There is a further problem with Update Manager being interactive by default. Users learn to click to allow and install, filling in superuser passwords, and one day (*) somebody will just create a fake update manager to steal superuser passwords and make ubuntu-zombies. There are several ways a fake Update Manager could get on my machine; starting with scripts or console commands that the user would get via chat or support forums as a "solution" to some driver question or similar.
There is a further problem with Update Manager being interactive by default. Users learn to click to allow and install, filling in superuser passwords, and one day (*) somebody will just create a fake update manager to steal superuser passwords and make ubuntu-zombies. There are several ways a fake Update Manager could get on my machine; starting with scripts or console commands that the user would get via chat or support forums as a "solution" to some driver question or similar.
(*) search comments of http:// ask.slashdot. org/story/ 09/12/01/ 0025213/ Ethics- of-Releasing- Non-Malicious- Linux-Malware