The Trouble With Software Upgrades

Carl Bialik from WSJ writes "When software makers urge upgrades, it isn't always in users' best interest, the Wall Street Journal reports. Many upgrades bring advertising or other unwanted features; some iTunes users felt this way about a recent upgrade. But for many programs, downgrading can be a headache--Yahoo generally doesn't link to old versions of software, and Apple says iTunes can't be downgraded. Some websites can help with the problem. OldVersion.com, for instance, offers more than 600 versions of about 65 different programs. The site's 16-year-old administrator says, 'Companies make a lot of new versions. They're not always better for the consumer.'"

They finally noticed?

[Black Parrot]

> When software makers urge upgrades, it isn't always in users' best interest, the Wall Street Journal reports.

They've got a bunch of geniuses over at the WSJ, haven't they.

New version with bigger, better ads!

[digitaldc]

Try the new version, its ads are bigger and the privacy intrusions are twice as invasive!

Just don't try to go retro, or we will disable your account and report you to the internet police.

(sarcasm off)

Sure it can!

[AKAImBatman]

Apple says iTunes can't be downgraded.

Yes it can! It's easy! Just move the new version to the trash, then put the old version in its place. Voila! You're now running an old version.

[...]

What's that? You say that they're talking about Windows? Pfff. Who uses Windows? I mean, do users have any clue how hard it is to uninstall... Oh.

(Yes, my tongue is again located in the cheek area.) :-P

Re:Sure it can!

[FyRE666]

What's that? You say that they're talking about Windows? Pfff. Who uses Windows? I mean, do users have any clue how hard it is to uninstall... Oh.

(Yes, my tongue is again located in the cheek area.) :-P

Yes, between Steve Jobs' cheeks it would seem...

Re:Case in point:

[a_nonamiss]

Oh, and side note, if you're from the RIAA, I meant 200MB music collection which I legally ripped from my CD collection.

Easy like this

[mayesa]

#apt-get update
#apt-get upgrade

what else?

Re:Reminds me of Tomorrow Never Dies

[Arandir]

I know a guy who knows a guy who says the guy you know is full of shit.

Re:Why do you accept this? Examples...; ICQ99b

[Anonymous Coward]

If I got a car that failed to start 5 mornings of the year, I'd be pretty pissed off.

you obviously don't live in Minnesota.