Rob Glaser Leaving RealNetworks; A Chance To Reflect On How Being Anti-Consumer Fails In The Long Run
from the malware-galore dept
Lots of folks are talking about the news that RealNetworks founder and longtime CEO, Rob Glaser, is stepping down from the job (though will remain chairman, but without day-to-day operational activities). While several people are pointing out what everyone knows (that RealNetworks has basically disappeared off the online audio/visual map despite dominating the field in the 90s), there hasn't been a huge discussion on why. Some have suggested that Real just "missed the boat" with things like MP3s and YouTube video -- and there's something to that. But a bigger issue may be that so many people absolutely hate RealNetworks because of its long history of spreading adware through really sneaky and nasty installation techniques that hid the (checked off) approval buttons. It reached a point that lots of people never wanted to have anything to do with Real ever again. It should be a lesson for plenty of companies that look at short term profits over providing the best overall experience for users.Filed Under: adware, rob glaser
Companies: realnetworks
