Andrew Gregory

Opera Contains Spyware?

Friday, 23. May 2008, 15:42:36

http://linuxtnt.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/opera-browser-contains-spyware/

seems to think so!

I made a couple of comments (with replies from "BKB") comparing and contrasting Opera's display of an uninstall form to Firefox's display of a post-upgrade notice. Neither are requested by the user, and both send identical information, in the form of the usual HTTP headers sent for every web request you make in any browser, back to their respective companies. (Unless, of course, the user decides to fill in Opera's form and submit it - that's entirely up to the user.) IE does something similar on a regular basis too (usually after an update). That's no different either. None of it is spyware.

Sadly, balance seems to be a missing feature on that site, as my comments have since been unceremoniously deleted

I wish I'd kept a screenshot. I'd actually thought about it, knowing how sensitive anti-Opera zealots can be. The best I can do is how it looks right now ( http://files.myopera.com/Andrew%20Gregory/blog/linuxnt20080217.png ). If you're wondering why BKB has suddenly piped up after three months and mentioned Firefox with no prior reference - that would be me.

Please don't bug BKB with any further comments. They aren't wanted and will just be deleted.

I started writing this to express my anger and frustration, and to ensure my thoughts on this matter didn't disappear entirely! As I finish this, I'm just sad.

TPG Web MenusThe Myth of the Robustness Principle

Comments

shoust # 23. May 2008, 22:12

Well, I've kinda caved in and commented, mentioned that its basically a standard technique many companies do to get feedback from their users. And I popped in a url which may change his opinion a bit, which I read a couple of days ago. Not spyware, but considering he seems so sensitive on the issue. Here it is http://john.jubjubs.net/2008/05/13/mozilla-firefox-data/

Maulkin # 23. May 2008, 23:41

That's trolling, everyone know that's not "spyware", his definition doesn't apply to the one commonly accepted.

Andrew Gregory # 24. May 2008, 05:43

I'd heard about that Mozilla data gathering thing, but it just seems like a huge knee-jerk over-reaction from the community at large. A whole lot of panic over a bit of brain-storming.

If you make something, you'd like to know what people do and don't like about it. As shoust says, lots of companies perform "exit polls" as well as perform customer service satisfactions polls. It's all really very important, happens all the time, everywhere.

beekaybee # 24. May 2008, 23:53

A simpler explanation for deleting your comments might be that they were really boring.

Andrew Gregory # 25. May 2008, 04:03

Well, gosh! I suppose that I disagreed with you was just a coincidence? Why don't you stand up for your position? Deleting opposing comments only weakens your argument.

Oh, I see you've now deleted your comment of the 23rd? Trying to rewrite history? What a waste of time.

beekaybee # 25. May 2008, 11:46

Perhaps you should contact some eminent historians, or even the History Channel, about this attempt to rewrite history! Or perhaps the best solution for you in future is to scratch your blog comments deeply into durable stone with a penknife, so that they'll be preserved for generations to come, who wil doubtless be as fascinated by your outstanding opinions as I was.

I can't imagine why people don't want to stand up for their position and would rather ignore tedious monomaniacs and obsessives. There's nothing I like better than talking to some argumentative twerp who goes on and on and on and on and on about something.

If you find talking to me to be a waste of time, may I make so bold as to suggest that you refrain from doing it? Then you will be happy, and I will be too.

Maulkin # 25. May 2008, 22:11

Okay, I just had a fabulous idea, typped-in google "what is spyware" and hurray, Evil Search Master gave me the answer!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=opera&rls=en&hs=xPO&defl=en&q=define:Spyware&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

According to most of the definitions, spyware is spyware when the program is tracking your stats secretly without the user's consent. Clearly not the case of Opera, if someone doesn't want to make the survey, just click on the cross.

I agree you can find this annoying, BUT please do not say it's spyware, this statement is FALSE.

Andrew Gregory # 26. May 2008, 03:26

Yes see, BKB, at the time I didn't know that you deleted the comments of people who didn't see things your way. All I saw were some inaccurate comments/opinions and I thought I'd straighten things out.

I now understand that your site is just so that you can pat yourself on the back by pointing at all the people whose comments agree with your own. We all know why that is the case now.