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[tjobbins]

Jim, have you considered putting some basic telemetry logging and reporting in MC? 

Ie, ask the user "Is it OK if we record basic, anonymised usage data and submit it to JRiver.com?" and then record basic stats like:
* Stats of media types played - Audio/Video/TV/Documents/Streaming/etc.  And/or broken down by Media Sub Type
* UI usage - daily stats on number of clicks across the various sections of the UI
* Feature usage - counts of the number of times each of the various Features (as listed in Options) is used
* Total library counts by Media Type or Sub Type.

Which would be uploaded to JRiver once per day or whatever.

This would give a much broader and more accurate summation of how MC is being used. 

For people worried about privacy, an option could be provided to see what data is being submitted.   Some people would opt-out regardless, but I'm sure many/most would be glad to let you see automatically how the software is being used on an ongoing basis.

[JimH]

We've thought about it, but never done anything.  It would be interesting to see, maybe even to display publicly.

Telemetry defined

[tyler69]

I agree. Interesting idea.

[mwillems]

If you do decide to include telemetry (which I have pretty mixed feelings about), please consider making it opt-in instead of opt-out.  Opt-out telemetry is difficult from a privacy perspective because its often implemented in a tick box somewhere in the menus. Many people don't see settings like that down in the options, and ultimately don't know that data is being collected (because most folks don't read license agreements/privacy policies) or that they can opt-out.

I understand that telemetry can be really useful to developers, but when I'm evaluating new software its often a deal-breaker for me.  One of the great strengths of JRiver (for me) is how self-contained it is and how little "phoning home" it does.  Anonymizing telemetry data correctly is hard, and many developers do a really bad job of it (if they try to anonymize it all), so I just try to avoid it when I can.  I'm sure JRiver would do a good job with it (you all are awesome), but it still makes me uneasy.

As a general thing, I try (where possible) to avoid using software that collects data about me, especially when there's no way to validate from the user side what is being collected and that the data has been adequately anonymized, etc.  I also take active steps to prevent software from phoning home (via network controls) where developers don't allow the telemetry to be disabled (like with the latest Windows).

So I'd vote against telemetry in general personally, and strongly vote for an opt-in design if there will be telemetry so that only people who affirmatively want to contribute data will contribute.

[tyler69]

In addition to having the possibility to control this via options, one could be offered specific questions during installation of MC.

[mwillems]

In addition to having the possibility to control this via options, one could be offered specific questions during installation of MC.

That's generally recognized as the best way to handle opt-in telemetry as it calls the possibility of contributing to the user's attention and makes them choose; otherwise uptake for opt-in choices tends to be pretty low. 

The goal (from my perspective) is that the default state is "No Telemetry," unless the user has made a clear choice, in part so that people clicking through pop-ups don't accidentally sign up.

[tjobbins]

If they were being introduced, I'd think the best option for existing installs (upgaders) would be a modal dialogue box on first running of the new version that explains that they are now included and provides the tick box for opt-in/out immediately, so that no-one can say they didn't know it was included or that they were added surreptitiously.

For new installs, a check box could be included in the installer.

Jim, public display sounds like a great idea.  It's always interesting to see how others are using the software, and opens the possibility of encouraging further use of features: "I've never used XYZ, but it's really popular, I should see what I'm missing."

[tyler69]

The goal (from my perspective) is that the default state is "No Telemetry," unless the user has made a clear choice, in part so that people clicking through pop-ups don't accidentally sign up.

I agree with your comments.

[tij]

For people worried about privacy, an option could be provided to see what data is being submitted.   Some people would opt-out regardless, but I'm sure many/most would be glad to let you see automatically how the software is being used on an ongoing basis.

I like that … most developers ask if they can collect anonymously your private data but never actually tell you exactly what they collect … transparency would be great.

Obviously asking user every time data is collected is annoying … but a button that generates a sample data that is collected would be great

[JimH]

If our customers would allow, we could probably publish a JRiver 100, listing the top audio tracks being played.

[Awesome Donkey]

Audio track scrobbling (like last.fm) could be interesting too.

[RD James]

I understand that it can be a useful development tool, but it would have to be opt-in or I'd be seeking alternatives to Media Center.
Having different levels of telemetry would probably be good too. Submitting data like general hardware config (vague; nothing like an entire dump of the system config) and totals for things like audio/video library size is fine, but track names\filenames are far too invasive in my opinion.

[DJLegba]

If our customers would allow, we could probably publish a JRiver 100, listing the top audio tracks being played.

No thanks

[tij]

If our customers would allow, we could probably publish a JRiver 100, listing the top audio tracks being played.

Don’t think publishing specific tracks or artist is good idea ... bring too much attention from big recordings lol

General stats like music/video/tv or action/drama/horror or classical/pop/rock feels more anonymous

[JimH]

I think telemetry would probably be difficult with respect to user preferences. If it's watered down too much, it would lose its value.

It makes me feel like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

[swiv3d]

Not for me!

[Don W]

I personally wouldn't have any problem with MC gathering usage data.

[craigmcg]

I disable telemetry on any software that I run (or try to). My concern is not so much with those who are advising me will receive my data as those who I don't know about.