[Bug 1431089] [NEW] update-notifier design causes accidental unexpected reboots

[Alistair Buxton]

Public bug reported:

After installing a kernel update or similar, update-notifier pops up a
window which says "Please reboot to start using updated software." When
the window appears, the reboot button is highlighted by default, which
means pressing space will instantly reboot the computer.

Suppose that somebody types at 50 WPM for 4 hours per day, making 60,000
keystrokes per day. Space is the most commonly pressed key at about 15%
of all keystrokes, or 9000 per day.

The average human reaction time is 200msec. That means if update-
notifier pops up 200msec or less before the time you press space, you
won't be able to do anything about it. Your computer is going to reboot.

9000 * 200msec / 1 day = 0.02 - ie every time this stupid window pops up
there is a 2% chance the user will accidentally reboot their computer
and lose all their work, and they probably won't even realise what
happened.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: update-notifier 0.154.1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-46.77-generic 3.13.11-ckt15
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-46-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.7
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: XFCE
Date: Thu Mar 12 00:28:10 2015
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-06-29 (255 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140416.2)
SourcePackage: update-notifier
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

** Affects: update-notifier (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug trusty

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1431089

Title:
  update-notifier design causes accidental unexpected reboots

Status in update-notifier package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  After installing a kernel update or similar, update-notifier pops up a
  window which says "Please reboot to start using updated software."
  When the window appears, the reboot button is highlighted by default,
  which means pressing space will instantly reboot the computer.

  Suppose that somebody types at 50 WPM for 4 hours per day, making
  60,000 keystrokes per day. Space is the most commonly pressed key at
  about 15% of all keystrokes, or 9000 per day.

  The average human reaction time is 200msec. That means if update-
  notifier pops up 200msec or less before the time you press space, you
  won't be able to do anything about it. Your computer is going to
  reboot.

  9000 * 200msec / 1 day = 0.02 - ie every time this stupid window pops
  up there is a 2% chance the user will accidentally reboot their
  computer and lose all their work, and they probably won't even realise
  what happened.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
  Package: update-notifier 0.154.1ubuntu1
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-46.77-generic 3.13.11-ckt15
  Uname: Linux 3.13.0-46-generic x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
  ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.7
  Architecture: amd64
  CurrentDesktop: XFCE
  Date: Thu Mar 12 00:28:10 2015
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-06-29 (255 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140416.2)
  SourcePackage: update-notifier
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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