Why Apple is just like Microsoft: iTunes and Safari
Apple has decided to use it's monopoly on MP3 players to persuade everyone with the necessary layer on a computer, iTunes, to install their silly browser, Safari. They adopted tactics used by spyware companies and made an update to iTunes "recomend" the installation of Safari, forcing you to deselect the install on every update.
asa (of the mozilla foundation) said:
When *installers* bundle extra programs and install them by default (opt out rather than opt in) it's *annoying*. When *updaters* bundle extra programs and install them by default (opt out rather than opt in) it's damaging to the trust relationship that users and vendors have relied on to keep software safe and secure.
Not only do they force you iTunes when you download Quicktime, making you hunt deep in their site for the solo installer, now the iTunes update also throws crap at you. It also helps computer users learning to accept the installation of crap on an update and not demanding better behavior. It probably doesn't help people trust updated either.
On my totally personal experience, if any of those programs AND the iPod is indicative of a different "experience", I must be blind and dumb, because to me it's exactly the same shit, just with different issues.
To watch a Quicktime movie on my PC I have to:
* Install iTunes, have it hijack all my multimedia file types.
* Have all the mime types replaced in my browser (a new plugin to show jpg files, yay!)
* Install an "iPod sync tool" in my system tray
* Have Apple pester me the whole time to install updates to all of the above.
* Have Apple pester me the whole time to upgrade to a "professional" version of something or other.All that to see a dumb Quicktime movie? I think I'll pass...
Different. Somehow...
And what does Safari show the next day?
recoiledsnake writes "The new Safari 3.1 for Windows has been hit with two 'highly critical'(as rated by Secunia) vulnerabilities that can result in execution of arbitrary code. The first is due to an improper handling of the buffer for long filenames of files being downloaded, and the second can result in successful spoofing of websites and phishing. This comes close on the heels of criticism of Apple for offering Safari as a update for approximately 500 million users of iTunes on Windows by default, and reports of crashes. There are currently no patches or workarounds available except the advice to stay clear of 'untrusted' sites."
Completely different.
Further, Wormfan writes "The latest version of Safari for Windows makes a mockery of end user licensing agreements by only allowing the installation of Safari for Windows on Apple labeled hardware, thereby excluding most Windows PCs."
Again, completely different.
Do they remind you of Microsoft yet or are you just daft?