I think a connect/disconnect option would be very useful, perhaps with an "Are you sure?" confirmation before disconnecting. I agree that an auto-start option should not be added unless it's specified during an installation or first run dialog but should not be enabled by default.
Ideal Defaults
- Connect
- Don't Generate
- Don't Add to Auto Start
All three options should be able to be changed when Bitcoin starts for the first time.
I think it's already set by default not to "generate coins" when it's first installed
How would the connect default work?
It would be a privacy feature. If i don't want my IP address to be broadcast to other peers, I start the client, it asks if I want to connect to the network with the default set to yes. I uncheck it, the client then starts, I change the proxy setting and then click connect to network.