Yes wsedrftgyhuj, Slashdot just loves a story like this don't they?
I can can see story now:
*Google takes away choices about how to update their software* Google
has decided to force Mac users to install an update process that runs
as root silently updating Google's programs in the background. If you
want to use any software from Google you must accept this. The
compulsory update daemon software removes the choice from users who
prefer to update their software manually. No longer can you read some
reviews about a new release from other people who have tried it
before deciding to install or not. Now you must take what Google wants
you to have. Google knows best, sound familiar?
How is that for a starter?
I asked for a status update on this matter on 14 December and got no
reply. Now, with the recent update of Google Earth the matter has
gotten a lot more attention. I will wait patiently for a couple more
days for a reply from Google, I know it takes huge corporations a
while to be responsive *sigh* I remember the days when Google was
different. If there's no reply from Google in a couple of days I
think I will submit the matter to Slashdot.
I hear rumor and conjecture about Google making this 'feature'
optional but in the new release of Google Earth you are forced to
install the update daemon to use GE. Your choices are install it or
quit the application. I guess that quells the optional rumor then. At
least you are notified now, that's an improvement but check out the
notification dialogue:
"This software will update any Google software on your computer when
new versions become available. Google Software Update verifies
updates and is safer than downloading files from the Internet
yourself."
Translation = We know what's best for you!
Thanks for protecting me from the big bad internet with all of it's
choices Google!
I know there is an uninstaller but all of Google's software will
reinstall this update daemon when launched so you must choose between
using any of their software and having this background update process
on your computer. This is the truly ugly part of the matter, it's
being forced on us. Very reminiscent of MicroSoft's ways of doing
things before the IT community ripped them for it and now they play
fairer.
Listen up Google, you're not so all powerful that you can't be taken
down a notch or 2 by the same community! I am looking forward to your
reply so we know what your policy is going to be in this matter. In
the mean time I'm not launching Google Earth 5 and there's plenty of
other options out there to the rest of your software.
> If we are in such a minority (people who object to this cunning plan),
> publish how we remove the daemon. Everyone else can keep it. You'll
> still have your thing on 99.9% of Macs out there to attempt to help
> your world dominance quest.
> I'm looking forward to this story breaking more generally in the tech
> press. What do you think they'll say? Conspiracy theories are much
> loved - this one could run and run!
I'm a seismologist who has become very fond of Google Earth as a way
to display earthquake information, and I was planning to learn to
write KML files of earthquake locations from my research code.
Yesterday I saw the announcement about Google Earth 5 Beta and
installed it. I was disturbed by the automatic update software issue,
but it seems to be required if one is to use this version of Google
Earth so I decided to go ahead and install it to see what the new
program has to offer. Then I used Google Search (oh, the irony!) to
look for commentary on this automated mandatory background update
business. This morning, after thinking about it, I uninstalled Google
Earth and the update mechanism, using the terminal commands posted by
Google (Thanks for that, at least). I won't try to explain all the
things about this automatic background update policy that offend me -
other posts here have done an excellent job of that. I just now joined
this group for the sole purpose of expressing my disapproval of this
approach to software maintenance. It will be aggravating to go on
without using Google Earth (or any other Google software) but I will
not have this kind of spyware on my computer. I am quite capable of
monitoring security issues that affect my computer environment and I
reserve the right to decide when and how to make any changes.
I'll continue to monitor this group to see if Google ever recognizes
the validity of these concerns and provides a mechanism to opt out of
the automated updates.
Installed desktop Google Earth 5. Nice. But the update agent is a
really bad move.
> 0) We feel that outdated software poses a risk, both to the end-user
> and the programmer developing a Google Earth API web site. That is the
> purpose for this automatic update mechanism.
Weak. Not good enough. There can never be a guarantee that every
client of a
service is always up-to-date. If the client is too old, the server
should respond
appropriately and the user informed that they need to update the app.
This case
has to be handled anyway.
> 1) Google Software Update is installed when you install Google
> software that relies on it for patches (i.e. security fixes).
Fine. It's control over it. When the updater runs and downloads is the
problem. It runs
should when the user tells it too, ie. at app startup usually. And
only if they've
turned on "check for update". However the google update agent
runs automatically on a schedule, and downloads new software without
any knowledge by the user in the background. This is _just_not_on_.
Those of us aware of this behaviour are given no easy way to "adjust"
it.
The google answer is to uninstall all google apps. Seems excessive.
Also, downloading software behind my back wastes precious allowance on
a
my mobile 3G connection. It's not on for any app, including google's.
> 2) You can remove Google Software Update by uninstalling all software
> that uses it, such as the Google Earth Plugin, the Google Talk Plugin
(for video chat in Gmail), etc. It will then remove itself
automatically after about a day.
Pathetic. Again see 1 above. Why isn't there a UI to disable it
completely (see 0),
or change the schedule, ie. change to "only at startup".
> 3) The Google Earth Plugin installer does not install other plugins;
> you may have installed the Google Talk plugin (for video chat in Gmail) separately.
Except the automatic update agent (but it's not a browser plug-in, I
suppose).
> 4) We are working on modifying the plugin installer wording to clarify
> that:
> (a) Google Software Update is being installed and
> (b) why it's being installed.
Wording...? Is google trying to brainwash us now? Is google hoping for
a dumbed down
younger generation to spoon-feed bs?
> ...please take a look at my first post in this thread, which explains that Google
> Software Update strictly complies with our privacy policy...
Google needs a new privacy policy if the behaviour of installing and
running
agent updater software automatically behind the users back, who has no
easy
control over it (apart from a full uninstall, if they look hard), is
acceptable. This is "evil".
Google needs to pick up it's corporate ass on this one. I knew there
was a solid
reason I deleted google desktop search a few years ago.
I like Google Earth 5, so I've destroyed this stupid update mechanism,
obviously.
Something like this will do it:
1) Quit all google apps
2) Delete the launchd entries (one or the other files may exist)
$ sudo rm ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist
$ sudo rm /Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist
2) Delete shared google stuff
$ rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google
$ rm -rf ~/Library/Google
3) Recreate the above folder as "root" to prevent google apps from
installing
the updater agent code again when re-launched
$ sudo mkdir ~/Library/Google
By changing the ~/Library/Google folder to be owned by root you should
avoid
going through this shenanigans again. Just check for a /Library/Google
too and
do the same to it. Don't give google apps your password.
You need Terminal.app experience for those commands. You can use the
Finder too.
After recreating an empty ~/Library/Google select File>Get Info. Use
the permissions
at the bottom to add the "Administrator" with read/write. Change "..
(Me)" to read only.
And why does google think it deserves a special place in "Library"
which is for
system level items, you know like fonts, preferences, screen savers,
frameworks.
Hubris.
Yes, indeed. I just tried Google Earth 5 myself. And was appalled by
Google's decision to silently install update agent. Well you know this
is it for me. I have been loyal Google customer, but enough is
enough.
I have not only removed the agent, but also all Google apps. including
Earth. It is time to give up gmail as well. Something tells me that
"Do no evil" motto is a dead letter on the web page.
> The problem is the small amount of people who are concerned are hardly
> a significant proportion of users, and at the end of the day it doesnt
> actully stop many poeple downloading.
The users that are smart to understand why this is bad are the
"leaders of the pack". Bad rep that Google is getting because of this
will trickle down to all users eventually.
Thanks for this information on how to remove the offending updater!
I'm going to do it now.
I found that if I download Google Earth directly from Google, it
doesn't require software update. I hope that's not just because I
already had it. It is possible that the updater only kicks in when I
choose to update from the Help menu within Google Earth.
A better way to disable it would be to use Lingon (http://tuppis.com/ lingon/) which is a LaunchD editor. You can also set up your own time
to run the update or just disable it all together. It is also much
simpler than just trying to do all the hacks to make it not re-
install. If you really wanted to be sure, you could do the below
rather than try your hand at both the GUI and command line
> Thanks for this information on how to remove the offending updater!
> I'm going to do it now.
> I found that if I download Google Earth directly from Google, it
> doesn't require software update. I hope that's not just because I
> already had it. It is possible that the updater only kicks in when I
> choose to update from the Help menu within Google Earth.
> On Feb 5, 10:02 am, disableautoupdater wrote:
> > Installed desktop Google Earth 5. Nice. But the update agent is a
> > really bad move.
I just emptied the contents of ~/Library/Application Support/Google/
GoogleSoftwareUpdate and locked the folder.
Then deleted ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist
Any problem with doing it this way?
> A better way to disable it would be to use Lingon (http://tuppis.com/ > lingon/) which is a LaunchD editor. You can also set up your own time
> to run the update or just disable it all together. It is also much
> simpler than just trying to do all the hacks to make it not re-
> install. If you really wanted to be sure, you could do the below
> rather than try your hand at both the GUI and command line
> > Thanks for this information on how to remove the offending updater!
> > I'm going to do it now.
> > I found that if I download Google Earth directly from Google, it
> > doesn't require software update. I hope that's not just because I
> > already had it. It is possible that the updater only kicks in when I
> > choose to update from the Help menu within Google Earth.
> > On Feb 5, 10:02 am, disableautoupdater wrote:
> > > Installed desktop Google Earth 5. Nice. But the update agent is a
> > > really bad move.
> A better way to disable it would be to use Lingon (http://tuppis.com/ > lingon/) which is a LaunchD editor. You can also set up your own time
> to run the update or just disable it all together. It is also much
> simpler than just trying to do all the hacks to make it not re-
> install. If you really wanted to be sure, you could do the below
> rather than try your hand at both the GUI and command line
> > Thanks for this information on how to remove the offending updater!
> > I'm going to do it now.
> > I found that if I download Google Earth directly from Google, it
> > doesn't require software update. I hope that's not just because I
> > already had it. It is possible that the updater only kicks in when I
> > choose to update from the Help menu within Google Earth.
> > On Feb 5, 10:02 am, disableautoupdater wrote:
> > > Installed desktop Google Earth 5. Nice. But the update agent is a
> > > really bad move.
I am personally appalled by this updater as well. I am posting this
message to convey disappointment with the Google team working on any
product using this mysterious updater which absolutely refuses to go
away, cannot be disabled intuitively, and worst - it forced me to
"update" a product I never had installed in the first place (some
google talk/gmail chat plugin).
> Yes, indeed. I just tried Google Earth 5 myself. And was appalled by
> Google's decision to silently install update agent. Well you know this
> is it for me. I have been loyal Google customer, but enough is
> enough.
> I have not only removed the agent, but also all Google apps. including
> Earth. It is time to give up gmail as well. Something tells me that
> "Do no evil" motto is a dead letter on the web page.
> 2) Delete the launchd entries (one or the other files may exist)
> $ sudo rm ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist
> $ sudo rm /Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist
I found this one also: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
com.google.keystone.agent.plist
I provide data acquisition and display systems for atmospheric
research aircraft. We have a 64kbps satellite link that costs $4 per
Mbit. Having 5-6 computers on an aircraft suddenly automatically
update their software would not only clog our link for the duration of
the flight, but would have undesirable financial implications. There
have also been releases of GoogleEarth with bugs and we have gone back
to a previous version. How would this work with an auto-updater?
I haven't seen the full details yet, but this would seem terminal for
our application of Google Earth.
Chris Webster
Research Aviation Facility
National Center for Atmospheric Research
Ding! Okay, Google. That's it. Fix the damned thing, you've screwed
up something important to the world that's needed. You broke it, you
fix it. Others will have similar problems.
Rule 1: Don't Do Evil
Rule 1a: Everybody Screws Up Sometimes
Rule 1b: Undo Evil Promptly
On Feb 6, 11:45 am, topher800 wrote:
> I provide data acquisition and display systems for atmospheric
> research aircraft. ... this would seem terminal for
> our application of Google Earth.
And besides: Anything that gives outsiders control someone can
crack, then THEY control our computers pretending to be Google.
Pretending your work is perfect is evil. You understand this, right?
I was recently offered an update to Google Earth 5, and thankfully I
had already learned of this problem, so I declined it.
My Macbook Pro spends a lot of time plugged into a 3G wireless
broadband device. I pay for a certain amount of bandwidth monthly - if
I go over that, then I am stung for very high per-kilobyte charges. I
absolutely cannot afford to have software downloading multi-megabytes
in the background without telling me, and anything that does is
something I'm going to have to treat as malware.
I agree. I have no problem about updates - if it's absolutely
necessary, force an update check on startup and refuse to run
otherwise. But it's got to be a CHOICE when to run. Just think about
how annoying Windows is when it pops up the "Restart now?" dialogue
every 10 minutes!
Google is brilliant, and I love you on my Mac AND my PC - but let's
keep it clean!
I learned too late of this mess, and had already installed Google
Earth 5 on my MacBook.
Since my MacBook spends some of it's time on high-priced, limited
bandwidth internet connections, I cannot allow or afford to let Google
override my control of when and where updates occur.
I also do not feel that the description by Google of what was being
installed was anywhere near complete or detailed enough, which also
means that I do not feel that Google obtained proper permission from
me to install software that operates in this manner.
Google needs to correct this NOW.
The very next "automatic update" from Google should be an update to
their automatic updater that (1) returns control of "when and where"
to the computer user, (2) allows for the quick and easy complete
removal of the automatic updater at the computer user's command, and
(3) prevents current and future Google apps from installing anything
similar without clear, understandable, obvious warnings, and the
informed permission of the computer user before installation.
Please allow me to repeat Hank's Additions to The Rule:
Rule 1: Don't Do Evil
Rule 1a: Everybody Screws Up Sometimes
Rule 1b: Undo Evil Promptly
> I was recently offered an update to Google Earth 5, and thankfully I
> had already learned of this problem, so I declined it.
> My Macbook Pro spends a lot of time plugged into a 3G wireless
> broadband device. I pay for a certain amount of bandwidth monthly - if
> I go over that, then I am stung for very high per-kilobyte charges. I
> absolutely cannot afford to have software downloading multi-megabytes
> in the background without telling me, and anything that does is
> something I'm going to have to treat as malware.
> 0) We feel that outdated software poses a risk, both to the end-user
> and the programmer developing a Google Earth API web site. That is the
> purpose for this automatic update mechanism.
Google may feel that way with quite justifiable reasons in many cases,
but the main point being raised in this debate is *user choice*, which
Google appears to be knowingly sidestepping. To state as clearly as
possible:
Never mind the individual plugins. Many users require the choice when
installing any software to *check for updates by themselves*, without
3rd party agents & demons running around like cockroaches in the
system shadows.
I am one of those users, and much as I truly appreciate Google's
existence over the years - not only in search but for gmail too, which
thankfully offset M$'s 3rd rate attempts at the same - there's now a
growing concern among these experienced users that Google's
overstepping a line, the way M$ did.
In other words Google has already lost ground and will have to make a
concerted effort to make that up before losing even more.
The comments bring up some interesting points about several other
companies' update software. Some people are complaining about being
annoying by update notifications and others say Google is just jumping
on the bandwagon. If other update software is annoying at least it is
so because it's offering you a choice. I'd rather be annoyed than be
forced to give up control to a process like Google Software Update.
> Yes wsedrftgyhuj, Slashdot just loves a story like this don't they?
> I can can see story now:
> *Google takes away choices about how to update their software* Google
> has decided to force Mac users to install an update process that runs
> as root silently updating Google's programs in the background. If you
> want to use any software from Google you must accept this. The
> compulsory update daemon software removes the choice from users who
> prefer to update their software manually. No longer can you read some
> reviews about a new release from other people who have tried it
> before deciding to install or not. Now you must take what Google wants
> you to have. Google knows best, sound familiar?
> How is that for a starter?
> I asked for a status update on this matter on 14 December and got no
> reply. Now, with the recent update of Google Earth the matter has
> gotten a lot more attention. I will wait patiently for a couple more
> days for a reply from Google, I know it takes huge corporations a
> while to be responsive *sigh* I remember the days when Google was
> different. If there's no reply from Google in a couple of days I
> think I will submit the matter to Slashdot.
> I hear rumor and conjecture about Google making this 'feature'
> optional but in the new release of Google Earth you are forced to
> install the update daemon to use GE. Your choices are install it or
> quit the application. I guess that quells the optional rumor then. At
> least you are notified now, that's an improvement but check out the
> notification dialogue:
> "This software will update any Google software on your computer when
> new versions become available. Google Software Update verifies
> updates and is safer than downloading files from the Internet
> yourself."
> Translation = We know what's best for you!
> Thanks for protecting me from the big bad internet with all of it's
> choices Google!
> I know there is an uninstaller but all of Google's software will
> reinstall this update daemon when launched so you must choose between
> using any of their software and having this background update process
> on your computer. This is the truly ugly part of the matter, it's
> being forced on us. Very reminiscent of MicroSoft's ways of doing
> things before the IT community ripped them for it and now they play
> fairer.
> Listen up Google, you're not so all powerful that you can't be taken
> down a notch or 2 by the same community! I am looking forward to your
> reply so we know what your policy is going to be in this matter. In
> the mean time I'm not launching Google Earth 5 and there's plenty of
> other options out there to the rest of your software.
> On Feb 4, 1:32 am, wsedrftgyhuj wrote:
> > If we are in such a minority (people who object to this cunning plan),
> > publish how we remove the daemon. Everyone else can keep it. You'll
> > still have your thing on 99.9% of Macs out there to attempt to help
> > your world dominance quest.
> > I'm looking forward to this story breaking more generally in the tech
> > press. What do you think they'll say? Conspiracy theories are much
> > loved - this one could run and run!
I don't know if this level of hacking is wise. It could interfere with
normal operation of Google software that you do want to run. There is
an easier way. Just add:
<key>disabled</key>
<true/>
to any of these plist files. That seemed to do the trick for me.
Luckily, LittleSnitch alerted me that Google was being evil and
stopped them in their tracks.
I'm outraged. I want to say more but I am too angry to compose words.
Mac users want software developers that support the Mac philosophy.
Installing daemons and startup items and dependent software that's
hard to uninstall isn't in keeping with either the google or apple
philosophy.
I'm pissed.
Damn it.
If I want to check for an update I'll do it. If I want an app to check
when I launch it I'll allow it. I don't need or appreciate a
constantly running process that occasionally calls home on it own.
> I too would like to state that it is NOT OK to silently install daemon
> process's (or any other software frankly).
> It is NOT OK to make this a dependancy of your software & make it
> virtually uninstallable by the end user.
> How dare you tell me it will 'go away in a day or so'.
> My god what a casual attitude!
> This is what drove people from the Windows platform because it is a
> massive security risk.
> I have uninstalled ALL google products & will not re-install until i
> can verify that they have been laundered of this.
> You keep your windows world attitudes mr google developers.
> You are NOT doing this to my Mac!
> On Dec 12 2008, 10:46 am, Roman N wrote:
> > Hi knutoletube,
> > A few points:
> > 0) We feel that outdated software poses a risk, both to the end-user
> > and the programmer developing a Google Earth API web site. That is the
> > purpose for this automatic update mechanism.
> > 1) Google Software Update is installed when you install Google
> > software that relies on it for patches (i.e. security fixes).
> > 2) You can remove Google Software Update by uninstalling all software
> > that uses it, such as the Google Earth Plugin, the Google Talk Plugin
> > (for video chat in Gmail), etc. It will then remove itself
> > automatically after about a day.
> > 3) The Google Earth Plugin installer does not install other plugins;
> > you may have installed the Google Talk plugin (for video chat in
> > Gmail) separately.
> > 4) We are working on modifying the plugin installer wording to clarify
> > that:
> > (a) Google Software Update is being installed and
> > (b) why it's being installed.
> > so that end users are better informed about what's going on behind
> > the scenes.
> > I hope this provides some more insight and eases any concerns you're
> > having. If you're specifically worried about your personal privacy or
> > your computer's security, please take a look at my first post in this
> > thread, which explains that Google Software Update strictly complies
> > with our privacy policy and that measures are in place to keep your
> > computer's security unharmed.
> > - Roman
> > On Dec 10, 4:48 am, knutoletube wrote:
> > > i dont want to uninstall my google earth plugin, i want to remove the
> > > "google software update" altogether! I DONT WANT IT! i dont even know
> > > HOW it got there - can you please tell me that? also, it wants to
> > > install "google talk plugin" - no, i dont want that either. another
> > > point - im no developer, but i follow the things on this page. what
> > > about all those who have no idea of computers at all, how are they
> > > supposed to find out about this? it was only today also, that there
> > > was any info available on the net - last week, nothing. im very
> > > disillusioned with google - whoever made this decision should take a
> > > chill-pill and just relax his overzealous self a bit...
> > > take care, and please clarify!
> > > On Dec 5, 1:28 am, Roman N wrote:
> > > > The new uninstallation procedure will be posted shortly to the FAQ.
> > > > Uninstallation now simply involves downloading the following disk
> > > > image and running the uninstaller:
> > > > NOTE: This link is temporary. Eventually the uninstaller will be
> > > > packaged with the installer disk image.
> > > > The uninstaller removes the plugin files and unregisters them from
> > > > Google Software Update. As I mentioned earlier, if no other
> > > > applications use Google Software Update, it will remove itself after
> > > > about a day.
> > > > - Roman
> > > > On Dec 4, 2:03 pm, Roman N wrote:
> > > > > Hi Jeff, Barry,
> > > > > As David pointed out in the blog comments, the software update
> > > > > mechanism (Google Software Update) is almost entirely open sourced athttp://code.google.com/p/update-engine/andisinuseby several
> > > > > products, including the Google Talk Plugin, Google App Engine
> > > > > Launcher, etc. No personal user information is exchanged at all; the
> > > > > software strictly adheres to Google's privacy policy. Communication
> > > > > with Google servers is also done over SSL to mitigate potential
> > > > > network security issues.
> > > > > I do agree that the documentation for plugin uninstallation is
> > > > > incomplete with regards to this update mechanism. We will be posting a
> > > > > new uninstallation procedure that unregisters the Earth plugin from
> > > > > Google Software Update. Once all applications are unregistered from
> > > > > Google Software Update, it waits for about one day to remove itself
> > > > > from the system.
> > > > > If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to post them
> > > > > here.
On 06FEB09 I ripped out and blocked the Google Updater and everything
associated with it (except for the few Google apps I use), and in
looking at my system logs this morning I find that GmailNotifier has
been trying to make a new directory for the updater and is being
denied :o)
Here's just one line of the last couple pages of these complaints...
2/10/09 9:44:15 AM [0x0-0x1f01f].com.google.GmailNotifier[155] mkdir: /
Users/Tomas/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate: Permission denied
That's the last of them I will see for a while, though, I just shut
down Gmail Notifier to end THAT silliness.
Google, I'm not a developer, I'm just an end user, but I run a pretty
tight system, and don't appreciate the way you slid the updater into
it. You did NOT give adequate warning/notice, and therefore did not
get adequate permission from me, the owner of the system, to install
this insidious app with no user controls.
I will continue to MANUALLY check for updates as I have on my Macs
since 1986 and on my UNIX systems since 1981.
Please, Google, reconsider what and how you are doing here, and re-
design the updater so that the system admin can have full control of
it's actions.
Hank's Additions to The Rule:
Rule 1: Don't Do Evil
Rule 1a: Everybody Screws Up Sometimes
Rule 1b: Undo Evil Promptly
> I learned too late of this mess, and had already installed Google
> Earth 5 on my MacBook.
> Since my MacBook spends some of it's time on high-priced, limited
> bandwidth internet connections, I cannot allow or afford to let Google
> override my control of when and where updates occur.
> I also do not feel that the description by Google of what was being
> installed was anywhere near complete or detailed enough, which also
> means that I do not feel that Google obtained proper permission from
> me to install software that operates in this manner.
> Google needs to correct this NOW.
> The very next "automatic update" from Google should be an update to
> their automatic updater that (1) returns control of "when and where"
> to the computer user, (2) allows for the quick and easy complete
> removal of the automatic updater at the computer user's command, and
> (3) prevents current and future Google apps from installing anything
> similar without clear, understandable, obvious warnings, and the
> informed permission of the computer user before installation.
> Please allow me to repeat Hank's Additions to The Rule:
> Rule 1: Don't Do Evil
> Rule 1a: Everybody Screws Up Sometimes
> Rule 1b: Undo Evil Promptly
> Tomas - University Place, WA
> On Feb 6, 1:09 pm, Sarah Brown wrote:
> > I was recently offered an update to Google Earth 5, and thankfully I
> > had already learned of this problem, so I declined it.
> > My Macbook Pro spends a lot of time plugged into a 3G wireless
> > broadband device. I pay for a certain amount of bandwidth monthly - if
> > I go over that, then I am stung for very high per-kilobyte charges. I
> > absolutely cannot afford to have software downloading multi-megabytes
> > in the background without telling me, and anything that does is
> > something I'm going to have to treat as malware.
Hmmmmm, glad I found this discussion. I had posted a thread in our
Aussie Whirlpool forums as I couldn't work out what Picasa was doing.
(thread here - http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1142712)
I assumed it was a Picasa issue but obviously it's this blinking
updater.
It has pissed me right off. Well done Google, you've just lost me for
any more ap's.
> On 06FEB09 I ripped out and blocked the Google Updater and everything
> associated with it (except for the few Google apps I use), and in
> looking at my system logs this morning I find that GmailNotifier has
> been trying to make a new directory for the updater and is being
> denied :o)
> Here's just one line of the last couple pages of these complaints...
> 2/10/09 9:44:15 AM [0x0-0x1f01f].com.google.GmailNotifier[155] mkdir: /
> Users/Tomas/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate: Permission denied
> That's the last of them I will see for a while, though, I just shut
> down Gmail Notifier to end THAT silliness.
> Google, I'm not a developer, I'm just an end user, but I run a pretty
> tight system, and don't appreciate the way you slid the updater into
> it. You did NOT give adequate warning/notice, and therefore did not
> get adequate permission from me, the owner of the system, to install
> this insidious app with no user controls.
> I will continue to MANUALLY check for updates as I have on my Macs
> since 1986 and on my UNIX systems since 1981.
> Please, Google, reconsider what and how you are doing here, and re-
> design the updater so that the system admin can have full control of
> it's actions.
> Hank's Additions to The Rule:
> Rule 1: Don't Do Evil
> Rule 1a: Everybody Screws Up Sometimes
> Rule 1b: Undo Evil Promptly
> Tomas - University Place, WA
> On Feb 6, 5:12 pm, Tomas wrote:
> > I learned too late of this mess, and had already installed Google
> > Earth 5 on my MacBook.
> > Since my MacBook spends some of it's time on high-priced, limited
> > bandwidth internet connections, I cannot allow or afford to let Google
> > override my control of when and where updates occur.
> > I also do not feel that the description by Google of what was being
> > installed was anywhere near complete or detailed enough, which also
> > means that I do not feel that Google obtained proper permission from
> > me to install software that operates in this manner.
> > Google needs to correct this NOW.
> > The very next "automatic update" from Google should be an update to
> > their automatic updater that (1) returns control of "when and where"
> > to the computer user, (2) allows for the quick and easy complete
> > removal of the automatic updater at the computer user's command, and
> > (3) prevents current and future Google apps from installing anything
> > similar without clear, understandable, obvious warnings, and the
> > informed permission of the computer user before installation.
> > Please allow me to repeat Hank's Additions to The Rule:
> > Rule 1: Don't Do Evil
> > Rule 1a: Everybody Screws Up Sometimes
> > Rule 1b: Undo Evil Promptly
> > Tomas - University Place, WA
> > On Feb 6, 1:09 pm, Sarah Brown wrote:
> > > I was recently offered an update to Google Earth 5, and thankfully I
> > > had already learned of this problem, so I declined it.
> > > My Macbook Pro spends a lot of time plugged into a 3G wireless
> > > broadband device. I pay for a certain amount of bandwidth monthly - if
> > > I go over that, then I am stung for very high per-kilobyte charges. I
> > > absolutely cannot afford to have software downloading multi-megabytes
> > > in the background without telling me, and anything that does is
> > > something I'm going to have to treat as malware.
I would also like to add my objection to the automatically installed
background updater installed by Google software. It is unacceptable to
have an updater polling the internet for updates to software that may
not even be currently running. Following the pattern of nearly every
other OS X application of checking for updates only when the
application is executed is a much more palatable approach that will
still mitigate the risks posed by outdated software.
Roman said:
2) You can remove Google Software Update by uninstalling all software
that uses it, such as the Google Earth Plugin, the Google Talk Plugin
(for video chat in Gmail), etc. It will then remove itself
automatically after about a day.
You lied to us, Roman.
I haven't had anything Google related installed in at least a month,
and still I regularly have to dismiss requests from Little Snitch for
your updater.
