Bug 489583 - Add a way to *connect* to networks, not just configure and manage them
Summary: Add a way to *connect* to networks, not just configure and manage them
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: systemsettings
Classification: Applications
Component: kcm_networkmanagement (show other bugs)
Version: 6.1.1
Platform: Other Linux
: NOR wishlist
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords: usability
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2024-07-02 05:31 UTC by Ellie
Modified: 2024-07-02 18:09 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
How the Wi-Fi & Networking section currently actually looks like (Status quo) (482.82 KB, image/jpeg)
2024-07-02 05:31 UTC, Ellie
Details
How the Wi-Fi & Networking section maybe should look like (Concept idea) (3.33 MB, image/png)
2024-07-02 05:32 UTC, Ellie
Details

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Description Ellie 2024-07-02 05:31:49 UTC
Created attachment 171264 [details]
How the Wi-Fi & Networking section currently actually looks like (Status quo)

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SUMMARY

UX: The Wi-Fi & Networking section showing no obvious way to connect to a wifi network feels confusing to me, especially since 1. it seems inconsistent with the title of the entire section since "Wi-Fi & Networking" doesn't suggest I basically can't do the most required Wi-Fi action in that section, which is to just connect to some random network, and 2. GNOME Control Center doesn't have this issue and actually offers ways to connect to networks as well. This seems especially confusing with the "+" button at the bottom, since in no way does that one suggest it only works for creating hotspots rather than also creating connections as a client to existing hotspots. Also, even more confusing is that when not being connected the Wi-Fi card isn't even listed, which feels like the driver is just plain broken. My apologies if this is just me, or if there is an obvious connect button and I just missed it.

I have therefore attached a suggested UI how the Wi-Fi should be listed when not connected, with a dummy entry to allow connecting to new networks which would ideally open up some popup showing the list of networks available. Then the list in the "+" button popup could also be revised to differentiate between new "Wi-Fi Hotspot" and new "Wi-Fi Client Connection" in the lit, and the latter could also show this Wi-Fi network popup to pick one.

All of this is also a problem in case the plasma quick settings malfunction: https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=489481 since in that case, unlike with GNOME, it's seemingly no longer possible to use Wi-Fi. Having less points of failures here might be beneficial.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE

1. Open up Wi-Fi & Networking panel in KDE settings and see attached screenshot

OBSERVED RESULT

Seemingly there's no way to connect to any wi-fi, even though it says "Wi-Fi & Networking"

EXPECTED RESULT

Obvious way to connect to a wi-fi in that section

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: 
macOS: 
Linux/KDE Plasma: 
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: 
KDE Frameworks Version: 
Qt Version: 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Comment 1 Ellie 2024-07-02 05:32:37 UTC
Created attachment 171265 [details]
How the Wi-Fi & Networking section maybe should look like (Concept idea)
Comment 2 Nate Graham 2024-07-02 18:09:22 UTC
Indeed, the KCM is more about network *management* than network *connecting*. It should easily allow that too, should you find your way there instead of the widget.

In the meantime, just use the widget in the System Tray; it's way faster anyway!