Comments on: Finding a Better Label for Spyware http://startupware.com/2005/09/10/finding-a-better-label-for-spyware/ Reversing the Model for Spyware Removal Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:53:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: FileTiger http://startupware.com/2005/09/10/finding-a-better-label-for-spyware/#comment-3 FileTiger Sun, 02 Oct 2005 15:17:30 +0000 http://startupware.com/?p=3#comment-3 First, users do expect that clocks and reminders will run all the time. It's our job as programmers to make sure that they know that such things aren't magic; they require autostart entries, so they're startupware. Doesn't mean they're evil. It does mean that a consumer has to think "I have two of those system tray toys. I shouldn't add another." As to doubt, no judgement is made in startupware. It's either autoplaying, or it isn't. Whether it is spyware or not is determined by some mystical analysis of whether the consumer knew what they were NOT reading in the license agreement, and it's a useless determination. First, users do expect that clocks and reminders will run all the time. It’s our job as programmers to make sure that they know that such things aren’t magic; they require autostart entries, so they’re startupware. Doesn’t mean they’re evil. It does mean that a consumer has to think “I have two of those system tray toys. I shouldn’t add another.”

As to doubt, no judgement is made in startupware. It’s either autoplaying, or it isn’t. Whether it is spyware or not is determined by some mystical analysis of whether the consumer knew what they were NOT reading in the license agreement, and it’s a useless determination.

]]> By: Vadim http://startupware.com/2005/09/10/finding-a-better-label-for-spyware/#comment-2 Vadim Sun, 02 Oct 2005 05:43:47 +0000 http://startupware.com/?p=3#comment-2 I just studed the most popular reminders and clocks in CNET. They (being most popular and indeed good) almost all starts without permission. I also produce the program of this kind and when I tried to ask permission my sails dropped down. Users probably lost program. I mean that that criteria should be like in the court. Doubts are in the favour of suspected. Startup by itself cannot be a criteria. Startup by itself is not good or bad. If you infected by a virus any manual program start infects you more. It does not means that we should not start the programs manually. I mean that we should not ask the user the questions that the person cannot understand. We should not repair the thing that is not broken. We should not ask the startup permission just because the program might slowdown computer. If computer indeed slow, here and not earlier is the time to check all startups and uninstall unneeded programs. I mean that anti spyware programs should list startup cleaning as an advanced option and carefully explain to users that startup programs are not bad by itself. By the way, Microsoft AntiSpyware is good example of the startup treating. I just studed the most popular reminders and clocks in CNET. They (being most popular and indeed good) almost all starts without permission. I also produce the program of this kind and when I tried to ask permission my sails dropped down. Users probably lost program.

I mean that that criteria should be like in the court. Doubts are in the favour of suspected.

Startup by itself cannot be a criteria. Startup by itself is not good or bad. If you infected by a virus any manual program start infects you more. It does not means that we should not start the programs manually.

I mean that we should not ask the user the questions that the person cannot understand. We should not repair the thing that is not broken. We should not ask the startup permission just because the program might slowdown computer. If computer indeed slow, here and not earlier is the time to check all startups and uninstall unneeded programs.

I mean that anti spyware programs should list startup cleaning as an advanced option and carefully explain to users that startup programs are not bad by itself. By the way, Microsoft AntiSpyware is good example of the startup treating.

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