Download.com Now Wraps Downloads In Bloatware

MrSeb writes "At Download.com, page designs have been repeatedly tweaked over the years to push its updater software (now called TechTracker), TrialPay offers, and the site's mailing list. Bothersome, perhaps, but certainly not inexcusable. They've got to make money off the site somehow, after all, and banner ads don't always do the job. Now, things have taken a turn for the worse: Cnet has begun wrapping downloads in its own proprietary installer. Not only will this cause the reputation of free, legitimate software to be tarred by Cnet's bloatware toolbars, homepage changes, and new default search engines — but Cnet is even claiming that their installer wrapping is 'for the users.'"

Re:Wow, when you can't trust CNET

[larry bagina]

Use sourceforge. You can just download the code, review it, and compile it yourself with proper optimization and architecture flags.

Re:Wow, when you can't trust CNET

[russotto]

Hell, even reputable companies are doing this. I see it all the time. We wind up cleaning off "Ask Toolbar" and other sorts of shitty crapware all the time, and it wandered in as a tagalong with Adobe Reader and Java updates!

OK, so that's Adobe and Oracle... what were the reputable companies doing this?

Re:No problem for non-idiots. From the CNET FAQ...

[Anonymous Coward]

Right under the main "Download Now" button is the direct HTTP download URL which registered CNET members can access.

So I need to register with them to bypass their installer? Oh great... :(

Re:Driving users to the App Store

[Capt.DrumkenBum]

Who you callin' a "Spade"?!?
Damn, racists are everywhere.

Re:Wow, when you can't trust CNET

[NevarMore]

Well, Google does it with their toolbar for IE, Google Desktop Search and Chrome. I think most slashdotters think Google as somewhat reputable company.

Well thats just rude. How dare Google install a toolbar when I download the Google Toolbar for IE!

Re:Wow, when you can't trust CNET

[blair1q]

No, and he'll be done reviewing Netscape Navigator 4.0 and installing it next week.

Re:Wow, when you can't trust CNET

[stfvon007]

Press "Power" on your remote now to install the "MyCleanTV" app!

Re:Wow, when you can't trust CNET

[Arancaytar]

I wish I'd gotten that far; I'm still not even halfway through the gcc source. :P

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:A Software Author's Perspective

[advocate_one]

you were lucky... I had to fake my death to escape from Reader's Digest...