let's talk about the java software update prompt 
2/n it appears out of nowhere. we've correctly conditioned users to regard randomly appearing boxes like this with suspicion!
3/n this dialog box doesn't say what java is. i'm a nerd and it's not even clear to me. JRE? JVM? JWT? splonkets or whatever?
how's someone with no muscle memory for such things supposed to know what "java" is?
how's someone with no muscle memory for such things supposed to know what "java" is?
4/n "java" is a programming language, right? why would a nonprogrammer want to care about a "java" update at all?
5/n the version numbering scheme is totally nuts. "java 8 update 181 build 13". these numbers are MEANINGLESS outside the organization that produced this dreadnought.
we're supposed to visually compare vs. "java 8 update 171 build 11" by the way.
we're supposed to visually compare vs. "java 8 update 171 build 11" by the way.
6/n there's no indication as to what's in this release. is it a security update? the message doesn't even TRY to summarize it, not even "we update our app every N weeks" type fluff.
why should a user upgrade if there's no stated reason? upgrade sometimes cause breakage.
why should a user upgrade if there's no stated reason? upgrade sometimes cause breakage.
7/n oh, thanks for not requiring me to restart *MY* computer and letting me "finish" *MY* work.
which work? what application does it want me to finish using? "your browser or application." oh.
which work? what application does it want me to finish using? "your browser or application." oh.
8/n and who's making these demands anyway? no company name anywhere. apple? sun microsystems? oracle? google? ben & jerry's?
9/n because no indication of contents, urgency, or effect of this update, who knows whether 'skip this version' is a reasonable option or not.
"you can just click the link to see the details" AND YET I WILL NOT
"you can just click the link to see the details" AND YET I WILL NOT
10/n this doesn't look like any of the other dialog boxes on my mac, except it kind of does, because the buttons look familiar. otherwise it looks like a janky applet from 1995. why should the user trust the entity that puts this dusty antique in front of them?
11/n FWIW that little "i" info circle icon is garishly pixelated on a modern high-resolution screen. buuuuush leaaaaaague.
12/n how much does it want me to download? is this going to cramp my style for 30 minutes if i'm on a home connection? no clue available.
13/13 stopping here for good luck. this is why we can't have nice things.
(14/13 THE WINDOW IS STUCK ON TOP OF EVERY OTHER WINDOW AND I HAVE TO CHOOSE AN ACTION BEFORE I CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE)
(my choice is to close the window. does that mean "skip this update" or "remind me later"?)
(my choice is to close the window. does that mean "skip this update" or "remind me later"?)
