madsrh]

Nice idea @DarkTrick

What do you think @ubuntujaggers ?

https://i.imgur.com/S6zTmja_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

[ubuntujaggers]

Unfortunately we have a policy nowadays of not making a superimposed emblem part of the icons (because emblems can already be superimposed on icons) :( We eventually settled on the distinction of having a progress bar for the updater and a matching slider for settings (and hopefully the colour makes it easy to distinguish when you know which is which - but half the problem is the fact we have two offerings with almost the same name, rather than one icon to stand for both!).

[madsrh]

Ahh, I couldn't find the issue where this discussion took place but luckily you have the mind of an elephant 😄

Aren't emblems only/mostly for files and not apps? I've never seen one in the dock (except for the counter batch ofc).

[DarkTrick]

I'm not entirely certain about the exact meaning of "superimpose".
Also something like this would be not possible?
https://imgur.com/a/eRrfPZI
edit: Or https://imgur.com/a/tCauBzo

because emblems can already be superimposed on icons
Just for my personal understanding: Could someone provide an example of this. I have no idea what to imagine here.

[ubuntujaggers]

Apologies, it means "put on top of". Gnome already overlay circular emblems onto icons in certain contexts so we try to avoid using them in designs (we still need to come up with a new design for startup disk creator!).

That first linked image is really nice and I'll have a go at incorporating it into the icon for the next release :+1:

[Feichtmeier]

I still love eaglers version where the progressbar in the A was replaced by a :gear: :shrug:

[madsrh]

I still love eaglers version where the progressbar in the A was replaced by a ⚙️ 🤷

Do you have a link because I can't find it 🙈

[Feichtmeier]

This thread has nice design ideas https://github.com/ubuntu/yaru/issues/1940

[madsrh]

Okay, this is pretty poorly executed but you get the idea which is to use a wrench for the line in the A

[ubuntujaggers]

That's another nice concept!

I can't remember why we didn't go for Eagler's concept. I know he never provided the SVG and I dimly recall it was hard making it clear at small sizes (possibly a reflection of my skill rather than the design).

[madsrh]

(possibly a reflection of my skill rather than the design)

I doubt that. Your skills are much improved with every release 🥇

I know you have other stuff pending, but is this something you would/could take a stab at?

[Feichtmeier]

Looks cool.
Additionally I would go away from the purple for this icon so it also is different in colour

[DarkTrick]

Maybe it's worth running a poll for some designs?

I personally would vote for something with a cogwheel. I feel it would be more consistent - internally and externally.
Internal: This is already used as Settings icon.
External: tablets/smartphones use it (huge user base).

[Feichtmeier]

We made bad experiences with polls, but we appreciate your opinion and feedback :+1:
Just reading the issues here is okay to get impressions imo

[DarkTrick]

Just for reference, here is my base gimp-file.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjp1f0yyi5stwo5/updater_suggestions.xcf?dl=0

I also consolidated my discussion content in the first post.

[ubuntujaggers]

Needs work to make it clearer:

...but that's the spanner concept so far. Personally I'm quite fond of the slider?

[Feichtmeier]

I think the color is also a problem. Maybe play with the ubuntu orange as a background for software + updates instead? Maybe even drop the A for this one ? :shrug:

[DarkTrick]

I made the screenshot a little bigger for my initial test-images and the wrench one here:
https://imgur.com/a/EjSyrAY

Tbh... the wrench one looks the best to _me_.

edit:
Please note, that the imgur link contains 4 images. The original wrench-one is in the bottom

[Feichtmeier]

I made the screenshot a little bigger for my initial test-images and the wrench one here:
https://imgur.com/a/EjSyrAY

Tbh... the wrench one looks the best to _me_.

Thanks for sharing your idea!

[Feichtmeier]

@DarkTrick we decided to keep the current icon until these functionalities are merged into the snap store. Thanks for contributing