[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Ubuntu Linux's Amazon integration gets a thumbs-down from the EFF here

[marlor]

Mark Shuttleworth and Canonical is going to loose the trust of everyone that uses Ubuntu. They want you to donate and on the other hand want to give your search information away - what gives!

I was going to donate to them but now I am having second thoughs. Just what everybody needs these days - Invasion of Privacy!

[tfosorcim]

Very simple solution:

Don't use Ubuntu.


1. You keep your privacy, and
2. you send a message.


See how simple it is, and how much power you have?

[catagious]

Quote

Very simple solution: Don't use Ubuntu. 1. You keep your privacy, and 2. you send a message. See how simple it is, and how much power you have?

So what OS would you advise using? Apple and Microsoft both do the same thing. Along with most Web browsers like Yahoo, Google, IE, Safari, Opera, and Firefox. The only safe and secure computer is one not connected to any network.

[ndmushroom]

Quote

Very simple solution: Don't use Ubuntu. 1. You keep your privacy, and 2. you send a message. See how simple it is, and how much power you have? So what OS would you advise using? Apple and Microsoft both do the same thing. Along with most Web browsers like Yahoo, Google, IE, Safari, Opera, and Firefox. The only safe and secure computer is one not connected to any network.

Errr... You are aware there's about a million Linux distribution that AREN'T Ubuntu, right?

[Port8]

I liked Ubuntu the most and I didn't understand, why Mint was getting more and more popular. Well, I tried Mint 13 Mate and XFCE on a pandrive and I got it in 5 minutes. Now I'm gonna change Ubuntu to Mint on my computers, as soon as Mint 14 comes out.
The reasons: Ubuntu with Unity is too simple. I cannot costumize the desktop and all the settings I got used to with Windows. Ubuntu doesn't work as well out of the box as Mint (videos, etc).
Mint Mate looks great and gives the complete control and view of everything. VLC and other essential apps are included by default. There's no Unity, so there are no such issues.
Preferences and likes are subjective, so I don't say Mint is better for everyone. Mint is better for me. Actually, it made me seriously consider using it as my primary OS. The other thing I love, that my computers start up and shut down way much faster with Linux than with Windows. I can do everything on Mint I want - LibreOffice contributes a lot to this -, it's faster, it's more secure, it's pretty, why not make the change?

[gvnmcknz]

Lubuntu, Xubuntu, no problems!

See

http://www.zdnet.com...ory-7000005502/

[Port8]

Quote

Lubuntu, Xubuntu, no problems! See http://www.zdnet.com...ory-7000005502/

Yes, I thought of them too! Ubuntu with XFCE and LXDE is fast and great, giving you the same control and customization as Mint. What draws me to Mint Mate and XFCE is that it includes LibreOffice, VLC and other essential apps by default, so I don't have to spend time with insatalling also those. Also, it's still amazingly fast and responsive.
Apart from that, Lubuntu and Xubuntu is just as great and you can install on them those apps separately. I havn't tried Kubuntu, because KDE is said to be slower as XFCE.
However, as my experience shows, you have to try different distros to find out which is the best for you. I think only reading reviews is not enough to decide. You have to feel it!

[wildlinux]

Sure Mint is nice;as are dozens of other distributions. Ubuntu doesn't force you to use Unity,I have 5 DEs on my laptop though I usually use Gnome (classical) but never Unity. Try some RPM distributions too, I use Kororaa on my desktop it is fedora nice without having to install all of the things I would anyway;plus a few I have to remove but it saves time. Sabayon is really nice and fast and is a (semi) rolling release. There are too many to mention where developers have dreamed and worked and then said "This is what I think a Gnu/Linux distribution should be. I've yet to try one that simply failed.

[ChristopherStSauveur]

Alot of comments say just use another OS like Mint

Mint is ubuntu based along with alot of distros
so anything Ubuntu does will affect other distros down the line

I dont have a problem with Amazon cus they have my info already
its the 3rd parties that are the issue

Ubuntu i hope works out a good compromise

[PascalGarneau]

“There are many reasons why you wouldn't want any of these search queries to leave your computer.”
Silly EFF, every ISP in north america records your internet queries with your name on it. There as been no such thing as privacy on the internet for over a decade. Stop complaining about anonymous recording, it's just stupid.

[mxmgs]

to remove the amazon search in the desktop use:

sudo apt-get remove unity-lens-shopping



we still have a choice and always will have with linux.

[extremeskillz]

Thanks MXMGS as that was what I was going to say! I use ubuntu on all production and home systems and that one tweak is all it takes to remove Amazon from your system and to continue using Ubuntu 12.10 like 12.04. Also the setting to turn it off is in the system settings as well.

[Lsatenstein]

Quote

Very simple solution: Don't use Ubuntu. 1. You keep your privacy, and 2. you send a message. See how simple it is, and how much power you have? So what OS would you advise using? Apple and Microsoft both do the same thing. Along with most Web browsers like Yahoo, Google, IE, Safari, Opera, and Firefox. The only safe and secure computer is one not connected to any network.

If you like UBUNTU, you will very much like Fedora 17, and the soon to be released Fedora 18.

Fedora users have a third party application that can download all the codecs and you tube viewers. Fedora, being an American distribution does not include non open source or non free software or codecs or mention them. Legally they cannot. However, a website, www.rpmfusion.org has these for Fedora, Centos, Scientific Linux and many other distributions paralleling Fedora.

I do half my programming in Fedora and the other half with Ubuntu. Since Fedora was my first distribution to use, I have strong emotional ties to it. It is like having a Honda or Toyota vehicle. Which would you choose if both models are similar?

RPMfusion is offshore from the USA and therefore Fedora cannot tell you to go there for free and non free stuff. But there is no breaking of any law if you do get RPMFUSION stuff.

[thomasmc]

I'm sticking to 12.04 until Canonical realizes that customer privacy MATTERS.

[IsaiahGilliland]

You people are silly. It comes with a kill switch. Just turn it off it you don't want it. Nothing is being forced on anyone and those may like the feature can keep it. Those that don't can turn it off.

[russell2pi]

The above comments all miss the point to one degree or another. The big issues are:

1) It is opt-out. Explicit consent to violate the user's privacy is never gained. No genuine attempt is made to make sure the user is aware of what they are doing.

2) It is done in response to an attempt to search your own computer. Searching in the Dash is like searching in Finder or Windows Explorer. There is NO expectation that you are actually performing an internet search, with all of the privacy implications of that.

For heaven's sake, even Microsoft and Apple, as far as I know, respect the fact that a local search is a local search. They don't semi-secretly collect your local search data and leak it to third parties. And they certainly don't render ads in such a core element of the operating system. If they did, they'd be called adware -- as should Ubuntu.

The fact that you can turn it off is besides the point. Failure to gain explicit consent from the user is a deliberate attempt to trick them into privacy violations in order to maximise revenue to Ubuntu owner Mark Shuttleworth.

Ask yourself, what other possible reason could there be not to have a once-off modal dialog box asking for explicit consent? Maybe because everyone would refuse? Everyone of those who would have refused if asked explicitly, but when they weren't asked went ahead and used it -- every one of those people is someone who has been deceived for profit.

[DogStarChampion]

Guys, "sudo apt-get remove unity-lens-shopping".

Problem solved.

[BrianK]

Quote

Very simple solution: Don't use Ubuntu. 1. You keep your privacy, and 2. you send a message. See how simple it is, and how much power you have? So what OS would you advise using? Apple and Microsoft both do the same thing. Along with most Web browsers like Yahoo, Google, IE, Safari, Opera, and Firefox. The only safe and secure computer is one not connected to any network.

Microsoft and Apple don't have ads pop up from Amazon when you do a local search for files on your desktop, including porn ads when you're slow in typing "analyze". They also don't do it without your permission without letting you know. Also, they don't collect your information while you're doing local searches on your own computer then send it to third parties.

Canonical is getting seriously creepy. In some ways, even worse than Microsoft, shockingly enough.

[JamesD1966]

It is very sad. I have enjoyed Ubuntu since Wartey. All of the brown buntus served me well. As the purple desktop came along Ubuntu has matured mostly not to my liking. Unity for one is not for me, Querrying Amizon from dash not for me, 3D desktops not so much ethier. Who am i well I am not quite a boomer but not quite generation X. Finding my self at the beginning of my decline at that point in life where my apprentice through diligant work is beginning to exceed the master in ability. I would rather my cheese remain where i am used to finding it. I would have gladly run Hardy the rest of my life(Hardy quite possibly the best ever Ubuntu to date..... "It just works"). I think that the new linux should let the user pick and choose the desktop they want in the install process. To me the whole point of linux is CHOICE. To choose exactly what it looks like how it acts how it serches if it hacks or not who knows your ip and who dosent.

Guess there is still a little slackware in me yet. Yes infact I think I will grab an old HD and some source code and an old dell lattitude c610 or c640 and role me a slack sys and unleash it upon the world, nothing too fancy good solid core kernal xserver and maby a flux box........But the dependancy list and all really...really.

Life is too short just open the terminal get old apt-get to fetch a flux box, logg out , select the flux box, logg in and remember the good old days...really!

Reallity! Ubuntu and perhapse Mint are SUPERIOR Period. Choise is still there for the moment, It is linux.... a small effort is expected sometimes. If you can not or do not put anything in and you still get something out be gratefull. Ubuntu has alwase given and given to all and provably will for some time to come.

Ubuntu Warted on to the landscape as a upstart and set the linux world on it's ear. Even manages to take a poke at Wild Bill from time to time. I remember the "LINUX PUREIST" that is not real linux. That is an ABOMINATION! or just ya right.

Upstarts will rise mature and fall each begating something biger and better than their self. This is progress one day Ubuntu will be the one on it's ear, and Fluffy Kitten will be the new standard. It will grow mature spawn begeting Hareless Kat, then fall out of the way.

Never know the future just keep looking for the cheese it is out there, might be better than the cheese you have right now.

I guess that obligates me to role a slack ware system....REALLY.