New blog post - GOTD to include add along software in every giveaway.

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New blog post - GOTD to include add along software in every giveaway.

(25 posts) (13 voices)

Started 14 years ago by watcher13
Latest reply from watcher13

watcher13
Member

Because blog posts are by nature infrequent, you may not have seen that GOTD has designed to include an add along with every giveaway, at least in the daily section. You might want to check out and, maybe, comment on the blog post. It says GOTD has made a deal with Software Informer to include it's update monitoring software with every giveaway. Apparently, this can stay resident and monitor the web for updates to all your software. It inform you when any software has an available update, even though many softwares already have this feature and updating GOTDs will, usually, unregister the software, anyway.

I'm not sure of the wisdom of this. One poster on the blog said it was an opt out. Hopefully, it's an opt in or can be changed to an opt in. Most veterans here can attest that opt outs in giveaway's infuriate LOTS of people. Also, somebody in the comments section today said they got a hit on the setup from Avira, which a lot of people have, including me. I can't imagine that's because of APLUS Total DVD Ripper. It's almost certainly from Software Informer. That's certainly the fault of Avira's heuristics, but some (maybe a lot of) newbies are just going to run away from the project no matter what we tell them. Also, if it's an opt out, I can see a LOT of people quitting in a huff.

One last thing. Sometimes when I bring up things like this, a lot of very good people respond with "why complain about free stuff" or "it doesn't bother me, so why should anyone else care". When I make these types of criticisms it's because I really like the project and I want to see it survive and THRIVE. What I'm criticizing is business decisions that I'm afraid will drive people away, the SAME as those who criticize critics, thinking complaining will drive people away - which it sometimes does. I'm just afraid that GOTD has a habit of shooting itself in the foot. And this might be another bullet down there. Might make money in the short run, but I wonder about the long run.

You could say, "I'm doing it out of love". (sniff) :)

An update:

The backlog on today's comments section was finally cleared up and there wasn't this huge reaction to Software Informer and to the anti-virus issue. That first part amazes me, because the last couple of times an opt out was bundled in by the developer it caused a FIRESTORM from about a 1/3d of the commenters. And virus hits will sometimes get a "I'm not even going to bother an try it" reaction. Also, I didn't realize Software Informer started yesterday and all was pretty much quiet then, too. Well, good, if I'm wrong about all this, I'm happy. The only thing I'm going to keep an eye on is that many newbies installed optouts without realizing it and then exploded later. I hope that doesn't happen now. Especially if they foolishly try and update a GOTD.

Posted 14 years ago #
LeKanaw
Member

Bonjour Watcher :*)

Boy, you are indeed a "watcher"!! Me Likey - a lot!!
Not much seems to escape you!!

Much thanks for the heads up.
No I had not seen that at all. And probably wouldn't have till was too late!

I agree w you, the Opt-In would indeed make more sense for us the users!
Suppose it makes more sense to them to be a Opt-Out, more fish in the net ...
Darn, one more think to check, to think about, to worry *sigh*
Yap, I can see the newbies screaming too!!!

We use Belarc, SIW & Secunia PSI, dont think we need another one.
I remember Ashraf making a review of these type of updaters some months back.
I'll try find it, see if Software Informer is amongst them.
Do you know anything about this soft?

BTW, no matter what someone said - forgot who - Old brain :-( ... , it was a good idea to post about the KeyMaster sticky. I wouldn't have seen it otherwise! Merci ;-)

Mangoette :D

Posted 14 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Merci, Le Kanaw. I visited your beautiful city, Montreal, once, 30 years ago. Pleasant memory. I'm afraid I know nothing about the software.

Posted 14 years ago #
Idunnobutiwastold
Gaming Acolyte

I have tried a few auto-updaters before now and wasn't impressed because of frequent discrepancies between the actual status of my machine and the logged reports generated by the auto-update programs. In the case of "the Informer", I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt — but I admit that seeing the program in operation is unnerving.

Posted 14 years ago #
watcher13
Member

I should have mentioned, Idunno, Fubar pointed out yesterday's in comments section that Software Informer is appears to be plagued by that, too.

Posted 14 years ago #
Idunnobutiwastold
Gaming Acolyte

Thank you for replying, Watcher. I'm keeping an even closer watch now! (Ouch).

Posted 14 years ago #
RosnSC
Member

There's more info on this software, which btw, was mentioned on their blog, which can be accessed from probably any/every GOTD page. Just fyi - you will notice at the upper right of the Giveaway of the Day page, in big bold blue letters, Giveaway of the Day Project Team's Blog. Right under that it has the following link.

GAOTD teams up with Software Informer

Sue - not trying to be a smart-a$$, or crack on Watcher (now would *I* do that? lol). Sue also saw that same software yesterday evening...Watcher...neener, neener...lol

Posted 14 years ago #
LeKanaw
Member

Salut Watcher :*)

I'm very glad we were good to you & you liked the city ;)

Do you plan to come by again?
If so, please let me know in advance, so we can do something 2geder!
You are not that far away (I think...)

*****************

Yeah, the thing w these critters is most are still in some sort of Beta, even when they aren't. And they are all buggy.
Which is kind of funny, as they are "supposed" to helps us ... HaHaHa

Plus for us GOTDers, having updaters is rather counter productive, oui?
And I have some Last Freeaware Version or OldVersions installed, like SnagIt7, etc that I got through promotions, so one needs to be careful cause the risk is always there to click yes to the upgrades if one is in a hurry or has just ½ a brain like me ;)

Since I wrote the previous post I've been looking, and I don't find PSI installed anymore.
Think Hubby got tired of it and didn't install it when the machine came back from the repair shop.
I'm thinking we are *NOT* going to install Informer!!
Just hope I don't forget to Opt-Out of it.

Peace

Posted 14 years ago #
watcher13
Member

I have to watch myself. I have a habit of posting too much. Don't want to be seen as monopolizing the conversation. But, since you asked, Lexington, KY. About 750 air line miles. Picked up a hitchiker from Montreal in '82 and took him home, but lost track of him and haven't been there since. Check out the Congrats thread. Buckleysmom wants to hang out with you, and she's a LOT closer, and I'm sure she's better company, too. :)

Posted 14 years ago #
LeKanaw
Member

Hi Watcher

You are being silly!!!
There is NO such thing as posting "Too Much"!!!
Furthermore, it compensates for all the times when nobody is around for ages and even the French Bistrot is closed!
Au contraire, you should post more. Then we could have a sword chase or a balloon fight! ArkArkArk

Thanks for BK, hadn't seen it. (You really see everything, donchya!)
I really have to get off the PC - Its too hot & the PC is overheating again - already @ 53°C my Anvir thingy on the tray says.
I dunno why it does this!! Darn!!

See you 2morrow
Mangoette Pirouetting out of here :*)

Posted 14 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Mangoette, I had this problem with my HP. I opened it up and thought, "it's really clean, no dust" but the combination chip and case fan was doing an outstanding job of pulling all the dust into it's heat fins, where you wouldn't see it unless you looked close. Once I blew it out, the temp went down at least 20-30 Farenheit. A real problem because my HP has aggressive overheat protection and kept shutting down. I don't have whole house A/C.

Posted 14 years ago #
Dragonlair
Member

It seems kind of silly for GOTD to be offering something to track updates since the whole purpose of the software here is "No Updates or Technical Support".

Posted 14 years ago #
ibwebb
Member

Once again.. THANK YOU Watcher! I have been very hit n miss on the forum because of some computer issues and hope to be back more often. Yet, I missed all that somehow. I am in complete agreement with you about this being
another shot in the foot" I really think that it has gone more unnoticed than people not caring. Soon it will start popping up on computers and the 'rage' will start in the forum and on the comments. I do not believe that this is a good move for them and mixing it with GOTD continued *cough*'ignore them and it will go away'*cough* attitude towards complaints and I think it is a BAD sign. I mean no disrespect to GOTD on what they give us for free, but I know that I am not the only one (obviously) that has seen the bombardment of "Shut up it's free" or just ignoring it completely. I will be extra careful in what I download and it installation. If indeed that is in there and cannot be stopped before it is installed then I will stick to the wonderful freebies of WhiteRabbit, Wizz, rO, and the other contributors. I at least know that theirs is safe and get a warning if there is a chance of anything other than the game/software.

That'll be my two cents,
ibwebb

Posted 14 years ago #
GMMan, Hexadecimal Blacksmith
Blocked

My comment haven't been approved yet, I'm not sure if they've seen it, but one of the things I said was that there should be a "Never, ever ask me again" button. I don't like bundled software very much and I think this is to get GAOTD some quick money (which they more than likely need). But this practice is all too common. When I install Shockwave, there's a bundled app. When I update Java, there's one. When I install WinAMP, there's a lot... We just don't need any more! And this is even worse: it's every day! I haven't checked if the Giveaway wrapper checks if Software Informer is installed. I hope it does.

IMO this is a bad idea. In return for a little bit of cash, every single GAOTD user is going to see the prompt when they activate a new piece of software. It's definitely going to get annoying fast.

And my AV complains about it. On a sidenote, they've finally updated the version and year number. However, I don't think I'd want to label the bundled installer as a new feature of 1.0.

Posted 14 years ago #
Tizz
Member

Hi, watcher13,

Like you, I've been surprised since I noticed the blog post a couple of days ago that nobody seems bothered or has responded. It's certainly a no-no for me.

Tizz

Posted 14 years ago #
Ashraf
Member

To play devils advocate... GOTD could be blocking most/all of the comments complaining about the new Software Informer thing. I mean this is different than people lashing out for a virus/malware detection in one GOTD; this is in every GOTD and it concerns a big business deal instead of just one giveaway.

Posted 14 years ago #
RosnSC
Member

I just checked the GAOTD teams up with Software Informer thread on the GOTD Team's Blog, and there are 7 comments posted there. I didn't take the time to read them, but just wanted to see if and how many folks are posting there.

Sue

Posted 14 years ago #
Buck
Member

I made two comments (still shown as #4 and #7 to me), and they're both stuck in "awaiting moderation", even though comments made afterwards by others were approved. They weren't flames or trolls either.

Posted 14 years ago #
Robert
StrayCat

The GOTD crew has made a wise decision to change the software wrapper.
People now have a clear option whether to install ’software informer’ or not by means of a button.
End of discussion,I suppose…

Posted 14 years ago #
thenameipicked
Member

This is much better, but GMMAN still has a point. There needs to be a "Never, ever" button

Posted 14 years ago #
HOSS
Member

I can see where this is could to be a big hassle. If you have the 'informer' and you forget which programs you got from GOTD and update it, it will revert to a trial version and then it is gone, unless you purchase it. (hey, maybe that's the goal.. nah, they wouldn't do that)

It doesn't make sense for GOTD to offer a software that they know will cause problems for software downloaded from here. And to make it an 'opt out' is even more questionable.

So I guess we just need to be on our toes and make sure we 'untick' that option every time we download something. I can't see very many people wanting this software.

BTW, I just checked and there is still only 7 comments on the Team's blog and it is 2 days later.

Posted 14 years ago #
ibwebb
Member

I know that the money issue has come up a few times (here and in other areas). I am sure that this IS some issue with all of this. I even remember seeing a few times where GOTD has mentioned that if you have some connection/knowledge of potential software that could become one of the giveaways to send them their (GOTD) way. Now, I am not saying that I am 'connected' in any way, but each time that I have thought about even trying to get in contact with ANY software makers/programmers I think back to a few issues that keep coming up. Most of the staff doesn't respond to PMs or even direct questions on the forum to them. Also, most of these companies that you try to contact (yes, I have tried a few) come back with "What connection are you to them?" or "What authority do you have to talk to us?" As we all know the answer to these is nothing they want to hear. So, you are left with being blown off or have them contact us if they are really interested. Then it is dead in the water.

I wonder how many REALLY know what GOTD is. Before I started coming here I thought is was just another site that has a bunch of freebie browser type games or similar to Yahoo games or the likes. I am not sure how it should be done, but perhaps GOTD should make some type of form letter or something that we can send to these software people. I would think that if some of these companies would get several of the letters from different frequenters here that it might show that there is valuable information to be received here and influence them to try it. Not to say that we bombard them with hundreds of us sending them, but several properly informative letters about what is offered; might be more powerful than word of mouth in this instance. I hope this all makes some sense. I feel like I have more rambled than gotten my point across. Just this may bring them the needed income instead of resorting to something that might drive away the reviewers. At some point 'free' isn't as appealing when the hidden cost rears it's ugly head.

ibwebb

Posted 14 years ago #
ibwebb
Member

ADDITION: I know I am behind a bit still, but wanted to add to what I have above after reading some other things that I had opened in other tabs. With the addition of Whiterabbit and Wizzard I think/hope that a lot on the forums might run smoother. TBH I have a more positive feeling that thing might not continue with the past 'ignore it and it will go away' as we have seen with some concerns in the past.

ibwebb

Posted 14 years ago #
watcher13
Member

As far as the money issue, I've probably been unclear. I don't have a big problem with Software Informer. I just believe anything like this should be an opt in. Let's be honest. The WHOLE purpose of an opt out is to catch people napping and get the software installed without people being aware of it. Technically, it's not a trojan and it's not malware. But it's purpose is to get onto your computer regardless of whether YOU want it there or not, like the payload of a trojan. Sure, you can blame the user, but what does that say about the company? What does it say about the amount of confidence in their software and amount of respect for users if they feel they must try and keep a low profile.

This situation is a little different. This is a money making agreement between GOTD and a developer. But GOTD has elected to use an opt out and subject itself to any negative connotations that opt out's have earned. All I'm saying is it really should be an opt in.

Posted 14 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Someone in the blog post on this said that GOTD has changed the notification so that it's clearer now. Probably when they changed the wrapper yesterday because of the false virus postitves. What exactly that means, I don't know. I haven't had any reason to download in a while. I wouldn't mind if someone could clafiry what the process is now. Maybe GOTD now has a method which people will find reasonalby tolerable.

Ibwebb, have you considered sending them an e-mail with a link. I heard one report that said the average download is well into the thousands.

Posted 14 years ago #

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