PDF XChangeViewer with Tracker ASK Toolbar

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by Dermot7, Feb 17, 2010.

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  1. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Updating to build 2.0.47 noticed that it now includes option to install ASK toolbar. In fact it's an opt-out so you must deselect box to avoid installing ASK.
     

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  2. Saraceno

    Saraceno Registered Member

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    That's no good.

    I have an older portable version. Version 1, build 31, from December 2007. Has worked flawlessly since then.

    If you want it zipped and uploaded, let me know.
     
  3. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    Wow, as of yesterday, I think, it was still at .46 and didn't include it. That's the version I have. Thanks for the heads up.
     
  4. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Thanks Saraceno, I'll stick with this (minus toolbar) for the time being. Moved
    from Adobe to Foxit and then to XChange Viewer, now feel like I must find
    another. Sumatra?
    Don't think Tracker will gain users with this new addition.
     
  5. Firebytes

    Firebytes Registered Member

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    Ughhh! Another software falls into the clutches of ASK. I switched from Foxit awhile back to get away from this sort of thing. :(
     
  6. Adric

    Adric Registered Member

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    Is it really that difficult to opt out? o_O

    Al
     
  7. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Of course it's easy to opt-out. But some will just click next, next, next..... and
    have a shiny new Ask toolbar they didn't expect. Also I've seen problems with
    this toolbar in the past, and I believe others have too(?).
     
  8. the Tester

    the Tester Registered Member

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    This is the problem with toolbars in general.... the casual user "that clicks next" and ends up with a toolbar. I know, I have removed a toolbar lately and family members aren't savvy to the opt-out toolbar scenario.
     
  9. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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  10. norky

    norky Registered Member

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    just installed the 64bit msi and it didnt bundle the toolbar
     
  11. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Thanks norky, that's curious, maybe it's because there's more users on 32bit?
     
  12. twl845

    twl845 Registered Member

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    Thanks for the warning. I updated and unchecked the Ask.:)
     
  13. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

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    I really hate to see this! I thought Tracker had some integrity. At least make it unchecked!!! I will be posting (protesting) on their user forum tomorrow. We'll see if they will discus it in the light of day...
     
  14. Carver

    Carver Registered Member

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    I had a older version with a built in updater, I did not check the tool bar.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2010
  15. norky

    norky Registered Member

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    I'm not sure. Maybe they just don't have a 64bit installer for Ask yet?
     
  16. twl845

    twl845 Registered Member

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    It reminds me of PC Tools who does the same trick for automatic renewal. :mad:
     
  17. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

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    Well, my post is there. At least for now! ;) We'll see if they are willing to listen to reason or at least give their side of the story in a public/open way...
     
  18. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

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    Ask Toolbar is pretty common optional add-on, lots of good freeware programs include optional installers like that. I don't like them either, but I don't hold it against the company if it helps them to stay in business and to keep updating a program I like.
     
  19. Seer

    Seer Registered Member

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    Those who do that are idiots, and should not be let in front of the PC. Simple as that.
    If you click on "next" without reading anything, then you deserved not one but all the toolbars in the world.

    What reason? The Ask toolbar brings them money. If it's opted in, it brings more money, since there are many idiots who will click "next, next" without paying attention and the chances of installing the toolbar are higher.

    Well said.
     
  20. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

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    While you may be right that many users probably should not be in front of a PC, the fact remains they are. And while it's a decent revenue stream, and pre-checked boxes that install unrelated (and probably unwanted) software may have become the norm, deep in our gut we know it's not the right thing to do. IMO, it's up to us, the more enlightened user to help watch out for the less enlightened.

    FYI... I have an initial reply in my Tracker Software thread. If there is enough negative response, they said they will not ignore the issue. So if you are a user that wants a change in how the Ask Toolbar installation is being handled, consider registering at their support forum and air your thoughts.
     
  21. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Well said Han. New users need help and guidance, not condemnation. They might not know about Ask and might think it's necessary for the program to
    work properly. It's mostly Tracker's new association with Ask which goes against the grain. If they can't offer (or can't afford to offer) authentic freeware, then they shouldn't bother. I saw your post on their forum, and
    will add my two farthings worth tomorrow.
     
  22. Seer

    Seer Registered Member

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    If we watch out for them too much then they will never learn.
    Better to explain what's a toolbar, what it does and what to do with it ("bad thing, phones home, untick it" for example) then to urge the vendor to change "next" screens (and possibly lose revenues) just so they can be blissfully click-happy.

    I guess if their only income is from these revenues, they would be ignoring the issue very hard. But this only shows how vendors have tremendous understanding even for the most nonsensical user requests.
     
  23. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    This is worse than I realised- I discovered(this morning) that the Ask toolbar
    is installed despite unchecking boxes for its installation!! I proved this twice, and
    it also did same on my other laptop!! Also it installs other search providers,
    namely Meta.UA, Seznam cz, Yandex.RU, plus Google, Yahoo, Bing, and
    Wikipedia!!!
    This is totally unacceptable, and I've been trying to contact Tracker, and,
    hopefully, will get an answer after the weekend.
     
  24. Karen76

    Karen76 Registered Member

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    I just installed PDF-XChange Viewer v2.0 build 47.0 on one of my PCs. During installation, I unchecked the Ask toolbar boxes and didn't experience any of the problems you reported.
     
  25. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    I'd slow down and scan my system for other spyware/malware before I went hollering at Tracker. If what you say is true and can be proven to be directly related to PDF XChangeViewer, then Tracker has gone bad.
     
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