Free Computer Consultant ………. Daily Insights

It frustrates me enough that software companies don’t bother to optimize their code and instead load up our hard drives with unnecessary files strewn over several directories (known as software bloat). A perfect uninstall is almost impossible. And that new Dell or whoever computer coming loaded with Google desktop, half a dozen instant messaging programs and who knows what else. It takes me a half hour just to sort through and uninstall all of that garbage. Use the restore feature of you computer and you’ll get it all back.

But now more & more software is coming with add ons that will install unless you tell it not to.

Cases in point.

Adobe Reader was also installing, unless you unchecked the box, some photoalbum starter edition (increases download time) that not only loaded junk on your hard drive (slows PC down, takes more to back it up - if you back up) but also started some downloader program that slows the boot up of your PC, slows the operation of your PC, and fills your system tray with yet another icon you don’t need. Now today I looked and saw that they are downloading & installing Adobe Media Player - as if you really need another media player.

Just one media player that worked all of the time would be fine with me. (VLC media player is one of the most reliable.)

Now Sun is getting into the act also by downloading and installing (unless you uncheck the box) OpenOffice installer when you go to get Java.

I’m all for OpenSource software and OpenOffice in particular. But the “you’ll get it unless you notice and go to the trouble to uncheck” mentality is plain wrong. What’s the connection between OpenOffice and Java? None. You’re getting Java because some website told you you needed it. You get OpenOffice when you want to ditch Microsoft Office.

<Update, forgot when originally writing post> Quicktime & iTunes are installing Safari web browser unless you are paying close enough attention to turn it off. Safari is a highly regarded web browser, but if you are using Firefox and quite happy with it then adding Safari is just cluttering up your PC.

Beware the add ons. Don’t ask me later how to clean up and speed up your PC, it’s so much easier to keep it clean to begin with.