Hello DD's and Debian Users,
I have installed Debian around an year ago. Recently, I have subscribed to
various mailing lists and reading them on daily basis, whether they are
relevant to me or not. I am still learning about debian.
Prior to the installation of Debian, I don't have any experience with Linux
or any kind of Linux Distributions. I did some research and concluded that
Debian suits me well due to it's rock solid stability.
When I was first installing Debian, my room mate was also with me. My room
mate has some kind of exposure to linux distros. When the option has come
for installation of popularity-contest, he suggested me not to install it.
He told me that "it will take you to places". Eventhough I never understood
what that phrase was meant. I have contacted some other people and they too
has same kind of impression.
The issue lies with a person's perception and privacy fears. The issue has
to be dealt in a careful manner and with a holistic approach.
This is my two step approach :
Step 1 : We should know a person's idea about the package.
Q1 : Did you install the popularity-contest package at the time of
installation ?
A : Yes or No.
Q2 : Do you know the purpose and use of popularity-contest package ?
A : Yes or No.
Q3 : What is a popularity-contest package ?
A : O1 : It sends the installed packages list to the Debian server
anonymously.
O2 : It collects the data about the system architecture anonmyously.
O3 : It collects the information about your system hardware and
installed packages and
distributes to various third party organisations for commercial
and non-commercial
purposes.
Step 2 : The above step will give us a clear impression about the package
perception. If most of them think that package is
[1] invading the privacy : then we should dispel their fear. The popcon
website should provide more information and it should be more interactive
too. Like providing stats on weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis for
each architecture.
[2] if they have right impression but did not installed the package : There
are two reasons for the answer : [a] they do not have an active internet
connection [b] they are not simply interested, since they find that it has
no value.
[a] We can have a package similar to bugreport and ask them to send an
e-mail. The user will know what they are disclosing exactly.
[b] Can be solved with more information and interactive popcon website.
The Step 1 can achieved by a detailed survey. The survey might be carried on
the website or wiki page of debian. We can also encourage debian users with
websites or blogs to carry out the surveys independently.
To me there is nothing wrong collecting information about system
architecture and installed packages, as long it is anonymous. I hope this
might be helpful for the community. Excuse for broken english.
vishnuvardhan.
