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Cnet's Download.com and the installer scam
mouser:
That's a fantastic blog post Oshyan :up: :up: :up:
Really it would be trivial for CNet to solve this problem simply by letting authors choose to not have this adware installer bundle injected into their software download, without trying to extort $99/month from the author for the privilege.
That would essentially resolve the issue completely.
And then if they were smart they would what you suggest, which is to offer this as an option and offer to share some of the revenue with the authors.
Renegade:
I suspect you *may* have a different perspective from some here due to your use and support of OpenCandy, which we've previously established is a bit controversial. ;)
-JavaJones (August 24, 2011, 08:13 PM)
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You're way off there. I didn't express any opinion one way or another about CNet's wrapping installers as it wouldn't add anything to the conversation. (It's pretty much all been said. But it looks like I need to clarify what I think there.)
Flat out, I see CNet wrapping installers as an obvious violation of author trust, IP, and in most cases, their software EULAs.
There are fundamental differences between what CNet is doing and OpenCandy. OC starts with respect and consent. CNet is starting off by hijacking installers without consent.
I wanted to install some software (ALToolbar), but it's hosted at CNet now. When I saw the file name, I stopped. If CNet is screwing authors, what will they do to users? (Who are probably less likely to care about the issue...)
Now, my installer hasn't been affected. CNet simply links to the file on my server. (It's a ZIP file.) So I've not been affected that way.
But CNet is one of those gargantuan beasts that can basically do whatever it wants, just like Apple, or Google, or whoever. The bigger you are, the more evil you can be and get away with it. So, that's why I am not sure about the practical upshot for pulling software from there, or whether or not it will matter to users (regarding opinions about authors -- I fully expect it to have a negative impact on users whether they perceive it or not).
Anyways, that's just my $0.02.
40hz:
The bigger you are, the more evil you can be and get away with it. So, that's why I am not sure about the practical upshot for pulling software from there,
-Renegade (August 24, 2011, 08:47 PM)
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Rolling over and playing dead has never been a good response to 800lb gorillas misbehaving.
At the very least, standing up to them makes it very clear that their behavior is not being given your tacit approval. Because there's a great deal of truth to the old saying "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
In the end I think it all comes down to how much respect you have for yourself and what you believe in. If you allow yourself to knuckle under without firing a single shot, you were already defeated before the conflict even began.
Just my tuppence.
Renegade:
The bigger you are, the more evil you can be and get away with it. So, that's why I am not sure about the practical upshot for pulling software from there,
-Renegade (August 24, 2011, 08:47 PM)
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(see attachment in previous post)
Rolling over and playing dead has never been a good response to 800lb gorillas misbehaving.
At the very least, standing up to them makes it very clear that their behavior is not being given your tacit approval. Because there's a great deal of truth to the old saying "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
In the end I think it all comes down to how much respect you have for yourself and what you believe in. If you allow yourself to knuckle under without firing a single shot, you were already defeated before the conflict even began.
Just my tuppence.
-40hz (August 24, 2011, 09:27 PM)
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True. Luckily I don't have to deal with it directly.
It's just one of those additional things that I don't want to think about. I devote enough energy elsewhere.
NSFWThe world is a fucked-up shit hole, and this is just another steamer on the pile.
I simply cannot get myself worked up about it. I'm tired. I don't have the energy to scream about every problem. Eventually, my voice gives out. This is something that other people need to scream about. I'll throw in a +1, but I'm not going to scream.
mouser:
I think at this point I would advise people *not* to remove their software from cnet *yet*.. But instead try to keep up the pressure on cnet to allow authors to disable this feature for their software, and make a final decision about what to do after we see how cnet responds to this criticism. DC will push as for changes and try to highlight why the current situation is so unacceptable.
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