Cant stand Apple or Adobe

[explicitlyrics]

[Rant]

I just can't stand Apple and Adobe for all their awfully resource hogging software, their infuriating updates and slow response times. Adobe (Photoshop and Reader) seem to be updating their software the whole time and there seems to be no reliable way to turn it off. (Though I confess I still use it when I have to).

Apple is just as bad, this evening, while watching a film, I had a pop up appear from 'Apple Software Update' asking if I wanted to update to the newest version. I had already rejected the update through Itunes and am 100% sure I had turned off all other update options in the 'Apple Software Update' program, so I decided to check. Sure enough, when I opened the options of 'Apple Software Update' it was already set to never check for updates! Below is a screenshot, though I appreciate you cannot tell whether it was already selected (so you will have to trust me).



Don't even get me started on Norton...

[/Rant]

[pr0p4g4nd4]

You could just not install the updaters/turn of the automatic updating of said software?

[acrobat]

Hehe that Acrobat Reader is a pain in the bum. Its always updating. (Im not named after it.. ). And yeah Norton is infamously crap.

That reminds me too. I remember I downloaded quicktime (years ago now), it came with some kind of spyware which gradually ate my hard disk space... I am pretty sure I got a legal version so I wasn't doing anything wrong. And yet it ate many many gigabytes of disk space, and it took me a while to realise. Luckily I'm a bit more careful now and I only use good stuff that I know about (VLC Media Player etc...)

And lastly, Adobe bought some software that I used to like using called "Cool Edit" and they have turned it into Adobe Audition, and I really don't like what they have done to it... It seems more advanced, and maybe I'm just being a newbie with it.... but it didn't do what I wanted, did things I didn't want... and generally was a pain to use compared the trusty old version of Cool Edit I have. Which I'm now stuck with by the looks of it... because it won't be upgraded.

[explicitlyrics]

You could just not install the updaters/turn of the automatic updating of said software?

The thing was I had stopped it running with Windows startup, but it ran because I leave iTunes running sometimes. I had also told it to never check for updates but it did... heaven only knows why!

[directhex]

the problem with the "anything goes" approach to windows software is that if an app wants to keep itself updated, it needs its own updater - and you can end up with tends of the buggers all competing for resources, or being launched when you don't ask for them

at least with centrally managed software, all updates for all apps are handled by a single systray icon, and forcing a given version number is simple

[Grim Reaper]

what annoys me is that they are always trying to get you to install itunes when all i want is quicktime!
Even when quicktime tries to update it only gives an option with itunes

[Lee H]

Easy answer to that one Grim Reaper.

Use Quicktime Alternative then you will NEVER be asked to install itunes ever again.

I can't stand this as issue as well. Why do they insist on forcing bloatware down our throats all the time?

[Stoo]

Just tell the software in the preferences not to check for updates

I've been using Apple and Adobe software for years, and never had a problem with it, it's certainly no worse resource-wise from Microsoft, Norton, Sophos, etc, etc.

[chicken]

Just tell the software in the preferences not to check for updates

err...

I had already rejected the update through Itunes and am 100% sure I had turned off all other update options in the 'Apple Software Update' program, so I decided to check. Sure enough, when I opened the options of 'Apple Software Update' it was already set to never check for updates! Below is a screenshot, though I appreciate you cannot tell whether it was already selected (so you will have to trust me).

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Easy answer to that one Grim Reaper.

Use Quicktime Alternative then you will NEVER be asked to install itunes ever again.

I can't stand this as issue as well. Why do they insist on forcing bloatware down our throats all the time?

Bingo! Get Quicktime Alternative (and Real Alternative whilst you're at it) and you'll get no more silly updates. Together with Media Player Classic (all around the same sites) you'll have some good options for playback too.

[vinnyT]

To replace Adobe reader, take a look at Foxit Reader 2.0 from http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

I've used it for a couple of years, it's very fast and small (~6mb, as opposed to ~20mb for adobe reader). I have the .exe file on one of my thumbdrives so I can use it when working on other computers.

It's also free, but you can pay for the premium version for extra features.

[acrobat]

I have quicktime alternative too. Its great. I came across that after I found about the evil that was bundled with the original version.

Although, if you are looking for a good movie player, VLC Media Player is one of the best (if not the best).

[explicitlyrics]

Definitely agree about VLC, does Quicktime and Real stuff without any issues. Along with being very configurable and processor efficient (not that it matters any more with my Q6600 coming ). I wish the iPod could just use drag and drop without having the change the firmware. Anyway sorry about inflicting my rant on everybody

[directhex]

Definitely agree about VLC, does Quicktime and Real stuff without any issues. Along with being very configurable and processor efficient (not that it matters any more with my Q6600 coming ). I wish the iPod could just use drag and drop without having the change the firmware. Anyway sorry about inflicting my rant on everybody

it sucks for h264 though

[dangel]

I wholeheartedly agree - Apples (Windows) / Adobes software does suck some ass (and many resources) - bloatware is the term.. I'd recommend some of the above (use foxit instead of acrobat - it's tiny and much, much faster) along with installing something like www.winpatrol.com to keep a handle on what's running on startup/preventing things from adding themselves behind your back (it's a tiny app too). The day either company produces some windows software that could be considered in any way resource efficient/elegant is.. a long way off.