Download.com problem

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webfork
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Download.com problem

#1 Post by webfork »

Evidently there's a move to include crapware with any download.com hosted program.

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/22 ... -Bloatware
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/93 ... otivations

I'm hoping they back off of this incredibly stupid idea, but users should be aware. Some programs posted here have download.com links when the official home page goes offline. If this turns out to be the case, we'll need to avoid and/or change those mirror sites.

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joby_toss
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Re: Download.com problem

#2 Post by joby_toss »

I tried to download a software from download.com the other day and, instead of the app's installer, I've got a "cnet web installer?". My reaction? Well, I can't tell you my exact reaction, 'cause it's inappropriate, but I'll NEVER use download.com again. I don't care for their reasons, I don't care if they have a legitimate reason or not. I don't have the time to deal with yet another problem. It's my civil right to say: NO! :)

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JohnTHaller
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Re: Download.com problem

#3 Post by JohnTHaller »

Apparently these types of downloaders results in quite a bit of additional revenue. Tucows and a couple other major download sites use them now as well. PortableApps.com has been approached multiple times by different entities trying to convince us to use them. Once we explain the fact that we do software that's primarily used on portable devices and many users don't even have the right to install software on a local machine, they usually just respond with: "Oh..." I was surprised by how much money those things can make a company like CNET. Similarly, the "Recommended Software" pages in local installers can result in quite a bit of revenue, so I can see why a lot of freeware and even open source projects have added them in.

We've excluded both those methods from the PortableApps.com Format and won't let a publisher distribute an app that attempts to get around that restriction package in our format. I'm going to have to monitor our apps that Download.com mirrors and pull them if they try this with our stuff.

UPDATE: Softonic appears to do this as well. Filehippo and Brothersoft do not. And I found the FAQ: http://cnet-upload.custhelp.com/app/ans ... /a_id/2064
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SYSTEM
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Re: Download.com problem

#4 Post by SYSTEM »

The official download link of WordWeb is a redirect to CNET Download.com. I've switched the TPFC link to point to MajorGeeks.
JohnTHaller wrote:I'm going to have to monitor our apps that Download.com mirrors and pull them if they try this with our stuff.
I'm afraid they will. :(

http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?si ... d=37170338
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ChemZ
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Re: Download.com problem

#5 Post by ChemZ »

It's all 'bout the money I suppose...

...hope Andrew ain't cash-strapped... :roll:

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JohnTHaller
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Re: Download.com problem

#6 Post by JohnTHaller »

SYSTEM wrote:The official download link of WordWeb is a redirect to CNET Download.com. I've switched the TPFC link to point to MajorGeeks.
Ah, I forgot about MajorGeeks. Those installer wrappers would be out of character for them as well.
PortableApps.com - The open standard for portable software | Support Net Neutrality

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Firewrath
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Re: Download.com problem

#7 Post by Firewrath »

*Sigh* Another site to avoid.
I will say Sandboxie is GREAT for things like this though, incase it still trys to install things without permission.
Though i avoid such packaged installs a Much as possible, you really cant trust them, imo.

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Re: Download.com problem

#8 Post by NickR »


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webfork
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Re: Download.com problem

#9 Post by webfork »

NickR wrote:Also 'Integrio Uptime Scout'
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... =4&t=10528
Dang. No mirror site. I wonder if the extract process we list removes the Download.com garbage.

Edit: Somehow I missed the Softpedia link. Updating entry.

Good catch, NickR.

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I am Baas
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Re: Download.com problem

#10 Post by I am Baas »

webfork wrote:
NickR wrote:Also 'Integrio Uptime Scout'
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... =4&t=10528
Dang. No mirror site. I wonder if the extract process we list removes the Download.com garbage.

Edit: Somehow I missed the Softpedia link. Updating entry.

Good catch, NickR.
You could download 'Integrio Uptime Scout' from the developer. See http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... 134#p41134

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Re: Download.com problem

#11 Post by webfork »

Old thread update:
JohnTHaller wrote:UPDATE: Softonic appears to do this as well. Filehippo and Brothersoft do not. And I found the FAQ: http://cnet-upload.custhelp.com/app/ans ... /a_id/2064
Cool. juvera just pointed this out on one of our entries. As far as I can tell, there aren't any in the database that use that site anymore.

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Re: Download.com problem

#12 Post by webfork »

Old thread update: I found this explanation of their policy.

But I wanted to rewrite their FAQ:

1. Why is Download.com making this change?
  • Money.
2. Did anyone ask you to do this or in any way endorse it?
3. Why are you doing it anyway if nobody's happy about it?
  • See question 1. Have you seen our Wikipedia page concerning shady tactics by our former leadership? We really need money.

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webfork
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Re: Download.com problem

#13 Post by webfork »

Old thread update or why download.com is still garbage

What Happens When You Install the Top 10 Download.com Apps

This was also covered by Slashdot but I can't find the link. Anyway, one of my missions with this site is to basically avoid doing this.

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Re: Download.com problem

#14 Post by joby_toss »

I don't agree with this part of the conclusion:
There are also no safe freeware download sites… because as you can clearly see in the screenshots in this article, it isn’t just CNET Downloads that is doing the bundling… it’s EVERYBODY.
I'm pretty sure Softpedia is not bundling anything in their downloads. And I'm sure there are others as well.

Anyway, as I've said before, if you're really trying to get something from cnet, use the small direct link at the bottom of the page (available in most cases):

Image

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Midas
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Re: Download.com problem

#15 Post by Midas »

  • Yep, I read that too... found the whole conundrum so utterly appalling, I immediately forgot all about it... :evil:

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