Annoying software: a rogues' gallery 
Published: 20 May 2008 10:29 BST
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Adobe Reader
What does Adobe Reader do? Displays PDF pages. How does it do it? With as much bloody-minded bureaucracy, delay and needless interaction as possible. Perhaps it's because we humans have been spoiled by books, where the gap between wanting to read something and reading it is as short as the time taken to lift the cover. But Reader's incessant updates (demanding you reset your computer — why?), thundering great list of modules to load, and hour-glass-provoking pauses for thought have given Portable Document Format a reputation for being as welcome as a flatulent camel in the kitchen.
Which is a shame, because other lightweight PDF readers seem to manage perfectly well.
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29 comments
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Amen J.A. Watson -
Annoying articles 1000030281
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at least the ads were effective... 1000227886 -
Sun, When Are You Going To Get It Right? itflunkie
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Apple 351180
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Like with Real kcredden
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And you just wanted to stream The Archers. 351180
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Real pain in the butt 88050
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The Beeb's version of Real... Rupert Goodwins
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Not just the UK Chrisco
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Jave harpless
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Annoying Software dwr50
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Disable Flash 88050
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BLock Ads 351668
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10 good reasons to make the switch Julipan
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Without doubt, the bane of my net existance.... tomcatuk
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The irony is... Rupert Goodwins
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You missed Lotus Notes fredster73
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Taking Notes... Rupert Goodwins
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Misdirected annoyance dorkiedorkfromdorktown
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Bovril 24 Bob Lewis
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Dork from dorkdorpie Bob Lewis
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A miasma of unending complexity thinkfeeldo
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Bovril 24 Bob Lewis
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Free? thinkfeeldo -
wow... zenerbreakdown
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Brilliant David Long
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Another Qualifying Factor J.A. Watson
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Can't really include outlook 351668
