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Workbench rant: software annoyances I can do without
Bloated drivers.
Ok, fellas, what's the deal? Why do OEMs feel the need to cram drivers for every OS into a single, massive file? Even better, they pack them as an exe inside a zip so LoadScout doesn't do me any good. All I want is 300k of stuff for 32-bit Windows XP, and I'm stuck waiting while you let an encyclopedic archive for all platforms trickle down to me at 14K/s?
I hate you. I'm going to start paying for your hardware by mailing you a nickel every day for four years.
Driver installs for the braindead.
Why does almost every printer on the market include some hideous 250mb installer and not have a plain ol' drivers folder on the disc? Come on fellas! You're selling these things for an hour's wages at Hardee's, yet you've clearly spent loads of cash developing complex installers.
Clicking the browse button and finding a folder is not that hard. Infs and related files in one directory, please.
Crapware that comes with hardware.
My customer has PAID for your device. Do you think perhaps you could do them the courtesy of not trying to sneak in the Google toolbar or some stupid app that pretends to be delivering "useful product updates?" That'd be great, thanks.
Windows activation.
Microsoft clearly doesn't care that much about activation. I can call in and say that a decal is installed on one machine, I replaced the mainboard, yes, yes, no, yes, and get an activation code every time - yet I still have to call in.
It's not that I don't want to speak to the charming staff in Delhi - they're always very polite, though I've yet to talk to anyone whose favorite squadron is the NY Mets.
But why not just let me click on these things from an updated OOBE wizard? The thing hasn't changed a bit in two service packs, and the one in Vista is nearly identical. You can create songsmith, but you can't add a four-question confirmation page to the activation wizard? It's no wonder people use WPA kill.
Now it's your turn. Fire away!
Comments
38
Subscribe to commentsTushJan 28th 2009 1:33PM
Agreed!
Yesterday I was trying to get my MICROSOFT Lifecam working in XP and I had to download like 200mb worth of crap. Why wouldn't a microsoft branded product work out of the box with Microsoft's own operating system????
In Ubuntu, the MICROSOFT Lifecam worked as soon as I plugged it in...
Ridiculous.
RBriteJan 28th 2009 1:40PM
Apple Quicktime anyone?
If you try to download it from the main page or redirected from an embedded video file then that installer wants you to also install iTunes. That is a lot of extra bytes and another application when all I wanted was to install quicktime. If you work you can pull down some menus or get to another page and get a version of quicktime that does not include iTunes, but for some reason Apple believe that every computer needs iTunes installed.
Taylor. Yes, Taylor.Jan 29th 2009 2:37AM
Really? I can't get my Lifecam to work in ubuntu. What did you do? Did you download anything in the package manager?
-Taylor
JamusJan 28th 2009 1:41PM
Activation, Microsoft or otherwise, is a complete pain.
As far as crapware goes, two low end web machines I just specced out for some folks came with my strong suggestion to erase every "free" offer they find on the machine. Too many new machines are crippled by all the crap that is there now days.
Rohit KapurJan 28th 2009 1:42PM
Err, not to get nit-picky, but it's "Delhi", not "Dehli". Seeing as how it's my hometown, I kinda thought I'd bring it up. :)
That being said, HEAR HEAR! I wholly support you in your grievances!
Lee MathewsJan 28th 2009 1:49PM
Dangit...see, I got so worked up about activation that I made a typo. I blame MS! ;-)
risen_from_the_eastJan 29th 2009 12:10AM
youre probably being nit-picky when you start the sentence with "Err, not to get nit-picky".
That being said I've seen many a native spell and pronunce it "dehli", funny but true.
HDraogmirJan 28th 2009 1:47PM
I just have to bash Adobe for Acrobat reader. It weighs a ton, always 'requires [my] attention' and is damn slow!
Also, when you want to install Abode Flash, you also need Adobe Bridge, Exchange ... something, and a whole bunch of software I don't need for what I'm about to use Flash for.
jennJan 28th 2009 3:57PM
Most adobe products. They are very bloated (see above comment on reader) and/or their activation process is a pain.
minibarJan 28th 2009 2:06PM
The bug in Windows 7 that access my floppy drive when copying a file across partitions annoys me to no end. Doesn't always happen but once it starts it will continue until rebooting. I had that bug in Windows 3.1, 95, 98, but not in NT 3, NT 4, XP or Vista. I don't need the floppy anymore, but that's just bad coding and Redmond can do better.
FredJan 28th 2009 5:03PM
You do realize it's a beta, right? These are the kinds of bugs that happen all the time in a beta...
FredJan 28th 2009 2:06PM
Offers to upgrade non-subscription software.
I am willing to give a pass to security software with a yearly subscription, but why is Nero 7 OEM sending me popups and messages to my notification area to buy the full version?
setJan 28th 2009 2:13PM
I get annoyed by executables that get added to startup automatically, and that have basically no benefit. Also, I don't like alternative control panels that almost exactly duplicate the functionality of what's already available within Windows (power managers, etc.).
JimJan 28th 2009 2:24PM
minibar... I never heard or experienced that bug... I think you have another problem?
jax sedrinJan 28th 2009 2:26PM
Ha, excellent use of a Simpsons quote. :)
Sergio PereiraJan 28th 2009 2:52PM
I hate that some printer drivers only install if you physically connect the printer to the computer. This sucks when your printer is shared from another computer in the network. It sucks gorilla balls when the other computer runs a different OS than the new computer (e.g. Mac vs Win32 vs Win64 vs Linux).
I'm with you: Just give us the driver files already. As for all those crapplications the manufacturer tries to install with the drivers: DO NOT WANT, OK?
Sergio PereiraJan 28th 2009 2:57PM
Another one that rubs me the wrong way. Apple upgrades are idiotic. Why are all Quicktime and iTurds updates so freaking huge? Are they rewriting from scratch every single time? C'mon, you know you're better than that and can create a less wasteful update installer, it's probably good for the environment too.
ChristianJan 28th 2009 7:06PM
Whoever is in charge of Windows Update, or Microsoft Update or whatever they want to call it nowadays, should be taken out back and shot. If every time I install a fresh copy of XP I need to download 3 hours worth of updates, I'd like to be able to walk away from the machine. Instead, it pauses in the middle of every single update and waits for you to click "Next."
Also, why exactly does it take a full hour to install IE7?
Farseer (GDI)Jan 29th 2009 11:56AM
Dude, I feel your pain, and I have a solution for you. If you can snag a slipstream XP SP 3 disc, you can install a fresh copy of Windows, with SP 3, using any valid product code (on an OEM box). There will only be a few small updates after that.
Here is a good XP Home SP3 slipstream disc that I've been using to reinstall the OS on many of my clients' PCs:
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4152774/Microsoft.Windows.XP.Home.Edition.SP3.OEM-_Untouched_
Keep in mind that this is not piracy. There is no code provided - you must have a working license key (usually on a sticker on the case of an OEM build).
I hope this helps you as much as it helped me.
SchwinnJan 29th 2009 8:15PM
Learn how to use slipstreaming to put service packs on your install CD. That simplifies part of the issue.
The next is a tool like these for applying all updates in one fell swoop:
http://www.autopatcher.com/
http://www.heise-online.co.uk/security/Do-it-yourself-Service-Pack--/features/80682
I've used the former for years now - saves a lot of work, as you simply set it running and walk away for a while. All the updates happen and you don't have to reboot a billion times. Sure, it takes a while, but it's easier than Windows Updating the machine repeatedly.