I am considering implementing some sort of Software Update Notification for one of the web applications I am developing.

There are several questions I came across:

• Should the update check be executed on the client or on the server?

Client-side means, the software retrieves the most current version information, performs its checks, and displays the update information.

Server-side check means the software sends its version info to the server, which in turn does the calculations and returns information to the client.

My guess is that server-side implementation may turn out to be more flexible and more powerful than client-side, as I can add functionality to the server easily, as long as the client understands it.

• Where should the update info be displayed?

Is it ok to display on the login screen? Should only admins see it? (this is a web app with a database, so updating requires manipulation of db and web, which is only done by admins). What about a little beeping flashing icon which increases in size as the version gets more obsolete every day ;) ?

• Privacy issues

Not everybody likes to have their app usage stats broadcast over the internet.

TheOnion question: What do you think?