The Desktop App

[dben]

It would be nice if there was an ignore / remove option (similar to earlier versions) for items that show up in the Autodesk Desktop App that wont be installed by a user.  Example... Civil 3D Imperial is my primary go-to app and everything that I do is in the United States, so the DACH extension is something that I will never install.  It would be nice if I could hide / ignore / remove it from the install list in order to de-clutter the list or so that I don't inadvertently install it..

[BlackBox_]

Just be mindful of the services Autodesk is pilfering from your company by using Desktop App:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-civil-3d-forum/where-is-civil-3d-2018-1/m-p/7448964#M350266

If that's not an issue for you - that's perfectly fine, and entirely your call - I have found that most don't even know they've granted permission for Autodesk to do so.

Cheers

[spear_kevin_pe]

While this may seem nefarious, remember the size of the download. They are simply trying to create a stable download that isn't corrupted. This isn't a way for them to use your company equipment as a server farm of sorts for random access. At least that's my understanding. Would you agree Blackbox?

[BlackBox_]

Hi Kevin -

I think that’s a positive, well meaning obvservation, that is both correct, and not the entirety of what results from wide-spread adoption of Desktop App.

If that were the only download, and everything installed from that, there’d be less to have issue with, but that’s not how it works at all.

Autodesk is many things, but they’re not unintelligent, nor are they loose with the cash.

Edge computing is real, it is the future, and it is costly.

Autodesk’s terms, which only require a single OK from user once, grants them access to your workstation, and network infrastructure via Akamai NetSession which is a peer to peer platform.

They’re using that unwitting access to your infrastructure in order to both mitigate an otherwise substantial cost for their own edge server network, a substantial cost for maintaining that edge server network, a substantial cost for keeping their own excessive number of updates up to date across same, all for the sake of delivering downloads that are incomplete and subsequently download the remainder of the actual installer from the Akamai network that can host that particular product and it pulls from as many sources as it can, just like The Pirate Bay.

Difference is, aside from legality of it all, The Pirate Bay was supported by willing participants, whereas Autodesk is intentionally burying this benefit (for them) deep into their terms, is shady about how they present their terms, and immediately hides them after a prompt and convenient OK from user (not the contract administrator, not a technicals supervisor, or corporate IT, etc the end user who’s paid the least and gives zero f@cks more often than not, as they just want to get their work done and go home).

Further, they’re doing this while everyone is getting ever-increasing bandwidth seemingly, and that’s even less of a reason for them to be as thoughtful about their bloatware in this ever increasing digital landscape, as they are with spending our hard-earned Sibsdription dollars on their carbon-footprint.

Would I agree, sure - everything you said is accurate - just that it’s IMO, an unintentional and incomplete picture of the whole.

Please take from this what you like.

Cheers

[spear_kevin_pe]

What if they had been more transparent with some sort of communication and not buried it in the Terms? Does that change your view? I'm not sure what the problem is I guess.

[BlackBox_]

Also, just to clarify - it’s only nefarious from the perspective of the owners, managers that are absorbing Autodesk’s costs for all of this - from the perspective of Autodesk, this is brilliant, and I’d be remiss to not acknowledge that. 

Autodesk will always care about benefitting them more than any of us, and they clearly feel entitled to do it - so, what becomes of someone who thinks they can take what they like, when they want, given enough time if there’s nobody to hold them accountable?

Cheers 

[BlackBox_]

Hi Kevin -

Transparency is always welcomed; they did this strategically, as its always easier to ask for forgiveness that permission. Haha

Changing my view is a simple duality of aligning meritocracy, and my financially incentivized goals. I don’t work for Autodesk, or I’d be pushing the h3ll out of Desktop App, and have suggested something even more effective than this (my last IT manager for a large international firm referee to me as being wicked smart Haha).

As to your last question - you understand what is happening and don’t have a problem with it, or you don’t understand what is happening? They’re entirely different; we all start somewhere, so no judgement, just need more info.

Cheers

[BlackBox_]

Wow, lots of typos in my post last night, thanks new iPhone + untrained Auto Correct! Haha