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Spyware Makers Resent Cleaned-Up Versions

Posted by timothy on from the have-some-injury-with-your-insult dept.

Tri0de points to a ZDnet artcle on a programmer who's taken it upon himself to release spyware- and adware-free versions of popular file-sharing programs. "'He's done Grokster and iMesh. And he's not alone. His work, now available through the Grokster and iMesh networks themselves, joins that of other programmers who have previously "cleaned" programs such as Kazaa and Audiogalaxy in a campaign against "adware" and "spyware." Is the shoe on the other foot?'"

6 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. Re:South Park episode by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Hey, you're really very sharp! I bet nobody else here would have picked up that subtle South Park reference. I bet you're a big fan of the show, eh?

  2. Spyware outside the states, legal? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Troll
    Those of you in the states might not realize it, but in some other countries (include my country, Namibia), spyware in general is considered illegal. Brings up an interesting question for using Kazaa in this country, distributing the spyware version is illegal, but modifying copyrighted code is likewise illegal... a rock and a hard place?


    Some helpful legislation regarding the matter passed down from Windhoek:




    "... futhermore that it is unlawful to include features in software which circumvent the users privacy without express permission from the user, methods of automatically obtaining permission (such as the inclusion of excessive end user license agreements [EULA]) are also unlawful unless done so in such a manner as to cause hot grits to be poured onto a naked and petrified natalie portman."

  3. Something for nothing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Yeah, I get something for nothing.

    Windows XP came with my PC and it was compleatly free!!!

    Whereas with Linux you have to pay for media or have a high speed connection and be willing to tie it up for long long time. Time is money!

    And Windows XP is far better quality. I can just point and click and not mess with configuration file which are poorly documented and it is so hard to figure out and with Windows XP even my eight year old dawter can use it.

    Anyway, I heard Linux is used by hackers to steal music and dvds and stuff, so I cant suggest good Americans run such an OS - that is playing into Osama Bin Laden hands if I ever saw such a thing.

  4. Re: tech people work for free by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    The publishing industry in particular is ripe with rich girls who are keeping busy until they get married.

    Wow! here's a great strategy:
    1)Get a job in the publishing industry,
    2) Marry one of the ripe, rich girls,
    3) Live on her money.
    4) Repeat as needed.

  5. Re:South Park episode by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    not so quick on the uptake, are we?

  6. Re:An embarrassment to open source / free software by Vladimir+Pizdenko · · Score: 0, Troll

    Yes. You can read the GPL in www.GNU.org, first read this and you will see youre self.

    --
    - Vlad.