[quote:3oz7f4mj]you have to closely watch the installation and can't blindly click "next" till it's done or you'll end up with some unpleasant surprises[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
Very true FD, and it's extremely difficult to educate some users to do just that.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]they offer/add nth useful, yet come prechecked to install by default[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
The first part of that statement is totally subjective FD, although I must admit most would agree. The second part is not entirely true. Many are presented on an opt-out basis, but there are plenty which utilise opt-in.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]If that's not available, check if the installer can be unpacked with Universal Extractor, 7-Zip or Innounp and get rid of all the extra stuff not[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
Yes, that was mentioned in the article FD.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]Thanks for the link to FreewareBB, looks like a great place to check out. I'm very happy with Gizmo's Tech Support Alert as well[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
Gizmo's site is indeed excellent but entirely different to FreewareBB. Gizmo offers reviews and downloads for recommended freeware only, which can be as few as 2 or 3 titles in a category. FreewareBB is a dedicated freeware download site with literally thousands of titles listed.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]As for AntiVir Free Anti-virus, it also offers you UniBlue RegistryBooster[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
True, but that is only with the commercial version and I am focusing on freeware.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]no matter how harmless it may seem, I stand strongly against it[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
That is your prerogative FD. and I'm sure many would agree with that stance. Again, it is entirely subjective, there is no clear right or wrong and it all comes down to personal opinion. I am certainly not in favour of OpenCandy by any means but I concede that many struggling freeware developers could benefit from the association. You are tending to approach the subject from a somewhat idealistic and emotional point of view. I am adopting a more pragmatic approach; in the overall scheme of things OC is relatively harmless when compared to the possible alternative....no freeware at all.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]I do (read right through each EULA)[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
LOL. Yes, I know FD. But you are the exception rather than the rule mate.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]I've experienced it not clearly stated/included in the EULA[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
That is a distinct possibility FD and one which I did cover in the article.

[quote:3oz7f4mj]I do disagree though with the second part - "clear-cut options to decline[/quote:3oz7f4mj]
Agreed, but you are being a tad pedantic FD. Whether you opt-in or opt-out, the end result is the same. It was just a more concise way of putting it, if somewhat less precise. I have stated many times over that opt-out is the sneakier method and I am heavily in favour of opt-in.

There are definitely pros and cons, a lot of cons and not too many pros; but if OC helps keep good freeware alive then that is, IMO, a very big pro!!

Appreciate your input, as always.

Cheers FD......Jim

[quote:a4a89quw]but that is only with the commercial version and I am focusing on freeware.

Not true, take a look here - 6th post from the end, that's clearly from the free edition.[/quote:a4a89quw]
I must admit FD my information was extracted from reports that were issued prior to the official release of the Avira service pack, so subject to change. Still, it is a minor point in terms of the overall discussion.

[quote:a4a89quw]No, I don't, I approach the subject from the "I want to be given a real choice, a.k.a. have control over my machine"
The issue with OpenCandy is that there is no opt-in or opt-out for it.[/quote:a4a89quw]
The ultimate "real choice" still remains solely in the hands of the prospective user FD......one can elect to ignore all freeware bundled with OC altogether, or not. Is that not the ultimate opt-in/opt-out solution?

I don't wish to argue with you over this FD. As I said: there is no right and no wrong, opinions will vary. Many are going to follow your stance and reject OC outright, others are going to accept it, some reluctantly. It's a bit like religion and politics, everyone has the right to their own opinions/choices and debating differing points of view is, more often than not, an exercise in futility.

I believe we agree in principle and I do concede many of your points. I'll say again...I do not like OC. I truly wish that OC [and unsolicited bundling in general] would vanish into thin air so we can have our freeware unpolluted. But I, for one, cannot see that happening, bundling has become an institutionalised part of the freeware world, a fact of freeware life, and OC is here to stay whether we like it or not.

[quote:20h02f4x]Would you like to argue over something else??[/quote:20h02f4x]
LOL.

I will tell you something FD, and this not directed at your good self at all nor meant to infer that you fit into the category in any way. Just a general observation:

It never ceases to amaze me how paranoid some people can be about their privacy over the internet. These same people willingly give up much more personal information just performing common chores than is ever likely to be collected while using the net; opening a bank account, starting an account with any of the utilities; electricity, telephone, etc. Making any major purchase; new car, house, electrical appliances. Taking out insurances, filling out warranty forms......well, you get the idea. There are a myriad examples.

All that information we willingly disclose is recorded on some kind of computer database somewhere. We generally have no idea who else might be sharing/utilising that data, who can access it and who cannot. No-one queries the levels of security involved, whether or not that data is protected by high level encryption techniques. Or even if it is protected at all.

Just all seems a tad skew-whiff to me at times.