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May 1, 2008

windows

Software Update sneak boosts Safari share

Posted May. 1, ’08, 9:59 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Windows

Safari StatsEr, so remember that whole thing back in March with Safari and Software Update on Windows? I know, I thought I’d seen the last of it too, but it turns out that there’s actually been some interesting fall out from it. According to the Net Applications, which tracks information like market share via Internet browser traffic, Safari’s share on Windows tripled after the update fiasco.

Safari 3.0 had been holding a pretty steady 0.06-0.07% share in the previous months, but after the Software Update incident, the share of Safari 3.1 (the version installed by the updater) jumped to 0.21%. Now, my understanding is that in order for that information to register, one would presume that those Windows users need to be actually be using Safari on a regular basis. What that makes me wonder how many of those people actually tried Safari intentionally and how many of them are just wondering why Internet Explorer looks so different all of the sudden?

I’m still not condoning what Apple did—even with their most recent changes, I think it’s an icky precedent to set. But apparently not all Windows users see things the same way.


6 Comments

krye said:

Ice water in hell.

May 1, 2008 10:12 AM
fletcher Author Profile Page said:

I imagine most users don't spend time dwelling on the ramifications of software update policy. They simply see a new icon on their desktop and give it a shot. If they like it they'll keep using it. If they don't they'll throw the icon away.

Some time ago Apple started bundling QuickTime and iTunes. Now they bundle Safari, QuickTime, and iTunes. Since all three are free, most users will probably go ahead and install all of them.

Apple didn't handle the changeover very well, but the basic strategy is sound.

May 1, 2008 10:19 AM
Well Author Profile Page said:

Lessons to be learned here.

For malware providers, find you way to get the download started from what at least appears to be a trusted site because a lot of folks will run whatever it is (even some of smug Mac fan boys).

For IT professionals, your users are likely to accept any download that appears to come from a trusted site, be ready to deal with the consequences.

For everyone else, aren't you glad that Safari download came automatically and gave you an alternative to IE?

May 1, 2008 11:15 AM
Dave-O said:

It puts a dent in the argument that Apple did a BAD thing. It's one thing to say Windows users might install Safari without realizing it, but they must be running it on purpose.

If the numbers stay that high, I'd argue that is speaks volumes for Mac OS X-style antialiasing (it's really the biggest difference unless you have some ancient version of IE--like I do).

May 1, 2008 11:32 AM
Don Morris Author Profile Page said:

"makes me wonder...how many of them are just wondering why Internet Explorer looks so different all of the sudden?"

See, Dan, you are saying that Windows users are stupid!

May 2, 2008 7:55 AM
Dan Moren Author Profile Page said:

@Don: I feel like you're deliberately misinterpreting what I've actually said. No need to work so hard.

I know plenty of users—Mac and Windows alike—who might simply not pick up on that sort of thing, including people like my parents, neither of whom I'd ever call stupid. The truth is that I feel like in this situation, Apple is taking advantage of people who simply may not be paying attention to the details of what's getting installed, because they've just been trained to hit "Okay" when dialog boxes come up. I worked in IT for several years, and there are plenty of people like that; again, I wouldn't classify them as "stupid" because of that—that's your word, not mine.

May 2, 2008 9:10 AM

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