Network Magic--Spyware?

[Robertm]

I tried Network Magic and it successfully setup my network in 15 minutes.
I'd been getting no where for three days and couldn't even get the computers
to recognize each other. However, the user agreement says that Network Magic
phones home and collects data to enrich my computing experience or something
to that effect. It does say that it gathers data from my computer. How
dangerous is this type of spyware? Any similar products out there that
aren't spyware? I can understand free software being spyware, but Network
Magic isn't free. I suppose it's no worse than Microsoft gathering "Error
Reports" with personal information.

Bob

 

[Chuck]

I tried Network Magic and it successfully setup my network in 15 minutes.
I'd been getting no where for three days and couldn't even get the computers
to recognize each other. However, the user agreement says that Network Magic
phones home and collects data to enrich my computing experience or something
to that effect. It does say that it gathers data from my computer. How
dangerous is this type of spyware? Any similar products out there that
aren't spyware? I can understand free software being spyware, but Network
Magic isn't free. I suppose it's no worse than Microsoft gathering "Error
Reports" with personal information.

Bob

Bob,

The folks in alt.privacy.spyware might have some background into what Network
Magic does. Most of the experience here is with making Windows XP work right in
the first place, so what it does may not be so well known here.

You may have spent "three days" working on your network, but you didn't post
that much, so maybe we could have helped you get it working right, rather than
your subjecting yourself to needless expense and possible untrustworthy
software.

It's unfortunate, but some networking issues take more than 3 days to resolve.
They take patience and perseverance.

Maybe you should try again, and everybody here would benefit.

 

[Robertm]

I should have explained that I downloaded only the demo, so there was no
expense on my part, but I was reluctant to buy. I agree, one should be able
to get a network up and running without having to resort to buying utilities
to do it. As for the three days spent trying to configure the network, chalk
it up to a learning experience. It took me longer than three days to master
DOS, Windows 3.1, and everything else along the way. Learning is never
wasted. The reason I didn't post any questions is because I didn't know
enough to begin to know what to ask. I still don't but I'm getting there.

Bob