Ubuntu Census tool

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Shayd

Expert Member
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May 12, 2009
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Take a look at the software repository for "census". It sends off basic info to Canonical about how many users are using Ubuntu, and what distro.

I don't really know how to contribute back to Ubuntu for this excellent OS but this seems like it may help them as accurate data on Linux usage is as rare as hens teeth.

Cmon guys stick it on, "its the right thing to do!":p
 
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Logicklz

Active Member
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May 11, 2009
Messages
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Shayd sorry for my quick +- rude comment above
Read this comment that Fred posted on launchpad.net

Fred said:
I do not want Canonical, an OEM or anyone else to know that I installed Ubuntu.

I do not want Canonical, an OEM or anyone else know for how long I have been using Ubuntu or had it installed on my system.

I do not want Canonical, an OEM or anyone else know I use Ubuntu.

I do not want Canonical, or an OEM to know what my IP address is or where I live.

Perhaps by tieing my IP address to my motherboard product name, I could be tracked.

Since it is plain/text, my ISP or some hacker with a packet sniffer on the network could know what operating system I use and what version and that information could be useful for him in order to compromise my system.

This seems a bit like WGA and spyware.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Genuine_Advantage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware
Click to expand...
 
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koffiejunkie

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Aug 23, 2004
Messages
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And why should we care what Fred said? Nothing is anonymous on the internet. And if you don't want someone on your network or at your ISP to know your dirty little secret, use tor.

For what it's worth, your ISP already know what you're up to. Why? Because if you live in south africa, you are going through a transparent proxy, weather you like it or not. And of course, they serve you your DNS. So they know about those lolita sites you frequent ;)
 
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MyWorld

Executive Member
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Mar 24, 2004
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I do not want Canonical, an OEM or anyone else to know that I installed Ubuntu.
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Then you should disconnect from the internet, almost every single website out there knows what you OS is, what machine you run it on, etc.
This is from a website stats page:
IP: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.2; Win64; x64; SV1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727)
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And this is the dead standard output, you can beef this up to reveal almost everything of your visitors.

I do not want Canonical, an OEM or anyone else know for how long I have been using Ubuntu or had it installed on my system.
Click to expand...
Why not? Are you ashamed of Linux or for that matter Ubuntu? I have been using Linux for I think 8 years now (give a year or two).

I do not want Canonical, an OEM or anyone else know I use Ubuntu.
Click to expand...
Rever to the first answer...

I do not want Canonical, or an OEM to know what my IP address is or where I live.
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IP address again, everything on the internet already knows your IP, where you live is a bit more tricky. Your ISP knows that, and if you have Facebook, Twitter or any other social network then you are about as safe as a chocolate at fat camp.

Perhaps by tieing my IP address to my motherboard product name, I could be tracked.
Click to expand...
And why should this be a fear? I love that I'm able to track a stolen laptop or smart phone because of this.

Since it is plain/text, my ISP or some hacker with a packet sniffer on the network could know what operating system I use and what version and that information could be useful for him in order to compromise my system.
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That is one of the weakest arguments I have ever heard. Again, comment numero UNO.

Fred is not very clued up on what exactly is already known about you simply by visiting a website. He must have never then played an online game before, used SETI or something similar, visited a forum or heaven forbid, use webmail.

I'm paranoid about my privacy on the internet and therefore only a handful of people know my real name, but to think you are completely anonymous is very naive indeed.
:D
 
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Logicklz

Active Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
92
I also love privacy. I didn't say anything when I posted the post of Fred.
I know everything gets monitored these days. It's the aspect of technology that I personally hate.

Just because we get monitored on the Internet doesn't mean we now need to install monitor software on your system.

Well, tell me who of you guys install this tool on their PC's.
 
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kingrob

Guest
Logicklz said:
Well, tell me who of you guys install this tool on their PC's.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna install it.

Guess it's the smallest token (no pun intended) of appreciation I can give Canonical for all their effort & hard work.
 
S

Shayd

Expert Member
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Messages
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Is it just me or is it gone now? I can't seem to find it no more
 
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milomak

Honorary Master
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
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koffiejunkie said:
I have the "popularity-contest" package on my Debian boxes - same sorta thing.
Click to expand...

depending how i feel on the day of install, i install or do not install. don't know why. i think some other distros call it pop or something.
 
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