It seems that there is a preference to enable checking for new versions on startup (Automatically check for new versions on startup), but it is right at the bottom of the advanced tab in the preferences window (you have to scroll down on my 1600x1200 monitor. Maybe this should be unchecked by default.
It seems that there is a preference to enable checking for new versions on startup (Automatically check for new versions on startup), but it is right at the bottom of the advanced tab in the preferences window (you have to scroll down on my 1600x1200 monitor. Maybe this should be unchecked by default.