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I strongly suspect that the fact that this doesn't happen as often on OS X and Linux has very little to do with anything intrinsic to those two operating system

I strongly suspect that the fact that this doesn't happen as often on OS X and Linux has very little to do with anything intrinsic to those two operating systems. It's just that they're less fertile ground for this sort of thing. For one, each having fewer users should not be ignored. 90% fewer users means 90% less potential profit. That's a big number even when you aren't relying on a revenue generation model such as ads. But not just that - also because the average user on both platforms (particularly Linux) is more computer-literate, and therefore better-capable of defending against this sort of thing. And on the OS X side, remember that for a long time the Java run-time was distributed by Apple. The agreement to start having it be distributed by Oracle might well have included a "no crapware" provision. On the Linux side, well, that's where all their enterprise customers live nowadays. They really do not want to piss off their enterprise customers like that.

revscat 14y ago
Again, I do not care "why", just that it happens. Crapware is more of a Windows thing. This is one of (many) reasons I avoid it.
- ars 14y ago
  You should care, because it could change. And if you know why it happened in the first place, you'll know when it could change.
  - TeMPOraL 14y ago
    And also you'll know the danger signs of the same situation coming to your platform of choice.
ajasmin 14y ago
OS X and Linux apps don't have to be bundled in a custom installer. In OS X you simply drag the app into you Application folder and now there's an App Store that makes the whole experience even simpler and curated. Linux distros have great package manager and you won't get greedy crap-ware from the Open Source community. It's a shame that Windows installers have become so bloated. The other day I've seen one with a check box labeled "I agree [to install this crap ware]" just bellow the license text. Really deceptive. Hopefully the Windows Store will help improve that experience.
- bunderbunder 14y ago
  Sadly, the Windows store is only for Don't-Call-it-Metro apps that can run on the tablet version. So it really doesn't offer anything to help desktop users - for the most part they're still stuck with the same old Windows Installer quagmire.
Someone 14y ago
"90% fewer users means 90% less potential profit." So, those companies could grow their profits by 10% by becoming cross-platform? I would think it would be much harder to tweak that installer to get 10% more conversions on Windows than to provide a Mac installer. Also: it is revenue that they are leaving on the table, not profit. That makes this a slightly less favorable option, but still, I think a company would be stupid to keep even 5% extra revenue on the table. I see two potential reasons why OS X does not have this problem: - there aren't as many places to hook into the system. For example, Safari doesn't support custom toolbars (it might be possible to code something as a browser extension, but let's not wake anybody) - the culture on both platforms is different. Windows users may moan about crap, but in general accept it; Mac users less so. See my earlier comment at http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5060019 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5060019

revscat 14y ago

Again, I do not care "why", just that it happens. Crapware is more of a Windows thing. This is one of (many) reasons I avoid it.

ars 14y ago
You should care, because it could change. And if you know why it happened in the first place, you'll know when it could change.
- TeMPOraL 14y ago
  And also you'll know the danger signs of the same situation coming to your platform of choice.

ajasmin 14y ago

OS X and Linux apps don't have to be bundled in a custom installer. In OS X you simply drag the app into you Application folder and now there's an App Store that makes the whole experience even simpler and curated. Linux distros have great package manager and you won't get greedy crap-ware from the Open Source community. It's a shame that Windows installers have become so bloated. The other day I've seen one with a check box labeled "I agree [to install this crap ware]" just bellow the license text. Really deceptive. Hopefully the Windows Store will help improve that experience.

bunderbunder 14y ago
Sadly, the Windows store is only for Don't-Call-it-Metro apps that can run on the tablet version. So it really doesn't offer anything to help desktop users - for the most part they're still stuck with the same old Windows Installer quagmire.

Someone 14y ago

"90% fewer users means 90% less potential profit." So, those companies could grow their profits by 10% by becoming cross-platform? I would think it would be much harder to tweak that installer to get 10% more conversions on Windows than to provide a Mac installer. Also: it is revenue that they are leaving on the table, not profit. That makes this a slightly less favorable option, but still, I think a company would be stupid to keep even 5% extra revenue on the table. I see two potential reasons why OS X does not have this problem: - there aren't as many places to hook into the system. For example, Safari doesn't support custom toolbars (it might be possible to code something as a browser extension, but let's not wake anybody) - the culture on both platforms is different. Windows users may moan about crap, but in general accept it; Mac users less so. See my earlier comment at http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5060019 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5060019