Annoying Program behavior related to "Update to this program is available" messages

[clay]

Note to developers:

I like having an update function built in to programs, I really do. I even like it if you use the framework that allows for in-app updating, rather than launching a browser to download the update, but I'll take either method as it beats having to monitor your site for an update you may have posted.

But...I hate it when you tell me there's an update/new version, give me a button to click to get it, only to find out that it's a paid upgrade. And then you don't give me any way to disable update checking so I have to look at that message every time I launch the program.

Sloppy programming with no thought to the user experience. Annoying.

[space-time]

come on, tell us which company does this!

[ka jowct]

I think Font Explorer does this.

[C(-)ris]

Growl, Retrospect...

[hal]

'check for updates' is almost always a preference option... that's turned on by default, but can usually be turned off...

[clay]

hal wrote:
'check for updates' is almost always a preference option... that's turned on by default, but can usually be turned off...

'almost' being the operative word here. The program I'm referring to does not have this option. The program also has a long-ish history of having other kind of inane features, IMHO. Activation scheme that doesn't reliably work (never has), and others too numerous to name. It's a specialized product, which is why we have to keep going with them, but there have got to be some better options out there that I may indeed look into for the next time we have to buy a similar product.

[Chakravartin]

C(-)ris wrote:
Growl, Retrospect...

Kinda loathe it lately.

I've been moving clients to Time Machine networked backups and CCC clones when they don't need archival backups.

My boss is evaluating PresSTORE for clients who can afford it.

[C(-)ris]

Chakravartin wrote:
[quote=C(-)ris]
Growl, Retrospect...

Kinda loathe it lately.

I've been moving clients to Time Machine networked backups and CCC clones when they don't need archival backups.

My boss is evaluating PresSTORE for clients who can afford it.
Try Retrospect 9. The client part is completely redone, loads as a system preference pane and has a menu bar icon for it.

The server in 9 is more robust, but the interface is the same. I think the upgrade from 8 is around $400. Probably worth it.