I think that Windows Live Writer is a great product, but I suspect that the team has been forced into doing things a certain way. I'm sure the Windows Live Writer team is not totally to blame for this, but the impact is the same regardless.
Beta 3 has just been released. I'm really happy about this announcement and I head off to download it. Now this is the part I am not happy about. Here are the issues I have with the installer:
- It isn't a direct installer for Windows Live Writer, just a downloader
- I am asked to make Live Search my default searcher in IE, selected by default
- Ok, problem here is that people already have a default for a reason. It is fine to offer this as an option, but it is rude to select it by default and burn the people that just click Next, Next, Next.
- I unselect this and after the installer fails, my default search in IE is now Live Search instead of Google. HELLO!
- I am asked to help with feedback. Again, selected by default
- I am asked if I want to install Messenger, Mail, Toolbar, Photo Gallery. Again and again, selected by default
- Write fails to download
- No support for direct downloads
- Sign-in Assistant fails to download
- No support for direct downloads
My issues with this installer are mostly that installer options that are selected by default. Users should be able to opt-in for these options, rather than having to opt-out. I think this is just rude. Doubly rude for reassigning my default search provider when I explicitly said not to. Finally, I obviously have some restriction in my environment (outside of my control) such that the automatic downloader can't get the real installers. There doesn't appear that there are direct download links available. So in the end, I can't install this product.
Hopefully, there is a direct download link available. Anyone know?
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