Upgrade Stupidity

4/28/2007

Automatic software upgrades are great. But if you remove features, you should warn users first.

I use some software called PowerGramo to manage one of my Skype accounts. I use the free version, and it has been great. I have not needed its registered features. I have considered registering it, but I consider the price a bit high just to "support" the one feature that I use.

The software has an auto upgrade feature. It asks you "A new version is available, upgrade? Yes / No". Unfortunately if you click No, each time it starts it asks you again. And I used to click Yes. In the past it has always worked well. However today I clicked Yes and was surprised that the one feature I use, has been removed. I know it sounds crazy to complain about free software. But I am not complaining about free software - but the practice of removing features and not telling users before hand, free or not is a very poor practice. They did not even bump the major version, but only changed the minor version number.

I am sure this practice is designed to encourage people to register, but instead will just encourage me to look for other software. PowerGramo at this point has lost my trust, and quite simply I do not buy software I do not trust.

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