First, the default setting should never be to download anything that is not already installed. Period. This is a page right out of SPAMmers 'social engineering 101.' Don't give them a choice and maybe they won't even realize what they're getting.
I would even go so far as to say the default setting for
all update offerings should be an open checkbox. If the program is good enough for you to use and appreciate, wouldn't the user almost always agree by clicking the 'download' box?
Second, SU is a little more flexible than some seem to think. It can be set to not bug you about a
specific software title, not just all or nothing.
Third, I have taken the position of never allowing any automatic install of
any software from
anybody, if possible. FF (and it's Add-Ons) are an exception, I've never had any trouble with their automatic installations). I wish I could say the same about Apple. Fortunately, SU allows for "Download Only" and that's what I use.
Fourth, I always make an archive of the original program (and its required files) before doing any kind of installation. Period. Why get cut by the bleeding edge?!
While analogies are often difficult to make, I'm not sure that I wouldn't want extra surgery performed when it is more easily recognized. And I suspect that the waver one signs is specifically to avoid any problems in that area. And I would also want any safety related item replaced, especially if still under warranty, if it is found during any other service on my vehicle. At the least, I expect to be notified that there is an additional problem found during other work and an authorization requested to repair it. That's the point I was trying to make in having suggested updates set by default to "available" instead of "automatically install" as in SU.
The "trust" comes from allowing the customer to choose what and when she wants something. If I am simply told, "This is good for you" just because it is available, I tend to question the company and expect some explanation as to why. There is an area of Psychology that states postulates that behavior can be quickly learned by a bad experience with some phenomenon (even a child quickly learns no to touch a stove). But learning a behavior because of a good experience takes much longer. Most animals, including humans, are not a trusting group, we must see continued evidence that the trust we supply has been earned by repeatedly good experiences. Thus, I allow FF updates automatically but not many others.
Now, where is that survey...
BTW, I hope the "don't give a whoot[sic]" votes are made with toungue in cheek. It's certainly not the attitude we usually display at TS.
Poll