(no subject)

[trinityvixen]

Convince me not to worry about this, please?

I don't understand entirely what this thing is in the first place, and second off, why would anyone download anything voluntarily because it promised only to let 'good' adware onto their computer?

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GOOD ADWARE.

Adware sucks memory, which just plain sucks. I understand some people downloading this whatever program so they can avoid malicious adware/spyware (I am skeptical as to how this program can do that), but what they're not recognizing is that downloading it is giving permission for adware from the 'approved' lists that will include all of the annoying ad companies (if they're smart enough to get on the lists, which, let's face it, they probably will be). Idiots who think this will protect them are going to still be saddled with adware, and it'll be all above board because, in downloading and using the program, they'll permit the 'good' adware companies to track their interent usage. Disgusting.

Comments

[arcane-the-sage.livejournal.com]

I say don't worry about this. It's just a gimmick. One of many. In the end it won't make much of a difference and things will pretty much stay the same.

[hslayer.livejournal.com]

You don't need to worry about it. There is such a thing as good adware, it's just that the model that fits that standard is pretty much never used today. An example would be a program that displays ads in a subwindow, only when the program itself is running. Most paid software distributed for free under a "nagware" model (WinZip, ACDSee) would count - it's advertising for itself.

Right now companies that bundle adware do NOT have to disclose that they do so (and often the EULA simply absolves them of any form of liability, and users can be left not even knowing where the ads are coming from) and do NOT have to inform users of (or even provide) uninstall mechanisms. These will be two major steps forward. If you don't want the ads, don't install (or uninstall) the program.

Nothing's free, after all. Microsoft can provide "free" copies of Internet Explorer or Media Player because it leads them to other revenue streams (via semi-monopolization of the browser/media markets). Smaller competitors cannot do that. Responsibly-employed advertising (removable by uninstallation, and most likely also by paying for the software) can allow smaller competitors to grab pieces of the leech market and still see some return on investment. TV, radio, and print have been doing it for decades in a fairly responsible manner. These guidelines (note that one major backer IS a consumer-advocacy group) should lead users to the same option on PCs that they have with traditional media: if you don't like the number of ads, switch to another program.

[fairest.livejournal.com]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GOOD ADWARE

I read that as THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GOODAWARE" and was reminded of last night's Lost conversation. :-)

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

::laughs::

Oh, replay that here again? I don't do it right.

[fairest.livejournal.com]

Can't, sorry--spoilers. :-)