[Boofo]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Is anyone truly bothered if the author has the ability to see who downloaded, what version and when?

I envision this being different than an install button.

To me, an install button is a form of:
1- Users being able to quickly see what modifications they have installed.
2- Users being able to keep notified of what modifications are updated.
3- Supporting the author.

I guess I just don't buy that there is any privacy issue here. If you downloaded it, why does it need to be kept a secret from the author?

Like you, I personally, don't see a problem with it, but there could be if a member here was ever contacted by an author, for whatever reason, and that member felt like their privacy was invaded. Not saying it would ever happen, but an author could use something like that as a mailing list for any future hacks (commercial or otherwise) that he/she does.