iLife installation

[aicul]

I have internet ordered and now received iLife'05. Here are 2 points that I would expect Apple to have gotten right:

Since I ordered the iLife'05 from their on-line store. I would have expected the box to come with up-to-date CD/DVD's. In my case I immediately had to software update iDVD, iMovie and iPhoto.

After installing iLife'05, I noticed that icons for all iLife products had been added to my Dock - without my consent. Why? If they are not there why add them?

[Gig']

aicul

I don't know how you can expect the cd/dvd to be updated. meaning Apple would have to burn new cd's with each updates when you can get them through software update. It would certainly add costs and we (consumer) would end up paying for it don't you think ?

On the other hand I agree about the icons. the installation process should ask wether or not you want to add them to the dock. I guess it's a gimmick to have people start and test riteaway the apps in a convenient way rather than going thru their app folder

[Pengu]

Ok. it is a minor issue to run the online updates. you don't have to update them if you don't want to.

secondly. it is an even lesser issue to remove five icons from your dock if you dont want them there. yes they could have provided an option. but really, it isn't rocket science to drag them out.

[aicul]

Well if I agree to both your replies let me put it this way:

1. What is the commercial reasoning of selling a product which is already out of date. Formally I can make a strong case that Apple has sold me a product which it knows contains a fault. Use of software update requires internet, which to my reading of the iLife'05 is not indicated as a required prerequisite - no I don't live in USA.

2. Apple has always said, customize the way you work. So why does it change the way I work by forcing icons into the dock? ILife'05 upgrades existing applications, so either they are already in the dock and the link will automatically work. Or they are not in the dock, because the user pulled them out and does not want them there. Apple is forcefully going against my desire. Worst, it has done this for all account on my iMac.

So yes the solution is easy, but it's not in line with Apples culture of user-friendliness. Pity.

[Pengu]

i think you'll find it isn't economically feasible for them to immediately throw out all old media and have new discs pressed when updating software. most decent apple retailers would probably burn you an update disc if you asked for it.

[DeltaMac]

What prevents you from downloading those updates on the system that you use to post here, if your own system does not have internet?
Your argument about selling out-of-date software does not hold water.
If you purchase OS X 10.3 Panther, you will likely get version 10.3.5, which also is 'out-of-date', but has updates that can be downloaded, but Panther itself is the current shipping version. (until Tiger officially arrives)
The same is true about iLife '05, which is the current shipping version. You can choose to not update that software, even if you have an internet connection. iLife 05 updates if you already have those apps, or installs complete versions if they do not exist on your system. As an example, the install replaces iMovie completely, as that app is replaced with iMovie HD.
The iLife '05 package which arrives installed on a brand-new Mac will also have updates that can be downloaded, as no shipping package will have updates that were released, in some cases, only a few days ago. That's why Apple provides the Software Update.
The iApps have icons in the Dock by default. Apple is not alone, here. Try installing MS Office 2004, and watch your dock fill up. I have some other Apps that also placed icons in the Dock as part of the default installation. If you don't like an icon in the Dock, then pull it off. You removed those icons from the Dock earlier. It would be good for an installer to ask about dock icons, but some do not. I don't keep them all in the Dock, either. The dock is too easy to change.

[lbj]

1. What is the commercial reasoning of selling a product which is already out of date.

The fact Apple has a load of these DVD/CDs on the shelf ready to sell. That's the commercial reasoning. If for every tiny update, of any one of the included applications, they had to throw away all the "old" software, and burn brand new ones, the cost would be astronomical and passed on to you.

2. Apple has always said, customize the way you work.

Yes, they do. And that is why customizing is as easy as pulling an icon off the dock.

ILife'05 upgrades existing applications.

Not entirely true, in some instances it installs brand new programs, not just updates (just because the "name" is similar does not mean the underlying code, or its capability is). And what about those who did not have iLife 4? They are getting brand new installs.

Apple is forcefully going against my desire.

No, forcefully would imply that removing said icons from dock to be extremely difficult. It's easier to remove an icon from the dock than it is to empty the trash.

So yes the solution is easy, but it's not in line with Apples culture of user-friendliness.

Yes it is. And it is precisely Apples culture of user-friendliness that makes the solution so insanely easy.

[aicul]

Wow, got many people upset.

Cool man, chill-out, the point here is making sure Apple out-shines the rest.

Here are some clarifications

What prevents you from downloading those updates on the system that you use to post here, if your own system does not have internet?

The fact that my interent is in an internet cafe. My iMac is at home with no connection. Want to know how much I pay per minute?

i think you'll find it isn't economically feasible for them to immediately throw out all old media and have new discs pressed when updating software.

I ordered my iLife'05 from the applestore via telephone. Hence I believed that in this case maybe some just-in-time would have done the job. Apparently I was wrong.

Apple is not alone, here. Try installing MS Office 2004, and watch your dock fill up.

As I said, the issue here is excellence not being a Gate$ copycat.


Now, frankly, wouldn't it be great if what I indicated in my initial post was reality. Wouldn't it be neat? And its not rocket science after all.