[NTLUG:Discuss] Ubuntu Developer Summit for version 10.04

[Ted Gould]

On Wed, 2009-10-28 at 12:58 -0500, Ralph Green wrote:
>  I absolutely want users to know about updates and have control over
> when to install them.  I don't want their work interrupted, like the
> current system does.  I saw that happen during a presentation this last
> weekend.  It was distracting and served no useful purpose.  The
> presenter was not going to stop the presentation and do software
> updates.  I would like to see notification, but not a large red arrow
> that demands attention.  And, if some people think every little update
> demands immediate attention, then perhaps there should be a way to
> customize notifications.

I fail to see how a window opening in the background results in
interrupting someone's work.  Likewise, an icon popping up on the panel
would also be distracting in a presentation.  I think presentations (or
I'd go with demos as presentations usually involve full screen apps) is
a special use-case and not analogous with standard desktop use.

In the end, something has to notify the user of updates.  I think we
agree on that.  If that is in the task list or an icon on the panel.

> Is this a topic that would be good to talk to someone
> at the Ubuntu Developer Summit about?

You are welcome to, but I think you'll need a pretty good argument on
why it should change, what should change, and what the final solution
should look like.  It would probably be best presented as an e-mail on
the Ayatana list:

	http://launchpad.net/~ayatana-discuss

This topic has been discussed a few times before.  You should also
probably read the software center spec and ensure that what you're
proposing isn't on the TODO list there.

	https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter

> > For your specific case I'd say just blank /etc/apt/sources.list and keep
> > a backup copy around for when you come to service the machine.  Then you
> > can just apt-get update and apt-get dist-upgrade.  And move the blank
> > file back.
> > 
>  Just killing the update notifier seems cleaner than this.  Then, the
> user could run Synaptic or Update Manager at any time they wished to get
> all updates.  I don't want to take any control from the users.

No one wishes to install updates.  No one wants to clean floors.  We do
them because it's important.  If there is zero notification, then it'll
never get done.

		--Ted