Gator Forces Site To Remove 'Spyware' Label

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Gator Forces Site To Remove 'Spyware' Label

Posted by simoniker on Wednesday October 22, 2003 @12:31PM from the gentler-nicer-language dept.

lurker412 writes "CNet News is reporting that Gator has forced PC Pitstop to remove Web pages that call Gator's software 'spyware.' The correct term, according to Gator, is 'adware.' The article states: 'If we find anyone publicly calling us spyware, we correct it and take action if necessary,' said Scott Eagle, Gator's senior vice president of marketing. So be careful what you say in your comments..."

56 of 927 comments (clear)

Me first by setzman · 2003-10-22 12:31 · Score: 5, Funny

I, setzman, say that Gator is spyware. btw, First Post!!

--
C:\>
1. Re:Me first by rolling_rox · 2003-10-22 12:34 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I don't like to use the term spyware, I prefer the term "Crapware"
  
  --
  I am not as think as you drunk I am.
2. Re:Me first by lewp · 2003-10-22 13:48 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Heh. IE not loading is a good thing.
  
  --
  Game... blouses.
3. Re:Me first by Geek+of+Tech · 2003-10-22 14:08 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  > And it takes a lot to make a 7-year-old WinME system worse than it already is.....
  I think I see your problem. Windows ME wasn't made in 1996. Unless..... Oh my! You must be from the future! So what is longhorn like, future boy? I'd like to see it myself, but I don't have an extra 1.21-Gigawatts.
  
  --
  Stop the Slashdot effect! Don't read the articles!
4. Re:Me first by EverDense · 2003-10-22 14:18 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Windows ME wasn't made in 1996. Unless..... Oh my! You must be from the future! So what is longhorn like, future boy?
  
  Obviously complete shite, or else he wouldn't be still using WinME.
  
  --
  http://jesus.everdense.com/
5. Re:Me first by EvilAlien · 2003-10-22 14:37 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  I can't get Gator spyware for my Linux desktop, you insensitive clod.
  
  --
  perl -e 'print $i=pack(c5, (41*2), sqrt(7056), (unpack(c,H)-2), oct(115), 10)'
6. Re:Me first by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 14:40 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  I suggest 'cuntware' just to be as offensive as possible.
7. Re:Me first by wheany · 2003-10-22 17:57 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Now what does google think?
  
  gator is fiery and passionate the top gator is fiery and
  gator is fucking bollocks
  gator is not hiding out somewhere
  gator is back up
  gator is a software product that can automatically fill in passwords and other form
  gator is infringing our copyrights and trademarks
  gator is able to paste ads of the same dimensions on top of the banner ads being used on popular sites such as yahoo
  gator is evil
  gator is on the go
  gator is doing the business western geophysical has contracted concept systems to supply gator to its obc and tz crews worldwide
  gator is fiery and
  gator is ambassador to the world
  gator is a pet
  gator is getting installed on their computers with little advanced warning and in many instances
  gator is spyware
8. Re:Me first by sewagemaster · 2003-10-22 18:27 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  specifically, the pop-under-autoinstalls, i'd like calling them underwear
  
  --
  my blog
9. Re:Me first by Snefu · 2003-10-22 20:06 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  I am sure I was not the only reader of this comment, who with great joy and bewildered excitement tried to type interresting words and sentences into this utterly useful tool:
  
  This is a short summary of the most typical Slashdot reader searches:
  
  "Your name":
  
  Sorry, Google doesn't know enough about "Your
  name" yet.
  
  Linux:
  
  Linux is for bitches
  
  Windows:
  
  Windows is better
  
  Mac:
  
  Mac is dood
  
  Conclusion: Mac seems to constantly float between a state of dead and God.
  
  --
  sn3fu
10. Re:Me first by akadruid · 2003-10-22 22:41 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Slashdot:
  slashdot is a plot by microsoft to destroy the productivity of linux users
  
  Damn this tool is good.
  
  AddToFavourites ()
  
  --
  "Those who cast the votes decide nothing; those who count the votes decide everything." (attrib. Joseph Stalin)
You heard it here... by MaskedInterrupt · 2003-10-22 12:31 · Score: 2, Funny

I publicly declare Gator Software IS SpyWare. Now... Come get me!
This isn't a troll, it's funny! by corebreech · 2003-10-22 12:33 · Score: 1, Funny

Because I say so.

And just because I say it's funny doesn't make it a troll either.

--
Is this truly the only Earth I can live on?
alternative names.... by User+956 · 2003-10-22 12:34 · Score: 5, Funny

What if we call it snoopware? shitware? How about "fucks-up-your-computer-and- makes-it-run-slower-ware"?

--
The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
1. Re:alternative names.... by i+am+nude · 2003-10-22 12:40 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  i like "You stole my CPU cycles and i want them back!!! ware"
2. Re:alternative names.... by Crispin+Cowan · 2003-10-22 12:46 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I think we should just say "beware" :-)
  Crispin
  ----
  Crispin Cowan, Ph.D.
  Chief Scientist, Immunix Inc.
3. Re:alternative names.... by novarese · 2003-10-22 14:12 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Turdware.
whoa... whoa! by digitalsushi · 2003-10-22 12:34 · Score: 5, Funny

Gat0r is spyware. Ha ha! Can't get me! Fooled you! Neener neener neener! ... *sigh* it's so lonely in my parent's basement. *sniff*

--
slashdot: where everyone yells sarcastic metaphors to themselves to understand the issue
A rose is a rose... by winkydink · 2003-10-22 12:38 · Score: 4, Funny

If you put a pig in an evening gown and take it out for the evening, it's still a pig.

--
"I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
1. Re:A rose is a rose... by winkydink · 2003-10-22 12:51 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  And breakign the law in many Bible Belt States. :)
  
  --
  "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
2. Re:A rose is a rose... by Atheraal · 2003-10-22 13:02 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  rose... not quite appropriate here... i would venture to say that the steaming pile of horse shit said rose grows in by any other name is still a steaming pile of horse shit.
3. Re:A rose is a rose... by seanadams.com · 2003-10-22 13:56 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  i would venture to say that the steaming pile of horse shit said rose grows in by any other name is still a steaming pile of horse shit
  
  In the beginning was the plan.
  And then came the Assumptions.
  And the Assumptions were without form.
  And the Plan was without substance.
  And darkness was upon the face of the Workers.
  And they spoke among themselves, saying,
  "It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh."
  And the Workers went unto their Supervisors and said,
  "It is a pail of dung, and none may abide the odor thereof."
  And the Supervisors went unto their Managers, saying,
  "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong,
  such that none may abide by it."
  And the Managers went unto their Directors, saying,
  "It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength."
  And the Directors spoke amongst themselves, saying one to another,
  "It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong."
  And the Directors then went unto the Vice-Presidents, saying unto them,
  "It promotes growth, and it is very powerful."
  And the Vice-Presidents went unto the President, saying unto him,
  "This new plan will actively promote the growth and vigor
  of the company, with powerful effects."
  And the President Looked upon the Plan, and saw that it was good.
  And the Plan became Policy.
4. Re:A rose is a rose... by Overand · 2003-10-22 14:05 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Well, you could call it an average slashdot-reader's girlfriend...
In other news... by sTalking_Goat · 2003-10-22 12:39 · Score: 3, Funny

Charles Manson has asked that public stop refering to the acts of his folloers as a "Murder Spree". The correct term is "existence adjustment initiative"...

--
My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle...
Linux version by LEPP · 2003-10-22 12:39 · Score: 2, Funny

Have they come out with a Linux version of Gator? I am sure the Linux community feels left out. This might be just the thing that would cause me to fdisk my computer and reinstall windoze.

LEPP
Let there be... by after · 2003-10-22 12:41 · Score: 1, Funny

I will be the ultimate... and thus name this new type of software:

SpyCrap
New Term: by Cytlid · 2003-10-22 12:42 · Score: 4, Funny

Assholeware - companies that produce spyware and then insist that noone calls it as such.

--
FLR
not spyware by moojuece · 2003-10-22 12:48 · Score: 2, Funny

i have never once thought of gator as spyware....i have always just refered to it as a well marketed virus
Re: Use of Q.E.D. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 12:51 · Score: 1, Funny

Doesn't have anything to do with that book heh. It's a latin thing you know - which kinda predates that book.
free software by primus_sucks · 2003-10-22 12:53 · Score: 4, Funny

I don't know what everyone is complaining about. According to there homepage you get FREE software (often valued at up to $30!!!). Here are the apps you get:

Weatherscope provides easy access to local temperature and extended weather forecasts. Taking a trip? Weatherscope gives you the current and future conditions!

Cool, no more endless searching of weather.com!

Precision Time - Make sure your computer clock always has the correct time. Synchronize your computer clock with one of the world's most precise timekeeping devices - the U.S. Atomic Clock.

Awesome! I hate being .0006566547866787 pico seconds late for meetings!

Date Manager - Never miss another important date or reminder. Date Manager shows today's date in your system tray and allows you to quickly pull up a two-month calendar and set reminders.

WOW I can't believe this is free!!!!

Gator eWallet - The world's most popular digital wallet. The Gator eWallet automatically remembers login IDs/passwords and fills in online forms with just one click. No more lost passwords, and no more typing information such as address, email, credit card numbers, etc!

This is great, I'm sure your data is completely secure since this software was written by such an innovative company!
1. Re:free software by insertionPoint · 2003-10-22 13:58 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Date Manager - Never miss another important date or reminder. Date Manager shows today's date in your system tray and allows you to quickly pull up a two-month calendar and set reminders.
  
  Never miss a date! Hell, I wish I could get a date!
Re:Me first - Gator is NOT spyware by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 12:54 · Score: 5, Funny

Gator is NOT spyware - to help the slashdot crowd fully understand this important point that Gator is NOT spyware I have created a helpful reminder by way of the Gator is NOT spyware URL which constantly reminds visitors to the Gator website via a reminder message that Gator is NOT spyware.

This is the Gator is NOT spyware URL...
Smells like.... by macdaddy · 2003-10-22 12:55 · Score: 2, Funny

If it smells like shit, looks like shit, and tastes like shit then it's probably Gator, I mean shit.
Re: Use of Q.E.D. by Prof.Phreak · 2003-10-22 13:00 · Score: 2, Funny

It means: Quite Easily Done, or Q.E.D.

And it appeared in places like Hitchhicker's Guide To The Galaxy way before it appeared in Cryptonomicon.

(ie: HHGG's proof of the non-existance of God: God said, "I refuse to prove I exist, for proof denies faith, and without faith, I'm nothing." "Ah," said man, "the Babel fish is a dead give-away, and proves you exist, so by your words, you don't. Q.E.D." "Oh, I haven't thought of that," said God, and vanishes in a poof of logic.) (or something to that effect).

--
"If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy
Re: Use of Q.E.D. by Kourino · 2003-10-22 13:04 · Score: 2, Funny

It means, Quite Easily Done, or Q.E.D.

Oh, please ...

Haven't you read the old Ninja Turtles novelizations (not the original graphic novels, but some cheesy books someone wrote)? As Donatello said, it obviously means "Quite Excellently Done."

*grabs a book and runs giggling from the Latin majors and logic students*
Are you sure? by MongooseCN · 2003-10-22 13:05 · Score: 3, Funny

I guess I'll have to tell Porkette things aren't going to work out...

--

Outdoor digital photography, mostly in New Engl
Gator is spyware by Down8 · 2003-10-22 13:29 · Score: 2, Funny

Gator is spyware.

Come and get me.

-bZj

--
.sig
Sure by roystgnr · 2003-10-22 13:32 · Score: 5, Funny

The correct term, according to Gator, is 'adware.'

And hillbillies prefer to be called 'sons of the soil'. But it ain't gonna happen.
Gator = Sypware by Markusis · 2003-10-22 13:35 · Score: 2, Funny

I think that from now on we should refer to all spyware as Gator-ware.
notice the gator eyes... by antagonizt · 2003-10-22 13:35 · Score: 2, Funny

look at their front page and notice this image of the gator logo spying on you!
Move Sig by theonetruekeebler · 2003-10-22 13:43 · Score: 5, Funny

So for the next couple of weeks, a new Slashdot sig.

--
This is not my sandwich.
Re:Me first - Gator is NOT spyware by nolife · 2003-10-22 13:49 · Score: 2, Funny

I tried to go to your link. I got the below error page, looks like the administrator on my home network has that blocked ;) Squid rules..

ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved

While trying to retrieve the URL: http://www.gator.com/

The following error was encountered:

* Access Denied.

This site has been BANNED from loading

Access control configuration prevents your request from being allowed at this time. Please contact your service provider if you feel this is incorrect.

Your cache administrator is root.
Generated Thu, 23 Oct 2003 01:39:14 GMT by squid.xxxxxx.org (Squid/2.4.STABLE6)

--
Bad boys rape our young girls but Violet gives willingly.
I object to the phrase "maggot infested" by HangingChad · 2003-10-22 14:10 · Score: 3, Funny

Maggots have better taste than to inhabit a piece of crap like Gator.
Billions of self-respecting maggots are offended by your comment, sir, and demand an apology!

--
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
Me Second by CleverNickName · 2003-10-22 14:52 · Score: 5, Funny

Dear Gator,

Gator is Spyware, you fuckers. Spyware. Spyware. Spyware.

Please send me a nastygram. My career is stalled, and I could really use the publicity.

Love,

Wil Wheaton
Linux weenie who doesn't even use your crappy SPYware.

PS- It's spyware.
1. Re:Me Second by Yenhsrav_Keviv · 2003-10-22 15:28 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  I just went to gators website, hit the contact us link at the top, marked the feedback radio button, and sent them this delightful message: Dear Gator, In response to the actions your company has taken against some of the most honest companies in the world, all I say is this: Gator is Spyware, you fuckers. Spyware. Spyware. Spyware Not adware. Go ahead, send me whatever threatening replies you want. I just have to speak my mind. That is all.
2. Re:Me Second by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 15:31 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  hey you dumb fuck, that really is Will.
  
  p.s. did anyone see him on "the weakest link?"...he was fucking hilarious. all throwing the moves on the actress that played belana torres. i thought it was funny.
  
  p.p.s. anyone who could have gates mcfadden playing their mother is cool in my book. ok, i have wood for beverly crusher, i admit it.
  
  cheers,
  btizee
3. Re:Me Second by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 15:41 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  let's start the "Gator is Spyware, you fuckers. Spyware. Spyware. Spyware." Foundation.
  
  yea!
4. Re:Me Second by quantaman · 2003-10-22 15:45 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Please send me a nastygram.
  
  I'm afraid I can't speak for Gator but I can assure you there is no shortage of trolls who are perfectly willing to accomodate your wish.
  
  --
  I stole this Sig
5. Re:Me Second by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 17:27 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Submitted that right to Gator ;)
  
  http://www.gatorcorporation.com/contact/
  
  Enjoy!
Me Third by E-Rock-23 · 2003-10-22 15:07 · Score: 2, Funny

Hey, Gator! It's Spyware! S-P-Y-W-A-R-E! I did not choose to install it on my machine, but it's still here! Why is that? Because it's SPYWARE!

Like Mr. Wheaton above, I would like a cease and decist order sent to me. However, since I have no previous career in entertainment, I need the publicity to get mine started. I'm a poor, non-RIAA aligned musician trying to crack an industry dominated by old men who think kids want to hear Justin Timberflake and some slut from Wexford, PA all day.

Gator is Spyware. It sucks. Thankfully, I use Opera, which allows me to kill popup ads. But still, you're collecting my data (maybe you're collecting the fact that I'm taking your SPYWARE to task, nes pas? and selling it to companies so you can make an advertising buck. Sounds like SPYWARE to me...

--
Blog Prophyts - Right On, Man
1. Re:Me Third by WEFUNK · 2003-10-23 01:23 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Like Mr. Wheaton above, I would like a cease and decist order sent to me. However, since I have no previous career in entertainment, I need the publicity to get mine started. I'm a poor, non-RIAA aligned musician trying to crack an industry dominated by old men who think kids want to hear Justin Timberflake and some slut from Wexford, PA all day.
  
  Just name your band or your demo album "Gator is Spyware" -- that ought to ruffle some feathers and get you your cease and desist...
  
  --
  My next sig will be ready soon, but friends can beat the rush!
You're gonna feel really embarassed... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-10-22 15:08 · Score: 5, Funny

when you realize that you just made fun of Wil Wheaton for claiming to be Wil Wheaton.
Re:What? by kfg · 2003-10-22 15:33 · Score: 2, Funny

Within the ranks of scum they're scum. Even my pond rejected them.

KFG
Re:Umm... Dude... by irix · 2003-10-22 16:43 · Score: 3, Funny

Was it on /. or a newsgroup that somebody told Christiansen "you obviously know nothing about Perl"?

Finally ... a moment where my .sig is on topic! ;-)

That post (it was a few years ago) was one of the funniest things I ever read on Slashdot, and it has been entrenched in my .sig ever since...

--

Do you even know anything about perl? -- AC Replying to Tom Christiansen post.
HEY!! STOP BASHING GATOR I LIKE IT by ShimmyShimmy · 2003-10-22 17:26 · Score: 3, Funny

I am for one, completely offended that all of you bash Gator 24/7. Gator was designed to put targeted ads to the user, meaning consumers get exactly what they want.
From the continued use of Gator, it has developed an accurate profile, and the ads I receive are of premium interest to me. I have made many successful online purchases from the reliable, well-established companies that advertise through GAIN.
To all those reading this message, I would like you to know that the programmers of Gator worked long, hard hours to design this software, and you should be very thankful that the corporation allows you do download it free of charge, which is worth clearly more than the Suggested Retail Price of US $30.
All in all GAIN is a very useful form of targeted advertising, and represents a huge leap in positive, productive media and computer technology in the 20th-21st Century.

Sincerely as OJ Simpon's Court Statements,
Some shitbag PR/Actor/Marketing Major that was paid a lot to say all this crap... err... I mean...
Joe Average User

--
Partial Credit: The Engineer's Best friend
"Well, the bridge didn't fall all the way down!"
Re:Gator and Bonzi Buddy by rjh · 2003-10-22 18:00 · Score: 2, Funny

Every user of the Internet.