[Bug 146737] Re: Ubuntu offers no "zero configuration network" or so (unlike Apple)

[Loye Young]

> Application scenario: A works on his notebook B and wants to easily get
> 1GB to his workplace desktop C. What he would expect would be the
> following:
>
> - He connects B and C using an ethernet cable.
> - C says: "Computer B has been connected to your computer. Do you
> - want to allow the B to copy or delete user data on your hard disk?"

I cannot disagree more forcefully with this suggestion, on many levels.

>From a usefulness standpoint, the suggestion would involve much work
for little benefit. The "Application scenario" starts with a rather
simple desired task: move 1GB from one computer to another. There are
a number of methods for transferring files between computers without
further expanding the insecure and unstable avahi/bonjour/zeroconf
morass that already exists (and which, IMNSHO, should be deprecated
and ripped out of every computer connected to the Internet). Network
protocols have already been carefully engineered to accomplish the
desired result. The supposed expectation of the user to be able to
connect two computers together by an ethernet cable and *by default*
share files assumes an absence of security on both machines that is a
throwback to Windows98.

In the "Application scenario", the user would simply connect the
laptop to the workplace network.  I daresay that there are few, if
any, networks connected to the internet that do not already have a
router/DHCP server with NAT firewall (and if such networks exist, they
are open targets for crackers and should be disconnected from the
Internet immediately). The network's DHCP server will give the
notebook an IP address and the two computers can share the information
over the already established network, according to the security setup
of the network.

Again, I vote that this alleged "bug" be closed as invalid.

Happy Trails,

Loye Young
Isaac & Young Computer Company
Laredo, Texas
http://www.iycc.biz


On Fri, May 30, 2008 at 8:34 AM, oss_test_launchpad
<markus.bloemeke at fh-joanneum.at> wrote:
> Maybe I put this wrong. I do not support any special program to solve
> this. All I am saying is that Ubuntu users, unlike Mac users, cannot
> just connect two computers with a cable and in this way get data from
> one computer to another. This would, however, be an important comfort
> feature.
>
> - C says: "Computer B has been connected to your computer. Do you want to allow the B to copy or delete user data on your hard disk?"
> - Same vice versa.
> - A clicks "Yes" on "B" and "C", then enters the "B" user password on B and the "C" user password on C and can now copy data in both ways.
>
> With my limited knowledge of network technologies, I would assume that
> all programs that would be necessary for that already are on every
> Ubuntu system. It's just that you would have to configure them in such
> way that the above mentioned procedure would work. Maybe I am wrong
> here.
>
> ** Also affects: kdenetwork (Ubuntu)
>   Importance: Undecided
>       Status: New
>
> --
> Ubuntu offers no "zero configuration network" or so (unlike Apple)
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/146737
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

-- 
Ubuntu offers no "zero configuration network" or so (unlike Apple)
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/146737
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kubuntu
Team, which is subscribed to kdenetwork in ubuntu.