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.'"

Comments

Obvious first thought upon reading:

[just_another_sean]

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

And rain is wet.

Yes they do.

[Cranky Weasel]

Gee. If it had taken a bunch of digging to locate, I would understand your missing it. But here are my steps:

1 - Go to www.apple.com/quicktime
2 - Click "Download"
3 - Click "Quicktime Standalone Installer" (middle of the page)

Presto.

Re:Sure it can!

[bj8rn]

Butt-cheeks, even.

Criminal

[Cranky Weasel]

"BTW, Congratulations on no longer being a criminal."

Who said I was no longer a criminal? I never claimed that!

I just said I no longer pirate software. I'd like to think I'm a more than a one hit wonder on the supply side of crime.

Re:Case in point:

[Apathetic1]

WinAmp 5 is just WinAmp 2 with a bunch of plugins and bugfixes.

Re:Case in point:

[Apathetic1]

WinAmp 5 is WinAmp 2 with bugfixes and additional plugins. It's the additional plugins that are giving you the trouble. The "Lite" version doesn't include most of the bloat, so WinAmp 5 should do everything you need it to do, especially on older hardware.