Where Are The People Who Like Adware?
from the they-do-exist dept
It's likely to be surprising to most readers here, but there actually are some people who like some forms of adware. A few years ago, someone I know asked me for some help in fixing his computer. On it, I found Gator, the notorious spyware program, and said I'd remove it -- to which I was told not to, because this person said he actually liked it. Yes, my jaw hit the floor, but it appears that at least a few people do like what adware gives them, but the question can go much deeper: is there any kind of adware that would ever be worthwhile? It's quite likely that, for many, the answer is no -- but, again, it's important to separate out the surreptitious install issue from the adware itself. It's often the sneaky installs that are the real problem with adware. Of course, it seems quite likely that even if some people are willing to put adware on their computer, their numbers are quite small, and unlikely to be enough for anyone to create a real, sustainable business.
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EVERYONE uses adware
Well, yes, if you discount Google. Arguably the most influential player out there in the techsphere at the moment.
I hate GATOR as much as the next person, but many adwares are useful. e.g. for some reason FileZilla was not happy on my machine, I needed an FTP client, I wasn't prepared to pay for one, when I could make one in a day. So I downloaded an openly adware tool. It was excellent. Yes the 5 second pause while it flashed its adverts was a little annoying, but well worth the money I didn't spend on buying it. The problem with adware is ALL down to the unscrupulous means by which some developers try to get their ads on your machine. And the lack of concern they have for users trying to remove their evil creations. It is certainly the majority how are honest, but we notice the bad guys more.
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Re: EVERYONE uses adware
I also don't know how you can lump Google into the adware field. Where is the ad bar that is a part of any of its offerings? Where is the popups that randomely come up because you have downloaded some of Google's programs? Google does have ads on "web" pages, but that is not the same, IMHO, as adware supported programs.
In my definition above (and in reply to ther posts), that does include Opera's previous adware supported browser- it included the ad bar that through ads at you. That is why I would never have used Opera. Now I use Avant Browser (IE wrapper) where I can kill popups and prevent ads in webpages.
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Re: EVERYONE uses adware
That seems to be a pretty idiotic assessment. Opera allows (and has done so for some time) the ability to block popups and uses targeted ads from google for the ad bar. The ad bar was small and unobtrusive. I have used Opera for years and haven't ever noticed the ads or had them get in my way. You may label Opera adware if you wish, but that doesn't make it bad. Opera is a feature rich, screaming fast browser. If you really 'would never have used' it simply because of a small ad bar then you have made bad decisions.
Your decision to use (or not use) a product should be based on the functionality of that product, not some perceived notion that 'all adware is bad'.
When most people think of adware, they think of intrusive advertising that prevents or delays your use of the application until you do something (that something may simply be looking at an ad). This type of adware is more annoying, but not inherently evil. If the app does what it says and nothing more (i.e. spyware) and you agree to it, what's wrong with it?
-Mike
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Re: EVERYONE uses adware
Look at AOL Instant Messenger... People use that all the time, and accept the ad's
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adware
its great, used it for years and never got a virus from it.
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Re: adware
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Re: adware
Until recently, the free version of Opera was indeed adware. Not a virus, nor spyware mind you, but adware.
In other words, it was sponsored by ADS, there was an ad window on the upper right that displayed ads retrieved by the Opera browser and that was a condition of your use of the free product. Purchasing a registration code eliminated the window. It is only recently that they removed it.
Opera was a great product, still is, been using it since version 5, until I switched to Mozilla a few months ago. However, its still adware.
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Xware
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Opera is ad SUPPORTED software
To me, adware is something like those browser search bars that deliver search results from the bar's advertisers, or browser helpers that deliver pop-up ads that are vaguely related to the page you're on.
(why is there an ad for a vacuum cleaner on my screen?) oh, tech DIRT)
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Re: Opera WAS ad supported software
According to Wikipedia the definition of adware is:
Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
Opera was Adware, and those browser components you're referring to are also Adware. I don't have a huge problem with adware. (I don't use it, but with opera as the example, I don't have a huge problem with it.) It's spyware I have a problem with.
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Re: Opera WAS ad supported software
Adware is *additional* software, whose only purpose is to throw up ads. It usually comes bundled.
Ad-supported software is software that has advertising built into it, but is used for another purpose (IM, browser, etc.).
Not that hard a line to draw, is it?
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Re: Opera WAS ad supported software
> Not that hard a line to draw, is it?
Not hard, but pretty arbitrary. I'd tend to say that adware is software which is supported by ads, and that in itself doesn't imply that it does anything sneaky. Thus, Opera is honest adware and Gator and the like are sneaky evil adware.
Some days it seems like most disagreements on the net are about definitions, rather than the issues behind them.
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Re: Opera WAS ad supported software
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Adware sucks
~End
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No Subject Given
- Actualy thats not surprising at all. My girlfriend use to love gator stuff. Tip: dont delete girlfriend spyware without asking.
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Re: No Subject Given
- Tip: dont delete "girlfriend's" spyware without asking.
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the marketing and sales people like adware
the marketing and sales people who purchase the adware companies' services.
If it didn't bring them income they wouldn't suport it.
But is does, and they do.
I mean come on folks, we aren't handing our money over to them fast enough
and in large enough quantities to suit them, so that HAVE to do something!
Remember, it's not our income, it's thiers, and we owe it to them.
Now be a good little robot and install adware on your PC, and proceed to make them rich.
It's your duty as a consumer, er I mean citizen.
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Re: the marketing and sales people like adware
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Re: the marketing and sales people like adware
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Never mind people who like adware
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Can ADWARE can lead to SPAM by way of SPYWARE ??
How would it violate privacy laws? Spam senders don't ask your permission to mail you stuff in the first place - they obviously received your address from "some sort" of "public record"... unless ofcorse *THEY* had acquired YOUR address by violating those privacy policies in the first place.
Example, I have two email addresses in hotmail. one I use to purchase stuff online with. the other i use to communicate with my friends and family. which do you think gets more "unsolicited" spam? you are correct if you choose the first of the two -- and this is because at some point during me purchasing items with that email addy, the vendor shared his listings with other vendors -- not all websites [requiring a login] that share email addresses provide an option in their signup pages to deny/ask your permission to share your information.
And then there is the discussion of "email sniffers" - is it too far off to believe that some adware clients actually grab you email addresses (or keylog) your actions and mail them around the world to other vendors -- "other", meaning vendors that you had not originally signed a "download" or "sign up" contract with.
Happy user.
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