[tor-project] GSoC idea - Feedback/Report extension for TB

[Sukhbir Singh]

* Nima Fatemi:

> Hey there,
> 
> As I've mentioned on IRC, I've this idea to create an extension for Tor
> Browser. Such a thing could really improve our relationship with
> end-users while helping us to collect the metrics we need for UX on an
> opt-in basis.
> 
> Initially I was thinking of this as a mechanism for users to give us
> feedback and report problems they might encounter while using the
> browser. But after some thoughts and specially after seeing dcf's notes
> from UX session at dev meeting[1], I realized we could even take this
> further. This could be even used by users who have problem connecting to
> Tor network to troubleshoot their connectivity issues or it could give
> us a hint on how and when a network starts blocking Tor connections.
> 
> To write a simple list of the things I think this extension could do:
> 
> - Have a message box to submit feedback
>   + we could let them to attach img as well
>   + or we could include a checkbox that would automatically take an
> screenshot of the Tor Browser window. I think chrome used to have such
> feature.
> 
> - Have an option to opt in for network tests. Test different protocols
> and see if vanilla tor or any of the Pluggable Transports are being blocked.
> 
> - Collect some information about their network and computers: such as
> operating system, version of tor browser, country code, maybe AS Number,
> etc.
> 
> There are some open questions to answer. eg how to safely submit
> collected data? I was thinking maybe over onion but that's only if user
> has gotten past tor-launcher and tor is running properly.
> 
> All of this obviously should be opt-in only and is a very good thing for
> the review-board to approve before going live.
> 
> What do you think? Is it worth to give it a shot at GSoC? sukhe and
> willscott have showed interest in mentoring. Can we have three mentors
> for GSoC?

I think this is a fine idea but before we put up the proposal, we should work
out a few details, say a fixed set of deliverables. Also as Georg mentioned,
it would probably make sense for this to be a part of Tor Launcher, which
means perhaps we should see what Mark and Kathy think about this.

So let's (quickly) discuss the deliverables so that we can put up the proposal
and allow applicants to further develop the idea. (I am happy to mentor it
with you and Will.)

-- 
Sukhbir