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Are Windows Updates the New Deceptive Advertising Platform?
Woke up this morning, did the rounds and was presented with the following message to update my Java installation. The message tells me that when I update Java, I will also get OpenOffice free. Hmm, I have no need for OpenOffice so I won’t update the Java application because it appears to me from this bubble that when I update the Java, I automatically get the FREE OpenOffice software.
Just because something is free does not mean it isn’t bound by the same ethical standards as something for a price. Since a large majority of users have the Java app installed, I am looking forward to the OpenOffice release that announces the new millions of installs over the past month and I will bet there will be no note about this semi-forced installation.
Who thought of this idea to create a very confusing update bubble? When you click on the bubble, here is the message that appears:
So if I click "install", am I also installing OpenOffice or only Java? In my opinion, this feels very deceptive. Didn’t RealMedia use this "marketing" technique years ago? And isn’t it one of the reasons they are so hated today?
I don’t know if it’s being deceptive so much as it’s being un-user friendly.
I would imagine that clicking on the “More Information” link would give you information about downloading OpenOffice, not install it.
AND I would also imagine that it would not install OpenOffice just by updating Java.
It is a confusing and puzzling marketing ploy, but I don’t think it’s deceptive.
As a side note, OpenOffice is free whether or not you upgrade Java.
And, even though the fact that OpenOffice is free, it’s still a great product.
Just because something’s free also doesn’t mean it’s unethical.
Look at Google Docs, Flickr, Twitter, and the best of all, Firefox…they’re all free. Does that mean that they’re unethical?