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Google Earth 5.0 Silently Changes Update Policy
mario_grgic writes "Recently announced Google Earth version 5.0 adds interesting new features like images of ocean floors and some detailed images of Mars. But it also brings another unwelcome change for Mac OS X users. Google Software update daemon is installed when the application is launched for the first time. The user is greeted with an uninformative message that does not really explain what is about to happen. After the user accepts, Google Update Agent is downloaded and installed. It updates all Google applications and not just Google Earth. Also, it runs on an unchangeable schedule of its own (instead of, say, only when one of Google's apps is launched), consuming system resources. Worst of all it can not be simply removed, since it is downloaded and installed again once Google Earth is launched. Users really have only two choices: live with it, or uninstall all Google apps. There's a discussion about the updater in this Google Group, including details of a way to disable it (not for the faint of heart). So fellow Slashdotters, has Google crossed the line?"
It's only happening on macs. And macs are used to being told what to do with out any options. I think Google is just customizing their suite to match other mac suites. Like iTunes http://slashdot.org/articles/08/03/22/1536250.shtml its just trying to make the user feel more comfortable by taking away all control. I know to a linux or a pc it makes no sense but to a mac its fine i'm sure.
"I don't see what the big deal is" The opening gambit of every ignorant twerp who lacks the empathy to understand other people's concerns.