(52)
(7)
(6)
(6)
(3)Apr 19
Daring Fireball Linked List: April 2008:
"Counterpoint ★
Darby Lines:Apparently Apple needs to also not check the box to install Safari by default. Again, the take home message here is that Windows users are so fucking confused by a checkbox that they can’t be trusted with the horrible responsibility of installing a browser."
(Emphasis added by myself)
Update: I originally titled this: Great quote from John Gruber (Daring Fireball). I later found out that the quote was actually from a Mr. Darby C . Lines that runs the site The Angry Drunk. (Sorry Darby!)
(Via Daring Fireball Linked List: April 2008.)
Twitter
Jaiku
Pownce
April 19th, 2008 at 2:30 am
Every time there is a QuickTime or iTunes update, they have to deselect Safari in Software Update. That’s annoying. The take home message here is that it’s fair game to pester lowly Windows users.
April 19th, 2008 at 2:47 am
@mongul: No, not at all. As I posted in this message: “A lot of hub-bub about Apple Software Update for Windows“.
It’s very easy to disable an item in the update program to not prompt for future updates. Again, this just shows that people do not spend the 5 seconds it takes to research the software they complain about.
I have had the Safari “update” disabled ever since it first appeared on my older Windows box and it never showed up in the update window from the time of the original whining posts til today.
Safari 3.1.1 did appear after the update program was updated which was probably just a decision to wipe the configuration info out when the update program was updated. I have since turned off both Safari 3.1.1 and iTunes from showing up again.
By the way, the ability to disable items from appearing in the update program is not a Windows only feature. It’s in the Mac version as well as Microsoft’s Windows Update program as well. It’s way harder to find in Microsoft Windows Update program, but it is there.
April 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Oh, I think it’s very easy if you happen to be a Mac guy. I’m using Mac OS X since 2002, I’m used to it and I know where to search for Mac tips. If you’re the average Windows guy, all you want is to update QuickTime/iTunes, but you have to figure this out and dig around the menu bar to find the “Ignore Selected Updates” option. The “Install Safari” box shouldn’t be checked in the first place. Software Update is Apple’s mechanism for deploying security patches and such, it should be a no brainer type of utility, people shouldn’t have to jump through hoops.
Besides, Safari 3.1 is a decent browser, that can compete on its own merits. Firefox’s share is over 20% in some countries, if the Mozilla Foundation can pull this up, imagine what Apple could do (with the cachet of the Apple brand, passionate users, world class marketing, etc). Just give it a little time, Mac sales are increasing, there is the iPhone & iPod touch, and now a Windows version of Safari. The Safari user base will grow, this is a given. It’s easier for Apple to push its browser on several million unsuspecting iTunes/Win users, but it’s disappointing. Why the hurry? Is it worth alienating these people?
April 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
mongul wrote:
@mongul: As I stated in a previous post: “Apple has updated it’s Windows Updater program”
I just agree with The Angry Drunk in that there is way too much yammering about something that should not be a big deal at all.
As far as Safari being a decent browser. It’s OK, but it certainly has it’s flaws and I would never suggest to anyone I know to use Safari over Firefox on Windows systems.
I see that you yourself don’t use Safari when browsing the web. I switched to Safari only because Firefox 2.x is just too much of a memory hog and resource hog. When 3.0 is released, I’ll give it a fair chance. Right now, it’s still a little too buggy for everyday use. FF3.0 is indeed pretty darn fast and will give Safari a good run for it’s money.
I too want to see Apple do well. I just agree with others that Apple needs to not take advantage of it’s MP3 player market to do what Microsoft did so many years ago and force Safari on it’s Windows iPod/iPhone users.