The Controversy over Apple's Safari for Windows "Update"

Like many Mac afficionados, I have to resort to using Windows for some of the work I do, and while working on a Windows machine, I rely on the familiar QuickTime and iTunes combo to add some music to my work day. The installer for this software includes a special stand-alone utility which helps keep the software up-to-date. Much like the Software Update utility on the Mac.

The most recent update from last week, though, presented a fresh copy of Apple's Safari webbrowser even if the software was not installed yet. And the discussion on the 'Net on whether this behavior is acceptable, or not, is now in full swing.

The problem is that Sarari 3.1. is listed as an "update" even when the software is not installed on the target machine. There is no visual distinction between real updates to software that is installed on the computer, and the fresh install of Safari, and per default, the checkbox next to Safari is checked. Just hit return, and Safari may find its way onto your machine even if it wasn't invited to the party.

It is true that one should properly read a dialog box before dismissing it. Especially in case of those "Yes"-"No" dialog boxes that you encounter way too often in Windows software: "Do you want to discard unsaved changes to this document? - Yes - No" is sorta, kinda different from "Do you want to save unsaved changes to this document? - Yes - No". Consequently, there is some validity to the criticism targeted at users who complain about finding Safari installed on their machine even though they didn't want it.

Then again, the Apple Software Update dialog box has its own characteristic look, so a quick glimpse of that window popping up may just as well trigger your neurons to sub-consciously realize that: "Hey, look, here's a new software update from Apple, a company we trust. Right index finger: hit Return, and let our human get back to whatever he was concentrating on. No deeper analysis or second thoughts necessary." Maybe, second thoughts are in order now, after all.

By searching for 'safari windows "software update"', you can find a wide range of views on this topic, including a comment by John Lilly, the CEO of the Mozilla Foundation, and constructive criticism about how Apple should have handled this by John Gruber.

With so many opinions floating around, I'd love find out what you, esteemed readers and readerettes, think: is it OK to push new applications onto a user's machine, slightly hidden among regular updates, or not? Share your views by participating in our little poll in the Digital Media forums.