Tuulilapsi
Kenosis
join:2002-07-29
Finland
| reply to dave
Re: Is Microsoft about to buy Claria/Gator ???
If they actually do that, Dave, I'm going to use that as the basis of an entire new religion. Maybe I'll call it scientology. 
--
And lead me not into temptation - for I can find my way there myself easily enough. |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio | Isn't scientology all about getting claria clear? |
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Tuulilapsi
Kenosis
join:2002-07-29
Finland
| Well, now that you mentioned it...
On the darker side of things, I don't see how even Microsoft could clear the name of GatorClaria.
--
And lead me not into temptation - for I can find my way there myself easily enough. |
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hpguru
Curb Your Dogma
Premium
join:2002-04-12
| reply to B
said by B  :That would be lovely, of course, hpguru , but think about it. If that were MS's intention, WHY would they have to hide it in any way?
I don't think there is anything odd or underhanded about companies declining to discuss acquisitions which may still be in negotiations. Why do you?
[Anti-anti-MS Rant]
For those of you who dispise Microsoft so much, why don't you just replace Windows with Free BSD and be done with them once and for all? Continuing to use the OS of a company you don't, won't, or cannot trust is just plain S T U P I D. And don't tell me you have to use Windows. There are plenty of busy productive individuals who have never allowed a Windows CD to over-shadow their CDRom bay, yet they get the job done.
[/Anti-anti-MS Rant]
--
Get hpHOSTS! Member ASAP
Downing St. memo: BUSH LIED, YOUR SON DIED.
REMEMBER 1776! NEVER FORGET! |
|
redxii
too big to fail
Premium,Mod
join:2001-02-26
Texas
Host:
/dev/null
Broadband Tweaks
Suddenlink
ISDN
Fiber Optic
| People are assuming MS is going to inject adware code into Windows itself.
I can't find the basis for an anti-MS rant. If you must rant this early, then you need to either A) Step outside for a minute, or B) find a new hobby other than computers.
For all we know there won't be any application to Windows itself.
--
"If you like linux then use it otherwise stop preaching about linux we all already know about it and if we like it we'll use it. If you keep pestering people you look like those annoying Jehovah's witnesses... [..] with nothing better to do." |
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NeOmega
join:2004-11-18
| reply to TK421
If this happens, I'll never buy a Microsoft product ever again on principle alone. I don't care what they plan on doing with Claria/Gator..... companies like that should not be rewarded with $500,000,000 for having a "subscriber base"... more like a subscriber prison.
I like Microsofts products, as they work fine for what I need, but I swear this is idiocy. |
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TeMerc
join:2004-01-22
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to TK421
Here is Ben Edelmans take:
Today's New York Times reports Microsoft "in talks" to buy Claria. Leading commentators think it's a bad idea (1, 2). I agree.
I first heard this rumor several weeks back, but I laughed it off as too crazy to be taken seriously. What could Claria offer Microsoft? Most obvious is Claria's large installed base -- reportedly some 40-million PCs. But Claria's installation practices are troubled -- tricking users with ads that look like Windows dialog boxes, on kids sites, touting features Claria knows users don't need (like clock-synchronizers already built into current versions of Windows). And in Claria's oft-installed bundle with Kazaa, Claria's long license lacks section headings, making it exceptionally hard for users to figure out what Claria does or to reasonably assess Claria's terms. Microsoft wouldn't want installations obtained through such poor practices.
More......
»www.benedelman.org/news/063005-1.html |
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John2g
Qui Tacet Consentit
Premium
join:2001-08-10
England
| reply to TK421
Some of the responses remind me of Chicken-licken who thought the sky was falling down 
--
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. |
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email scope
join:2005-03-06
Canada | reply to TK421
Is Microsoft about to buy Claria/Gator ???.
Yup. |
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KyeU
join:2003-12-31
Canada
2 edits | reply to TK421
Re: Is Microsoft about to buy Claria/Gator ???
Maybe Microsoft thinks by buying Claria/Gator, they can do the public a service by removing their crapware.
But more crapware companies can spawn from the $500 Million...
They're not really doing anything; they're probably making it worse. 
|
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TeMerc
join:2004-01-22
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to TK421
I think Ed Bott sums it up best, if MS were to try and make this work:
The only way it makes sense is if Microsoft buys the company, fires everyone involved with it, has their buildings exorcised, and rewrites every line of code in their product.
Even then, most in the security felid would still be up in arms. |
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catseyenu
Ack Pfft
Premium
join:2001-11-17
Fix East
| reply to TheJoker
Anyone that would reward a company like that is no friend to those concerned about security or privacy.
I'll bet the boyz over at 180 and CWS are pitching a tent just thinking what they could cash in on.  |
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mers2
Premium,MVM
join:2004-03-20
USA
clubs:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to TK421
I'll be waiting to see what Microsoft does should the sale go through. If they buy Claria to put it out of business, I'll be sad to see Claria make a final profit but happy to have them gone. I would then be among the first to cheer Microsoft. If they use Claria's database and/or technologies in their own software to track users or push advertising it will ensure a 100% switch to Linux for me. The temptation for MS to do the latter is going to be strong from a money making stance.
--
God put me on this Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die. |
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redxii
too big to fail
Premium,Mod
join:2001-02-26
Texas
Host:
/dev/null
Broadband Tweaks
Suddenlink
ISDN
Fiber Optic
2 edits | said by mers2 :I'll be waiting to see what Microsoft does should the sale go through. See, now that's all i'm asking for. If we all do this I don't have to sift through nonsense.
Someone on Slashdot hints that the 500 mil is probably for Claria's data, not their software. They'll buy Claria but drop the software. |
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WFO
Premium
join:2001-08-27
San Ramon, CA | reply to TK421
I've always been curious about Linux. If this goes through, Gentoo here I come. LOL. |
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mers2
Premium,MVM
join:2004-03-20
USA
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to redxii
said by redxii :said by mers2 :Someone on Slashdot hints that the 500 mil is probably for Claria's data, not their software. They'll buy Claria but drop the software. Using the data would be just as unethical to me. --
God put me on this Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die. |
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B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| reply to hpguru
said by hpguru :I don't think there is anything odd or underhanded about companies declining to discuss acquisitions which may still be in negotiations. Why do you? That's completely unfair to me, a straw man pulled out of the ether, and counterintuitive to boot. I was responding to two things: (1) the article that goes into some detail about how both Gates and Ballmer are actively pursuing Claria ("Mr. Ballmer... gave approval to begin negotiations with Claria"). (2) your specific and rather crazy theory that "one way to fight spyware would be to patent it. Perhaps that is just what MS is planning."
I'm concerned with what's been reported, not with what MS isn't saying, as you seem to be. I know -- I'll assume, with no evidence, that MS is in secret talks to donate all profits to accelerating the search to cure cancer. That's at least as discussion worthy as your theory. Some of the rest of us would prefer to discuss the (very few) tangible things reported in the article, rather than empty theories.
And frankly, who said a darned thing about "companies declining to discuss acquisitions which may still be in negotiations"?? That's a rather silly straw man argument you've set up there.
It's further strained by your "Commies Go Home; Why Don't You Go Back Where You Came From; MS: Love It Or Leave It" rant, which doesn't merit much further attention.
-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function |
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SnowyOne
Premium
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·Clearwire Wireless
| reply to TK421
One thing is for sure if it's true that Microsoft is in discussion with Claria/Gator re a buyout.
Wether the sale materializes or not, Microsoft is going to know more about the inner workings of Spyware, Claria/Gator in particular. Microsoft will be holding the winning hand if a sale comes down to the 11th hour. On the other hand, any non-disclosure agreements signed by Microsoft for the purpose of negotiations could neuter Microsoft's Anti Spyware app as far as Claria/Gator goes. |
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mers2
Premium,MVM
join:2004-03-20
USA
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse
| said by SnowyOne :One thing is for sure if it's true that Microsoft is in discussion with Claria/Gator re a buyout. Wether the sale materializes or not, Microsoft is going to know more about the inner workings of Spyware, Claria/Gator in particular. Microsoft will be holding the winning hand if a sale comes down to the 11th hour. On the other hand, any non-disclosure agreements signed by Microsoft for the purpose of negotiations could neuter Microsoft's Anti Spyware app as far as Claria/Gator goes. Agreed. Microsoft is going to have to be open and above board if they go through with this sale to maintain credibility. I'd also like assurances that they won't be using the Claria's database collected via Gator scumware from unsuspecting users.
--
God put me on this Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die. |
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hpguru
Curb Your Dogma
Premium
join:2002-04-12
| reply to B
said by B :said by hpguru :said by B :That would be lovely, of course, hpguru , but think about it. If that were MS's intention, WHY would they have to hide it in any way? I don't think there is anything odd or underhanded about companies declining to discuss acquisitions which may still be in negotiations. Why do you? That's completely unfair to me, a straw man pulled out of the ether, and counterintuitive to boot.
LOL! Funny.
--
Get hpHOSTS! Member ASAP
Downing St. memo: BUSH LIED, YOUR SON DIED.
REMEMBER 1776! NEVER FORGET! |
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