Viewpoint is NOT spyware or adware. You guys have gone overboard. You can disable the VMP from contacting Viewpoint (updating itself) by going in your control panel, double-clicking Viewpoint, and tell it not to auto-update their software! (Something I don't recommend.) It will no longer send any info over the internet unless you are viewing 3D Viewpoint media, flash or video through their player.
Viewpoint (VMP) is a key component of AOL (I've beta tested AOL for 10 years) and AIM. It's the tech. behind AOL 3D SuperBuddies, Adobe Atmosphere, Sony's 3D product models, Ford, Dodge, Toyota and many others. It is totally harmless, and works like all other media players.
AOL, AIM, Adobe and others include the player because their software won't work without it. All data sent to the player is completely anonymous, and there is no way for Viewpoint to gather any info on you.
From
http://www.liutilities.com: ViewMgr.exe is responsible for managing/updating (VMP)’s components. Similar to Flash, Quicktime, etc. Security Risk (0-5): 0
Read article:
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintas...ibrary/ViewMgr/AOL doesn't want to install spyware on your computer, it would be bad for their buisness. AOL 9.0 scans for spyware because its what their customers want: clean PCs. They wouldn't start installing spyware because it would hurt them if they did. Sorry, but you guys are mostly just spreading ill-informed rumors.
Viewpoint used to be Metacreations, makers of 3D and photo programs such as Bryce, Poser, RayDream Studio, Carrara, Kai's Power tools, Painter, and much more. Viewpoint used to be called Metastream: a very cool way to view 3D content on the web. They changed the name to Viewpoint to concentrate on 3D content for the web, and sold off their software products to Corel, Curious software, Adobe and others. I've always loved their cool 3D products and even 3D models on the web. They have some of the most realistic rendering I've seen, and what was very inexpensive software.
This whole forum is just a bunch of rumors about a very useful and cool program. It's time to shut this thread down. Visit
http://www.viewpoint.com and see what neat 3D models and interactive media they create. It's the coolest stuff on the web!
Best,
-Zaphod