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Question on change log, privacy, 1.1.7.24 [answered]

asked 2015-07-15 18:10:30 +0300

simo gravatar image

updated 2015-08-11 14:36:00 +0300

Hopefully just trivial, but I got a bit concerned reading the following lines in the latest change log. EDIT: reorganizing, as the question has only one unanswered subtopic left. Hope to have an answer before the release is rolling out for everybody:

Android support (missing only one answer):

  • #2 Support silent apk installation (for what apk:s is this for?)
  • [answered in comment] #3 add a patch to silence camera shutter sound (which service uses it and for what?)
  • [answered in comment] #4 apply patches to disable shutter sound and start needed services
  • [answered in comment] #5 add a patch to enable servicemanager, minisf and minimedia (what is this patch for?)

Mer oneshot:

  • [answered] #1 oneshot-root.service (what are the needed services to start as root during boot, before user session is started?)

mce:

  • [answered] #6 Implement iphb based timers for use from within mce
  • [answered] #7 Block user interaction when shutdown/reboot starts

Store:

  • [answered] #8 Allow 3rd party apps to interrupt the OS update download
  • [answered] #9 Allow use of store-client while OS update download is in progress
  • [answered] #10 Temporarily interrupt and resume OS update download when the store schedules other package transactions.
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The question has been closed for the following reason "the question is answered, an answer was accepted" by nthn
close date 2017-03-06 14:03:06.447229

Comments

4

I would like some one from Jolla to give a little more clear explanation of what those are and what they are needed for in an example each.

MoritzJT ( 2015-07-15 21:34:59 +0300 )edit
3

well spotted simo, i hope we get some feedback from Jolla

shfit ( 2015-07-15 22:26:22 +0300 )edit

ping @MSameer - Would you have time to answer to the only unanswered set?

simo ( 2015-07-30 12:15:15 +0300 )edit

3, 4 and 5 are for the new media stack. I am not sure why they are listed as they are quite low level. I'd remove them.

MSameer ( 2015-08-11 05:18:59 +0300 )edit
1

Thanks @MSameer You've been contributing to media stack so it would be nice to read your answer on those three. I still find them important, even if low level

simo ( 2015-08-11 10:29:29 +0300 )edit

5 Answers

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14

answered 2015-07-16 10:31:37 +0300

Philippe De Swert gravatar image

How you expect those mce ones as affecting privacy I don't know, but I can tell what the entries mean:

Implement iphb based timers for use from within mce

Means that mce can use iphb timers itself. Those timers are are there to sync all events to wake-up at the same time. Saving wake-ups and thus saving power.

Block user interaction when shutdown/reboot starts

You do not want the user to trigger some action when shutting down or rebooting as it could be terminated uncleanly and leave a mess. It's basically there to ensure a clean shutdown/reboot.

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Comments

1

Thanks for these two, it makes perfect sense - just to make sure, is there still a way to log and view all system activity during shutdown/reboot, if logging is started before the process starts?

simo ( 2015-07-20 13:18:25 +0300 )edit
2

@simo: well logging will eventually stop, but systemd/journald should log until the end. (You will need to configure it to have persistant logs though)

Philippe De Swert ( 2015-07-24 20:52:52 +0300 )edit
12

answered 2015-07-24 19:34:23 +0300

pycage gravatar image

updated 2015-07-24 19:34:55 +0300

I can give answers to oneshot and store-client stuff (which I'm the author of)

oneshoot is a service for running administrative scripts that have to be run once only (thus one-shot) during boot. For example, when the package cache moves to the home partition (as was recently done in PackageKit for Nemo Mobile), the old cache will be cleared to not consume space.

Store:

  • #8 Allow 3rd party apps to interrupt the OS update download

The OS update download no longer blocks the store-client. This means, the store-client can be used normally while downloading the OS update. The 3rd party apps support means, that 3rd party apps (Warehouse) will also not be blocked while downloading the OS update.

  • #9 Allow use of store-client while OS update download is in progress

Earlier, while you were downloading an OS update, you could not use the store-client for installing or removing apps. This just means, that now you can.

  • #10 Temporarily interrupt and resume OS update download when the store schedules other package transactions.

This is an implementation detail of how the store-client (and 3rd party apps) are able to work while an OS update is currently being downloaded. By interrupting and resuming the download.

So, no need to worry, nothing privacy-related in these changes. :)

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Comments

Thank you! The author himself saying there's no privacy issues on these is the best possible answer, so editing these as solved into the question. One set left, if you know the one responsible, please address so we can gwt this one closed as all parts answered.

simo ( 2015-07-25 18:10:25 +0300 )edit
3

answered 2015-08-22 23:39:02 +0300

MSameer gravatar image

I did some digging and seems the silent APK installation is to simply not show the alien dalvik installation "dialog" when you try to install an Android app from Jolla store. Previously it would show that dialog but now it does not. I am not sure it's 100% that and I am not sure it's with Jolla store only or with all Android stores. I will keep you informed if I get more info.

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Comments

So silent only when user starts to install an app - not silent as like an app or OS could install another app without notifying the user?

simo ( 2015-08-24 08:52:20 +0300 )edit

ping @MSameer ^^

simo ( 2015-08-31 15:56:01 +0300 )edit

I really don't know. Maybe @bijjal knows.

MSameer ( 2015-08-31 21:26:37 +0300 )edit

@bijjal ping

simo ( 2015-09-24 23:53:01 +0300 )edit
1

answered 2015-07-15 22:46:41 +0300

Tofe gravatar image

Some guesses from an optimistic user:

  • add a patch to silence camera shutter sound (which service uses it and for what?)
  • apply patches to disable shutter sound and start needed services

Guess: That would be to avoid android apps making an annoying camera noise when the phone is in silent mode.

  • Block user interaction when shutdown/reboot starts

Guess: avoid conflicts between an ongoing phone shutdown/reboot and some user interaction.

  • Allow 3rd party apps to interrupt the OS update download
  • Allow use of store-client while OS update download is in progress
  • Temporarily interrupt and resume OS update download when the store schedules other package transactions.

Guess: improve the usage of the Store app when a OS update download is in progress. The OS update probably uses the same tools as the store behind the scene, and these kind of actions certainly can't be processed in parallel.

Of course, this is just a bunch of personal guesses, to balance a bit with the worried aspects of the question.

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Comments

1

Thanks, I hope you're right on each :) Let's see if a Sailor can confirm and cover the rest

simo ( 2015-07-15 22:56:30 +0300 )edit
-12

answered 2015-07-15 21:12:22 +0300

midnightoil gravatar image

updated 2015-07-15 21:21:08 +0300

Reads like a wishlist of features that someone writing a rootkit for one of the Russian security agencies would ask for ...

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Comments

2

More like a comment? (please convert)

simo ( 2015-07-15 21:31:36 +0300 )edit

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Asked: 2015-07-15 18:10:30 +0300

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Last updated: Aug 22 '15