averagedude
join:2002-01-30
Mesa, AZ
 ·Cox HSI
| Know it when I see it
Didn't a famous person once say something to the effect of - I can't define it, but I know it when I see it.
Isn't this similar?
Are we not all held hostage by EULA? Example, we don't own what we just purchased - thus enforcing the ability to "spy" legally.
What about bundling something we want with something we don't want. Here are a couple of samples to fix first:
How about breaking each one out.
Change all legal text in to simple English.
No reporting back to a "server" with out expressed consent.
No automatic op-in. |
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petecellar
join:2002-10-15
Philadelphia, PA
| said by averagedude  :
Change all legal text in to simple English.
No reporting back to a "server" with out expressed consent.
No automatic op-in.
I like that criteria.
My sentiments exactly. |
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koveman
join:2002-01-23
Phoenix, AZ
| All software should also be required to have a complete working uninstall routine. This should scrub the registry, install folder and any related files or cookies. Legitimate software companies should have no problem with that. I'm particularly miffed by what these programs do to the registry. Complete cleanup takes forever if done manually. The second I click uninstall I want that software to be dead. |
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flex5e
Volvo Fever
join:2003-06-24
UK
clubs:
| reply to averagedude
said by averagedude :
Change all legal text in to simple English.
No reporting back to a "server" with out expressed consent.
No automatic op-in.
You're bang on the money there, but there is another major one...
Two buttons saying:
"Do you wish to install gator? YES or NO" |
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applelover
Premium
join:2002-04-15
Commerce City, CO
| said by flex5e :
Two buttons saying:
"Do you wish to install gator? YES or NO"
Better yet.
Two buttons saying:
NO and HELL NO
--
Keep it pithy, if you wish to opine. |
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Minvaren
Premium
join:2001-07-26
Houston, TX
clubs: | reply to koveman
quote:
I'm particularly miffed by what these programs do to the registry. Complete cleanup takes forever if done manually.
Ever tried to uninstall a Symantec product, or MS Office? Hoooo-boy. |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to koveman
said by koveman :
All software should also be required to have a complete working uninstall routine.
So it'd be illegal to give away software unless it (a) had an uninstall routine, (b) had no bugs in the uninstall routine?
Requirement (a) would prevent me from running a whole bunch of useful utilities, for example from these guys who write top-notch code. Unfortunately it doesn't come with either an install or uninstall routine. I don't care, but you're proposing to make them into criminals? |
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averagedude
join:2002-01-30
Mesa, AZ
1 edit | Obviously, NO. "These guys" are up front about what their stuff is. What I think they are talking about is clandestine, covert, deceptive, and malicious coding, NOT the stuff that "these guys" are producing.
By the way, great link! |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to averagedude
The challenge, of course, is to write a law that can appropriately distinguish between good guys and bad guys.
When getting software from the likes of sysinternals, you'll probably read something somewhere that says you're willingly assuming the risk.
When getting software from scumbags, you'll probably find there's an equivalent 'I agree' button somewhere.
The difference, of course, is intent - the scum try to hide knowledge of what you're agreeing to. But intent is tricky to codify. |
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