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What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#61

Post by ericd »

niggler wrote: post #52
jiggy2011 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, I always feel these "choices" are like being sold an extended warranty. It's presented as a choice but is "strongly recommended", non tech savvy users are likely not sure what "recommended" means in this context. Does it mean that the software might break my computer without it? Does it stop me getting a virus? Anybody who consciously decides that they want the ask toolbar on their computer can find the stan…

The game is to get those people who aren't tech savvy, and PG knows and actively supports it. There literally is no way to do what IM is trying to do without somehow engaging in questionable behavior (reminiscent of Facebook in many ways)

Don't make libelous public accusations of PG if you don't know anything about the situation.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#62

Post by dgunn »

In a few months, I will, once again, uninstall 10 tool bars from my mother's computer. She doesn't want them but they are all installed. Why? Because allowing users to opt out of installs is effectively the same as installing through a drive by process. This type of software is among the lowest form. Whether it's legit or not, the end result is a nuisance to users. I hope their new product isn't as seedy.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#63

Post by watty »

swampthing wrote: post #15
SandB0x wrote: post #4

I think people will be wondering if this resembles the founders' ideas when they were funded by you, and if this represents the kind of company you wish to be funding. You may of course defend the product on technical grounds (accept buttons, EULAs, etc) but I find it hard to believe that you truly think it is anything but a nuisance to end-users.

Just because you or I might find something to be a nuisance, doesn't mean most end-users will. Done right, I can easily see unsophisticated end-users being appreciative at being offered useful software that they would otherwise have not known about. I see this crap on my mom's computer all the time - she's bothered by it only if it affects performance or pops up with some message. If it's just sitting there, or if sh…

Do you really think "most end-users" prefer the stuff that IM installs? Come on.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#64

Post by ddunkin »

dsl wrote: post #13

These guys have gotten a lot of flack they don't deserve. A friend of mine builds and distributes what most people would consider "crapware" (toolbars, adware, etc.) and was flat out denied by IM when he tried to use them for distribution. Sure a bad apple or two might slip through, but according to my friend its rare to ever be denied by a distributor unless you're not willing to pay going rates. It seems like they…

This industry sounds dirty by nature, you can't 'clean up' spammers or prostitution either. Just because a pimp won't sell his girl to just any old John, doesn't make the whole act any better. It's people in the middle trying to make money off of someone else's hard work.

It is really simple, just don't attempt to trick users into installing stuff they didn't want to download in the first place (anything outside the bundle they chose to download). Additional steps on install only take away from the user experience and taint the experience of the application you are wrapping.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#65

Post by jiggy2011 »

ericd wrote: post #61
niggler wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The game is to get those people who aren't tech savvy, and PG knows and actively supports it. There literally is no way to do what IM is trying to do without somehow engaging in questionable behavior (reminiscent of Facebook in many ways)

Don't make libelous public accusations of PG if you don't know anything about the situation.

I think some of us are finding it difficult to draw other conclusions.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#67

Post by walshemj »

ericd wrote: post #61
niggler wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The game is to get those people who aren't tech savvy, and PG knows and actively supports it. There literally is no way to do what IM is trying to do without somehow engaging in questionable behavior (reminiscent of Facebook in many ways)

Don't make libelous public accusations of PG if you don't know anything about the situation.

Well as in life its the "perception" of a thing, can be more powerful than the actuality.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#68

Post by watty »

PG, your funding a company who recommends users to install Bablyon which is considered a virus by many. Why don't you come out and tell it like it is? IM is a profitable business with potential to make you lots of $$. Stop the bullshit, it's making it worse.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#69

Post by davidpayne11 »

"What we discovered about InstallMonetizer"

'We discovered that they are sneaky as fuck. But it's ok because we funded them.' - pg

For the rest of the community - See what withinrafael has to say in his comments below and how unethical this start-up is.

I for one, love YC. But such shitty tactics by start-ups and Paul defending them is terribly disappointing.

Re: What we discovered about InstallMonetizer

#70

Post by rhizome »

dpweb wrote: post #43

Some of you guys are being ignorant, and too much time on your hands. What IM is doing seems legit from all the information here. It's giving devs some opportunity to make a living. If you don't like the wares don't install it. Simple. If you were seriously concerned about internet privacy you'd be discussing in depth Google, Microsoft, etc.. policies which affect virtually all inet users and not some small operation…

An unfortunate choice of words:

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/seems-legit-sounds-legit

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