Software to AVOID!

[zridling]

DonationCoder.com is all about recognizing and supporting those who possess coding talent (among other things), and thanks to you guys, I've found a lot of great software here. However, I need your help identifying software to avoid like the plague. I'm seriously sick of buying a license to what seems like good software only to find that the company does not support it, or they double the price on the next upgrade, or they completely change their EULA, voiding that "lifetime" license you bought, whatever. I think some of the worst offenders are those with slick UI's — they give good face, but then never follow up on the execution.



So help me make a list of software (and companies) to avoid, thus saving us all time, trouble, and money. One other request I'll make is that you give us at least one reason why we should avoid it.

[zridling]

I'll start with SolSuite Solitaire, a great game package, but they have no direct support and you have to write and beg them for a new activation code every time they update their software. Oh, and they don't write you back with the activation code. I presume they want you to buy a new copy every time. These guys suck chunks, period.

[jgpaiva]

I belive this is the kind of thread that would fit in this section of the forum.
Also, http://www.shitware.net would probably be a good resource too

[Lashiec]

Good grief, Zaine! I'm a fan of white lists over black lists, so that's why I keep a list of the software I tried and liked, perhaps to do a "The Great Software List" on steroids spinoff, but I constantly rule out bad software of my mind. I try to remember something but...

OK, I remembered something. First, CodeSector, Nighted could give you some reasons why

Second, talking about slick UIs, most companies doing these all-in-one optimizing suites should be avoided, including PC Tools (you could avoid Spyware Doctor if you wish as well) and Iolo (though I haven't tested System Mechanic since version 5). Most behave exactly the same, and they keep cleaning the wrong sections over and over again.

[mouser]

don't forget we made a new section for complaining about companies:
https://www.donation...ndex.php?board=215.0

[zridling]

Ah, isn't that the inherent problem with forums — that guys like me don't pay attention to what's new and just dump everything into one of two sections?!    (Please move this to that section, since it would be easier to find and follow there.)

[KenR]

Ah, isn't that the inherent problem with forums — that guys like me don't pay attention to what's new and just dump everything into one of two sections?! ...

-zridling (June 28, 2007, 02:42 PM)

Interesting! I didn't know there was such a section. I assme it's new (?) as there are only a couple threads there. Does this one show up in the main RSS feed? So, thanks for bringing it to my (our) attention Zaine.

Ken

[Tinman57]

  Anything with "Symantec" written on the package.....  Nuff Said.... 

[Grorgy]

well the company i mentioned here has discovered the error of their ways so i will remove this as far as i can.

[Centauri27]

I use this moderately effective driver update program called Driver Genius Professional. It's a commercial app that was in the version 6.x range when I bought it. I received a couple of program updates which installed and ran normally. Then they decided to get greedy (and stupid)--they slipped in a newer "pay again" version 7 as an update. I downloaded and installed it only to find my product just reverted to trialware!

Man did this tick me off! To have a paid-for product suddenly go trial, with no warning or opportunity to install in parallel, that's unethical and sleazy. So I promptly yanked the new version off and reinstalled the older version (which I kept a copy of luckily, as the vendor had thoughtfully removed from their web site).

[f0dder]

well the company i mentioned here has discovered the error of their ways so i will remove this as far as i can.

-Grorgy (July 14, 2007, 12:11 AM)

You shouldn't remove a post because a company "has discovered the error of their ways" - better to strike-through the complaint, and then have a non-strikethrough notice under stating that they've nicened up. It's always good to see when somebody learns from their mistakes...

[Darwin]

well the company i mentioned here has discovered the error of their ways so i will remove this as far as i can.

-Grorgy (July 14, 2007, 12:11 AM)

You shouldn't remove a post because a company "has discovered the error of their ways" - better to strike-through the complaint, and then have a non-strikethrough notice under stating that they've nicened up. It's always good to see when somebody learns from their mistakes...

-f0dder (July 31, 2007, 08:14 AM)

Yup - have to agree with this. I'd still like to know what their track record is and make a decision that takes it into account...

[Darwin]

I use this moderately effective driver update program called Driver Genius Professional. It's a commercial app that was in the version 6.x range when I bought it. I received a couple of program updates which installed and ran normally. Then they decided to get greedy (and stupid)--they slipped in a newer "pay again" version 7 as an update. I downloaded and installed it only to find my product just reverted to trialware!

Man did this tick me off! To have a paid-for product suddenly go trial, with no warning or opportunity to install in parallel, that's unethical and sleazy. So I promptly yanked the new version off and reinstalled the older version (which I kept a copy of luckily, as the vendor had thoughtfully removed from their web site).

-Centauri27 (July 30, 2007, 03:22 PM)

Incidentally, this happened to me as well but I contacted the developer and was sent a new key for v.7. I've subsequently uninstalled it because it seems a bit pointless to me (but then I'm on a notebook that is three years old). __fool__ __ money__ __ __. I'll let you fill in the blanks.

[Darwin]

Just to clarify, the Walrus was Paul and I'm the fool...