---
title: "Your Computer May Be Commandeered By Randomers"
date: 2005-08-31 21:18
status: published
tags: Mozilla, Firefox, idiocy

links:
  - url: http://www.themaninblue.com/writing/perspective/2005/08/29/
    title: "footerStickAlt: A more robust method of positioning a footer"
    description: "See the screenshot? That's like a photo of the spare keys you keep under the doormat."
    rel: related
    type: text/html

---

<p>
<img src="/yourcomputermaybecommandeeredbyrandomers/criticalupdate.png" alt="" class="inset"> I'm often amazed by how many screenshots of Firefox include a critical update icon. A red disc in the top-right of the browser window means there is a <em>critical</em> update to Firefox available and that you should upgrade immediately.
</p>
<p>
Yes, it's crap <abbr title="user interface">UI</abbr>, which is why it's gone in Deer Park - there's a nice, big “You need to update Firefox now” dialogue instead. But I'm still surprised by how many people completely dismiss it. I assume they can see it's there; is nobody interested in finding out what it means? It only requires pointing at it.
</p>
<p>
Maybe the icon should have had a large label reading “Your computer may be commandeered by randomers. Click here if you'd prefer it not to be.”
</p>