Hi, I'm new to this list, I joined it because I saw in the archive that recently you were discussing the problem with running fsck on boot as a 'just in case' filesystem check. I joined the list because I'm the author of AutoFsck, the script you discussed which effectively moves fsck to shutdown, and asks the user before it is run.
I've been trying (see blueprint below) to get the functionality of AutoFsck included in Ubuntu for a long time, with no success. I have requested support and guidance from the ubuntu-desktop team in launchpad, with no response, I've gone through the idea pool and forums (with great support from users), and had no luck. So I'm hoping that by restarting discussion on this list, that we might be able to get somewhere. Here is the blueprint, and the rest of this (admittedly rather long) email deals with the rationale for something like AutoFsck, and what we can do next: https://blueprints.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/prompt-for-fsck-on-shutdown I think it's well established now that this is a major problem in terms of usability - whenever AutoFsck is discussed there are some people who talk about leaving their computer on for months, there being no need to reboot, windows users coming to linux and complaining about perfectly sane checks, putting data at risk by running checks on shutdown rather than boot etc. I think it's fair to discount these simply by calling them short sighted. The Ubuntu distribution aims to be easy for the new user, or simply the user who just wants to get on with browsing the web, writing documents and looking at photos without having the OS make life difficult for them. This ease of use doesn't mean we have to compromise on quality, or even on advanced features for advanced users, but this isn't an issue of a feature which is too complex for novice users - it's an issue of bad system design from a usability standpoint. So, on the one hand the check is a useful safeguard against some types of filesystem damage, and on the other it can be very annoying to the user. The first thing to note is that this check doesn't have to be done every 30 boots, or every 20, or every 40. Those numbers are arbitrary, the more often you do the check, the safer you're likely to be, it's simple arithmetic, but it would also be absurd to suggest doing it every boot cycle. So it doesn't matter when the check is run, boot or shutdown, or even during the session (forgetting for the moment the technical issues with that) - so long as it is run periodically. As a consequence, when I wrote AutoFsck I didn't have to worry about running checks on a strict deadline, I thoughts simply about usability. When is the most convenient time to run a disk check? The obvious answer is when the user no longer wants to use the computer, on shutdown. But what if they are packing away a laptop and need it to turn of right now? Well, have a dialogue asking if it's a good time to do the check, if they say no, shut down and prompt them again next time. And there we have AutoFsck, that's all it does. There are a few other features, an audio prompt to get the users attention, a timeout in case they don't see the dialogue (the computer will shut down without running the check after 2 minutes) - but essentially that's it. Of course there are issues with AutoFsck, I'm not suggesting it should go into the Ubuntu distribution in its current form (although it is fully functional). Some people worry that users will get into the habit of saying no (when prompted to run fsck) so they don't ever run the check. Well to be honest that is the users right, but I see no evidence from the users of AutoFsck - most users are more in the habit of clicking yes, it's not often that they need to say no. What to do now? I'm not entirely sure, but I'm open to any suggestions, help with AutoFsck, discussion of how we could get this functionality into the Ubuntu distribution, discussion of the technicalities of AutoFsck, how it works etc. On some AutoFsck users suggestion I've created a sort of petition for this functionality, at the bottom of: http://wiki.ubuntu.com/AutoFsck The idea pool thread which relates to this is: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=3985270#post3985270 Jon -- Slingshot - a unique game everyone enjoys - and it's free :-) http://www.slingshot-game.org
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