urban ku # 161 ~ really annoying s**t
Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 11:20AM 
A drive in the woods • click to embiggenDoes this bit of tomfoolery piss off any of you like it does me? I am sick to death of anyone for any reason, even if it is 'well-intentioned', accessing my computer. No exceptions. Period. End of discussion.
Question: You're looking for a new clock/radio. You find one you like. At the checkout counter you are informed that, as an added bonus feature, every time you turn the thing on, the store will send one its employees (or anyone else it might choose to designate) into your bedroom at anytime, night or day without notice, to stand around and 'monitor' and record how you use the thing.
This is not an optional feature. It is part and parcel of the product. Oh, by the way, your name, address and any other personal information you used at the time of purchase will be linked to any observations and recording. Of course, they promise not to share or misuse the observed behaviors. No guarantee that it won't be stolen and then shared and misused.
Would you buy it? Would you leave cookies and milk for the uninvited and unannounced observer?
Santa is the only one who has these privileges at our house. But he only visits once a year and always on the same day so we know when to lock up the liquor cabinet.
I don't know what irks me more - the fact that all manner of 'reputable' companies are doing it, or, that nobody seems to give a damn that they are doing it.
Reader Comments (5)
Ok, i will not touch your computer. You could have asked nicely. I was just trying to look at porn, since you already have the subscriptions...
I don't think it's true that nobody gives a damn. Not at all ... the site you link is awash with folks who're as upset as you. Shortly before seeing your mention of it here, I saw Paul Butzi waxing vehement (and rightly so, I'd add) about the very same issue.
The thing is .. are you (or Paul, or ME?) going to stop using it? Stop subsidizing it? Stop paying the periodic "Adobe Tax" ?
I'm just starting to get a handle on how I'll properly archive and store and catalog the photos I've been accumulating and now I come to the cold realization that even the highly regarded DNG format is something I'm not so sure I want to depend on ... just in case I find myself deciding to jettison Adobe and its collective clutches.
Rghhhh.
I especially like the image on the right. Lots of leaves and some subtle color still lingering in the snow.
Funny thing is that I discovered this months ago the first time I launched the program and set my firewall to block it. I've found so many different programs "phoning home" that I always check for this the first time I run one so I can block it.
Well, I dont really understand the fuss. OK, this software 'phones home'. But in general, software from reputed sources don't really pry. Its more to enhance its usability. Atleast, thats what the naive side of me thinks.