I was using CDEx and then I tried FreeRIP @
http://www.mxxxxreware.com/frmmain.shtml This program is insanely fast for
conversion and normalization of CD -> MP3 files. WAY faster than CDEx.
Just be careful when installing it -- it has two checkboxes for "toolbars"
to be optionally installed. Unchecking those and installing the app has
found no spyware or adware.
On Jan 5th, the author of this crap posted here announcing the release
of this spyware/adware ridden nonsense. Sensibly, he ran off rather
than face detailed questioning.
MGShareware lies at the wholly noxious end of the 'freeware' spectrum.
There follows a repost of my 5th Jan post where I took a closer look
at this app, and the grubby little apps of MGShareware
========================================================
I've had a closer look at this. It is definitely not freeware; it is
quite an odious thing really.
Ok, MG can say: "Anyway is more like a freeware than other kind of
licensees." but it is essentially a spyware/adware app.
The 'opt-in' bundled software is aimed at lazy/ignorant users who
simply click through install boxes accepting what they are given. (If
it was really 'opt-in' one should have to manually tick the boxes - as
it is they are pre ticked). Accepting the software gave me a MySearch
toolbar on IE which immediately called home to 'install buttons'.
Apparently it will call home at intervals to 'look for updates' also.
The Comedy-Planet thing refused to install for some reason. I coped.
Comedy-Planet is some sort of ad funded outfit which uses cookies
to determine a few user frefs in order to target ads efficiently. I
couldn't find any info on the site as to how MG gains by bundling
their software, but presumably he will be along soon to tell us.
The MySearch people tell us continually that they are not adware or
spyware. And it is easy to see how MG benefits from associating with
them:
=========================
Make money from your downloads!
Monetize your downloads by bundling the My Search Bar application
within your installer file. As our partner, you'll share in all My
Search Bar revenue generated by your users.
==========================
http://www.mysearch.com/jsp/mail_form.jsp
When MG pops up again he might want to tell us how much revenue he
gets...
Perhaps he can also tell us how the MySearch people know about income
generated by 'his users' if they are not spyware
But anyway. The MySearch toolbar is an optional install, isn't it? It
has not been mentioned yet that FreeRIP has search bar of its own.
Guess where it connects to? MySearch. Yes, yes, yes... it can be
removed
On launch FreeRIP called home to check for an update. This behaviour
can be turned off. It also called freedb.org. (An email address is
required in 'options' to submit to freedb.org) This behaviour can also
be turned off.
By now you will be getting a picture of how many things need to be
turned off, or opted out of, to get this thing to behave.
On the GUI of the app is a 2 cm squared clickable logo which directs
to the app home site. There is also a clickable URL which directs to
MG's main page. All of his apps are bundled with crap; I had a look at
FreeNote, which is an underfeatured stickynote app. It is bundled with
the MySearch bar, but, as we know - this is an opt in. An interesting
feature of this note app is the ability to highlight some text and
'search the web'. Guess which part of the web it searches? LOL.
