This morning after I logged in, Apple’s Software Update program popped up and asked me if I wanted to install Safari.  “Safari? ” I wondered, “the only Apple software I’ve installed on this system is the QuickTime+ITunes bundle.  Why’s it asking me about Safari?”

But I’ve mean meaning to install Safari anyway to test browser compatibility, so I said, “Sure, why not?”

Well, apparently a lot of folks out there aren’t as easygoing about this as I am.

Mozilla CEO John Lilly says:

It’s wrong because it undermines the trust that we’re all trying to build with users. Because it means that an update isn’t just an update, but is maybe something more. Because it ultimately undermines the safety of users on the web by eroding that relationship. It’s a bad practice and should stop.

Of course he’s not biased.

I guess maybe most users don’t pay much attention to what they’re installing on their systems, and just click OK to anything that pops up and asks for their permission.  Maybe it’s becoming a knee-jerk reaction in response to Vista’s UAC.

My own opinion is that this isn’t such a big deal.  What I was choosing to install was quite clear to me, and I had the option of saying no without losing any other functionality or security.  And if you don’t know what Safari is, Google can take you there as its first result.

What do you think?  Is Apple pushing its products in too subtle a fashion here?

Oh, and as for that browser compatibility test… it looks like I may have some work to do.