Digsby, the desktop instant messaging application that’s more than just a desktop-IM app, updated their primary installer last week. Following the update, Download Squad hastily tossed up an overly negative review of the new installation process. Many other users followed suit and began complaining as if someone had just thrust a shiv in their collective side.
So, what exactly changed to warrant such negativity? Well, first off, Digsby opted to move from the roughly 15mb download from their own site to an Internet-based installer If you’re not exactly sure what I’m referring to, think about the Windows Live installer – download one installer weighing in at less than 5mb and that installer then pulls updated content from the Web for the rest of the installation process. In general, I tend to loathe these types of installers and the InstallQ-based Digsby installer is as annoying as they come and certainly isn’t going to change my opinion on these types of installers.
Secondly, the new installation process presents the end-user with a handful of advertisements and installation offers. This is where the bulk of the complaints came from and, in my opinion, ninety-nine percent of those complaining just don’t have any logical ground on which to stand. Before I continue, let’s take a look at a series of screenshots detailing the installation process:
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine what exactly people are complaining about. Since their launch earlier this year, Digsby has yet to reveal itself as a company that’s just doing what everybody else is (the software is extremely polished to be as young as it is and their dedication to updates and user requests is refreshing) and I think it’s safe to say that they’re not doing anything different when it comes to this installer. By that, I mean that I don’t know that I’ve ever seen quite so many ads for one installation package before… and I’ve downloaded and installed what must be thousands of different applications since I began my voyage on the InterWebs in 1994.
So, why the change? Why integrate advertisements into the installer? Well, why would any company do that to the software they offer to the public-at-large for no cost? <cough> $$$ </ahem>
As the founder of Digsby, Steve Shapiro, states within the comments to one of the company’s blog postings:
We’re testing this installer with a portion of downloads and the offers are 100% optional. At the end of the day, we need to generate revenue to keep the lights on and keep making Digsby better. We’d rather show you ads once during the installation process than plaster Digsby with banner ads like other IM clients do (ie: AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and ICQ).
I have a couple of complaints about the whole process overall, one of which I’ve already detailed, but I’m certainly not seeing how this new installer will result in the end of the world. Take a closer look at those screenshots if you haven’t already done so. For each offer, you have two abundantly-clear options: "Accept" and "Decline." If you don’t want to install WeatherBug (and, honest to God, Steve… who would?), click "Decline." It’s as simple as that.
In addition, the area over to the left of the installer even provides you with a running tally of what exactly will be installed when everything is said and done. Plus, as it states in the terms, everything can be easily uninstalled using your OS’ control panel.
Overall, the software is brilliantly simplistic and I can’t even begin to tell you how much time it’s saved me. To have all of my IM accounts, all of my email accounts and my frequently-used social networking accounts in one place has proven to be invaluable. That said, I don’t have an issue with seeing ads one single, solitary time. (Yes, once – Digsby automatically checks for updates and, if there are any, subsequently processes them when you launch the application every day. That continued process, my friends, is ad-free.)
That aforementioned second complaint of mine, you ask? Well, as somebody astutely pointed out within the comments to that Download Squad article, the process could get sticky for the friends and relatives (oh, won’t someone please think of the elderly!?) to whom we’ve all recommended Digsby. I’m not exactly sure how the company could improve upon the level of clarity in regards to ensuring people don’t get stuck with software they don’t want but I do think it needs to be ever-so-slightly simplified. Again, I’m not exactly sure how but I do think it’s necessary. (Note to Steve: compile a survey, put out a poll, have your users test a few different installers… whatever. Just make sure you’re taking advantage of the knowledge and experience of those willing to share it. I.E., the community of Digsbies. You can start with me.)
