SubscribeOn August 13th, Microsoft’s motherload of bug fixes, updates, and upgrades landed on the desktop in my office, which still runs Microsoft XP. From ActiveX Killbits to the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool – August edition, some 14 patches adding up to 37 megabytes of data were delivered over my broadband connection. Considering the fact we maintain three desktops and three laptops here, that 37 megabytes just became 222 megabytes, just for whatever problems Microsoft uncovered this month.
In a usage cap environment, even routine software updates count against your monthly bandwidth allotment. And don’t forget to include the frequent updates to anti-virus, anti-spyware and other related applications that will bring updates sometimes more than once per day.
While no single application of this type will consume an enormous amount of bandwidth, the impact is cumulative. A little here, a little there, and suddenly you find yourself over the limit.
It’s just one more talking point to consider mentioning in a broadband world hampered by usage caps and limits.
[Update: A great comment from rreay reminds me of these updates in the last week or two as well. Anyone have any more to add to the list?]
- The recent iPhone/iPod touch update was 250 MB.
- 60 MB for the last iTunes/Quicktime update.
Other stories of interest:
- Revisited: Laurel Lane Is The Central Front Of The War On Bandwidth Hogs
- Frontier Quietly Imposes 5GB Usage Cap on DSL Customers
- ESPN360 = ESPN5 on Frontier’s DSL Service, 6.5 Years To Recover Your Online Backups + More Features You Can’t Use!
- FCC Commissioners “Discuss Frontier Usage Caps” At Hearing in Washington
- FCC Commissioner Regurgitates Industry Talking Points On Demand
The recent iPhone/iPod touch update was 250 MB. Plus another 60 MB for the last iTunes update. 6% of Frontiers cap just to keep up to date
You’re right, all these little updates are going to be a real problem in a capped world.
The most recent PS3 update was V2.42 at 130mb and the PSP update is 24.5mb.
I had updated a lot of games on all of my computers. So far from anything from Steam to updating my PSP, to even my regular web usage/downloading I’ve probably gone well over 12GB a month myself. That’s not including anyone else in my household, who already probably pulled off another 2-3GB.