mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

"Software companies like Adobe are counting on you not to pay attention. Adobe gets a royalty every time someone doesn’t read directions."

http://billpstudios.blogspot.com/2013/02/death-of-personal-computer-due-to-greed.html

Brian46 Loc: Standish,Maine

I have fallen into that trap! I did not know why things were different? A little research and I found out why.

Back door!
:thumbdown: :thumbdown:

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

I notice it all the time. I do utilize a lot of free ware most are legitimate but the server that it is downloaded from will insist on using their download program. I simply refuse and do a search on the internet for another server for the program that is clean.

So many ways they try to take advantage.

ted45 Loc: Delaware

This blog is extremely deceptive and slanted in its nature.

What you are seeing is a new marketing system. It has been going on for a number of years and is becoming more and more prevalent. The user simply has to pay attention and click the box if they don’t want the additional software. It is a good idea to reject most of this crap.

The PC is dying because of newer, smaller and more powerful processors. The processor in your cell phone is fifty times more powerful than the first generation personal computers. The public wants mobility. They do not want to be tethered to a desk where the PC resides. When I say public I am referring to the under 30 market where the perceived money is.

Google is about to start selling eyeglasses with built in video cameras. Will that spell the end of the digital camera? Possibly; in another decade.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

It's an interesting article, but it's simply one mans opinion, wonder what he has against advertising. The bottom line is simply this. Watch what you download, read what is on your screen before you click next or whatever you are about to click. Any download that includes add-ons is required to have a way to opt out of the add-on. Thats like the commercial for "Fix my PC" they say free download and free scan to show you how crappy your computer is, it will find all those pesky problems just kick over 49.99 to fix them.

Very little is really free in this world, especially the world of the computer. Just use some common sense and read.

BillPStudios

I appreciate that a link to my article was included here. I'm not surprised by some of the comments because I've heard from folks who tell me "If people don't read the directions they deserve what they get". Unfortunately, I've seen other people not read directions have their computer turned into machines used to send out spam and denial-of-service attacks. We all suffer for their mistakes.

I have nothing against advertisements. I do object to deception. I'm looking to replace my Canon T2i so when I saw an ad here, I chose to click on it. It was a choice I make.

It's true this type of "marketing" is getting common. It's a dangerous trend and my rant is an example of me shouting at the world, "I'm not going to take it anymore".
The single purpose of trick depends on a user making a mistake. The business plan revolves around a user being negligent and not reading the screen. It's not different than if your credit card company added a charge every month. If you don't notice it and question it you pay the price. We don't call that marketing.

I don't know how you could say my post was deceptive or misleading. Most of the article is made from actual screen shots. These screen shots weren't from one install. The list of six recommended updates for Feb came from the Adobe website. Every time a user has to update Adobe Flash or Acrobat the company will again try to trick them into installing software they never wanted. The motivation for Adobe is not to improve your computer, it's to make money.

I agree we need more common sense so my attempt is to help my readers learn to use their common sense more often. It's not one man's opinion.

Thanks,
Bill Pytlovany

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Was not my intention to step on your toes Bill I realize you put a lot of effort into the article, thanks for posting the link to it. I hope that some of the readers of it take your advice to heart. Some get carried away chasing the free stuff, I have some free-ware on all my computers but am careful what is there.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I agree..this is old news....software companies have been doing this for years....

This isn't anything new, it doesn't signal the death knell for PC's...it's not significant unless a person has been living under a rock for 10 years.