Is Microsoft Office Adware?

An anonymous reader writes "Office may fall under Microsoft's own definition of adware. It links to third-party commercial add-ons, includes up-selling promos, requires cookies for certain functions, and collects technical information. While this is like a normal day on the web, should the commercial office suite be held to a different standard and possibly be considered adware? The article also notes that clicking advertising links in Office will bring up Internet Explorer, regardless of whether or not it is the default browser. We discussed Microsoft's decision to turn Works into adware a few months ago.

Comments

No but this post is

[Anonymous Coward]

SMOKE MARLBORO!!!

OOo

[Junior J. Junior III]

I think I've realized something about Microsoft: They really want us to NOT want to use Microsoft products. I finally get it -- It's not sufficient for them to own the market; in order to feel fully dominant, they must own it against our will. It's as though they think that if we wanted to use their products because they were good for us and worked in our best interest, it would not be true show of their power, for we'd be rational in wanting such products. Only if they can force their software down our throats whether we want it or not, do they have full assurance that their power is real.

Re:OOo

[irtza]

well, I looked at the breakdown of moderation on this post. As usual, the antimicrosoft crowd modded this as insightful because I fear they truly believe that MS doesn't want us to use there software. Not a single Funny moderation? How does this happen. The saracasm in this post is radiating "mod me funny".... that would also allow the offtopic moderaters to rest easy (though they should have a field day with this post)...

Re:OOo

[xs650]

The best humor has a large element of truth to it. In this case, it was completely true.

The fact that it upsets MS fanbois is a bonus.

Of *course* not!

[pla]

Is Microsoft Office Adware?

Of course not - If so, Windows Defender would block it. Which it doesn't. So no problem, right?

Windows?

[v(*_*)vvvv]

Wouldn't Windows fall under adware? Looking at the checklist it seems like they all apply... Especially Vista.

On a side note, when I click on an email address in my Windows Mail, it opens Office Outlook. No, it is not set as my default mailer :(

I read it as...

[Hognoxious]

I read it as "Badware". My ad.

Re:Use Open Office

[infonography]

NO NO

EMACS forever

Re:Use Open Office

[Shadow_139]

EMACS sucks monkey-balls...., Real MEN use VI. http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/real_programmers.png

Re: What MS wants to own

[Dystopian Rebel]

I finally get it -- It's not sufficient for them to own the market; in order to feel fully dominant, they must own it against our will. They want ~your will~ itself. Microsoft wants to own the user. Every time the user starts a Redmond application, the application is Microsoft territory just like an embassy.

And you had better have a passport, because on entrance you and your computer become subjects of El Presidente Señor Lanzero de Sillónes Ballmero.

Re:Sounds OK to me

[zlogic]

You mean with Clippy and everything? :-)

Re:Use Open Office

[benplaut]

REAL men use butterflies!

Re:Use Open Office

[Anonymous Coward]

REAL MEN set the universal constants at the start such that the universe evolves to contain the disk with the data they want.