Why are new versions of renown software full of bloatware?

[RESmonkey]

Old software that simply did the job with a few features (Nero 5.9~) and so on is the way software should stay. Why to devs put in so much bloat in every newer version? Software that you would never need/waste of RAM/inefficient/bloated. New version of everything just sucks...

 

[Nothinman]

It's commercial software so they have to add features to give people a reason to pay for the upgrade.

 

[jaqie]

Because of this and other factors, freeware (and trialware) apps are now by far the most attractive to me. I have gotten to the point that everything I use on my computer (except the OS itself and games) is freeware or trialware I have paid for a full license on. The big name brands have no further place on my system.

I gave up nero for imgburn (iso burning) and cdburnerxp (file burning). I have replaced symantec ghost (whatever it is now called) with driveimage XML. I use GetRight for a download accelerator. I use trillian for IM. 7zip is for my compressed file management needs. and on and on and on.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I don't mind the ballooning software suites as long as the installer gives me an option to only install what I need.

 

[bruceb]

Most of them do, if you select do a Custom Installation.

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: jaqie
Because of this and other factors, freeware (and trialware) apps are now by far the most attractive to me. I have gotten to the point that everything I use on my computer (except the OS itself and games) is freeware or trialware I have paid for a full license on. The big name brands have no further place on my system.

I gave up nero for imgburn (iso burning) and cdburnerxp (file burning). I have replaced symantec ghost (whatever it is now called) with driveimage XML. I use GetRight for a download accelerator. I use trillian for IM. 7zip is for my compressed file management needs. and on and on and on.

winnar

 

[law9933]

Things change, AVG 8.0 is now bloated but can be reduced.
AVG Antispyware is discontinued as a single program.
AVG Antirootkit is the same.

 

[Ultralight]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
It's commercial software so they have to add features to give people a reason to pay for the upgrade.

Exactly. More and more features are added in order to make it more attractive and a "must have." The problem is it bogs things down.

A few years ago I needed my very first burning program and I was such a noob I didn't know about the free offerings. I went to my local Staples and was directed to try ValuSoft's Burn & Go. Notthing fancy at all but it supplies everything I need for data and audio CDs and DVDs. Not bad for $20.

Then I decided to get Nero 7...

 

[0roo0roo]

useless feature creep.
one of the worst is nero yea...nero scout? wtf is that sh*t! talk about redundant and pointless esp in newer systems.

 

[will889]

It's the same thing that happens eventually with nearly all commercial SW, and it's all about the author/s getting money of course. I wonder how many Symantec employees go home and logon to their own PC's and have Avast installed? My guess would be a fairly significant amount.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Old software that simply did the job with a few features (Nero 5.9~) and so on is the way software should stay. Why to devs put in so much bloat in every newer version? Software that you would never need/waste of RAM/inefficient/bloated. New version of everything just sucks...

You could say the same of Windows Operating systems, which seem to bloat more and more with each release.
They don't even give you the option of choosing what to install either.

 

[corkyg]

And part of it is driven by the humongous disk drive capacities many users have. With a 300 GB or greater HDD, bloat really fades into insignifcance. And, as has bbeen stated , custom installations are available in most mainstream packages.

The new AVG 8 free from Grisoft may seem bloated, but actually it is much less intrusive than 7.5 was. (especially when it comes to product update.)

Furthermore, competition between the vendors is paramount. Marketing dictates bloat in that you get more features for your money.

Bloat is often in the eye of the beholder. 🙂