Somebody Do Something

I was recently perplexed by the way Java updates were nagging at me.  This is nothing new of course - been going on for years - and isn't java sort of "core" by now - I mean, I may not personally write java code anymore, but others are and heck yea, make sure I have the latest version.  But don't bug me about it!

Whether at work or at home, all of my computers needed the same Java update (flashing in my task area - as if I didn't have enough to do!) and each update required me to be on my toes to uncheck the box so that the dreaded "Ask Toolbar" they try to sneak in wouldn't also be installed.  This is what they call "foistware" (a terrific term and apparently coined by Ed Bott).  For a more in-depth article, real Ed Bott's "How Java dumps useless add-ons and toolbars on PC users."

By now, I would think that someone (anyone?) at Oracle Corporation would have said "enough is enough" and pulled the plug on these sorts of shenanigans.  Maybe if they play the anthemic "We've Got To Do Something" (by Aldous Snow and Infant Sorrow and performed here by Russell Brand) they will inspire their install team to re-think their approach:

Anyway, it's been approximately 2 weeks since Java has pestered me about a needed update.  Who knows? Maybe someone has actually done something - let's hope it's the right thing.  In any case, one would sort of hope that core components and frameworks like java would simply mature (oh alright, grow up already!) and quitely get on with the work they do best so that I can too.