- Do NOT, as a part of your software installation package, install or offer to install some other completely unrelated software package. Certainly, NEVER install it by default.
Of course, this whole practice started with spyware, where that "cool game" your kid downloaded silently installed some additional software that hijacks your browser and takes down your internet connection. But it's starting to really frustrate me to see installers for software from somewhat respectable companies install unrelated software from other companies, some of which are also somewhat respectable.
And just to be clear I'm not talking about a game that requires DirectX installing DirectX, or an application that requires the .Net framework installing the .Net framework.
The sort of thing that makes me mad is what happened just now when I was installing an update to the Java run time environment. Can someone tell me what the *@#! the Google Desktop has to do with the Java run time environment getting updated? Because for some reason asking if I want to install it is a step in the Java update installation process!
Java, Google... shame on you!
On a side note, no, I do NOT want to install the Google Desktop. I DO religiously use the Google toolbar and the Google DeskBAR, but I did not like when they stopped the DeskBAR and forced the entire DeskTOP on you. Luckily you can still find the last DeskBAR installer on the internet and it still works great!
Some other offenders, that used to be just great software but started adopting this horrible practice are:
- Adobe Reader installing Yahoo toolbar
- Nero installing Yahoo toolbar
- Winamp installing "eMusic", AOL shortcuts, etc.
- Daemon Tools installing some "search" software
- Real Media player... the worst... I stopped installing it a long time ago
STOP DOING THIS... It's bad... ok?
