[Be sure to see my follow-up post on this topic, Taming iTunes 8.]
Un-freakin-believable.
In preparation for a trip next week, I just took a notebook out of mothballs and proceeded to install updates and make sure all the software and data files I need are in service.
Along the way, I noticed an iTunes icon on the desktop and decided to check in with Apple Software Update. The blow-by-blow description appears in the extended version of this post.
Here’s what I saw first:
I don’t want Bonjour or Safari on this machine, so I deselected the iTunes + QuickTime check box, clicked the Safari box so that both it and Bonjour were selected, and then chose Tools, Ignore Software Updates. The entries for Bonjour and Safari went away, the updater refreshed itself, and a new list appeared, containing only iTunes + QuickTime. The check box was selected already, so I clicked Install 1 Item and approved the UAC consent box.
While the download proceeded, I opened the temporary folder where the update program stores its downloads (%LocalAppData%\Apple\Apple Software Update) and watched as the following five installer packages appeared:
Next, I watched as the status box continued to tell me that only iTunes + QuickTime were being installed. And then, when setup was complete, I looked in Control Panel’s list of Installed Programs, filtered to show only Apple software, and saw this:
The mind truly boggles here. I had previously uninstalled Bonjour and Apple Mobile Device Support. When Apple Software Update offered Bonjour to me, I specifically selected it and told the Update program that I wanted to ignore that update. I’m not sure how much clearer I could have been with my wishes. And yet Apple went and installed it anyway and then reinstalled Apple Mobile Device Support. Do they have no concept of how a software installer should work?
If anyone from Apple is reading this and wants to explain why they even bother to offer this choice and then ignore it, I’m all ears.
Meanwhile, I’m going to go uninstall the whole mess.
Update: The closer I look, the worse this gets. While the installer was running initially, I copied the five individual installer packages to a folder on the desktop so that they would still be around instead of being automatically deleted at setup’s end. Next, I uninstalled everything from Apple except Apple Software Update and QuickTime. After confirming that these were the only Apple programs installed, I ran the iTunes.msi Installer package. It proceeded to install itself and Apple Mobile Device Support and Bonjour.
Even more bizarre: I renamed the Bonjour and Apple Mobile Device Support installer packages, then selected iTunes and clicked Uninstall in Control Panel. The setup program appeared to remove iTunes and cleared its entry from the list of installed programs. But after restarting, when I ran the iTunes.msi Installer package, I was prompted to Repair or Remove iTunes. Despite the fact that I had explicitly chosen to uninstall iTunes, enough of it remained on my system that Apple’s setup program believed it was dealing with an incomplete or damaged installation. Choosing Repair finally got me the two programs I specifically authorized and no others.
Update 2: An anonymous contributor suggests a new “I’m a Mac” ad:
PC guy walks on screen with a softball-sized lump growing out of the side of his neck.
Mac: “What is that hideous thing, PC?”
PC: “Oh, that’s my new Bonjour. I didn’t really think I needed it, but the folks at Apple thought otherwise, so they just kind of stuck it there when I was trying to update iTunes.”
Mac: “It looks kind of weird.”
PC: “Yeah, I know, please stop staring at it. Say, did Apple stick you with a Bonjour, too?”
Mac: “Um, yeah.” He squirms uncomfortably.
PC: “So, where is it?”
Mac: “Are we on basic cable?”
PC: “Uh-huh.”
Mac: “Then, uh, I can’t tell you.”
PC guy winces.
You’ve been a wonderful audience. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. And try the veal!
This blog post is ignorant of how iTunes works. Apple Mobile Device Support enables the syncing with iPods and iPhones. Bonjour is required for communicating with AppleTV and iTunes library sharing. QuickTime enables the fundamental media playback functionality. These are all a standard part of iTunes even though they come packaged as separate installers. iTunes without QuickTime, Bonjour, or Mobile Device support simply won’t work as advertised or expected.
Stop bitching, and take the time to understand what you’re blogging about.
Hey Ryan, stop being such a … well, I have a whole bunch of words to use here, but I’ll let you choose one.
Meanwhile, you might want to read the previous comments, which basically explain why you’re full of crap.
Ryan, speaking of ignorant…
“Apple Mobile Device Support enables the syncing with iPods and iPhones.”
Hmmm. I completely removed all traces of Apple Mobile Device Support. Then I hooked up my iPod Nano. Wonder of wonders, it synced all my music right up. Even without Apple Mobile Device Support.
I suspect (but can’t confirm because Apple doesn’t document it) that AMDS is needed only for syncing Outlook and other software with iPhone and iPod Touch. Which I don’t have and have no intention of getting.
So, uh, maybe you want to take the time to understand what you’re commenting about before you hit the Submit button.
Just sayin’.
Better late than never:
@#9: Ed, your’re absolutely right
you’re so easily upset by being mislead by a software update utility. apple software developers screwed up giving away free software on a competitors operating system. you got what you paid for and at least it wasn’t spyware.
Mr. Bott,
It is noteworthy that when one goes to the Apple website to download Itunes, the version of Itunes presented for download precisely matches the operating system one is using.
In other words, if I navigate to the website while running Vista 32 bit, that’s the version that’s presented for download. And if I navigate to the site running Vista 64 bit, as I just did, I’m presented with the 64 bit compatable version of Itunes.
I didn’t have to select it, or pick it. I got no script warning, or active x prompt or anything.
I know the website used Javascript or something similar to scan my system, but is that not an invasion of privacy?
Philosoraptor,
No sniffing involved. When you visit a web page, your browser sends information about itself to the server in a header. That information includes the platform. The server is using this information, which you voluntarily (although perhaps unknowingly) provide, to choose which binary file to offer.
You can see browser headers in action here:
http://www.browserheaders.com/
Mozilla Songbird offers all of the functionality of iTunes + Quicktime without Apple’s bulls**t. Just in case it helps anyone.
we are all just victims of consumerism. I’m perfectly happy with my winamp. leave me alone with the 7 jigga-bites of crappy “music management” software! arrrrggggg!