Why does crapware still exist?

LittleJay said:

Why does crapware still exist?

Maybe its to help keep all of us alert and on our toes?

Because if (almost) everyone didn't have a bajillion toolbars on their IE and kept a gazillion viruses as pets in their computers, we computer techs, engineers, and enthusiasts would be out of a job. (*´Д｀)

Fantail said:

Crapware - HA!
My first thought was 8's metro.

Great minds think alike, mine was Innernetz Ex-PLODE-r

They've gotten sneakier with the crapware which pays for freeware. You now have to read the License Agreement to see what its trying to sneak in, too.

CNET ruined their reputation adding a buggy crapware downloader package to many of their downloads.

These are there because freeware authors get a commission from each sale of crapware they force you to sample.

And today's retail consumer PC is loaded with enough trial crapware to make up the profit margin for many of them, while driving down the retail price. So you get the best value and have your revenge buying a $250 PC then Clean Reinstalling Factory OEM Windows 7.

Hi there .

watch out for these very common other scams: These are all based on typical users not knowing either the law or their consumer rights plus they assume most people don't read "small print" carefully and don't realize what the "default" agreement contains.

1) FREE DOWNLOAD -- often means the DOWNLOAD is free but the PRODUCT ISN'T.

2) SNEAKERWARE (or SUCKERWARE) sites like DriverMax -- where they advertise they have a huge amount of drivers and can find them for you with programs like DriverMax etc -- then to access the part of the site where they say the driver exists you have to "PAY" to access that part of the site -- even more insidious since things like Drivers etc are essentially Public Domain software available from Manufactuers sites etc.

3) TRIAL or DEMO software where the features you want are invariably the "PRO" (I.e Pay Versions).

4) DECENT LOOKING TIME LIMITED FULL TRIALS where they will debit your payment card IF YOU DON'T CANCEL --if you must use these types of sites use a "Pre pay" credit / debit card that only has a small amount of money left so they can't collect if you accidentally forget to cancel -- and remember most Debt Collection agencies have EVEN LESS legal rights to your money than your late Grandma's dead cat. They can attempt to cajole, threaten etc etc -- but just tell them the proverbial "Go and make a sexual move with a Duck.

Really decent time limited full demos will not ask for a credit / debit card when you want to trial their software -- the Software itself should be good enough to make you want to purchase it without going in via back door methods.

I'm not against people making money or advertising on the Web -- but do it HONESTLY and not like the above examples even if the above methods are technically not illegal per se.

Cheers
jimbo

Fantail said:

Crapware - HA!
My first thought was 8's metro.

Funny you should say that. Lucrative Windows crapware market is exactly why we need app stores | PCWorld