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Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

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Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#11

Post by darklajid »

That's the lowest possible way to make money: Sneaking by and behind the back of your users.

If you feel you're entitled to more money, make me pay more for your product. Ask me to donate. Strip away features unless I go 'pro'.

But never ever install crap that isn't even related to your product.

Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't install that software on your families (like, the wider network - parents, siblings, grandparents) machines while supporting them, don't install it on MY machine either.

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#12

Post by redthrowaway »

[deleted] wrote: post #2

[deleted]

>Whether your moral compass disagrees with this or not, it's a legitimate business

My mother's proliferation of "helpful" toolbars in FF says otherwise. Whichever way you slice it, this is simply a way to prey on uninformed users and shittify their experience. Sure, there's a demand for it. That doesn't make it right.

>I'm sure they do everything to ensure the bloatware is just that, and not malware.

Well that's a giant relief. So InstallMonetizer is only selling your IP and MAC (!) to advertisers, instead of selling your CC number to the Russian mob. Cheers to small victories.

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#13

Post by darklajid »

alanctgardner2 wrote: post #10

Likely they got funded because they have a real way to make money! Unlike whoever offers the next airbnb for dogs. From an ethical standpoint, better the devil you know? Windows freeware developers deserve some compensation for their work, and this seems less scuzzy than other drive-by downloaders. If it became widespread it might break out of the user-exploitation ghetto and pick up real, actually synergistic softwa…

No, Windows freeware developers offer their software for free. Their choice. If they agree that they 'deserve some compensation' for their work, they should sell it.

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#14

Post by longzheng »

btipling wrote: post #6

Winzip and Nero use the Ask Partner Network (I used to work there on the Ask Toolbar) to monetize their free software, so that is probably where that first email came from. http://apn.ask.com/ There's also conduit: http://toolbar.conduit.com/

It wasn't Ask or Conduit. It was actually a company I had trusted. That is before I received their email...

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#15

Post by tomp »

alanctgardner2 wrote: post #10

Likely they got funded because they have a real way to make money! Unlike whoever offers the next airbnb for dogs. From an ethical standpoint, better the devil you know? Windows freeware developers deserve some compensation for their work, and this seems less scuzzy than other drive-by downloaders. If it became widespread it might break out of the user-exploitation ghetto and pick up real, actually synergistic softwa…

You mean synergistically spying on you, calling home from your IP and sharing information about the software installed on your PC?

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#16

Post by swies »

Y Combinator also funded our solution to crapware.

http://ninite.com

Basically we automate multiple installers and decline toolbars just like you would.

Users range from the nontechnical to NASA. We even have a huge blind user base because these installers are frequently hell to navigate with a screenreader.

We make money selling a Pro version with extra features to businesses and school IT departments. It works well and aligns us nicely with our users' interests.

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#17

Post by alanctgardner2 »

speeder wrote: post #8
Kliment wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is malware. It is immoral and evil. "Legitimate business" is just bullshit speak for "nobody lobbied to make it illegal".

Exactly. It is like the Aaron case, what the prosecutor did was perfectly legal too and also actually normal in US justice system.

Can we cut this shit out? I know it's the inevitable Godwin's Lawification of a recent tragedy, but I thought HN was better than exploiting Aarons death to support every random negative view of the legal system. His death has nothing to do with spam applications

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#18

Post by btipling »

longzheng wrote: post #14
btipling wrote: post #6

Winzip and Nero use the Ask Partner Network (I used to work there on the Ask Toolbar) to monetize their free software, so that is probably where that first email came from. http://apn.ask.com/ There's also conduit: http://toolbar.conduit.com/

It wasn't Ask or Conduit. It was actually a company I had trusted. That is before I received their email...

Oh looks like they both install the AVG toolbar now, wow, I didn't know AVG had a program like that:

http://www.avg.com/ww-en/reseller

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#19

Post by coderdude »

Bundling third-party software with installers already happens and will continue to happen whether this company exists or not.

If they can improve upon that experience somehow:

- Reviewing the software before allowing it to be bundled and weeding out the bad eggs.

- Adding user reviews inline with the list of software to install.

...then there's a possibility that they can make this a pleasant, legitimate experience for people.

Re: Y Combinator is funding the future of spam in Windows

#20

Post by alanctgardner2 »

darklajid wrote: post #13
alanctgardner2 wrote: post #10

Likely they got funded because they have a real way to make money! Unlike whoever offers the next airbnb for dogs. From an ethical standpoint, better the devil you know? Windows freeware developers deserve some compensation for their work, and this seems less scuzzy than other drive-by downloaders. If it became widespread it might break out of the user-exploitation ghetto and pick up real, actually synergistic softwa…

No, Windows freeware developers offer their software for free. Their choice. If they agree that they 'deserve some compensation' for their work, they should sell it.

Why does Gittip exist then? It's funny that some developers should be compensated for the positive externalities of their work, but only the ones you deem appropriate. Working with this company would be choosing to 'sell' your work in a more accessible way. If you don't like it, don't install the bundled software and mail the dev a dollar
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