Who is Fred?

[edent]

For example, use of a general-purpose browser would not imply a tracking preference when invoked normally as SuperFred, but might imply a preference if invoked as SuperDoNotTrack or UltraPrivacyFred.

I don't understand what this means - or who Fred is. Can it be simplified?

[royfielding]

It is an example name. The reader is not supposed to understand what Fred means. The rest of the paragraph explains it in context.

[edent]

I'm sorry - but I don't think the rest of the paragraph helps with my understanding.

Let me see if I've got this right...

A user agent MUST offer users a minimum of two alternative choices for a Do Not Track preference: unset or DNT:1. A user agent MAY offer a third alternative choice: DNT:0.

So unset means the user has not made a choice. And DNT:1 means they've made a choice to not be tracked. Optionally, DNT:0 means they are happy to be tracked.

If the user's choice is DNT:1 or DNT:0, the tracking preference is enabled; otherwise, the tracking preference is not enabled.

I think that's clear. DNT:1 or 0 means the preferences are set.

A user agent MUST have a default tracking preference of unset (not enabled) unless a specific tracking preference is implied by the user's decision to use that agent.

This is where I start to get confused.

• If I install, say, Chrome - it must be unset. Correct?
• If I install the (fictional) Adobe Super Privacy Browser, then the preference can be set to DNT:1.
• If I install the (fictional) Google DoubleClick Browser, then it can be set to DNT:0.

Is that right?

For example, use of a general-purpose browser would not imply a tracking preference when invoked normally as SuperFred, but might imply a preference if invoked as SuperDoNotTrack or UltraPrivacyFred.

This paragraph still makes no sense to me. How can a browser be invoked as SuperFred. I do not understand the syntax of that sentence.

Are you saying "a general-purpose browser would not imply a tracking preference when launched normally. If the browser is launched in 'privacy mode' then it may set a preference of DNT:1"?

[royfielding]

This paragraph still makes no sense to me. How can a browser be invoked as SuperFred.

The name of an executable program is commonly used as if it were a configurable option. In some cases, the same program is installed under multiple names, and in others an alias or soft link is used to provide two different names for the same executable. A user can choose which one to invoke (or to make their default) in the same way that they might choose command-line options.

[edent]

Thanks - that makes things a bit clearer.

I'm not aware of the phrase "invoking" as a synonym for launching.

Might I suggest rewording it to:

For example, use of a general-purpose browser would not imply a tracking preference when launched normally, but might imply a preference if launched in private browsing mode.

[royfielding]

Private browsing mode is different (and already mentioned in a prior example). These are all examples that are intended to illustrate variations in how a user might express a preference. One of these examples is a change in program name. It is supposed to be obscure.

BTW, people launch ships (rockets and boats). The only time I ever launch a browser is when I drag it over to the trash icon. YMMV.

[edent]

people launch ships (rockets and boats). The only time I ever launch a browser is when I drag it over to the trash icon. YMMV.

:-) Fair enough! Let's split the difference and use "opened" - that seems to be the more common general usage.

These are all examples that are intended to illustrate variations in how a user might express a preference. One of these examples is a change in program name. It is supposed to be obscure.

As a user, how do I change a program name? I see no option to do that on OSX or Ubuntu.

What I'm trying to understand is - as a normal user, how do I open a browser in such a way that DNT is activated?

At the moment, I do not feel that the spec is clear on this point.

[royfielding]

Since defining a browser API for DNT was out of scope, the WG went to great lengths to avoid being prescriptive on how DNT is configured. The whole point is that the user needs to make a decision, but the exact mechanism for that decision is not important. We spent a great deal of time just trying to get agreement on the section as is.

As such, the WG has decided to close this issue without further change to that section.

[edent]

The Advisory Committee were specifically asked to provide feedback on the specification.

In my role as AC rep, I am uncomfortable with a spec which is this ambiguous.

If the exact mechanism is not important, may I suggest removing that sentence.

I appreciate that the "SuperFred" example has been there since the 2012 draft - and I am immensely grateful for all the hard work you have done on the topic.