Couldn't you have a set of Radiobuttons:
- Automatic with NO notification.
- Notify when updates are ready (let the user choose what to do).
- Turn off automatic updates.
Even Windows has those choices. So does the main majority of security
software. Likewise, most other software has at least two of these choices.
If a software has any kind of updating feature, I can't come up with any
software that I have had my hands on, that would insist on popping up
messages; without any user choice to the matter. After all, I don't see what
would prevent those three buttons.
Even as it stands today, we do see people complain about certain things -
and shortly after someone will tell them to update. So, I don't think the
choices above would produce any trafic more on the list.
There has even been certain requests for a fourth button:
- Update at scheduled frequency.
I do support that idea fully. Make it somehow like the one you find under
Automatic Updates in Windows itself. That should be sufficient. OK, I do
realize that last one might take a bit more coding, so at least for a
startout, let's have the three first ones.
If we are to jucge from the trafic on the list the last 24 hours, I think
the request should be pretty clear. Yes, you have other channels as well to
take requests. That is fine. But I wonder if you are thinking a bit too
complicated here. Seems as if you are holding the different wantings up
against each other. As such, they might well contradict. One user wants
automatic updates, the other doesn't, and the third one wants to be anoyed
all the time. What are you to choose? My best suggestion is to simply
implement the three buttons mentioned in my introductory. They will do
exactly what you would find the very best - and which would create the least
trafic on the list in the matter - it would meet ALL the requests and
wantings. Each user would be able to set his preferences.
It has been pointed out, that many a user is well enough informed, so as to
make his decisions. I can sign that one. Many of us, would have an uptime
with the computer, that stretches 20 or even 30 years back in history. That
is long before there was any such thing as updates around. We 'grew up' in a
time when: If you wanted the computer to do anything more than operate as an
advanced typewriter, you'd better pull your senses, and write your own
program routines to have the computer do what you wanted. Microsoft -
although we could have said many things about their way of handling
different matters - has let the user have the three choices or so, for more
than a decade. For you to insist on making no real choice for the user,
seems a bit outdated; if you don't mind me being outspoken. After all, I do
question if it is absolutely necessary to have each and every small update
installed.
Let me give you one example. Recently, there was an update to one of the aps
from GW. When we read the update information, it so proved, that the update
was some fixes in the Norwegian and I wonder if it was Polish translations.
Excuse me, for asking. But how important is it for the English user, to have
his work interrupted by a popup message, insisting on telling him to update;
just because some translation has been done on the app. A translation he
might never even be in touch with. And, when one of the 'message of the
day', or 'pling at me every minute' kind of apps gets its update? I really
don't think it is of any risk to the user, if he did not update that app
until next wensday, when his computer is set to be updating WE and its apps.
What then if GW releases a new update of the GWToolkit? Still, my question
is how important that release is, for the everyday tasking of the average
user. If it really is of such a hurry, that EVERYONE needs to have it
installed - due to its taken care of a given bug of serious
characteristics - then you always have the chance of dropping us all a line
on the lists, informing us to make sure to install the newest version.
Agreed, there might have been cases like that, in the past. But that was
even before this popup message thing was an issue. We dealt with it back
then. Should still be possible to deal with it in the end of 2011. Don't you
agree?
So after all, what prevents the three or four buttons here described from
entering your screen reader? Tech reasons? Resources? It sure would have
taken care of the whole matter, to the very best of all interests. Other
software developers have realized this years ago. Why do you try to invent
the wheel all over again; only to realize that the best shape is to have it
circular shaped all again? Just wondering.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Aaron Smith" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: Turning off Ap updates.
That was a much more constructive message. Thank you, Len. You make some
good points, and we'll discuss them, and see what we can come up with.
Aaron
On 9/6/2011 4:54 PM, Len Burns wrote:
Aaron,
Even Windows gives me the option to control how I manage updates. I can
have them run automatically, at a certain time, or merely apprise me of
the need to install them. I then make the decision as to when this
should be done. Most of the applications you list below, mail clients,
plugins, etc, give one a lot more control over this process than does
WE. The problem here is that you are giving your users, many of whom
are wise enough to make decisions regarding managing their systems, no
choice. You could have this feature turned on by default, but easily
enough make it possible for those who wish to do so to disable it. You
could even require a box to be checked acknowledging the potential
problems that could result from disabling the feature. Those of us who
would be likely to take this step are probably experienced enough to
understand the implications.
I have a client who has very limited use of his hands. It may be
trivial for you to find the 'n' key to kill that alert, for him it is a
tedious task that takes significant effort. He asks me regularly what
to do about this and if there is some way of disabling this. Eventually
when I am on-site, I will go through his apps, one by one, and turn off
updates. This is definitely not something he can do on his own, it
would be a very tedious task. He is not the only one for whom this can
become non-trivial. You might want to consider such factors when you
force an issue such as this upon your loyal customer base. I have
recommended your product many times over the years, but these days it is
no longer such a simple choice.
Regards,
-Len
On 9/6/2011 1:06 PM, Aaron Smith wrote:
On 9/6/2011 3:46 PM, Len Burns wrote:
That you believe you are better able to make such decisions on my
behalf is a paternalistic attitude.
You're reading far more into it than what I think is necessary. In fact,
I feel were heading toward the inevitable clash of the ideologies, so
I'll just finish up with this reply, and then we'll take all comments
that finish out the thread under advisement.
We go by the feedback we receive through our support email, phone calls,
training sessions, and even on this list. What we've found is that the
majority of people have indicated that they want to be notified when
updates are available, even when they're annoyed by them. Because the
end result of not being updated is more of a negative issue than the
annoyance of having to update. In fact, we've had numerous requests that
we just do the updates without even telling you, but we're not quite
sold on that idea.
So when updates become available, we tell people. Just like when updates
are available for my favorite text editor, or any of the various plugins
I have installed for firefox, or when an update to my mail client is
available, or Windows has updates.
Just think: the time it takes to adjudicate on the totalitarian and
oppressive tactic of forcing you to know that new software is available,
you could just do an update.<grin>
Thanks for the constructive feedback.
Aaron
--
Aaron Smith
Web Development * App Development * Product Support Specialist
GW Micro, Inc. * 725 Airport North Office Park, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260-489-3671 * gwmicro.com
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--
Aaron Smith
Web Development * App Development * Product Support Specialist
GW Micro, Inc. * 725 Airport North Office Park, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260-489-3671 * gwmicro.com
To insure that you receive proper support, please include all past
correspondence (where applicable), and any relevant information
pertinent to your situation when submitting a problem report to the GW
Micro Technical Support Team.
If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender
only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is
related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to
[email protected] so the entire list will receive it.
GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can
manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only.
If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to
GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so
the entire list will receive it.
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