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I just had a nice, demented conversation with Racter. The main problem with doing that is that it is a 16-bit DOS program. Does anyone here still have and can run Racter? I needed D-Fend-Reloaded-1.4.2 in order to do it. I never thought that there was a DOS program that Win XP didn't like. I guess it draws the line at 16-bit programs. Does anyone here know of any sites that run on a 16-bit DOS system?-Arizona Hot (November 26, 2014, 03:51 PM)
Oh, and to pull this thread back on track:
Yes, please devise tooling to avoid Crapware and Installer-wrappers-Ath (November 26, 2014, 02:55 AM)
I agree with your objections and second your questions.-Ath (November 25, 2014, 04:10 PM)This feels like a lawsuit-avoidance tactic. "Starting with version ...The above combination makes me really wonder why in earth's name a big multinational, like Oracle pretends to be, has to include crapware for some infamous minority like "Ask"-TaoPhoenix (November 26, 2014, 02:35 AM)-Ath (November 26, 2014, 02:53 AM)
The offer to install the Search App by Ask was still there, and checked by default.Oracle actually offers a solution for disabling those 'sponsor offers': https://www.java.com...q/disable_offers.xml-wraith808 (November 25, 2014, 02:44 PM)-Ath (November 25, 2014, 03:04 PM)
I just had to make a Java update today. The offer to install the Search App by Ask was still there, and checked by default.-wraith808 (November 25, 2014, 02:44 PM)
Google Tests Subscription Service Allowing Web Access Without Ads - Video-Arizona Hot (November 23, 2014, 09:55 PM)
...That's what I meant Iain, today it didn't seem to be there.Yes, I realised that. I was posting not so much to agree with you as to say that I thought it used to be there (until very recently).-TaoPhoenix (November 23, 2014, 03:40 PM)
By the way, I forgot to mention that, depending on the source one used to download Java/Flash from, it could make a difference as to whether it had a PUP installed.-IainB (November 23, 2014, 06:51 PM)
Not sure if this is true today but I think Oracle's Java and/or Adobe/Macromedia Flash Player installs used to (and may still do) come bundled with the Ask.com web browser search installer.
From memory, I recall that MBAM (Malwarebytes) is able to detect some candyware as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) that it has recorded in its virus signature database. It detects the signature files for PUPs in software installers and I think (but am not sure) that it may even sometimes be able to isolate/remove the PUP components from the main software install, leaving the basic software installer intact.
I shall post a query for clarification about this in the MBAM support forum and drop the answer in this thread.-IainB (November 23, 2014, 03:23 PM)
I think the detection should certainly trigger before the wrapper does anything;
This is almost certainly not realistic/practical.
The wrapper is going to do its own thing, and then unpack and launch your original pristine installer after it has offered up its bundled adware, etc.
If you wanted to physically stop the wrappers from running, the only solution is to have some other software already running (like an antivirus) that detected it and stopped it. And if you are the kind of person who would run such a tool constantly in the background, you are also the kind of person who won't get bit by these wrapped installers in the first place.
However, I believe that the solution with the dll preventing your program from installing from a wrapper and telling the user why will accomplish the same goals.
The most likely result of having this dll prevent the wrapper from completing its installation, is that it will never be wrapped in the first place.
First, it's quite likely that the automated wrapper creation tool will abandon trying to wrap your program, meaning you will stop this problem before it ever gets to the user. Second, if it they do try to distribute your wrapped program, it won't be long before they get enough complaints from users that downloaded it that they will remove the wrapper and put back your original.-mouser (November 23, 2014, 01:06 PM)
By my way of thinking, it's not important if this detection happens before or after the wrapper tries to install any adware or bundled crap. The point of this DLL is not to prevent the wrapper from running -- it's to let your installer detect this case and decide what to do. Some coders may decide that the best thing to do is warn the user, exit, and send the user to the REAL program web page. Other coders may decide that the best thing to do is let the install complete but warn the user.
Ideally just the use of this dll will be enough to trigger these websites automatic wrapping tool to give up and not wrap the program.-mouser (November 22, 2014, 08:47 PM)
Speaking for the darkly humored and criminally insane ...
-Stoic Joker (November 21, 2014, 05:19 PM)
According to this:
http://www.wired.com.../google-contributor/In exchange for your support, you’ll see “thank you” messages where ads used to be—at least on the websites that participate in the program.
So let me get this straight, Google is going to be pushing you to cover your site in their ads, and then give people a way to throw some pennies at you in order to turn the ads into thank you images, and they take a cut of the money in the process?
This seems like an extremely cynical way to corrupt more sites into getting onto the google ad serving bandwagon, and just another step further down the road of ensuring that everyone is monetizing everything.
"Want people to be able to support your site? First cover it in ads, then we'll talk."-mouser (November 21, 2014, 12:33 AM)
The older one was not well done- we'd not entered into the time where writers on superhero shows/movies realized one important element. They have to be good shows/movies with a good plot first. There are some decent analyses of the episodes on avclub.com that deconstruct them and the underlying themes therein. There are some (several) points I disagree with... but it does inspire conversation and thought.-wraith808 (November 20, 2014, 11:07 AM)
Where would you classify characters like the modern Batman and Iron Man? Wayne and Stark are both normal humans. Perhaps a lot more technologically sophisticated and wealthy than most people. But their 'super' powers derive mainly from the technology and powered bodysuits they employ. If they have any super power it's their high IQs.-40hz (November 20, 2014, 08:38 PM)
I posted a video that has a funny... but relevant line in it to the silly humor thread. Namely, Drax tells Batman you should be called normal man in a suit that looks vaguely like a bat. And in all truth, as much as I love the Batman as a character, his real superpower is the audience's suspension of disbelief, and a lot of cool. Either that, or he actually does have powers. Because he does a *lot* that a normal human, no matter how well trained, cannot do.-wraith808 (November 20, 2014, 09:06 PM)
He's not a "normal" human. He's closer to a western version of a gifted natural martial arts talent from China etc.
So while his body could "almost make sense" to a doctor in a hospital if he overdoes it, he doesn't exactly have super-powers, not something that he can just whip out and pummel disbelief with. Instead, it's more like "a grown-up prodigy". (For ex, ever seen those types? You play a 3 minute piece of music four times and they can play it note perfect?)-TaoPhoenix (November 20, 2014, 09:15 PM)
Even a gifted natural martial arts talent could not do a fraction of what he does in all truth. And the cross-section of all the things that he is incredibly gifted in- it's not just physical.-wraith808 (November 20, 2014, 09:29 PM)
Where would you classify characters like the modern Batman and Iron Man? Wayne and Stark are both normal humans. Perhaps a lot more technologically sophisticated and wealthy than most people. But their 'super' powers derive mainly from the technology and powered bodysuits they employ. If they have any super power it's their high IQs.-40hz (November 20, 2014, 08:38 PM)
I posted a video that has a funny... but relevant line in it to the silly humor thread. Namely, Drax tells Batman you should be called normal man in a suit that looks vaguely like a bat. And in all truth, as much as I love the Batman as a character, his real superpower is the audience's suspension of disbelief, and a lot of cool. Either that, or he actually does have powers. Because he does a *lot* that a normal human, no matter how well trained, cannot do.-wraith808 (November 20, 2014, 09:06 PM)
Is DonationCoder getting the same amount of snow as Buffalo?-Arizona Hot (November 20, 2014, 08:31 PM)
The people concepts tend to be pretty simple.-TaoPhoenix (November 20, 2014, 09:58 AM)
True...however...
Where would you classify characters like the modern Batman and Iron Man? Wayne and Stark are both normal humans. Perhaps a lot more technologically sophisticated and wealthy than most people. But their 'super' powers derive mainly from the technology and powered bodysuits they employ. If they have any super power it's their high IQs.
Or Doc Savage? His powers derive mainly from a physical and mental developmental training program that started when he was conceived. No super anything with Doc. The implication is he's just a more 'realized' human potential. And that what he is, you could be too.
Where do these characters fit into the general superhero continuum?-40hz (November 20, 2014, 08:38 PM)
