[packagekit] Notes on UI notifications

[Jud Craft]

I might say that in the case of a Linux desktop, updating packages
alone does not mean that your system is secure, or necessarily
functional.  It is merely a transition of packages, one that a user
should always be aware of.

Exactly because package upgrades may cause issues, it is good for the
system to notify you that it's software state has changed.  I would
say that perhaps a security update should require no notification, as
it's a no-brainer; but this theory is challenged in the case of the
recent DBUS change that left many users wondering why their software
suddenly no longer worked.  If a user is kept in ignorance about his
system, he will be in the dark when things start to go wrong.

Serious, I can't think of why the user should be kept in the dark when
his system is updated; we're not expecting him to make any drastic
decisions, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be aware of it.  It
helps educate and empower him ever so slightly.

Many users may even be wary if they never notice a system update,
whereas some may gain comfort from believing that their system is
working hard to maintain itself. :)