Think before you install
Look, people, it's 2008: You're responsible for what you install on your PC.
The outrage is spewing forth over Apple's move to include Safari 3.1 as part of its Software Update program. The new twist is that Windows users who never had installed Safari are now seeing it pop up in Software Update, where they are accustomed to seeing updates for iTunes and Quicktime, and that's not sitting well with many who inadvertently installed the browser.
If you don't want to download Safari for Windows, don't download Safari for Windows.
(Credit: Apple)Short attention span syndrome strikes again. This practice, of trying to get people to install your software through coy tactics, has been going on for years. All the major IM vendors have tried it at one point or another. Yahoo faced an outrage in 2005 over the fact that its "standard" installation of a Yahoo Instant Messenger application included toolbars and this really obnoxious "live words" thing that directed people to Yahoo Search.
Hell, Sony is actually charging people $50 to prevent software they don't want from being installed on their PCs.
That doesn't mean Apple's move is any less annoying, but it's hardly ground-breaking. And in this case, at least you have options. Apple made Safari 3.1 a standalone update option, so you can choose to uncheck the box next to the title and download just the iTunes updates. The company tells you exactly what you're downloading, and offers a link to its site for more information.
Had Apple bundled Safari with iTunes, the way they bundle Quicktime, I can see where Windows users would have more of a complaint. Being forced to install something you don't want just to get updates for something you do want is not cool. You can download standalone versions of QuickTime or iTunes on Apple's site, but sometimes they appear bundled in Software Update and people don't realize they have other options.
But that's not what's happening with Safari. If you don't want Safari, don't click "install."
It seems that at some point people became conditioned to downloading anything that shows up from an official source, like Microsoft, Apple, AOL, Yahoo, or whoever. Remember, it's your PC; spend your installation capital wisely.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
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Apple is as much of a brat as MS when it comes to the additude of: "It's your hardware, but OUR software, WE RUN YOUR HARDWARE, tough luck!"
It's funny how everyone wants to pay for software so it will run as "they want", then in the end, they find that they STILL don't get freedom when they pay for stuff. After paying for Dos, win3.0, 31, 95, 98. I just gave up and bit the bullet and used Linux. I just couldn't justify paying money for people to screw with me and my system.
Course, the real problem is that your first reaction to "update" or "install" should be NO until you really want something from it. I have been saying NO to MS's software validator update since the first time it asked.
actions? We are turning into babies, when it comes to the internet.
I also like the thing you said about the Listing it as recommended software, to me if they can separate it a bit and differentiate it a bit form the updates then even better.
You mean there is gambling going on in the Parlor!
Shocking!
Yes the Camera I installed it for ofcourse the movies use quicktime, but who's to say I need quick time ?
I use Quintessential with Quicktime Alternative.
and portable apps, VLC and such. And do great with out QUICKTIME.
AND MY GOD, before and after you install Easyshare
check you ADD/REMOVE LIST Kodak alone installs
like 15 to 20 things.
Did you know that?
/P
Sorry.
If it happens again, then sorry again.
outraged about.
Otherwise they would all be back flipping burgers at McDonalds.
So cut them some slack so they can spend the last remaining years of MS's existence above the poverty line.
I chose to download it, and can't grasp what all the fuss is about. It's essentially a late release of Firefox running with a cleaner, smoother font set that's all framed within the pretty sills of the infamous Mac-style interface.
Such as Anapod
http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/
Love it when I actually had an ipod until I switched to a Zune
But that's besides the point of discussion. Just thought I would help those who didn't know so they wouldn't even have problems such as this
But here is what I have to say. Apple has been trying to "Dog On" Microsoft so bad lately with it's commercials, advertisements, and now this
In my opinion it's tacky. But that's just me I suppose. People call it business, but that's like someone from Subway going to another sub shop, buying a sub, then on the way out placing a big advertisement on the front door of Subway for all who enter to see.
I say food cause it's something everyone can relate to lol
Now that's I've said that. People need to start watching what the heck they download and agree to. It's 2008. Things are getting more tricky with computers! You must have common sense on the internet any more. No longer is there room for idiots on the net. It's a cruel and unforgiving place for your computer in the hands of morons.
Bottom line, yes it is tacky and annoying. But that's how it is. So before you go all click happy with your adware/spyware infected computer... take a second look at what you are clicking and you may just realize you don't want that on your computer! hahaha
Grad school is taking too much time though.
One thing I have done for years now is chose custom install with EVERYTHING and spend the time going through and seeing what is offered and what I want and don't want.
Especially when you're in a hurry to install something, tell yourself to slow down and take the time to do it right, that way you can't regret it later.
I haven't seen Safari update yet, but I'll watch for it, I have no intent to use it
Besides, where are your complaints concerning Windows Media Formats, which are ALL installed by default, and judging by Vista's resource-sucking behavior...
/P
QT does not automatically start up. This is the same as Windows Media. It is just a codec library.
iTunes install a couple of items as service, which start up automatically. They are used to detect iPod connections.
ago, I had Safari 3.0 which worked perfectly with Google Mail
version 1 (Older). Then, Apple had an lot of updates last
Wednesday and yesterday and now I have Safari 3.1 which will
not work with Google Mail version 1 (Older) but does with
Google Mail version 2 (Newer) except that I have to now
manually key in the entire e-mail address for each e-mail that I
send and not make a mistake.
It looks as though Apple is getting more and more like MS. "Go
for the Gold."
MS and Apple are both pushing people toward Linux and open-source software. What are they teaching in business schools nowadays? This is a classic case of making short-term profits at the expense of long-term survivability.
- Hi I'm a Mac
- by sanenazok March 22, 2008 9:46 AM PDT
- and I don't come with annnnyyyy bloatware since Apple software is just so darn perfect. Also, people want Safari, they just don't know it yet. Next, in order to use iTunes you'll have to show yourself wearing a turtleneck.
- Reply to this comment
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- Point of Order
- by Penguinisto March 22, 2008 10:19 AM PDT
- [i]"and I don't come with annnnyyyy bloatware"[/i]
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Showing 1 of 3 pages (80 Comments)Actually, it doesn't.
The only bit of something that one could possibly call crapware that I'd seen with mine was a login link to .Mac, which sits unobtrusive and inactive (still) in System Preferences.
Meanwhile, Dell, HP, Sony... you get to uninstall a shedload of crap that starts automatically and eats RAM - whether you like it or not.
My fave in this department is Linux, which does no such thing at all, because you get to pick (and can do so exactly) what goes on it during Install.
/P