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Needy Programs (tonsky.me)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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If you’ve been around, you might’ve noticed that our relationships with programs have changed.

Older programs were all about what you need: you can do this, that, whatever you want, just let me know. You were in control, you were giving orders, and programs obeyed.

But recently (a decade, more or less), this relationship has subtly changed. Newer programs (which are called apps now, yes, I know) started to want things from you.

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[–] 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

The one area I would sorta disagree is on updates, although only inasmuch as they’re needed for security fixes on things connected to the internet. But if it’s not connected? No, no updates needed unless I encounter a bug or they add a new feature I really want.

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  • [–] 7 points 9 months ago*

    I think most proprietary apps these days have frequent updates because they don’t actual have in house testing and use frequent updates to constantly roll out changes. They are also constantly changing the app with feature switches/AB testing to increase important business metrics.

    This same strategy can be seen in the gaming industry with games being in an alpha/beta state for years, at least they are upfront here of the unfinished quality of the software.

    None of this would be possible if software was still shipped on physical media. Companies would actually have to test and think through product functionality before releasing it.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago

    No, no updates needed unless I encounter a bug or they add a new feature I really want.

    Fine, but maybe the update fix a bug that hit other users and that still not have hit you, be it for sheer luck or any other reason.

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