in reply to Gathering module usage statistics

I'm not a big fan of any kind of "phone home" software unless it is absolutely necessary for the install itself or the functionality of the program (this last would be things like p2p apps, MORPGs, etc).

In other words, if it is part of the utility of the software, then it is regarded with far less suspicion than anything else.

It seems to me that the obvious place to collect downloading statistics would be on the CPAN mirrors themselves -- but this would require statistics aggregation module on each mirror that would forward the data along to a central database. Whether that will ever happen, who knows, but that seems to be the logical place to look.

That way it's invisible, in a non-creepy way, to the end user.

I personally understand the benign intent of your desire, but the old saw 'perception is reality' applies here.

Matt

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Re: Re: Gathering module usage statistics
by Juerd (Abbot) on May 04, 2004 at 21:25 UTC

    In other words, if it is part of the utility of the software, then it is regarded with far less suspicion than anything else.

    Why would you suspect my module that says it will send 4 static strings to be any more dishonest than a module that doesn't say anything about collecting data?

    It seems to me that the obvious place to collect downloading statistics would be on the CPAN mirrors themselves

    The CPAN is mirrored to a large quantity of servers, that run a variety of server software. Watching logfiles requires a process to run on the servers and I suspect that most do not even log transferred files.

    This will never happen.

    Juerd # { site => 'juerd.nl', plp_site => 'plp.juerd.nl', do_not_use => 'spamtrap' }

[reply]
      Why would you suspect my module that says it will send 4 static strings to be any more dishonest than a module that doesn't say anything about collecting data?

      Juerd,

      I never stated or implied that I thought you or your module were doing anything dishonest.

      If you re-read my last statement, I even say that I understand the benign intent.

      I was pointing out that others, some certain percentage of users (we can debate that ratio till the cows come home), will inevitably perceive things differently.

      Matt

[reply]

        perceive

        Those pesky perceptions ruin a lot. I always try to ignore perception, as I would pretty much have to stop living if I started to care about that.

        Juerd # { site => 'juerd.nl', plp_site => 'plp.juerd.nl', do_not_use => 'spamtrap' }

[reply]

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