[Bug 745662] Re: Recommendations don't seem useful in their current form

[Robert Roth]

** Changed in: software-center (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => Confirmed

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/745662

Title:
  Recommendations don't seem useful in their current form

Status in “software-center” package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  Ubuntu Software Centre 3.1.24.3, Ubuntu Natty 20110327

  Example A:
  1. Log in to a new user account for the first time.
  2. Open and close Ubuntu Software Center.
  3. Take and save a screenshot.
  4. Open Ubuntu Software Center again, and click the "recommendations" link.
  What happens: Gwenview, gThumb, and Gimp appear as recommendations.

  Example B:
  1. Log in to a new user account for the first time.
  2. Open and close Ubuntu Software Center.
  3. download an MP3.
  4. Open Ubuntu Software Center again, and click the "recommendations" link.
  What happens: Audacity, Rhythmbox, and VLC appear as recommendations.

  Unfortunately, these recommendations are not at all useful. I already
  have an image viewer installed for viewing the screenshot, and I have
  not done anything to suggest that I want two others, nor that I want a
  professional image editor. Similarly, Banshee and Totem are already
  installed, so suggesting Rhythmbox and VLC to me is unhelpful,
  especially when I haven't even run Banshee or Totem yet, and I haven't
  expressed any interest in multi-track editing at all.

  I suggest that the recommendation link, and surrounding text, be
  hidden until we find a way to make the recommendations useful. This
  will likely involve opt-in recording of what people install, and then
  making recommendations of the form "People who installed X and Y also
  installed Z".