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| reply to Combat Chuck
Re: The truth about hotbar [blockquote]That's why everyone thinks I now support spyware, because you guys muddied the definitions and have thus made it almost impossible for anyone to argue any point with regard to spyware, adware and the differences; so the popular opinion wins by default.[/blockquote]
Actually, YOU are the one muddling definitions by pretending there's a difference when there isn't. "Adware", in the strict sense you are defining it in this thread, is by and large fine with most users. I've used early versions of Opera, Flashget, etc. that are useful utilities and make VERY CLEAR that you will be served banner ads and whatnot in lieu of paying for the product. I have never heard anyone complain about these types of "Adware", as you call it. Then again, they have to seek out and make "an informed decision" to download the product, unlike Hotbar.
Hotbar intentionally creates confusion and preys on the unknowledgable and (especially) the technologically ignorant, and even though you claim they "always give the option to install or uninstall the product", no one I have ever met could tell you how it got installed on their computer. Furthermore, they provide no way of uninstalling the application without a lot of research and effort or an anti-spyware program. This is BAD FAITH business. They intentionally engineer their software to find any manner or loophole possible to get onto a system, then program the application in as much as they are capable to remove a user's ability to uninstall the program in the manner which ALL other legit software works: by including a LEGITIMATE uninstaller. Then they claim, using the flimsiest of logic, that the user "agreed" the the use of their software (which one would think would make the less-than-courteous behavior of their software unnecessary, but I digress), and then they sit back and enjoy while apologists like yourself excuse their actions.
[blockquote]In short the anti-spyware people are no longer about informed consent or keeping the software companies honest, but instead are about controlling what you and I can install on our PCs and how we pay for it.[blockquote]
Last I checked, in fact, every time I scan a system using anti-spyware or anti-virus programs, at the completion of the scan I am presented with a list of spyware or viruses that I can then choose to uninstall or leave on my system. I am given complete freedom by the program to make that choice, often times being provided with extra information about the specific infection by the scanning program. So your claims that they are "controlling" what people can install on their systems is little more than apologist hyperbole.
The irony here is that, while you're claiming anti-virus and anti-spyware programs somehow diminish a user's capability to "make an informed choice" about what software they put on their computers, it is almost always the consumer themselves making an "informed choice" to seek out anti-virus and spyware programs to help get rid of this stuff. Which, I'm guessing, they probably wouldn't be doing had they really made an "informed choice" to install the crapware in the first place, as you claim. | |
| reply to Combat Chuck
Hotbar's home page clearly states they are neither adware or spyware. That is deception. Hotbar not only installs Hotbar, it installs other programs, some not clearly defined in either their TOU/License or Privacy Policy (TOU/License is 4568 words, Privacy Policy over 3800 words).
Your argument is not based on facts. WowPapers, installed without your knowledge or permission when you install Hotbar, puts an icon on your desktop for WowPapers chats. This "cute" icon, when clicked, takes you directly to Hotbar's WowPapers chatroom(s). Now, any child could innocently click that icon and go to that chatroom where
the content is sexually-explicit. The nicknames being use there are sexual in nature - for example "BIGDICK4U". There is no content warning at all for these chatrooms. Additionally, a Hotbar WowPaper bot frequently appears while you in the chatroom and constantly asks for your REAL name and your email address. Isn't that nice? Wouldn't you love to have your 12 or 13 year old child in there with BIGDICK4U and a Hotbar WowPaper's bot asking your child for his/her REAL name and email address.
Hotbar's uninstaller does not completely uninstall the product and you're immediately transported to Hotbar's site the moment you try to uninstall Hotbar -they want to know why you're uninstalling it. Some of the other programs Hotbar installs like WowPapers does not have an uninstaller - you must return to Hotbar's site and download an uninstaller.
You're defense of Hotbar is unfathomable. This company is deceitful and its activities border on criminal In their TOU/License you MUST agree to allow them to install "updates, fixes" whenever they like - in other words they can install software on your computer at any time without asking your permission and without your knowledge. Why? Because you agreed to it. Just because they explicitly tell you what their going to do to you in their EULA, does not make it right.
Hotbar is deceptive. Why do you think they have the Microsoft Certified Partner logo displayed so boldly on their home page? There is only one reason: To deceive people into believing that Hotbar is endorsed by Microsoft. While the more savvy among us know better, most people have no idea what a Microsoft Certified Partner is or what it means. It has nothing to do with Hotbar's products - yet the logo is displayed solely as another deception - to lull the unsuspecting into thinking Hotbar is safe and endorsed by Microsoft.
So, you can defend any criminal or any unsavory character you want - that is your right. But when you post such uninformed drivel as you have and then call other's comments "week" (sic), you make yourself appear to stand with the unsavory companies like Hotbar - who would do anything, spend any amount of money, to be allowed to rape people's computers with their scumware.
Please do your homework and test Hotbar and find out for yourself what it does and what it does not do before you ramble on about things you know nothing about.
I have proof of every claim I made in this post. I've seen the tests and I have screen shots. | |
KB2PSM
join:2002-08-06
Long Beach, NY | Re: The truth about hotbar- Uninstalling??? So, now that my brother-in-law used the computer last night and now I have to swim through annoying and unwanted pop-ups, how does one uninstall this "legitimate" -yeah right) program? I ran the latest version of Ad-Aware, Spy-Bot and just paid for a Norton upgrade. I combed the Add/Remove Programs, but after hours of work, I still get a lovely adopt.hotbar.com browser window as well as another one that loads and changes too quickly for me to block.
So, what am I missing here (other than forbidding my brother-in-law from using the computer again)? He is not the most-internet adept person I know, but he knows not to accept/load any programs or toolbars. He cannot recall being asked/informed about loading anything.
So, for even those who LOVE to support and argue for hotbar, let's say that I REALLY, REALLY wanted it, but for some reason no longer want/need it at this time...how can I seamlessly remove this program and its components? Being "legitimate", I can surely expect that like every other legitimate program I own, there is a clear uninstaller...no?
Waiting for some guidance...
Rob | |
 volntnThe VolunteerPremium
join:2002-01-05
Cleveland, TN | reply to Combat Chuck
Re: The truth about hotbar Try Microsoft Anti-SPyware you can download it from majorgeeks.com or look for it in google . | | |
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