Created attachment 164636 [details] sketch: required entering box yes/no "is this network metered"? I attach a very ugly concept sketch of this. The idea: - Distros need to autoupdate. Relying on people to click "okay" is dumb, people ignore it and have outdated systems. - Having updates in the same location as your installed software, especially when using immutable systems, does not make sense But the problem: Unlike Android Linux Laptops have no SIM card often, so typical "metered networks" are not there. On Android automatic updates (as well as many other things like big media, downloads, etc.) can all just check "is this device on a metered network?" And if yes, stop doing things This does not work, as "metered networks" is not simply from another antenna, but for example a phone hotspot or USB tethering. Currently (nearly?) no apps use the "metered network" value, which is really sad. Also it is opt-in, so you may already have used up your 4GB of cell data for a big System update, without knowing it. Benefits: - opt-in: all networks will be seen as unmetered. Adaptive apps will use full resolution, scheduled system updates will go, scheduled downloads in Kasts etc. can all listen to this - opt-out: unless users specify it, no cell data will be used up. This means that automatic updates may never happen though, if users are lazy and dont set a value. Dangers: - opt-in: all networks are seen as unmetered, so if users are lazy, automatic updates etc. may eat their celldata - opt-out: all networks are seen as metered, so lazy users may never get automatic updates. So you see, having a button that REQUIRES users to set if the network is "metered" (with an explanation what this means, like "A metered network may have restricted volume, for example your phone hotspot") or "unmetered. Only if Desktops implement this into a GUI, distros can stop using this silly "do you want to update?" dialog, as its simply a bad workaround for the problem that updates should be automatic, but may eat your data volume. And also only if this is implemented apps can start taking this value seriously. On Android this is brilliant, Apps can stop showing thumbnails, reduce playback quality, stop automatic updates, automatic downloads of Podcasts etc. This is nonexistent on Linux Desktop afaik. And the Setting to set the value in systemsettings is not accessible at all. In the attached sketch I used a little box. But maybe there is a better element, to require users to set a specific value (not opt-in or opt-out but empty by default and then set to "no" or "yes"). Maybe having two boxes and clicking one is required?
Created attachment 164638 [details] idea 2: 2 boxes, input can be required. idea 2 with 2 boxes: very unconfusing, but a bit much content. Clicking on the "i" would show a dialog explaining what "metered" and "unmetered" mean
Created attachment 164639 [details] 3rd idea with an input box This looks more minimal, but requires opening the dialog or pressing the small button to toggle the value. default would be empty with the rule "error if this field is empty" And a user could then only toggle between "yes" and "no" once clicking on a button. This looks more minimal but UX is weird. Not sure if there is something better.
Created attachment 164640 [details] 3rd idea: single box, entry, "i" for information Fix to previous 3rd one: a single box for input, default value "null" and when clicking it either "no" or "yes". If the value is still "null" an error message can appear. Clicking on the "i" shows a popup explaining what metered networks are.
Bulk transfer as requested in T17796