ZDNEt’s Ed Bott writes (in all seriousness):
“For the record, I think Apple is dead wrong in the way it’s gone about using its iPod monopoly to expand its share in another market.”
Ed continues with examples of why he feels Windows Update discloses more than Software Update and does it the right way and to be honest, I do think that Apple overstepped the mark here. But that’s not to say that it’s all rosy. I mean, if we retain an Easter theme here, Microsoft is the Barrabas of current monopolists. Microsoft was not shy in pushing Outlook Express or Internet Explorer on you when you wanted one or the other but not both and there’s certainly the impression that Microsoft updates whatever the hell it wants on Windows with the vague threats that these are ‘recommended’ updates (and therefore on your own head be it should you decide not to update). And remember the whole court case that Microsoft lost? That was about using your monopoly in one market to extend into others. Has anyone seen any evidence that Microsoft is actually doing this any less? That’s the difference between ‘monopoly’ and ”illegal abuse of monopoly’. Monopoly is just having a large share of the market. Abuse of Monopoly is when you hurt the market.
Sure – proponents of IE and Firefox are going to be pissed. Safari/Webkit is standards compliant and fast enough to give both of them a run for their money.
The issue is as much one if trust as anything and, experience shows that trusting Microsoft is going to end up biting you as a consumer. In fact, working with them as a partner is also likely get you your head handed to you for dinner. Don’t believe me? Ask Spyglass? Or any PlaysForSure licensee.
The fact that Windows Update is ‘opt in’ is immaterial when the repercussions for not ‘opting in’ are possible compromising of your system. This is Windows after all, the 600lb lice-infested gorilla that it is. Ed continues:
“At any time, you can visit Windows Update, click the Change Settings link, and get to this dialog box. Here, you can specify whether and how updates are downloaded and installed. You can also opt out of Microsoft Update.”
And then what? What novice user is going to opt-out of Windows update? They’re going to take what they’re fed.
Disclosure and ‘opt in’ are meaningless to the end user. Apple is not doing the right thing here but the thing they are doing, by pushing Safari, is less onerous than Microsoft has been in the past.
What can Microsoft teach Apple about software updates?
I think they’ve learned everything perfectly.
Funny, Ed seems to have forgotten that IE 7 was and still is, opt-out.
But then again, it’s ZDvorakNet…it’s what they do.
See, I only use Windows when forced…(like every day)