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Cnet's Download.com and the installer scam
mahesh2k:
It is becoming harder everyday to monetize websites. So their action to monetize is understandable. But the issue is that they're simply copying softwares from developers sites to their own datacenter and bundling them with OC like installer/updater and slapping on face of downloaders. All this without letting developer know about it. They need to understand that they're not doing any favor by hosting these files or saving bandwidth of developer. It's better to lose bandwidth than letting someone take advantage of your work without giving you credit.
wraith808:
The real problem is that many developers don't have the resources in time and money to advertise and host their own downloads. So once download.com goes away (which there's a 50-50 chance it will if it either can't "make it's numbers" - or generates enough negative publicity that it becomes seen as a pariah) it's the developers that get hurt in the end.
-40hz (August 24, 2011, 02:24 PM)
--- End quote ---
I don't think many people actually browse download.com. Their only contribution IMO is their SEO, and they are a central place so you don't have to be as wary of downloads from source that you have no experience with. Once it's gone, the same searches will bring up the authors' site rather than download.com, so the only real thing missing would be the safety factor- and if they're going the way of being sketchy themselves, that's not a big loss.
JavaJones:
Yes, my point exactly 40hz. This is not a "basic model" or business strategy, as mouser seemed to imply. Sadly it *is* something that often happens over time. But this is more a result of the "buy innovation" strategy of many modern companies. It still sucks though, that's the end result, heh.
- Oshyan
Carol Haynes:
Simple solution to all developers - include a huge unambiguous message in their installer:
"If you downloaded this software from CNET it is illegal and probably full of crap and viruses"
That would take them down pretty quick and force them to react rather than respond!
JavaJones:
Exactly Carol, exactly. :D
- Oshyan
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