DSL_Steve
Premium
join:2003-11-28
Woodbury, CT | reply to DSL_Steve
Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player
Can anyone answer my questions above? |
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DSL_Steve
Premium
join:2003-11-28
Woodbury, CT
| reply to neutral
All right, tell me if I have this right regarding this thread.
(1)Viewpoint Media Player runs the AIM video ads in the upper portion of the buddy list window. and..
(2)WildTangent is for a new AIM buddy-games "feature" that auto updates files used to play these games AND if you uninstall WT and continue to use AIM, it may/will get automatically reinstalled again.
Do I have it correctly? |
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neutral
faith in the future
Premium
join:2001-08-04
Ringgold, GA
 ·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Steely
said by Steely  :
But if you want to enjoy the benefits of this very robust free program, I think you have to expect to pay the piper on some level at some point.
If you don't mind "paying the piper", then why use DeadAIM to remove the ads? 
I don't mind the ads so much, but jeez, I just want AIM.... not AOD or Viewpoint or Wild Tangent or games or, etc etc. It's starting to remind me of installing the old Netscape packages with all the "extras".  Think I may try an earlier version. Will AIM will force me to upgrade to get on if I install, say, 4.8 or 5.0.xx ?
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we'll stop flapping our jaws when you start flipping your laws
#dslr | muzak |
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Randy Bell
Premium
join:2002-02-24
Santa Clara, CA
| reply to dadkins
I think WildTangent is more closely "spyware" than the other .. but even in WT's case, you can uninstall that component without affecting functionality of the newest AIM 5.5 instant message client .. so, I guess I fail to see what's worth getting worked up about .. but I understand some are very sensitive to anything that doesn't first ask permission to be installed. I agree with the other comment, that freeware can be expected to have some "ad" type of support else it wouldn't remain freeware forever .. just look at jv16 Power Tools, for example, it used to be free .. but no more .. JMHO.
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"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13) |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to dadkins
Not if I don't let it past my firewall. It isn't going to
phone home with anything if I deny it access through Sygate.
I can really see no reason to allow it access if the only
thing it serves as is a vehicle for unsolicited advertising.
If it does this without clear and informed consent (in the
EULA or in the company's privacy policy), then it most
certainly is spyware.
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"Kayura or Badamon, whichever you are, you should know that I will never give up this battle. By the will of the Ancient, I shall succeed!" - Shuten (Anubis) from the Ronin Warriors. |
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Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA
 ·Time Warner VOIP
| reply to Steely
I hate that!!!!!
Everytime i installed a new version of AIM,i have to UNINSTALL VIEWPOINT MEDIA PLAYER!!!!!!!
#1) What the hell is it?????
#2) Why is it installed?????
I dont install other versions of AIM,5.2.327 is my best friend 
The Dude  |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| reply to Sparrow
Just trying to be objective for a moment, I look at it this way. Most of us have been using AIM now for what, maybe five years? Nobody I know has paid one penny for the software itself or access to the AIM network. The software is constantly updated and features added, many of them useful (file transfers come to mind). You can talk to whomever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. You can create as many screen name/identities as you want. As far as I know there's no limit to the amount of buddies you can have. Like you say, all of this is optional. But if you want to enjoy the benefits of this very robust free program, I think you have to expect to pay the piper on some level at some point. In the greater scheme of things, even just in the realm of computer/internet security, this is a relatively trivial matter in my opinion. If one decides AIM's tactics are too invasive or offensive, they can try an alternate IM program like Trillian, modify AIM, or choose not to use Instant Messaging at all.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? |
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Sparrow
Crystal Sky
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Sachakhand
| reply to Steely
Hi Steely
Let's just say we're a paranoid bunch here, and like to control our OS, rather than having progs download without at least asking for permission first.
The same problem exists with many programs. In the end, (and as it should be) it is the individual user's choice what to keep and what to dump. Personally, when I find a prog that has downloaded without any warning or input from me, I dump it and reconsider later. From my point of view, "Guilty before proven innocent."
Sometimes it is just a catch 22. Your call. |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| reply to dadkins
OK, I just read the whole explanation here. Even with a "unique tracking number" it would seem they could only track info about the media content played with their software. If VMP only plays content dished out by AOL/AIM, what's the big deal if they collect data about how their own media content is used? Doesn't sound particularly sinister. I wouldn't think there's any way to personally identify me as an individual. Besides, isn't it easy enough to deny access with a basic free firewall like ZoneAlarm? I don't like the idea of automatic updates without permission, but I still don't understand what terrible thing Viewpoint does. Maybe I'm just naive.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
| reply to Steely
"The software creates a unique tracking number ("Customer Unique Identifier" is their term). This number and other information is transmitted, without asking, to Viewpoint servers. The software downloads updates and installs them on the computer, also without asking."
Sound like spyware to me. |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| reply to TeMerc
Can someone please enlighten me: Is there any real security issue with ViewPoint Media Player or do people just resent it because it gets installed in somewhat sneaky fasion as part of AIM/AOL? My wife and kids like some of the AOL features so I keep the AOL software on board. I was under the impression that the VMP was the integral player within AOL used for certain media files. Is it dangerous? Is it spyware? Will AOL work properly w/o it? I'm confused.
BTW, with regard to AIM I use version 5.2.3277 in conjunction with the last free version of DeadAIM and get no ads or popups. What harm is VMP doing? Just curious.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? |
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