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Google's Software Principles

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the do-no-harm dept.

Nick writes "Google has just posted a new set of "Software Principles" at their site on how they feel about spyware and the like. It is interesting to see the company whose motto is "Do no evil" trying to get the rest of the internet world to follow, with proposed principles dealing with upfront installation, clear behavior, simple removal, and keeping good company. The question is, though - why would a company who makes spyware (whose very nature is to be secretive and hard to remove) want to follow Google's principles?"

8 of 320 comments (clear)

  1. What a Question! by illuminata · · Score: -1, Troll

    The question is though, why would a company who makes spyware (who's very nature is to be secretive and hard to remove) want to follow Google's principles?

    Does Tony Soprano worry about ethics before he lays a whack?

    Well... only if your name is Big Pussy.

    --


    Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
  2. bleah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll


    INSTALLATION
    We believe software should not trick you into installing it.

    Like DRM stuff hidden in some service packs from our favourite monopoly?

    SIMPLE REMOVAL
    It should be easy for you to figure out how to disable or delete an application.

    How about Internet Explorer? I can't get WinUpdate to work with Mozilla on my PC (YMMV, I haven't monkeyed with it much.) How about anything from RealNetworks?

    KEEPING GOOD COMPANY
    Application providers should not allow their products to be bundled with applications that do not meet these guidelines.

    What if the bundled apps and the main app are written by the same people? (see INSTALLATION above)

  3. Selectively chosen criteria by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    There are some who believe that "Do no evil" includes something like 'place no ads' or 'scan not thy clients' email.'

  4. First post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Lalalala. Lalalala.

  5. Google This ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Niggerboyjones

  6. Thank God! by tbase · · Score: 0, Troll

    It's almost 5 on the east coast, and we're just now getting our first Google story on /. for the day? The revenue from that Google Adsense ad in the Google stories for the day is going to be way down! Google.

    --

    666-607: 6th floor apartment of the beast
  7. Re:Why follow google's principles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    A just look at this chart of their growth. It's amazing.

  8. In soviet Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    the web searches YOU