Download.com problem
Download.com problem
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.
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.
Re: Download.com problem
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!
- JohnTHaller
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Re: Download.com problem
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
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
PortableApps.com - The open standard for portable software | Support Net Neutrality
Re: Download.com problem
The official download link of WordWeb is a redirect to CNET Download.com. I've switched the TPFC link to point to MajorGeeks.
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?si ... d=37170338
I'm afraid they will.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.
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?si ... d=37170338
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Re: Download.com problem
It's all 'bout the money I suppose...
...hope Andrew ain't cash-strapped...
...hope Andrew ain't cash-strapped...
- JohnTHaller
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Re: Download.com problem
Ah, I forgot about MajorGeeks. Those installer wrappers would be out of character for them as well.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.
PortableApps.com - The open standard for portable software | Support Net Neutrality
Re: Download.com problem
*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.
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.
Re: Download.com problem
Also 'Integrio Uptime Scout'
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... =4&t=10528
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... =4&t=10528
Re: Download.com problem
Dang. No mirror site. I wonder if the extract process we list removes the Download.com garbage.NickR wrote:Also 'Integrio Uptime Scout'
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... =4&t=10528
Edit: Somehow I missed the Softpedia link. Updating entry.
Good catch, NickR.
Re: Download.com problem
You could download 'Integrio Uptime Scout' from the developer. See http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... 134#p41134webfork wrote:Dang. No mirror site. I wonder if the extract process we list removes the Download.com garbage.NickR wrote:Also 'Integrio Uptime Scout'
http://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/ ... =4&t=10528
Edit: Somehow I missed the Softpedia link. Updating entry.
Good catch, NickR.
Re: Download.com problem
Old thread update:
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.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
Re: Download.com problem
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?
But I wanted to rewrite their FAQ:
1. Why is Download.com making this change?
- Money.
- No, in fact we've experienced widespread criticism:
- Download.com wraps downloads in bloatware, lies about motivations
- FreewareGenius: CNet adds crapware-installing “wrapper” for downloads
- Ghacks
- The Houston Chronicle
- See question 1. Have you seen our Wikipedia page concerning shady tactics by our former leadership? We really need money.
Re: Download.com problem
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.
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.
Re: Download.com problem
I don't agree with this part of the conclusion:
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):
I'm pretty sure Softpedia is not bundling anything in their downloads. And I'm sure there are others as well.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.
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):
Re: Download.com problem
- Yep, I read that too... found the whole conundrum so utterly appalling, I immediately forgot all about it...