bloatware -- why does software spoil over time?

[Darren Dirt]

bloatware -- why does software spoil over time?

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000973.html

PC World compiled an annotated list of 13 software applications they liked better before they were "improved":

    * AIM
    * ICQ
    * Windows Live Messenger
    * Windows Media Player
    * iTunes
    * QuickTime
    * iMovie
    * Paint Shop Pro
    * ACDSee
    * Adobe Acrobat Reader
    * Eudora

They helpfully provide links to oldversion.com, oldapps.com, and old-versions.net, where you can go back in time and obtain those classic, unspoiled versions.

    My favorite version is Winamp 2.95. That's before they started bulking up the client and adding completely unnecessary things. I just want something that plays my MP3s. I don't need it to burn CDs for me or download new music or cook my breakfast or massage my feet.

AMEN!

and yet, the reality is this insane technology-driven culture means that
Everything You Know Will Be Obsolete in Five Years
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000545.html

I feel depressed... I really dread when Quicktime pops open its friendly "we want to force you to update to the latest cool version" dialog "prompt" ... I really do miss the old versions of ... well, almost everything.

[Lazybones]

That was great. Poor paint shop and winamp they where so much better before the bloat.