ubuntu logs everything you type?!

[gold_finger]

but now i worry that free open source people need funds somehow and that website i mention made me wonder if closed source is better for personal privacy due to it not being free so third parties are left out.

Actually, just the opposite is the case. 

"Closed-source" means that only the company that created the software has access to the source code.  Others can not inspect and audit it to see if anything malicious is included in it.  For instance, if a certain company decides to include backdoor access to the system for the NSA, they can do that (for years!) without anyone being the wiser. 

"Open-source" means the code is out in the open for anyone to look at.  Yes, you and I might not know how to evaluate the source code, but others do.  Many times open-source distros or software programs consist of large chunks of pre-existing open-source code with some modifications added to it.  (LL and many others use Ubuntu as a base.  And Ubuntu is based on Debian.)  During the process of making something new, the existing open-source code is necessarily being tested and inspected.  That very process means fresh new eyes are looking at it and if/when something bad were found it would be known quickly.  That's one reason why fixes to important problems can literally happen within hours and be readily downloadable by all soon after in Linux vs. taking weeks or months to get some critical fix out for Windows.  Nothing is "perfect", but open-source definitely seems to be the better choice in my opinion.

I'm pretty vigilant about privacy-related things myself and take various steps to minimize sweeping collections of personal info wherever possible.  I abandoned Ubuntu myself a couple of years ago for a few reasons, one of them being issues related to that brought up by your link.  However, I do think that much of the concerns related to Ubuntu are overblown and exaggerated to an extent.  (I could be wrong, but I seriously doubt that Ubuntu is selling unfettered access to their users' personally identifiable information.)

WARNING:  I'm veering off into potentially controversial "opinion" territory now.

Unfortunately, in the broader sense, most people are either ignorant of the dangers or simply don't believe that there is a danger in allowing the continual expansion of data collection and aggregation of data from multiple sources into one gigantic, all-encompassing database that knows every little aspect of their lives.  (If they are not affected in a direct, visible way, the danger doesn't exist in their mind.)  Because most "normal" people don't spend their time devising ways to abuse others, they fail to consider that a portion of the population does do that -- those who crave power.  With access and control over such a treasure trove of data in their hands, the potential for abuse is virtually unlimited and too tempting to resist using.  I'd venture to say that is the primary reason why the same incompetents get elected year after year ... for decades!  It's why some "favored few" can get away with literally robbing the entire world with various financial schemes and never have to face any penalties while having their personal fortunes backstopped by public bailouts when their nonsense eventually blows-up.

I could go on for pages and pages, but I'll stop now.  These kinds of issues can get heated and ugly because of varying, strong positions on each side.  This forum really isn't meant for that.

Basically, it boils down to this:

Technological advances are going to happen no matter what.  Much of it brings good changes.  Some of it, not so good.  Each of us individually has to evaluate things as best we can and decide for ourselves what is best.  To me, MONEY is the ultimate enabler of those who abuse power.  I control what I do with my money; you with yours.  Individually, I have no power to change anything.  Collectively, millions of individuals controlling their own pocketbooks CAN!  If enough people individually bleed the snakes of their life's blood (money), they lose their power.  Every purchase one makes is a vote.  So I try to make sure I'm not voting for snakes.


P.s.  My apologies to snakes -- the real ones.  I actually like them and find them to be fascinating creatures.