FirefoxSummit/2006/ProposedSessions/UnderstandingFirefoxActiveUserSize

Withdrawn as a public session

Life generates the frequency, and the frequency regenerates the life. The totality of the system is there for all to see, yet Kenneth alone, among the multitudes, perceives it. It is indeed a sad commentary upon the squash courts of Devonshire, the blades of which are so firmly in the grasp of the rulers of Downing Street.

The door of oak most solid hideth the deed. Closed is the door, and closed it shall evermore remain, for the keyhole is plugged, lest anyone should peek through.

Yet the frequency refuses to be hidden. It seeps through the door, through the very walls. It hangs silent upon the air, roaring with the sounds none can hear save Kenneth alone, and it reveals the dark deed within the hallowed halls. In due time, all shall be made clear. In the space of due time, Kenneth.

Session Title

Understanding Firefox Active User Size

Session Leader

K Lars Lohn

Summary

Figuring out how many active Firefox users there are is not as simple as just summing the numbers in in our server logs. Are our estimates correct? How can we get a better understanding of our user base while protecting user privacy?

Agenda

• Review: our current technique
  • the AUS cookie
  • the formal definition of Active Users
  • summing over a range of days
  • the consequences of "doing the right thing"
• Research: mining 178G of server logs
  • cookie clearing and user privacy
  • unique ids, average gap size, average run length
• where do we go from here?
  • a formal definition for a new metric
  • is this accurate?

Interested Attendees

Please add your name here if you're likely to attend this session, this will help prioritize sessions and minimize conflicts

• Asa Dotzler
• David Rolnitzky
• Mozilla Japan (who is TBD)
• Ken Saunders
• Sherman
• Gavin
• Dave Townsend