iTunes = overweight software

The iTunes install adds these processes (Descriptions from http://searchtasks.answersthatwork.com/ ):
AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
Apple Mobile Device Service. Service installed with Apple's iTunes 7.3 onward. It enables iTunes to interact with the Apple iPhone and the Apple TV.

iPodService.exe
In the later versions of iTunes, such as version 6 or later, the iPodService is used by iTunes itself to communicate with connected iPods.
iTunesHelper.exe
ITUNESHELPER is no longer a 3rd party add-on, it is now an Apple program and part of the iTunes software itself, and our guess is that it is now iTunes' main CD writing interface.

mDNSResponder.exe (bonjour)
Bonjour, also known as zero-configuration networking, enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers.
Problems with the services/process that iTunes installs:
1. Unclear exactly what they all do.
2. If all are installed by default, make them all one process, not four different ones.
3. Make the install of them OPTIONAL
4. If they are not installed or are removed, don't nag me every time I open iTunes to tell me it was removed (like Bonjour)
5. Not everyone has (or wants) an iPod.
6. Not everyone has (or wants) an iPhone.

This install of iTunes also requires closing/re-opening Outlook if you have it installed. The reason for this is the "iTunes Outlook Add in". It is believed to be used to be used to synchronize your iPod/iPhone with your Outlook contacts.
http://wildermuth.com/2006/09/30/iTunes_7_x_Installs_Outlook_Addin_-_No_one_seems_to_know_why!
The Apple Update software is another piece of software that should be changed.
They release updates too often, likely not including many fixes. It has to reinstall every time there is an update. It tries to install Safari by default every time.
Seem more info (and some fixes) from these links:
http://john.jubjubs.net/2008/03/21/apple-software-update/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9922267-7.html
http://dcunningham.net/2008/03/25/disabling-apple-software-update-items/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13880_3-10002257-68.html


I really hope someone makes something better than iTunes soon. I may have to stop purchasing music from the iTunes store soon so I am not encouraging this crap software.


(Update: Now they also include MobileMe software in iTunes. Great, make it MORE bloated!
Apple is worse than M$! At least MS knows that they need to make stuff like this optional!)

(Update 2: Found more applications running;
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\distnoted.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe

Under C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\ there is a total of 27 EXEs. Crazy.)