unity-design team mailing list archive

[Matthew Paul Thomas <mpt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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nick rundy wrote on 23/02/12 14:45:
> 
> I'd like to see some settings created in "System Settings >
> Privacy" that address privacy from an Internet-Connection-Behavior
> standpoint. Essentially, the creation of some mechanism whereby
> users would be able to configure Ubuntu so that nonessential
> internet connections do not occur unless specifically called-for by
> the user (e.g., by manually starting up an "internet only" app like
> Firefox). Many "local" events (e.g., like the user playing an MP3
> file or a video file that is stored locally on the harddrive) are
> resulting in the establishment of an internet connection. The
> reason for the internet connection might be for a "valid" reason
> (e.g., to download cover art for the MP3 file), but it is not
> "essential."


That kind of thing should be configured in individual applications
wherever possible, rather than in global settings. The closer the
setting is to the behavior it controls, the more likely people will
find the setting, and the more understandable the context will be. For
example, a "Get album art from the Internet" option in Rhythmbox's
Preferences would be much easier to understand than a "Block Internet
connections for: Rhythmbox" setting somewhere else.

Besides which, privacy is not the only reason you'd want to control
non-essential Internet connections. Bandwidth is another reason.

- -- 
mpt
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