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April 18, 2008

windows

Windows Software Update, now with “New Software”

Posted Apr. 18, ’08, 10:05 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Windows

winsoftup.jpgRemember the uproar over Apple pushing Safari in its Windows Software Update program, whether users wanted it or not? Of course you do! It was, after all, just last month.

It appears that Apple, suitably chastised, has mended its errant ways (partially). They’ve now redesigned their Software Update application so that it has two—count ‘em, two—separate panes: one for “new software,” and one for updates. And would you just look at the artistry? The sleek lines, the attention to detail, the ever so subtle shading—this is Apple’s work at their finest.

Unfortunately, Safari is still checked by default, meaning even if it’s clearer what it is, it’s still getting installed unless you tell it otherwise. Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to be enough to get you out of hot water, Apple.

Also, the phrasing. “New software.” Something about that term bugs me. Maybe it’s just the lack of specificity; I mean, updates are technically “new” software too. How about “Software You Might Like?” Or “If you like iTunes, you might also enjoy…”. Or “Trust Us, This is Awesome.” Let’s really spell it out here, guys.


8 Comments

Mikolaj Kamler said:

They could write there something like "There's one more thing...", or perhaps "Boom"...

April 18, 2008 11:30 AM
Dave-O said:

If you can't figure out Updates vs New Software, your computer should be seized; if it hasn't already been taken over by some bot net, it will be.

April 18, 2008 3:53 PM
Fargin Bastiges said:

Looks like Apple is copying Microsoft more and more.

April 18, 2008 5:58 PM
Joel said:

one thing I can't figure out... Itunes uses quicktime to play music... doesn't it use a webkit build to display the music store? The music store is comprised of WEB LINKS after all... I never saw what the big deal was.

Isn't including safari THE SAME THING as including Quicktime?

April 19, 2008 4:38 PM
Don Morris Author Profile Page said:

"Unfortunately, Safari is still checked by default..."

Unfortunate for whom, Dan? The user? Are you saying Windows users are too stupid to uncheck a checkbox?

April 19, 2008 6:35 PM
Dan Moren Author Profile Page said:

@Don Morris: Congratulations for winning the latest "reading-a-heck-of-a-lot-into-one-word" award. I don't think you'll find the word stupid or the suggestion that Windows users are stupid anywhere in my post, no matter how hard you look.

What's unfortunate is that Apple is setting this as a precedent. While I do think the issue has gotten rather unwieldy, I am of the opinion that software should be opt-in rather than opt-out, in the same way that I dislike signing up for sites where they ask you to uncheck a box if you don't want to receive emails from them. I think that's a pretty reasonable request.

April 19, 2008 10:00 PM
wesg Author Profile Page said:

Just to get off topic here for a minute, I noticed when I clicked on Dan's comment in the sidebar that your comment URLs don't link to the comment.

They read #comment123456 when they should be #comment-123456

April 20, 2008 11:18 AM
Dan Moren Author Profile Page said:

@Wes: Thanks for catching that. Must have missed it in the last Movable Type upgrade.

April 20, 2008 1:46 PM

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