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I say there should be no spyware act.
I can't think of a form for the law that would truely benefit consumers.

Most people will skip reading the notices and licenses and just click 'next' or 'I accept'. Which ends up being just as bad as before, but now you got a law that could get ligit programmers who might have messed up.

Anyway I look at it, all I see is more useless work for ligit programmers. The only ones who benefit are the lawers. And those who are doing wrong won't be bothered by a law.

The best solution I see is to have the heavy weights make a standard. It doesn't define how/what/where you install, but rather requires a list (ex: README file) of what you install (files, directories, keys...). It should also require the installed work to be uninstallable; such that the system is returned to its previous state.

Now, packagers can say their install method/package is compliant with that standard. The use of the accompanying logo can be licensed under strict terms. Now, you are using existing tested proven laws to enforce a benefit for the consumer without further complicating the law books.

With the standard, people can choose the programs they want to install knowing what to expect. If the program doesn't state that it complies, the user knows he is taking a risk.
Posted by: doe_z   Posted on: 07/19/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Only if ...  Tim Patterson | 07/19/04
Government passes wrong bill? Don't they always?  JonathonDoe | 07/19/04
I say there should be no spyware act.  doe_z | 07/19/04
(NT) Not gonna happen.. PERIOD!  DarbyOhara | 07/19/04
untill the average user  V Sanders | 07/20/04
what is stating up on your pc  V Sanders | 07/20/04
startup manager  bony tryan | 07/20/04
Exactly!  rmerts@... | 08/01/04
People are sick and tired...  bjbrock | 07/19/04
Um, why is it the wrong bill?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/19/04
(nt) Microsoft, Adobe, etc. : Our spyware is good for you..  d_jedi | 07/19/04
why do you think big business supports web applications  V Sanders | 07/20/04
It's wrong because...  Blackdog_z | 07/19/04
Hey Blackdog......  bony tryan | 07/20/04
But you do not own the software in question!  B.O.F.H. | 07/19/04
Good point  Yagotta B. Kidding | 07/19/04
I don't "own"...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/20/04
Correct, you don't own!  B.O.F.H. | 07/20/04
BOFH, step away from  bony tryan | 07/20/04
DMCA can well prevent  errg | 07/29/04
But I do own the hardware.  enduser_z | 07/21/04
Yeah! Let's start from the bottom!  DarbyOhara | 07/19/04
why did ms want to stop a spyware bill?  V Sanders | 07/20/04
Which is odd...  rapson | 07/20/04
One thing  Jeff Spicoli | 07/20/04
Nothing odd about it,  bony tryan | 07/20/04
I'm not surprised !!  thetruth_z | 07/23/04
that can be changed  V Sanders | 07/27/04
It's an out of the box default.  thetruth_z | 07/27/04
Re: why did ms want to stop a spyware bill?  errg | 07/29/04
the wrong bill or no bill?  bony tryan | 07/20/04
Politians need to learn it!  jfreedle2@... | 07/21/04
ISPA is Wrong Bill Trial Lawyers Dream  jwschull@... | 07/21/04
Playing in the wrong Sandbox  Nullifidian | 07/26/04
But...  rmerts@... | 08/01/04

What do you think?

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