nsane.forums Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Download.com now bundles other companies software in their own, proprietary installer and attempts to install toolbars during setup. Even worse, they know it's wrong.If you're looking for a sure fire way to turn away your users, all you need to do is wrap other organizations' software in bloatware before letting users install it. CNet did exactly this with it's Download.com site, now forcing users to download their installer to install software. Extreme Tech reports that Download.com now wraps most (soon to be all) downloads in a proprietary installer, that attempts to install a few toolbars and change your search defaults. The sites page design changes over the years have become increasingly obvious attempts to trick users into downloading their update software (dubbed "TechTracker") as well as Trialpay deals and their mail lists. The company even went as far as changing their Terms of Service, as most developers disallow their software to be repackaged for distribution. Now, the company states that "if you let them mirror your files you're giving them free reign." The site used to be the one stop destination for downloading files, but moves like this could cause their traffic to fall dramatically. Apparently, the company even knows they're doing something wrong, with a FAQ on the Upload.com help center stating that "CNET Download.com is making this change [because of] the same reason you have your applications on Download.com – for the users." The bundled software is opt-in, and even includes Microsoft Bing toolbar and changes browser settings to default to Bing.com for the homepage and search. If you want to give it a whirl, you can download VLC (Open Source, by the way) with CNet's "help" here. View: Original Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator DKT27 Posted August 23, 2011 Administrator Share Posted August 23, 2011 Finally an article on it. Saw this some time ago. Thought it would be stopped with user feedback. But now, I don't think I'll ever download anything from them. I heard they are hit hard by adblockers, but this isn't the right way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olexijl Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Yep. I do not download something from them usually but i tried and i for sure never will visit the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majithia23 Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 the article is late ....i experienced it 2 days back when downloading key scrambler and it was enough for me to delete the CNet bookmark ... ( used to use the site for tech news and reviews ... )fail --- :thumbsdown:( just wonder , why the F!!K do they need to do it ..... ! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodel Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Not only have they wrapped it in some kind of dubious package installer, but the wrapper appears to auto unpack and put a shortcut on your desktop, to enable you to run it.Not a wise move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atasas Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Greed! :frusty:They where reputable bunch... :thumbsdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shought Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 To be honest I never 'really' liked their site... (I avoided it in my search results as much as possible.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atasas Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Old starting days- was one of favs of mine... and even recently did try them for some tool listings, as they had good directory well organized of freeware stuff, once such come out- nevah! :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator DKT27 Posted August 23, 2011 Administrator Share Posted August 23, 2011 They had introduced this "feature" about a month ago. But they mentioned they were going to allow direct links for a month or so. Even their download blog now is nothing more than cheap crapple apps and games. News, well I still like to read cnet's news but not up to the mark and worth posting anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anuraag Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I don't use download.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonar Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 never used it never will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Husen Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Members of the Nsane fraternity should not have the need to use Download.com - that's Nsane.:lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tysroby Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 And don't forget: download.com is the worst place to get the software from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polgaso Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Not only have they wrapped it in some kind of dubious package installer, but the wrapper appears to auto unpack and put a shortcut on your desktop, to enable you to run it.Not a wise move.yeah. this :rolleyes: is crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety.Abd Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 So today I were about download 'Driver Sweeper' from Download.com, and then I noticed the downloader being downloaded instead, at that I cancelled the download immediately. I don't plan to visit that site any time again, I hate the websites who do that. I've got better websites: nsane.down, filehippo, and softpedia :)I don't think if anyone uses download.com now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.