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CEO of Brilliant Defends Sneaky Installation Practices
Em Emalb and other readers sent in follow-ups to our earlier story about yet more bundled crapware with Kazaa. Kazaa says they didn't do anything wrong; and so does Brilliant's CEO. I don't understand why anyone is still installing Kazaa, given their track record. Brilliant's brilliant plan is to use your computer to distribute their advertising, and give out Altnet resource dollars in exchange.
" don't understand why anyone is still installing Kazaa, given their track record."
Because 99.9% of Kazaa users don't know about slashdot, don't know about spyware, and don't even care when I tell them.
All they want is to add to their 100GB collection of mp3's.
Anyone living in the dorms right now can attest to this I'm sure. It also makes me realize where the RIAA is coming from, when kids literally skip classes to download more music and movies.
When I went to that news.com link the Gigantic quarter page size ad in that article has big bold letters that says "dont accept the lies"
heh.
air and light and time and space
Here's how to remove the "Brilliant" code.
The reason people still use it, is because despite it's annoyances, it is /very/ easy to get a hold of software. I have a friend who swears by it, and related this bit of fact.
He just started classes and needed VB6 for the homework assignments. He went home logged on to kazaa, and withing 3-4 hours he had it downloaded and installed. Yes it is illegal, yes it probably shouldn't happen. But if he can save a couple hundred dollars while going to school, I know he'll do it.
Find him something else as good, without the annoyances, and I guarantee he will use it. Until then, he'll live with the pop-ups.
-= Xafloc =-
alinuxbox.com
N
The reason why people still use Kazaa over alternatives is that the Gnutella network tends to have poor selection, is slower, etc. etc. Personally I think AudioGalaxy is better than both, but then I prefer to less mainstream music it caters to.
As with all annoying advertisements the consumer has to balance the cost versus the benefit. Personally while I'd hate to have more ads, are they really using up that much more bandwidth than sharing my songs? Probably not. So long as there aren't pop-ups that my popup killer can't handle I don't really care. Besides which when I'm not looking for music I don't have Kazaa (or Morpheus or AudioGalaxy) running on my system.
www.kazaalite.tk
Extra Features compared to original KaZaA
- No Adware
- No Spyware
- No banners
- No bitratelimit for mp3 files
- No irritating websites loaded into KaZaA
- No crappy BDE Viewer
- No f*cking Bonzi Buddy
- Set up multiple users with the included PseudoTrack tool
From what I have heard/read lately, it seems that this trojan program is silently installed on to a users hard drive.
If a user decides to remove their install of Kazaa, then Kazaa should remove ALL traces of what it put on a users computer.
By hiding it, and making it virtually impossible for a casual user to remove, this should definately be classified as a trojan. Also, I have heard that Kazaa claims that this program is only active when the client is runnng/connected. If this is the case, then why wouldn't it automagically uninstall if you chose to remove Kazaa from your computer?
I'm just hoping that, for once, the RIAA strings these people up. Ask for permission to use my cycles, I will probably let you. Hide it in your 1,000,000 page EULA, go to hell. This is almost as bad as when WebHancer was bundled with AudioGalaxy.
-S
We Apprentice Developers and Designers
Um....Get Kazaa Lite...no more crapware, same old Kazaa.
Since the software isbeing used for illegal purposes, could the advertisers be liable? They are supporting it, after all...
Best Slashdot Co
Open source software keeps looking better and better all the time,
as commercial software just gets dirtier and sneakier...
I wonder where the EULA mania will stop?
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
blablabla..
3197 D) All your base belong to us for fifteen minutes..
The reason I still use Kazaa is simple. You can disable the spyware, and when it's done, Kazaa is quite simply the best P2P that I've found. I can always download anything I'm looking for and never have to worry about not being able to find something, because its always there.
As for the spyware, do a quick search on usenet or using Google and you'll find how to disable it. I've had all of Kazaa's Spyware components disabled for a few months now.
-Julius X
remove "-whatkindofspamdoyoutakemefor-" from email to send
Users DONT READ the EULA's, Users ARE NOT COMPANIES. THEY DONT CARE ABOUT EULA's. When was the last time you read it before clicking "I AGREE".
Im of the fortunate people who knows how declaw kazaa and all its crap that comes with it.
----- Whats wrong with this picture? http://www.revoh.org:1234/whatswrong
These links were posted today in Kazaa.com, but shortly after they were deleted. They were in a page where you could read:
"We are proud to announce our partnership with Altnet. As our relationship evolves you will see an evolution in p2p software, taking KaZaA to a completely new dimension without sacrificing any of the things you enjoy in the software."
Yada, Yada
"With Altnet, consumers will be able to opt in to making certain parts of their computing power available to businesses. This may include disk space, processing power or bandwidth. You will know exactly how a business would like to use your resources at the time of use. You choose what jobs can use your machine and which ones cannot. You earn redeemable points for sharing your resource."
Kazaa.com was so "proud" of this partnership that the page was removed from their server in the same day!
I don't understand why anyone is still installing Kazaa, given their track record.
You get free sharing across a network, at the price of some advertising.
Lemmie put it into terms slashdotters will understand, at the cost of my karma (cause michael will slap this down in a matter of seconds):
I logged into slashdot today to find that there are LARGE ads in the middle of their articles! I don't understand why people use this site, after their trackrecord of ignoring their users, abusing their power, and insulting the users!
Is that example a troll? A flamebait?
Then so is the article explanation by michael!
Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
You may get a message that the uninstall has been successful.
Search your computer for a "BDE" folder, which most likely will be found in the "WinNT" or "Windows" directory. In this folder will be a file called "bdeclean.exe". Run this to finish the first part of the process.
Delete the BDE folder.
Caution: An unrelated piece of software called Borland Database Engine also creates a BDE directory. If you think you may have this software installed, or if there is any confusion whatsoever, do not delete this directory.
2.In the "Temp" directory (this will normally be found inside the "Windows" or "WinNT" directory) is a folder called "Brilliant." This contains many files. Delete the entire folder.
3.After performing steps 1 and 2, you will need to locate and remove some additional Brilliant Digital files that have been placed in critical system-level computer directories. CAUTION: Deleting the wrong files could interfere with the normal functioning of your computer. These files will most likely be in the "Windows\System" or "WinNT\System32" folder(in windows XP I found them in Windows\System32\):
bdedownloader.dll
bdedata2.dll
bdefdi.dll
bdeinsta2.dll
bdeinstall.exe
bdesecureinstall.cab
bdesecureinstall.exe
bdeverify.exe
bdeverify.dll
Delete these files.
The ALTNET / b3d client does seem to install itself without asking you, but it sits quietly in the "installed programs" list, and can be uninstalled in 3 clicks (which I performed yesterday after reading Brilliant's plans for ALTNET).
Summary: I use KaZaA because it works, and only morons can't uninstall the spyware.
I find it ironic that a wildly popular peer-to-peer tools that scares the bejesus out of the media conglomerates is being positioned as the secure delivery vehicle to cater to those same media conglomerates. Were I truly paranoid, I could dream up a scenario in which the RIAA were far more clever than we ever imagined and (a) pursued P2P tools via legal attacks while (b) preparing to use their popularity to distribute their own "secure" network tools for which they hold the keys. Then again, perhaps these Brilliant people are really just clever enough to figure out how to sell P2P to the media giants in a form they can stomach. A fancy trick, that, if they they pull it off.
Tangent:
It's weird, but as I've become a more experienced computer and software user, I've learned that less software is better for me and for my system. This is just one more example of that, as I see it. But unfortunately most computer users (by which, I suppose I mean Windows users) end up downloading dozens of programs they don't want or need. When I check out a family member's or friend's Windows computer they always have these huge Programs menus with entries they don't even recognize anymore. I suspect a lot of people will be surprised if this method of software delivery is copycatted (and I see no reason why it won't catch on very quickly) and months after they've downloaded, installed, and forgotten that VisualBasic gadget du jour that they got from C|Net's download center wakes up the trojan that came along for the ride and starts offering to sell them printer ink or viagra or green cards.
Curmudgeon Gamer: Not happy
I love that the headline reads "CEO of Brilliant..." and not "Brilliant CEO..."
Excellent! I can't wait to get ahold of some of those Altnet dollars. I wonder what the exchange rate is on Altnet to TreeLoot dollars? I've punched the monkey too many times to want to change to a different currency.
So, just because they don't read it, doesn't mean it isn't there.
When you sign a legal contract with lots of fine print you don't understand doesn't mean you aren't bound by it.
Check your Windows folder out. Do a Find Files for Brilliant Digital and BDE (Caution: I believe you may find some files from a Borland app that have BDE in them too). Look in your registry too; there's a whole thwack of Brilliant Digital entries in there too.
Use Grokster. Cydoor can be disabled with tool available on the web and still allow Cydoor infected apps to run. I would look it up but I'm sure someone with your considerable computer prwowess can find it.
So...ahh...if you didn't get all of these files, does this make you a moron too?
---
I didn't want to leave this space blank.
Use KaAzalite and you'll miss out on all that free herbal viagara, low-rate home mortgages, and personalized merchant accounts you'll rack up just for spending a few hours downloading tunes.
I know people have experienced problems with Gnutella clients in the past but Limewire has improved dramatically over the past few months. If your willing to spend $8.50 you can get the pro version which has no bundled software and has a few additional features. You can always use the free version and run Ad Aware to get rid of the additional apps. Limewire is open source too so you can compile it yourself and remove the additional apps plus it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The 2.3 version has a bunch of new features including the ability to search by media type: audio, video, programs, etc.
I like the idea in some respects, but if it's anything like the opt-in distributed-computing projects (distributed.net, prime95, etc.), it hangs around forever, raising three issues:
1. Imagine the overhead of 30 or 40 of those programmes fighting over your CPU.
2. When have I made my penance?
3. Why does the guy with the 486/50 get the package essentially free, but my Thunderbird 1200 gives them loads of useful work in exchange?
I'd be more comfortable with a system where you "buy" the product with a specific piece of work, perhaps built into the installer. I'd like to see something like this:
"To cover the cost of this programme, we want to use your computer to help solve: 'New Preservative Design for Twinkies, Inc.'. Your contribution will require 1.7M of download, a 500k upload of the results, and approximately 25 hours of CPU time on a Pentium III/500. When your contribution is complete, the distributed-computing component will be automatically and completely removed from the system. [OK][Cancel][Huh?]"
There are hordes of people who would download and use Kazaa even if they were aware (assumes alot) of a EULA that said "By agreeing to use our software, you support our policy of rectal electrocution torture of cute furry bunnies for no reason at all except our disagreeable sense of humor. In fact, each IP of each user on Kazaa has it's own bunny that receives a shock for each packet you receive on our network. Have a nice day."
;-P
Jokes aside, you are looking at the future of P2P my friends.
People are entirely willing to make the trade of bandwidth and processing power for services, if they don't have to suffer for it themselves, no matter how slimy the service. If the clock cycles and packet load is small enough, who can blame them?
You want mp3s? Serve ads for me. What the heck is wrong with that, really, from the users point of view?
Slimy? Yes.
Sneaky? Yes.
Underhanded and contributing to the corporatization and monotonization and overall disagreeable nature of the Internet? Undoubtedly.
But: A smart business move? Absolutely.
A win-win for vendor and end-user of a piece of P2P software? Completely.
Do you want me to suggest something UTTERLY EVIL? Howabout an end-user agreeing saying every night at midnight, 100 pieces of Spam will be sent out via their email client. If they write the software that anoymizes the Spam, i see hordes of people agreeing to this! And how far away is this really? And how hard would Spam be to fight then? Kazaa already has a prominent menu item which sends "use Kazaa" Spam to anyone the user wants to, all preformatted and ready to go.
Mark my words: this little "Brilliant" scheme is no blatant out-of-the way one-time dastardly move. It is the future.
intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
Unless you are truly a power user, you do not have bandwidth to share. Your ISP probably sells you service, not bandwidth. That's why you can't call up your provider and say "Hey, when I download pr0n at 8PM my download is really slow, where's all that bandwidth I bought?". That's also why service providers are not happy about people setting up neighborhood 802.11 networks with only one person paying them for service (hey, you're just sharing your bandwidth, right?). No internet service ever gives you a gaurantee of throughput. In fact, every service provider over sells their bandwidth because most of your online time is spent reading not receiving (or sending).
You don't own the bandwidth, your provider does. If Brilliant is using that bandwidth, and is not providing the user with anything and is detrimental to the service of other people using that service provider, what you have is misappropriated bandwidth. With any luck AT&T will show up at Brilliant's office asking them to pay for it.
What Brilliant is doing is trying to make money by carving it out of the margins of the providers who would normally charge advertisers for hosting. The same amount of load is on the network, but the people carrying the load will get less income for it (and none of those companies have fat margins anymore).
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.
Edward Everett (1794 - 1865)
I've managed to convince a few otherwise stubborn people that spyware, malware, and god-knows-what-it's-installing-ware are bad things. After trying several approaches, I found there's one argument that always seems to work: tell them that these sort of junk addons could delete their MP3 collection. The average KaZaA user, as you pointed out, doesn't care much (if all) about the privacy and security implications of clicking through the EULA. What they do care about is their MP3s, and you can use that thought to get them concerned about spyware. Think of it as reverse-psychology FUD; applying facts to a topic that's bound to scare them into paying attention.
To a lot of people, music trading is a compulsion, much like some people "collect" porn or warez. (The comment about kids skipping class to download more is a fairly sad indication of this.) It's not so much about using the stuff, as it is about having the stuff; the bigger the collection the better, etc. Compare someone who's really into MP3 swapping with someone who's really into warez. Chances are, you'll find that they have a large collection, the majority of which they never use personally, and some of which they probably don't even like but have saved to enlarge the packrat's nest. You'll probably also find that they're outright frightened by the thought of losing any of it, even the stuff they don't use. It's a hoarding mentality, regardless of whether it's warez, porn, music, or whatever.
With that knowledge you can make a pretty convincing argument, even to the most computer-ignorant people, about the possible repercussions of disregarding EULAs and letting the installer do whatever it wants. Toss around the idea that the spyware du jour might be a program written by record companies to delete all MP3s on the hard drive. Suggest that hidden background apps might be making lists of MP3 files and sending them to a record company's lawyer. These things are technically possible - and if this Altnet turdlet has been lying dormant and undiscovered in Kazaa for a few months, who knows what else is waiting? Maybe some innocently named function call in an installer-dropped DLL isn't doing what its name would suggest.
Don't get too technical (most people get lost if you say "RIAA" instead of "record company," for instance) but be sure to plant the idea that recklessly installing software could wipe out their music collection, or their porn collection, or [insert whatever data is most valuable to them]. You'll get their attention pretty quickly.
Shaun
Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
Why on Earth should content owners -- notice how they're not even "content providers" anymore -- have any "control over the end-user experience"? Why on Earth would I be interested in using a network that gave them such?
Funny, when I buy a book, I can read it. Or read it aloud. Or throw it in the garbage. Or donate it to a library. Or lend it to a friend. Or tear it up and make origami out of it. (OK, not that last -- it'd be cool if I knew how to make origami). Last I checked, neither the author, the publisher, or the distributor can say diddly about my final use, except in the narrow sense that I cannot illegitimately copy it. Why should digital content be given any special treatment?
At least and at last, copyright holders are showing their true colors, with watermarks and generation controls and "authorization devices". It's not about stopping infringement. It's not about selling more stuff. It's about control -- about securing total control to allow eventual maximization of access and profit. And to hell with the end user if they don't like it.
Ah, Cosmo (of Sneakers , you said it best:
The Mongrel Dogs Who Teach