A huge blow to Messenger Plus!

By Sean B.
in Back Page News

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Grand Master

Denis W. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
And as far the sponsorware, seems stupid what some antispyware programs say are ok or not, as the Plus! sponsorware in my opinion, is no different than installing MSN Toolbar or Google Toolbar, etc. etc.

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Ahh, but there's a thin line between toolbars that can be installed WITH YOUR BLOODY PERMISSION, and ones that aren't. In Messenger Plus's case, technically you're giving it permission to install the spyware (ahem, I'm not calling it a 'sponsor.' alright?), even if you're too stupid to click on anything with the words 'agree', 'ok' and 'next'. After all, you get the same consequences as clicking on anything you see in Internet Explorer, especially those ****ing ads.

On the topic of toolbars, maybe people should bitch at why the option to install MSN Toolbar is checked BY DEFAULT in the MSN Messenger setup. (Not to mention the option to make msn.com your home page, even though my homepage is msn.ca) At least in Messenger Plus you get enough warnings.

Proficient

DarkCircuit

Posted
Posted
Sign the Petition to have your say: http://www.petitiononline.com/msgplus/

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Patch, just a quick question.

How did you feel about that last beta leak of Plus!, .. and were you really bothered that much by it? BTW how did it get leaked?

BTW: That petition is the most stupid thing Ive ever seen.

No names, emails, only 19 clicks, ... and do you honestly think thats going to get Microsofts attention? Lol.

Proficient

DarkCircuit

Posted
Posted
I heard that Patcho was in talks with Microsoft and he was considering getting rid of the sponsor program and adding the MSN Toolbar in replacement. Since I heard that tho, I have not heard anything else

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Where did you hear that? Your mind?

Enthusiast

Patchou

Posted
Posted
Patch, just a quick question.

How did you feel about that last beta leak of Plus!, .. and were you really bothered that much by it? BTW how did it get leaked?

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It did bother me a lot yeah, simply because this version is not ready yet and has some important bugs. If it's being distributed too widely (doesn't seem to be the case so far) then more people will complain more about problems associated with it and think things like the tabbed chats feature are final when they are not.

It got leaked the same old fashion way. A tester sent it to a friend, who sent it to a friend, who sent it to a friend who didn't care to understand the damage it could produce. Future beta versions will be tagged to trace leakers more efficiently but for now, this non-sense with MS Anti-Spyware has the priority.

Community Regular

Norante

Posted
Posted

I don't mean to flame and I know a lot of people love the program, but I personally think it's a piece of bloated crap. I only tried it once, and although I do not remember the version, it had no clear warning on the install process about the spyware/adware/sugar-coat-as-you-like-**** included with it. I was royally ****ed and never touched it again.

Now despite my personal opinion, this decision by Microsoft will certainly affect the end-user that knows little of what is going on the PC and trust the program to detect threats. On the other hand, these same users are more likely to install the spyware included on MessengerPlus! without noticing.

To me, any app that included apyware in anyway must be reported for the end user. If it's the end user option to keep it on the PC or not, despite the install options, then oh well.

One more thing... if people love Patchou's work so much, why don't he set up a donation system and takes off the spyware options from the installer?

Experienced

Gulfisland

Posted
Posted
No it does not. It installs a toolbar on IE, adds a few favorities, and gives random popups. That is not totaly screwing up your system...

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dude are you on crack????

WTF are you saying, that spyware that comes with crap software that slows your system down. I hate mssnger plus, it sucks bit time...

all you really need is a simple ad blocker.. messenger is ok without all that crap anyways

Mentor

greg098

Posted
Posted

I do agree with some of the above posts. A lot of ppl do not know how to use computers and when installing a program, most people would click on ACCEPT (because mostly all programs u click accept to install it) so it is a bit tricky. They should read it first, but how many ppl honestly do? I think Patcho should take away the sponsor program, BUT add a donation feature. Like ask people to donate something after u install like, like Bit Torrent. It would be a lot easier.

Grand Master

Denis W. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
messenger plus sucks there is no reason to have a VERY tricky wording that only the LEET know about to avoid SPYWARE... I say ban it... how many pop ups does the messenger page have.. 10+ ???  total crap

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Uh huh. I don't need you to use the word 'suck' in TWO posts. :argh::

I don't think it's the '1337' that can avoid spyware. Instead I think it's the 'r374rd3d idi075' that cannot understand these points:

1) The next button IS DISABLED for three or so seconds, and a big ass warning is right there, under the directory selection page. Now for those who click next, next, and next, I think they should get the message when they cannot click this Next button.

2) An image is right there of what you're gonna install.

3) Neither the 'I agree' or 'I disagree' radio buttons are checked.

4) No tricky wording is there. The toolbar's license agreement is there, but even the dumbest user should be aware they're installing a toolbar by realizing THERE IS A ****ING screenshot of the toolbar on the installer page.

And about the popups, WTF?

And ban?:boo:: I would rather ban these uneducated idiots clicking on everything they see on their screen from using such software, but that's pushing it.

I could understand if you're ranting from previous experiences, as I believe Plus! used to NOT automatically disable the next button and give you a warning, but things have changed.

Proficient

DarkCircuit

Posted
Posted

Im sorry to see that Patch is having problems with people keeping his betas under wraps ...

So, ... I decided to ask him if I could test for him.

Here is my reply. :laugh:

lol, I'm really sorry about that. When the beta downloads will be more secure, I'll accept new applications. At that time, just mail me at [email protected] .

And here is part of my response.

Will do.

I am testing your betas anyway. I just wanted it to be official. Lol!

It is actually sad when tursted beta testers go and leak stuff to the public before the product is ready. The end user then ends up installing it, mucking up his system, removing the beta, starting a thread on NeoWin about how bad the program sucks, and all for what? Because you can't just test the thing like you were entrusted to do, and let the developer decided when it's right.

It would be like seeing all the rough cuts of your fave sound track, or movie and listening to them for a long time, then spreading the word about how RAW it was.

Sorry to hear about that Patch.

As for the MS problem, I think a trip to MS, and talks with reps there should honestly clear a lot of that up. However, why did you chose to go with that particular spyware advertiser? Just currious. I mean, the software bundler HAs caused a lot of problems for a lot of people. Me included. Once it seemed to self replicate, and took Hitman Pro 2 just to get rid of the damn thing.

As far as having MS block Plus!, ... I think there are so many programs out there that are packaged like yours but actually DO cause harm, that its hard for an anti-spyware program to pick and choose the good guys from the bad. Can you imagine the liability? rant rant ...

:rolleyes:

Enthusiast

linx05

Posted
Posted
As for the MS problem, I think a trip to MS, and talks with reps there should honestly clear a lot of that up. However, why did you chose to go with that particular spyware advertiser? Just currious. I mean, the software bundler HAs caused a lot of problems for a lot of people. Me included. Once it seemed to self replicate, and took Hitman Pro 2 just to get rid of the damn thing.

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You did it the hard way.

How to uninstall ad-ware/sponsor

And for everyone who looks at this thread, it is Adware (A trimmed down version). Not spyware.

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