Thoughts on OpenCandy, et. al.

[aimeeandbeatles]

A program I use quite frequently (MediaInfo) the installer is bundled with something called OpenCandy, which makes a recommendation for a program. I've never installed any.

Anyways any time I try to search it (I do it once in awhile and then forget about it promptly until I search for it again and remember seeing the results) I get a crapload of controversial results some saying OpenCandy is evil! and some saying OpenCandy isn't that bad. Personally I'm not too worried about it myself (it's not quite as annoying as toolbars) but I'd like to know what other people think.

Please no snarky or overly-brief responses. I'd like this to be sort of a red-diamond quality thread except that RD isn't outside of OT. If a mod wants to add an RD go ahead.

 

[Zelig]

I wouldn't use it, it doesn't seem useful.

And I only use the best software, I don't need recommendations from something that's basically adware.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Please no snarky or overly-brief responses.

Appreciate if you read the OP in full.

I never use the recommendations anyways. MediaInfo I use quite a bit though.

 

[IglooDame]

It would be helpful if you explained what OpenCandy, and for that matter MediaInfo, actually do.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Well MediaInfo is just a tool that will tell you some info about media files, e.g. codecs and framerate and stuff. It can be useful for obscure filetypes that you don't know what to do with or (my common use) checking the bitrate quickly.

E.G. here's a random video file I exported the info as text:

Spoiler :

General
Complete name : D:\Videos\Tom Petty\Music Videos\1987 - Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)\1987 - Jammin' Me.avi
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
File size : 103 MiB
Duration : 4mn 5s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 3 501 Kbps
Writing application : VirtualDubMod 1.5.4.1 (build 2178/release)
Writing library : VirtualDubMod build 2178/release

Video
ID : 0
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Advanced Simple@L5
Format settings, BVOP : 1
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Custom
Codec ID : XVID
Codec ID/Hint : XviD
Duration : 4mn 5s
Bit rate : 3 368 Kbps
Width : 624 pixels
Height : 464 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.465
Stream size : 98.6 MiB (96%)
Writing library : XviD 1.2.0.dev47 (UTC 2006-11-01)

Audio
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 3
Mode : Joint stereo
Mode extension : MS Stereo
Codec ID : 55
Codec ID/Hint : MP3
Duration : 4mn 5s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 120 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 3.50 MiB (3%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 24 ms (0.60 video frame)
Interleave, preload duration : 429 ms

I use it 'cos it's relatively easy to use compared to some other tools.

OpenCandy is something developers put in their installer files. I think CDBurnerXP (my mom uses it as she doesn't have the patience for ImgBurn, my preferred) uses it. But what it does is I think it scans your installed programs and then pulls up a recommendation. (Oddly, once for me it recommended a program I already had. So I dunno if it actually does scan things.) So anyways you have to specifically select it to install it (if you leave it blank it won't, which is why I say less annoying than toolbars). And if you do it downloads and installs it for you.

The tricky part I think is the scanning part (privacy policy says it doesn't collect anything personal but I can imagine some people being nervous of it) and I think if you install a recommendation OpenCandy will drop some program files in your computer.

Anyways here's the official site: http://www.opencandy.com/

 

[IglooDame]

So OpenCandy scans what programs you have, and based on the results of that scan offers to download and install additional programs?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Thats about it as far as I'm aware. Im not good at explaining this stuff. Anyways it's opt-in.

If you're curious I can bring up a screenshot.

 

[IglooDame]

No, thanks anyway. Doesn't sound like something I'd want to go anywhere near.

 

[Maniacal]

Remember when your parents told you not to eat open candy when trick or treating? That applies here.

 

[GoodGame]

Sounds like malware.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I wish people would make more detailed posts.

 

[Zelig]

Why? I can't think of any compelling reason to use it, so it doesn't really need a stringent argument against using it.

 

[GoodGame]

Aimee, read their FAQ.

It may not be intentionally malware, but it certainly could be used to distribute malware/adware/trojans.

Q: What is OpenCandy?

A: OpenCandy is a software network that enables software developers to distribute their software and earn money in the process. You may have seen OpenCandy as a single user-friendly recommendation screen, or offer, inside of a popular Windows software installer.

Want to see a recommendation in action? Check out the 60 second video on the home page.

It's basically software to bundle crap with software that you want. It could be as simple as trying to get money from the "Ask" company by distributing the Ask toolbar with a freeware. They make the installation a "submarine" in that the user doesn't get the software they want without agreeing to getting the software they don't want. I'd call this malware if the installer doesn't directly ask the user if they want it installed (your adware OS alert software doesn't count).

Same thing if you tried to do those "get 40 facebook credits for installing this software". Even if the software isn't a trojan itself, it might install a trojan/adware program as part of the installation.


Yeah, it might legitimately reimburse the developer, but it's not a good ethic, unless the end user is told about it prior and during the installation.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Why? I can't think of any compelling reason to use it, so it doesn't really need a stringent argument against using it.

You don't "use" it, the developer includes it with an installer. Like crappy toolbars. But as I said it's opt-in so if you click past it without doing anything it don't install anything.

 

[LucyDuke]

Remember when your parents told you not to eat open candy when trick or treating? That applies here.

Seriously, that's a hell of a name.

A program I use quite frequently (MediaInfo) the installer is bundled with something called OpenCandy, which makes a recommendation for a program. I've never installed any.

Anyways any time I try to search it (I do it once in awhile and then forget about it promptly until I search for it again and remember seeing the results) I get a crapload of controversial results some saying OpenCandy is evil! and some saying OpenCandy isn't that bad. Personally I'm not too worried about it myself (it's not quite as annoying as toolbars) but I'd like to know what other people think.

Please no snarky or overly-brief responses. I'd like this to be sort of a red-diamond quality thread except that RD isn't outside of OT. If a mod wants to add an RD go ahead.

1. Personally I never ever install "optional" bundled crap. If I wanted a goddamn ask.com toolbar I'd go get it myself. Even if I wanted an ask.com toolbar, didn't have one yet, and some bundled crap asked me to install it, I'd still go get it myself. The only exception that isn't even really an exception is stuff like directx or whatever stuff that isn't really "optional" anyway.

2. "Isn't that bad" and "not quite as annoying" are awful reasons to do something useless. If you are not going to use something, don't install it. If you don't have a reason to install something, don't install it. Most importantly, if you don't know what something does, don't install it.

3. You said it's not required in this case, but frankly in cases where it is required, you should find something else that does what you need done.

4. Based on twenty seconds of research, OpenCandy is worthless adware that does nothing to benefit you.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I don't install OpenCandy. None of you are getting this. It puts a little advertisement into the installer asking "Do you want such-and-such a program?" If you click No or don't click anything it doesn't leave anything behind on your computer. OpenCandy is what makes the advertisements appear. I never install any of those recommendations.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I took a screenshot as it seems none of you are getting what this thing is.

During the installation, this comes up as one of the installer pages (just before it starts copying files):

1. There's almost no way to miss it as compared to a toolbar often stuck in with "Do you want a desktop icon?"
2. Note that you have to click the Yes option for it to install. If you just skip by nothing happens. (I've tried it.)

 

[IglooDame]

So... ummm... what's there to actually discuss about it?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

As I said, some people find it unethical for this reason -- Suppose I took the recommendation and installed StumbleUpon via this thing. OpenCandy would leave some of its own files and a few registry keys behind.

Also some people have issue with them checking if you have the recommendations beforehand.

 

[LucyDuke]

I don't install OpenCandy. None of you are getting this. It puts a little advertisement into the installer asking "Do you want such-and-such a program?" If you click No or don't click anything it doesn't leave anything behind on your computer. OpenCandy is what makes the advertisements appear. I never install any of those recommendations.

Personally I'm not too worried about it myself (it's not quite as annoying as toolbars) but I'd like to know what other people think.

Please no snarky or overly-brief responses. I'd like this to be sort of a red-diamond quality thread except that RD isn't outside of OT. If a mod wants to add an RD go ahead.

I told you what I think. No snark, with details. I don't see anyone else assuming you installed it either.


Desktop icons suck too.