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ReubenK · May 4th, 2006, 4:41 PM

How come sometimes a program would automatically say "There is an update available" without your installing anything?
Whats up with that?
Does it automatically download a file when you go online?

Jimbo · May 4th, 2006, 5:18 PM

It probably queries a server to compare the current version to the latest version... I don't know that it would necessarily require a file transfer, just some data.

big_k105 · May 4th, 2006, 5:22 PM

I think most of them are just saying that it is available and then you have to say that it can upate it for you which then it will download the new file or files.

jayme · May 4th, 2006, 5:44 PM

If you're connected to the internet, usually downloads for programs with automatic updates will promt you to update once you've ran their program. Some programs inject a program into explorer.exe to run silently so that you can't end the task so that whenever they release an update, you are notified and/or it automatically downloads the update and updates your exe. There's many different possibilities for automatic updates.

DaWei · May 4th, 2006, 5:48 PM

One gets these messages when one has agreed to let an external agency unilaterally have some control over one's machine. The most damaging way to do this is to let someone set you up as a server. The other way is to allow them to plant code that issues a client-side request without bothering to consult you first. Even non-malicious software likes to insinuate itself into places where its only real damage is consuming a few of your clock cycles. Multiply that by lebenty-seven and watch your speed and responsiveness go down.

All my best clients fall for that chit. If as many women told me 'yes' as click the 'yes' button to all the internet offers they get, I would be dead. I just laugh, clean up their machines, and take their money or chocolate chip cookies. True story: last week a woman asked me to have a look at her machine. I did. I offered to wipe it for $20, or clean it up for $60 (both a bargain, but she can't bake cookies worth a dam').

May 4th, 2006, 4:41 PM	#1
ReubenK Programmer Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	Updates? How come sometimes a program would automatically say "There is an update available" without your installing anything? Whats up with that? Does it automatically download a file when you go online? __________________ TechnoExtra EbooksWhizzers Kill all humans!

May 4th, 2006, 5:22 PM	#3
big_k105 PFO Founder Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 1,667 Rep Power: 10	I think most of them are just saying that it is available and then you have to say that it can upate it for you which then it will download the new file or files. __________________ BIG K aka Kyle Programming Forums Kyle K Online Please do not PM or email me programming questions. Post them in the forums instead.

May 4th, 2006, 5:48 PM	#5
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	One gets these messages when one has agreed to let an external agency unilaterally have some control over one's machine. The most damaging way to do this is to let someone set you up as a server. The other way is to allow them to plant code that issues a client-side request without bothering to consult you first. Even non-malicious software likes to insinuate itself into places where its only real damage is consuming a few of your clock cycles. Multiply that by lebenty-seven and watch your speed and responsiveness go down. All my best clients fall for that chit. If as many women told me 'yes' as click the 'yes' button to all the internet offers they get, I would be dead. I just laugh, clean up their machines, and take their money or chocolate chip cookies. True story: last week a woman asked me to have a look at her machine. I did. I offered to wipe it for $20, or clean it up for $60 (both a bargain, but she can't bake cookies worth a dam'). __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

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May 4th, 2006, 5:18 PM	#2
Jimbo Battle Programmer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA, USA Posts: 770 Rep Power: 3	It probably queries a server to compare the current version to the latest version... I don't know that it would necessarily require a file transfer, just some data.

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Programming Forums > Community Forums > Coder's Corner Lounge

Updates?