turning off software updates

I don't want to update, nor do I want to be bugged every few days, about software updates on trial software and old software that I don't even use anymore. Surely Apple provide a way to select which apps to check for updates? Even now, I'm waiting on the App Store to finish checking for updates so I can reboot.

This is the worst operating system since Windows Vista. Unfortunately, I have to use it for one feature, AVCHD video playback.