You lost a new Ubuntu user

[Tim Hawkins]

Connecting and transferring data online during an offline media  
install is not an expected activity, it is the kind of
"phone home" activity that is derided of other OS's such as Microsoft  
windows. It is especially
bad given that the user does not know its going to happen, and does  
not know why it is happening.

Installing a new operating system is a trust activity, if the OS  
starts doing things you don't expect it damages that trust. Right at
the time when the users first impressions are being formed.

If i use a netboot install, i expect it to access the net, if I  
install from a CD I expect it to install from the media I designated,  
the CD.

I do not expect it to access the net with out informing me what or why  
it is doing it.

Just my 2cents.

On 26 Dec 2008, at 05:29, nergar wrote:

> This is getting out of proportion. Ubuntu should NOT ask if it is ok  
> to
> get updates. We are trying to run a "Linux for human beings" distro  
> and
> if we start taking steps in this direction, we might as well ask for
> permission to connect when opening firefox. The last thing we need are
> more dialogs to confuse/annoy users.
>
> Another thing to take into account is, Linux is about CHOICES. If  
> anyone
> feels like a control freak they should be using Arch or Gentoo or any
> other distro that will fit them better.
>
> We have more important things to worry about, like stability. Ubuntu  
> has
> become very unstable lately.
>
> HggdH wrote:
>> Le Thursday 25 December 2008 à 22:40 +0200, Dotan Cohen a écrit :
>>> 2008/12/25 Manish Sinha <manishsinha.tech at gmail.com>:
>>>> I again repeat the above line since bandwidth is one of the two  
>>>> main
>>>> issues, first being the installer connecting to the internet  
>>>> without
>>>> user's consent.
>>>>
>>> Having the network cable plugged in implies consent. If you don't  
>>> want
>>> you computer connecting to a network, then don't plug it in. I have
>>> lived in areas of limited and expensive bandwidth, and even for a
>>> desktop with the network cable under the desk, it seemed common  
>>> sense
>>> that so long as it was plugged in, something would try to connect.
>>
>> Sorry, you are generalising from your own perceptions. The original
>> complaint was clearly set against going out into the wild Internet
>> without asking first (and, <gasp/>, downloading other/new  
>> programmes).
>>
>> I agree with it. If I have a full CD with Ubuntu, I do not expect  
>> it to
>> get into the Internet without telling me first, no matter what.
>>
>> If being connected is what it takes to get out, then warn/suggest the
>> user to disconnect if no such contact is wanted. But never expect
>> *implicit*, *implied*, consents to have been given.
>>
>> The fact that something will try to connect if a connection is  
>> available
>> is the root of the problem. The default should be *NO* connection  
>> unless
>> explicitly allowed, be it out or in.
>>
>
> -- 
> Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list
> Ubuntu-devel-discuss at lists.ubuntu.com
> Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss