I may be less sensitive to the updates issue because, other than the odd Windows security update, I don't update anything unless I read the change list and see that it fixes an issue I'm having problems with or includes some new feature that I want. I don't know why they use the method they do. Virtually everything seems to be broken down into dlls. I don't know how many of those change between versions. I do look at them as new versions, rather than updates - perhaps that's their take as well, but that's just semantics. At any rate, as long as the content stays intact... I do understand the bandwidth issue. I just went from dialup to a rather flaky DSL connection a few months ago.

On reflection, I can think of why the monolithic 'updates.'  Because they do them frequently (for good or evil), they can't know what anyone has, i.e. which verions of which dlls. Just installing X.1.03 new files would likely not work for someone who skipped X.1.02 and was still on X.1.01. As an example, even though Windows service packs are usually cumulative, I have a machine with XP SP1 that I can't upgrade to SP3 until I install SP2. From a logistical standpoint, it's easier and safer (lookup 'dll hell') to do a full install. At least that makes sense to me ATM -:) Perhaps Peng can weigh in on that.

I agree that the plugin architecture is a double-edged sword - one reason I prefer Opera to Firefox. You're at the mercy of your plugin developers. Even if you do your part and get them updated sdk's, api's etc. there's no guarantee they'll meet deadlines or won't even lose interest entirely. When it works, it's great. You get features the developers may not have thought of, or are to much of a niche interest to invest time in. You can then pick the best ones and buy/license them e.g. Wardrobe Wizard in Poser, SkinVue in Vue and some of the shaders in DS. It sucks though when your fave plugin is broken by a new release - another reason I don't update just because it's available. Usually that works better for me.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken