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> You don't want software updates? Most of the time, software updates remove features, change things around for no good reason (breaking our workflows), or add
by cesarb 1y ago
> You don't want software updates?
Most of the time, software updates remove features, change things around for no good reason (breaking our workflows), or add unwanted features.
We really should separate pure bugfix updates (which include security updates) from feature updates. We nearly always want the former, but not necessarily the latter.
- EvanAnderson 1y agoSo much this. I totally want security fixes, but I only want security fixes. I don't want UI changes, features removed or altered, or anything with my usability upset. My computing devices are tools I use to do my job and run my life. I don't want those tools changing without my consent.
- necovek 1y agoUnfortunately, even for desktop software, this has shifted today: you can hardly get a security update without a feature upgrade too. Except in cases like Debian (or Ubuntu LTS main collection, Redhat distribution...) which assumes the burden of backporting security fixes to a stable collection of software.
- pabs3 1y agoDebian has exceptions too; for eg all mainstream browsers come with feature upgrades too, even in LTS/stable.
- necovek 1y agoYes, I remember that discussion at Ubuntu/Debian, where they had to accept those terms in order to keep the name "Firefox" in (remember things like Iceweasel?)
- BrenBarn 1y agoBrowsers are some of the worst offenders in terms of pushing pointless feature upgrades. It's ironic because the web is supposed to be this backwards-compatible thing but browsers themselves will add and remove features and change their UI for no reason.