Configure Telemetry & Disable With Environment Variables

Enhance User Control Over OpenVINO Telemetry

Hey there! Let's talk about how we can make OpenVINO's telemetry a bit more user-friendly. Currently, the telemetry library has a few quirks that could be improved. The main issue is the hardcoded location of the telemetry data. It creates a non-hidden directory in the user's home folder, which can be a bit of an eyesore and doesn't always align with standard practices for application data storage. This article dives into the problem, the impact on users, and proposes some solutions to give users more control over their telemetry settings. We'll explore options like using environment variables to disable telemetry and configure the directory location, and even consider aligning with the XDG Base Directory specification on Linux/macOS. This will lead to a cleaner, more customizable experience for everyone using OpenVINO, especially those who integrate it into their projects through other packages. This is crucial for maintaining a tidy home directory and adhering to common data storage practices. The current setup, where telemetry files are always tucked away in a specific, non-configurable spot, can be inconvenient. Users don't have a simple way to change where this data goes or how to turn it off completely without resorting to workarounds like manually creating a specific file. By making the telemetry directory configurable, we're empowering users to decide where their data lives, whether they want to keep things tidy by hiding the directory or stick with more standard data storage locations like those suggested by the XDG specification. This also ensures that users of packages that use OpenVINO under the hood, like sentence-transformers, can easily disable telemetry without having to jump through hoops. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a more flexible and user-centric experience, allowing users to tailor telemetry settings to their preferences. The current behavior stores telemetry files in ~/intel/ on Linux/macOS and %LOCALAPPDATA%/Intel Corporation on Windows, which is a hardcoded location and users cannot change the location via environment variables or configuration. It's not hidden, and to disable telemetry, users currently need to either use a specific script or manually create a file. This is less than ideal for a good user experience.

The Problem: Unchangeable Telemetry Directory

Understanding the Current Telemetry Setup

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the problem. OpenVINO's telemetry system, as it stands, has a few key limitations. The main one is that the directory where telemetry data is stored is fixed. On Linux and macOS, this is ~/intel/, while on Windows, it's %LOCALAPPDATA%/Intel Corporation. The problem here is that users can't change this location. There's no environment variable or configuration option to tell the system to store the data somewhere else. Also, the folder isn't hidden by default on Unix-like systems, which means it shows up in your home directory, potentially creating visual clutter. To disable telemetry, users currently have to either run a specific script or manually create a particular file. This lack of flexibility and control can be frustrating for users who prefer to keep their home directories clean or who want to follow standard data storage practices. The inability to configure the directory also means that users who indirectly use OpenVINO through other packages, like sentence-transformers, might not even be aware that telemetry is running and storing data in a less-than-ideal location. This can lead to unexpected folders appearing in their home directories and a general lack of control over their system's behavior. We're talking about a situation where users lack the ability to tailor their experience. The fixed location and the lack of a simple disable option create unnecessary friction. The impact extends to those who want a clean home directory, those who prefer to adhere to established data storage standards, and those who need to easily disable telemetry without extra steps. We want to empower users, giving them the tools to manage their telemetry settings efficiently and in line with their preferences.

Impact: Who is Affected?

Identifying the Users Impacted by the Telemetry Limitations

So, who exactly does this affect? The limitations of the current telemetry system have a ripple effect, touching several groups of users. First off, anyone who uses OpenVINO indirectly through other packages is affected. Imagine you're using sentence-transformers to build a natural language processing application. OpenVINO might be running in the background as the backend for some of the operations. You might not even realize that telemetry is enabled, and then suddenly, you notice a new folder in your home directory. This can be jarring and confusing. Second, those who want to keep their home directories tidy are directly impacted. A clean and organized home directory is important for many users, and having unexpected folders pop up can disrupt this. Finally, users who prefer to follow the XDG Base Directory specification on Linux and macOS are also affected. This specification provides a standardized way for applications to store data, and OpenVINO's current approach doesn't align with these standards. The XDG specification promotes a cleaner, more organized system, and the current implementation goes against this. We want to empower these users by giving them control over telemetry. They can disable it without manual file creation, keep their home directories clean, and choose where the data is stored if they want to opt-in. The current system fails to provide these simple yet crucial options, leading to frustration and a less-than-ideal user experience.

Proposed Solutions: Enhancing Telemetry Control

Exploring Solutions for a More User-Friendly Telemetry System

Let's dive into some proposed solutions to tackle these challenges. The goal is to provide users with more control over where telemetry data is stored and how to disable it.

Option 1: Environment Variable to Disable Telemetry

One straightforward solution is to add support for an environment variable, such as OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=1. This would allow users to disable telemetry with a simple command in their terminal, for instance, export OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=1. The code change required to implement this is relatively small, making it a quick win. This approach provides a simple, direct way for users to opt-out of telemetry without any complex configuration. It respects the principle of least surprise, as the functionality is intuitive and easy to use. This offers a clear and concise method for users who prefer to disable telemetry. The OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT environment variable would directly influence the behavior of the telemetry system, making it incredibly simple for users to manage their data collection preferences.

Option 2: Make Directory Configurable

Another option is to allow users to specify the location of the telemetry directory using an environment variable, like OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_DIR. This would give users the flexibility to choose where the telemetry data is stored. For example, they could set export OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_DIR=.intel to use a hidden folder or export OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_DIR=.local/share/openvino to follow the XDG standard. This approach offers a greater degree of customization. Users who want to hide the directory can do so easily, and those who prefer to organize their data according to specific standards can also do so. It also caters to those who might want to store telemetry data in a particular location for management or security reasons. By allowing users to specify the directory, we're giving them the power to tailor their OpenVINO experience to their individual needs and preferences. This allows users to place telemetry data where they prefer. The ability to configure the directory location would be a game-changer for many, providing the control and flexibility they need to manage their telemetry data effectively.

Option 3: Follow XDG Base Directory Specification

For Linux and macOS, a strong recommendation is to respect the XDG Base Directory specification. This standard defines where application data should be stored. By default, this would mean storing telemetry data in ~/.local/share/openvino. This option promotes consistency and organization. By adhering to the XDG specification, OpenVINO would integrate seamlessly with other applications that follow the same standards. This improves the overall user experience on these operating systems, as users can be assured that telemetry data is stored in a predictable and standardized location. The code change here involves checking the XDG_DATA_HOME environment variable and using the appropriate directory. This ensures that OpenVINO telemetry aligns with the broader ecosystem, making it a good citizen of the operating system. By embracing the XDG standard, OpenVINO not only simplifies management but also contributes to a cleaner, more organized system. It streamlines the user experience and aligns OpenVINO with established best practices in data storage. This option offers a refined and more professional approach to data storage on Linux and macOS, improving usability and maintainability.

Minimal Breaking Change Suggestion

Implementing Changes with Minimal Disruption

To ensure a smooth transition and minimize any disruption for existing users, here’s a suggested approach:

1. Add OPENVINO_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT Environment Variable: This is a non-breaking change. Existing users won't see any difference unless they actively set this variable, so it's a safe addition. It provides immediate value by allowing users to easily disable telemetry.
2. Change intel to .intel on Linux/macOS: For new installations, making the directory hidden by default would be a cleaner approach, but this is a minor breaking change. This will help keep home directories tidy and is a good practice on Unix-like systems. This small change makes the system less visually intrusive without requiring any additional user action.
3. Support Migration from ~/intel to ~/.intel Automatically: For existing users, a migration mechanism could automatically move the data from the old directory to the new hidden directory. This ensures that users don’t lose their existing telemetry data and makes the transition seamless. This ensures that users don't lose their existing data, maintaining a positive user experience. This automated data migration maintains compatibility and avoids data loss, thus ensuring a smooth transition. These steps balance improvements with user experience, ensuring that changes don't negatively impact existing users while offering the benefits of increased control and a more organized system.

Conclusion: Empowering Users with Telemetry Control

By implementing these changes, OpenVINO can significantly improve the user experience, giving users more control over where telemetry data is stored and how it's handled. The ability to disable telemetry easily and the option to configure the directory location are crucial for a user-friendly system. Aligning with standards like the XDG Base Directory specification further enhances usability and promotes a cleaner, more organized system. The proposed solutions prioritize user control, ease of use, and adherence to best practices. This ensures that users can easily manage their telemetry settings and enjoy a seamless experience, whether they want to disable telemetry, keep their home directories tidy, or follow standard data storage practices.

For more information on the XDG Base Directory Specification, check out the freedesktop.org website.