Java's auto-update checker threw up a dialog with "Upgrade your version of Java and get OpenOffice free!" (as if it costs money for OpenOffice).
Then winamp's auto-update checker threw up a dialog with "Download the 10th anniversary edition of winamp, 5.5!" as if this standard security patch with a new feature or two was all that different from any other upgrade I've done (or ignored) over the last few years.
So what the hell? Why are standard, FREE (and always have been), update processes all using the same marketing bullshit we have to put up with everywhere else?
Nearest I can think of (given that I just started the winamp download) is that they're getting paid for the advertising you see as you page through the upgrade process, especially the big giant add from Microsoft (wait a minute, aren't you a winamp *competitor* with your Windows Media Player?) Office that came up along with the "thank you for downloading winamp" message...
Then winamp's auto-update checker threw up a dialog with "Download the 10th anniversary edition of winamp, 5.5!" as if this standard security patch with a new feature or two was all that different from any other upgrade I've done (or ignored) over the last few years.
So what the hell? Why are standard, FREE (and always have been), update processes all using the same marketing bullshit we have to put up with everywhere else?
Nearest I can think of (given that I just started the winamp download) is that they're getting paid for the advertising you see as you page through the upgrade process, especially the big giant add from Microsoft (wait a minute, aren't you a winamp *competitor* with your Windows Media Player?) Office that came up along with the "thank you for downloading winamp" message...