[tor-bugs] #27691 [Core Tor/Tor]: reset bootstrap progress when enough things change

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#27691: reset bootstrap progress when enough things change
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 Reporter:  catalyst                             |          Owner:  (none)
     Type:  defect                               |         Status:  new
 Priority:  Medium                               |      Milestone:  Tor:
                                                 |  0.3.5.x-final
Component:  Core Tor/Tor                         |        Version:
 Severity:  Normal                               |     Resolution:
 Keywords:  usability, ux, ux-team, bootstrap,   |  Actual Points:
  035-roadmap-master, 035-triaged-in-20180711,   |
  s8-bootstrap                                   |
Parent ID:  #22266                               |         Points:
 Reviewer:                                       |        Sponsor:
                                                 |  Sponsor8
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Changes (by mcs):

 * cc: linda (removed)
 * cc: antonela (added)


Comment:

 Replying to [comment:1 catalyst]:
 > Upon reviewing the comments in #22266 some more, it seems like users may
 be upset by seeing progress reset to zero after making a configuration
 change.
 >
 > I think it's an accurate reflection of what's going on.  Going to the
 config dialog sets DisableNetwork=1 and tears down the circuits and TCP
 connections, which have to be set up again.

 I think the progress displayed by Tor Launcher should be an accurate
 reflection of the internal tor state. If that means resetting to zero, so
 be it. That said, the nature of the network is that sometimes progress
 occurs more quickly than at other times, which can be confusing. For
 example, if someone makes a configuration change in the hope of improving
 things but progress is slower than before due to other factors the user
 may incorrectly conclude that the new configuration is worse. I am not
 sure how to address that though.

 > Maybe if there's additional UI in Tor Launcher to show the existence of
 cached directory info, that will make it less likely for users to be
 frustrated by apparently negative progress?  That's a longer term change,
 though.

 Agreed; exposing more details about what is going on inside tor would be
 interesting and helpful for advanced users (and support people) at least.

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Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/27691#comment:2>
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