Yikes ::scratches pt360 off of "I gotta check that out" list::
Or perhaps Mr. Bolton could shed some light on why this is necessary and if this will ever be removed.
The "Because it helps us make the product better for you" line doesn't make me feel better. If you want to make something better for me, ask me what I like and don't like, use and don't use, want and don't want, etc. I can't help but feel the littlest bit condescended, as if my personal opinion and professional insights aren't worth the effort. As if I can't evaluate a product and articulate my thoughts and usage patterns. Can't such a "beacon" be used just for the beta testers or for those who opt in to the program? Microsoft even allows you to opt out of their user experience "spy" features (or so they let us think. I still wonder what messages are being sent back to the mothership without my knowledge).
Don't spy on me and my organization. That makes both me and my organization nervous. Nervous admins are not Good Things. In fact, chances are that even if I didn't mind the information gathering (which I do, regardless of any contrary argument that may use the words 'harmless' or "non personally identifying") my organization will probably mind and might very well stop the PO if they found out about it. If a company found out about it after it was purchased and installed, the results might involve a very long talk with my boss and, depending on the level of security required at the workplace, a short walk to the parking lot (with a complimentary security guard escort).
There seem to be plenty of robust open source network management / monitoring solutions out there, no?
