Shoutbox

quote:

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Originally posted by Millenium_edition
conclusion: not asking = spyware.

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nope. In that case, messenger would be also spyware.

IMO, if not private information is sent and if there is an option to turn it off, it isn't spyware.

Well, obviously its not spyware but n00bs will think it was .

I think it should be notified as put on by default on installing (diff screen not in the sponsor one f.e. maybe with an option to turn it off...or with an explanation how to turn it off and a real clear explanation its to improve plus and that its anonymous) to avoid ppl complainin afterwards (msg plus! is spyin on me ooohhh )


P.s. I don't mind but u know how paranoid some ppl get

quote:

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Originally posted by Choli
nope. In that case, messenger would be also spyware.

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nope, as messenger has it disabled by default

Me, I'm sorry but I totally disagree. My software is not a spyware just because it sends a couple of bytes of statistical information to my server once a week. This is the kind of mixup that makes everyone thinks everything is a spyware nowadays.

Please who don't want that kind of thing will be sart enoughto opentheir prefs and uncheck the option that sits on the first page . All the other people will just not care at all (and that's the vast majority). The only thing that could afraid an average user is a message box prompt asking to send statistics information to a server and that's why I won't do it. Ican't add it in the installer either because it would get confused with the sponsor stuff, and finally, I can't put warnings when you start Messenger because I've never wanted to prompt anything after Plus! was installed.

People who are suspicious will just monitor their internet connection and will see that the data that's being sent is no more than something like that:
stats.msgplus-update.net/msgplus-stats1.php?c=CAN&piiu=1&pciu=1&pw=1&pp=1&pqt=1&psp=1&qs=1&ufc=1&pi=1&fw=1

And to make everyone happy, here is the meaning of what's being sent... all capital letters of a word form the php parameter:
enum EStats1
{
    ES1_QuickTextUse = 0x1,
    ES1_PlusImIconUse = 0x2,
    ES1_PlusCtcIconUse = 0x4,
    ES1_PrefWindow = 0x8,
    ES1_PrefPlugins = 0x10,
    ES1_PrefQuickText = 0x20,
    ES1_PrefQuickIcons = 0x40,
    ES1_PrefStatusPreset = 0x80,
    ES1_UseEncryption = 0x100,
    ES1_QuoteSender = 0x200,
    ES1_UseQuoteSender = 0x400,
    ES1_UseFindText = 0x800,
    ES1_UseFormatCodes = 0x1000,
    ES1_TextRecall = 0x2000,
    ES1_PluginInstalled = 0x4000,
    ES1_UseScheduler = 0x8000,
    ES1_UseLockMessenger = 0x10000,
    ES1_UseBossProtect = 0x20000,
    ES1_UsePersoStatusName = 0x40000,
    ES1_UsePersoStatusMsg = 0x80000,
    ES1_UseAutoAccept = 0x100000,
    ES1_HideAdvert = 0x200000,
    ES1_WordFilters = 0x400000,
    ES1_Pop3Emails = 0x800000,
    ES1_EventLogViewer = 0x1000000,
    ES1_EventLogFile = 0x2000000,
    ES1_ChatLogFilter = 0x4000000,
    ES1_CustomNames = 0x8000000,
    ES1_UseSpecialTags = 0x10000000,
    ES1_UseOverrideTextFormat = 0x20000000,
    ES1_UseSoundCommands = 0x40000000,
    ES1_FloatWindows = 0x80000000
};

Patchou

quote:

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Originally posted by Patchou
Me, I'm sorry but I totally disagree. My software is not a spyware just because it sends a couple of bytes of statistical information to my server once a week. This is the kind of mixup that makes everyone thinks everything is a spyware nowadays.

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spyware = sending stuff you do, but not confidential info, to a server. without warning
evil spyware = spyware and sends confidential info to a server.

what is msgplus then? it does what spyware does, unles you give that stupid dialog box?

quote:

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Originally posted by Millenium_edition

quote:

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Originally posted by Patchou
Me, I'm sorry but I totally disagree. My software is not a spyware just because it sends a couple of bytes of statistical information to my server once a week. This is the kind of mixup that makes everyone thinks everything is a spyware nowadays.

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spyware = sending stuff you do, but not confidential info, to a server. without warning
evil spyware = spyware and sends confidential info to a server.

what is msgplus then? it does what spyware does, unles you give that stupid dialog box?

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I disagree with this coz, its an optional function in msn messenger, and its no spyware. He added only an option to send some statistics to his server to improve msgplus only more and more, and to see what things went wrong so he can fix it and it would only more usefull for you and other people  who are useing it

quote:

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Originally posted by Millenium_edition

quote:

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Originally posted by Choli
nope. In that case, messenger would be also spyware.

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nope, as messenger has it disabled by default

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no. you are wrong. It is enabled by default, and, even more, each time you sign in in a diferent computer it is enabled.

quote:

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Originally posted by Patchou
Me, I'm sorry but I totally disagree. My software is not a spyware just because it sends a couple of bytes of statistical information to my server once a week. This is the kind of mixup that makes everyone thinks everything is a spyware nowadays.

etc....

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I toatlly agree

quote:

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Originally posted by Choli
no. you are wrong. It is enabled by default, and, even more, each time you sign in in a diferent computer it is enabled.

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it is NOT

quote:

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Originally posted by MSN Messenger
Click here to join the customer improvement program.

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hello?

The dictionary definition of spyware is:

any software that covertly gathers information about a user while he/she navigates the Internet and transmits the information to an individual or company that uses it for marketing or other purposes; also called adware

Now the question is, does Plus covertly collect information? Well if there is an option to turn it off clearly in the Preferences, how can it be spying? Also does it contain information for marketing purposes?

Really we are talking a question of semantics. The real question is, is this a bad thing? If its helping Patchou then I am all for it. It contains non-personal information so it can't be used against a person. Most people won't even notice it. And those people that do notice should hopefully be smart enough to turn it off.

To be honest I expect there will be a few post on here akin to the ones about the optional sponsor program. Again I think our response will be the same to such posters. Use the search I reckon will be the common response.

Other programs do similar things. Winamp allows you to send anonymouse usage statistics back to them. Ask yourself, what really is the problem here??