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My Top 6 Download Annoyances
Capping download rates. Asus...Oh, Asus. Some days I just want to fly over to Taiwan and slap you right in the mouth. Do they not realize that it works out the same whether I download for 2 hours at 9k or 4 minutes at 256k? I actually stopped building with their mainboard partially because of the crappy download speeds.
Falsely advertise as being free. I subscribe to a number of free software feeds, and there's nothing worse than seeing a cool application show up that someone has called free just to get it listed. You're not helping your app's popularity. In fact, you're probably turning off just about anyone that might have wanted to use it because they're ticked that the download was either stripped-down or only a trial.
Download a download manager first. Thankfully, I haven't seen the Adobe Download Manager in quite some time, but there are others out there. I don't need or want your help downloading. If I need help resuming my download, I've got DownThemAll, thanks.
Trying to sneak toolbars on to your system. I'm willing to admit that most reputable apps give you a pretty obvious warning during the install, but it's still annoying. Even good ol' CCleaner does it. Offer a second installer with a toolbar for those who want to support your free app that way, and let the rest of us donate on our own.
Downloading other apps you didn't ask for. Apple, I'm talking to you. It's been talked about before, and I'd really like it if iTunes would lay off with the "Oh hey, I heard you guys wanted to try out Safari" business. If I let the iTunes updater run, it's probably because I want iTunes updated, not because I'm hoping Apple decided their nifty new application is something I just can't live without.
Uninstallers that don't work. Yes, I've got Revo Uninstaller and the hunter mode works great. That's not the point. If the installer works for your app, don't let me catch your uninstaller popping up error messages about not being able to remove something. Maybe your theory is "my app is so cool, no one will ever want to uninstall it!" Well, you're wrong, and the least you can do is make it easy for people to remove whatever your application brought with it.
What about you? What puts a burr under your saddle?
Comments
36
Subscribe to commentsRAug 27th 2008 1:13PM
I hate the "free" thing too. The software advertises itself as freeware. But after you install it, the software is actually "free to try" and requires money for the full version, and a separate download.
Other annoyances..
- File association hijacking.
- Re-organization of desktop icons after installation.
- Shortcut to program created on the Start menu right above the Windows Update.
- Programs that check for updates automatically, with no option to turn it off.
Brian!Aug 27th 2008 1:13PM
Games... Like if you want to buy a game from so many companies (EA for example) and have to run their downloader/launcher. Ugh.
Even Steam is starting to suck. The other day it started popping up ad after ad. What is up with that?
TysonAug 27th 2008 1:13PM
I hate it when installers "helpfully" add themselves to your desktop and quick launch folders. Either don't do it or give me the option in the installer. No, it's not hard to delete them, but it's still annoying, not to mention arrogant that your app is so great as to warrant such prime computer real estate.
AlexAug 27th 2008 1:42PM
I have internet download manager which is not for free
but does help download speed with no ad and pop up
people who want everthing free have to remember
you are asking for it what ever they give you.
JoshAug 27th 2008 2:35PM
Not going to lie here... haven't experienced any of these problems since switching to a Mac in November.
JamesAug 27th 2008 3:21PM
I agree completely, Lee Matthews. This article needs to invade the servers of Apple and Adobe.
Lee MathewsAug 27th 2008 3:21PM
Thanks, Jammes, but there's only one "t" in my last name...See what I did there? ;-)
StunnedAug 31st 2008 3:17PM
I agree with most of the above and would add that "free" one day downloads of software generally do work... until you need to reload your system :(
RogAug 27th 2008 5:28PM
Toolbars. Any of them. Google, Yahoo! Don't care, if I wanted you I'd ask. Just because my Java "needs" updating don't send me a dumb Google toolbar as well. I DON'T want it!
OcramAug 27th 2008 9:53PM
Apps with built in auto updates with no resume support which insist on downloading the entire 110MB installation for a X.X.1 update! (Openoffice, I'm looking at you)
Other than that, applications which set to load on startup for no reason whatsoever (especially those with splash screens).
Kat2Aug 27th 2008 9:53PM
So Asus mainboards (motherboards?) cap download speeds? Could you explain to me briefly how they do that? I would like to not buy them if they do so.
Lee MathewsAug 27th 2008 9:54PM
Errr..well, I don't think so. But in the past if I needed a new BIOS or driver from them, I'd be lucky to pull 8k/s. No way am I going to make my service work take longer!
JasonSep 5th 2008 11:06PM
What are those free software sites/blogs you subscribe to?
Blake SingletonAug 28th 2008 11:00AM
Just a heads up for the iTunes iPod combo annoyance. I use MediaMonkey. It has a free limited version and a pay "Gold" version that does all the stuff that the free one does, except faster. It does everything I need it to do with my iPod except install updates. I've heard there are third party softwares out there that will even take care of that for you.
This is a Free CommentAug 28th 2008 7:52AM
"there's nothing worse than seeing a cool application show up that someone has called free just to get it listed. You're not helping your app's popularity."
Oh YES you are...
Sure, there will be complaints from disgruntled users, but if you're not trying to establish a product long-term, falsely advertising trials as "freeware" ist one of the most inexpensive and efficient marketing tools available. Those who install the trial because they thought it was free and later buy it will easily make up for those who refuse to buy only because they feel cheated.
Like I said, this doesn't work for all products. The software has to be cheap enough to allow for impulse buying, and if you're a big player under constant blogospheric scrutiny, it might as well backfire.
I realize this opinion might not be very popular on here, but I'm speaking from first and second hand experience. And don't get me wrong, I don't like it either, but I just can't deny it's very effective if done the right way.
Henry BraunSep 23rd 2008 7:18AM
Whatever softwares are advertised on internet are not freeware. The advertiser always say that, software is absolutely free, but when we install it they ask us to register and to buy. And one more thing they always give us software just to try with only few features.