Any policy would need to be set at the apt or even dpkg level -- otherwise people could use apt-get, or download and dpkg install individual packages, without using USC at all.
However, you're right that USC would be the right place to provide the configuration interface. Or even if the full policy is presented in Software Sources, USC should let you (for example) blacklist a particular package that you're looking at. What would help now is more use cases. For example, a workplace where you can install anything that isn't in the Games category. Or letting your children install anything that has a particular age rating. ** Changed in: software-center (Ubuntu) Status: New => Confirmed ** Changed in: software-center (Ubuntu) Assignee: (unassigned) => Matthew Paul Thomas (mpt) ** Changed in: software-center (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided => Low -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to software-center in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/862742 Title: Software Center needs user policy controls Status in “software-center” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: Software Center does not allow me to set policies. For example, if the mono-runtime environment is not allowed where I am working I am unable to block applications that require it. I need to the ability to set policies in software center. At the very least, it should warn me that it is about to install a runtime environment and allow me to make a decision. Until then I am forced to use Synaptic as that will at least let me view a list of the packages it wants to install. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10 Package: software-center 4.1.23.7 ProcVersionSignature: hostname 3.0.0-12.19-generic 3.0.4 Uname: Linux 3.0.0-12-generic i686 ApportVersion: 1.23-0ubuntu2 Architecture: i386 Date: Thu Sep 29 16:15:19 2011 InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Release i386 (20110427.1) PackageArchitecture: all ProcEnviron: LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: software-center UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to oneiric on 2011-09-23 (6 days ago) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/software-center/+bug/862742/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp