Re: Modifying GNOME-About to count users

[Alan Horkan <horkana maths tcd ie>]

On Mon, 4 Jul 2005, Scott Sloan wrote:

> Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2005 23:49:14 -0500
> From: Scott Sloan <devscott charter net>
> To: John Williams <jwilliams business otago ac nz>
> Cc: desktop-devel-list gnome org
> Subject: Re: Modifying GNOME-About to count users
>
>
> > Essentially we propose modifying the GNOME About box to include a toggle
> > that indicate the user's permission to activate a program that would
> > periodically contact a central GNOME server.   Information that would be
> > transmitted and recorded has not been decided yet, but the prime
> > requirement is to record the number of current GNOME users (not
> > installations) on a (say) monthly basis.
>
> Why the About Box?

When it comes to providing feedback bug-buddy seems to me like the right
place to put this.  You could expand bug buddy and allow users to
optionally include various bits of additional meta data or other survey
information.  I used the Netscape Talkback tool extensively for several
years and before you chose send it included nice checklist of exactly what
information you were willing to include in the report so I think it is
something users wont mind.

- Alan H.