PackageKit and default update strategy

[Lex Hider]

Jeremy Katz wrote:
> On Fri, 2008-03-14 at 14:47 -0400, Robin Norwood wrote:
>> Also, I thought it might be a good time to revisit the default update
>> strategy.  Right now, gnome-packagekit provides an update icon similar
>> to puplet.  The default configuration is to just notify the user that
>> updates are available.  Some people have suggested applying security
>> updates automatically as the default configuration.  I personally like
>> the idea, but I suspect that some people will not like this behavior as
>> the default.
> 
> Given the number of updates we end up having (even just limited to
> security), I suspect that this isn't a great idea from a bandwidth
> perspective.  For the users who lack persistent connections (and thus
> tend to have lower bandwidth), they'd get online and then immediately
> start having their capacity drained by downloading updates.  That's why
> we've kept the more conservative default of just downloading the update
> information and notifying the user in the past
> 
> Jeremy
> 

It also has to be realised that bandwidth isn't as cheap in other parts 
of the world as it is in the US.

Here in Australia it isn't unusual to have to pay for extra downloads 
over your monthly plan amount.

I don't think it would be in the user's interest to run up a big bill on 
their behalf.

Lex.