mskittykat
Reality Bites...So I'm Back
Premium
join:2002-10-17
Upper Marlboro, MD
1 edit | But...
I thought adware was/is basically spyware? I could be wrong, but either way their both annoying as hell.
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"Smart is knowing your ABC's. Intelligent is knowing how to use them." |
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koolman2
Premium
join:2002-10-01
Anchorage, AK
 ·GCI.net
1 edit | Bite me
It's like AOL CDs- millions upon millions are sent out; only 5% are actually used to sign up.
If people didn't mind spyware, then why is there such a big fuss over it? Companies need to get their head out of their [insert word of choice here] and do something else for a change. If someone doesn't want it, do you honestly think that they're going to change their mind when they see such-and-such product?
I agree, however, that the law is a bit strict and may need to be revised. |
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Vvian Kalyss
join:2003-10-14
Stage 5.0
clubs:
1 edit | reply to mskittykat
Re: But...
Technically, adware can be spyware or not. If all the program does is download new ads from time to time to display to you regardless of your surfing habits, what wallpaper you have installed, and other crap specific to your system (and it tells you this before you agree to install), then that is plain adware (software supported by unpersonalized ads) I see no problem with it.
Our problem starts when the dang things start calling home with info about you. Yeah I can hear them scream now "but we just want to choose what ads you want" but wtf couldn't they have done that in the install? Let the user select what category of ads they want displayed, install, then leave well enough alone. And if they need to update those ads, then show the user a message (like maybe "We need to update the ads cause the product has changed" or something). Why is it so goddamned hard for them to understand? 
Edit: edited. |
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woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA | reply to koolman2
Re: Bite me
I agree....though most users aren't savvy enough to know the difference between spy/ad or what they ever are...,thats why these companies don't want restrictions...IMHO
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BlooMe |
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niko01
join:2004-01-19
Houston, TX
| Bad facts - bad law
Utah is a bad place to address a legitimate problem and I would only ask that folks here look past the headlines.
WhenU.com is NOT a sympathetic plaintiff. But, they got to this point because 1-800 contacts bought and paid for this law in Utah. Go look for yourselves - the Utah law is NOT a consumer friendly law. Consumers have no cause of action in that law.
So, as you ladies and gentlemen discuss spyware/adware - just be aware that this law has little to do with either. It is a piece of legislation that is narrowly tailored to benefit a local Utah company. And, its main target - WhenU.com - is fighting back. If you want to take part in a real discussion on the issue - the FTC is holding a meeting on April 19 about this problem. Look into if you are interested.... |
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Varangian
join:2002-12-08
Collinsville, IL | reply to koolman2
Re: Bite me
Don't forget those lovely CD cases. With a little relabling they make excellent CD/DVD gift boxes. |
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viperpa33s
Why Me?
Premium
join:2002-12-20
Bradenton, FL
·Bright House
| Still a light at the end of the tunnel
WhenU can butter up there tactics all they want, still they are just as bad as a spammer. If WhenU says there company is so legit they how come there program can't be easily removed? I had WhenU installed on my computer at one time without me knowing and trying to uninstall the way they say you can is down right impossible. Even when you think you uninstalled it the way they say, you really haven't. There almost trying to say, if I try to remove it will be the worst mistake of my life.
WhenU says Utah's law will in effect prevent them from making money. WhenU only makes money on people's ignorance. Even with them being classified as spyware, they are still in business. Utah is 1 out of 50 states they can't do business in, not a total loss. They still have 49 states left. WhenU still has plenty of computers to wreck.
WhenU just like Gator says it's useful adware, useful to whom? It's only useful for WhenU cause they get money to annoy and irritate me. WhenU don't need to collect personal information to not be called spyware. If WhenU is not spyware they why do they need to follow me wherever I go on the internet? How many people really know they have this crap on there computer?
WhenU is like a thorn in a person's side. They will poke you just enough to let you know they are there. You want to remove there program, to them that is the last thing you do. Even with all that, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel. |
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Varangian
join:2002-12-08
Collinsville, IL
|  They must be pretty stupid at the spyware co.
Consider this an open message to the purveyors of spyware:
We are Americans, not slack jawed third worlders or neutrered europeans. We will not continue to tolerate your activities.
If goverment proves inadeqate to force a halt to your treaspassing, we will in fact resort to more..basic methods.
You are people. being made of matter you have to physically be somewhere. And when we locate that somewhere we have a tried and true method dating back thousands of centuries for ..discouraging your further operations.
Better get yourselves some honest jobs-while you still can. |
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koolman2
Premium
join:2002-10-01
Anchorage, AK | reply to Varangian
Re: Bite me
That's all I use them for 
Some soaking in warm/hot soap water and some Goo-Gone and you're good to go! |
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Safron
join:2001-07-25
Gray, GA
clubs: | Common Sense
If it looks like shit and smells like shit, even if the Supreme Court decrees it is ice cream, it is still shit. |
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Thaler
Premium
join:2004-02-02
Encino, CA
| reply to koolman2
Re: Bite me
Strict? I doubt there is a such thing as "too strict" in regards to ad/spyware software. I do computer repairs for people's computers, and about 80-90% of the "computer running too slow" calls are because it's DROWNING in ad/spyware. There's also the uber enjoyment of waiting 10+ minutes on boot, or to run SpyBot installs to remove the gunk from a thouroughly ruined computer.
And what do folks have to say after I've had to sit with a computer for an hour, just trying to get simple spy-removal software installed? They don't have a foggy clue where the software came from, they don't remember agreeing to it, etc. Most computer users (IMHO from repair) are idiots when it comes to these matters, and ad/spyware companies know this. That's why they make up phony warning messages, bury their software in the customer use agreements, and make it insanely hard to uninstall. (or impossible, in some cases)
Ad/Spyware really just need a big label before they install that says:
"CAUTION: Installing our software will cause your system performance to be decreased, are you sure you want to install this?"
If this were to happen...there wouldn't BE any spyware/adware problem. Folks just wouldn't install the stuff knowing that it will destroy the use of their computer. |
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ReneM
join:2003-07-18
Cockeysville, MD | reply to Varangian
Re: They must be pretty stupid at the spyware co.
What does that have to do with 'neutrered europeans' except hate speech ? |
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Varangian
join:2002-12-08
Collinsville, IL
1 edit | I beg your pardon - I used a regional stereotype when I should have used something more general.
(My 111 year old uncle in latvia talks that way) |
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TheMadSwede
Premium
join:2001-01-30
Holland, MI
·Charter Pipeline
| reply to ReneM
said by ReneM  :
What does that have to do with 'neutrered europeans' except hate speech ?
That's a pretty thin-skinned response. Be more specific.
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A good idea expressed in a poor manner is a bad idea. |
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Varangian
join:2002-12-08
Collinsville, IL
| Sorry if you didn't like what I typed.
If you want to go after me personally lets take it private.
There's a common enemy - spyware operators - to be after here.
My uncle really does refer to his neighbors as neutered. But I think he's still sore about his side - the whites- losing in Russia. |
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coffaro
Moonie
Premium
join:2003-07-05
Arlington, TX
clubs: | reply to Safron
Re: Common Sense
I knew it tasted funny....:D |
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ArmaliteAR10
Seven Point Six 2mm Full Metal Jacket
join:2002-05-26
Dwight, IL
| reply to koolman2
Re: Bite me
I'm running low on my supply of free AOL CD's that I use as targets at the range.
Actually I wish AOL would send me more by the case, not just one at a time.
Looks like I may have to switch back to paper plates. LOL!
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Nothing says "get the hell out of my house" like the sound of a 12-gauge pump chambering a shell. |
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koolman2
Premium
join:2002-10-01
Anchorage, AK | Just go to your local grocery store and pick up a few... hundred |
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kch001
@65.37.x.x
 from:
ylandrum
| they make their money on my dime
When a company claims they have a right to market their product, I agree. Let them put up billboards and pay for advertising on TV etc.. But when it comes to the marketing companies making money off of marketing me on my own pc without paying me for it I draw the line. The computer is mine, I paid for it and I don't think it's right for them to make money off of me and my equipment without paying me for it. |
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lesopp
join:2001-06-27
Land O Lakes, FL
| reply to mskittykat
Re: But...
I agree. I would like to see a class action suit against these spyware/adware distributors for using other peoples bandwidth. What's the difference between stealing cable and having an application secretly installed on your PC that sends data over the pipes bought with your hard earned money. |
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