dotTech - Topic: RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/ Simple:Press Version 5.2.6 Jyo on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11268 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11268 I'm still quite happy using Adobe Reader Lite 9.3, but of course you gotta surf the internet intelligently too.

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:43:39 -0700 Locutus on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11264 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11264 Here's a little quote I found:

I have rarely seen a company that pushes itself through people's
nose in such a way as Ask.com.

The toolbar gets installed without any consent along with freeware
software and is a pain to remove from your computer effectively as the
developers tried hard to make it STAY where it has been deceitfully put.

When installing a freeware product that comes with the option to install
the ask.com toolbar and you select not to, said software gets installed
ANYWAY and no matter what, and forcefully sets ask.com as your default,
crappy search engine, putting you on sites you didn't wanna visit in
the first place.

An example?

- ZoneAlarm: The installation asks you if you want to install the Spy
Blocker, a browser toolbar. The box is pre-checked, with an option to
uncheck. On installation, the unsuspecting user finds that ALONG with
the Spy Blocker, Ask.com's 'search web' is ALSO installed ! There is no
option to just install the Spy Blocker.

uTorrent and many other programs do pretty much the same.

If you want to know more about it, google "ask.com nonconsensual
toolbar" and click on bendelman's site.

Want to remove it? Google your way to it, as the software tries all it
can to remain on your hard drive.

In the end, the experience with ask.com is scarily similar with what
you'd have with the worst ad-aware or malware.

I agree.

(from AMO's reviews section)

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:05:36 -0700 Joji on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11260 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11260 Really? I was recomended Ask.com when I was little... errr infestation? K... I'll do some research off Google...

 

~Joji~

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:45:09 -0700 Locutus on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11258 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11258 phoenix_rising said:

@ Locutus: Thanks for the heads-up on this. I saw on gHacks a photo of the toolbar installation (http://www.ghacks.net/2010/06/.....carefully/) ... deceptively easy to install unintentionally. I have to agree that it's sneaky - whatever claims FoxIt may make to the contrary.

 

That's what prompted me to write this.

@Joji:  No, it's just infestation-ware.

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:39:51 -0700 Mr.Dave on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11257 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11257 I had a TERRIBLE time trying to get rid of Ask Toolbar.  It may be a fine piece of software but I didn't want it.  Also, I never got a chance to decline or accept it (maybe my mouse registered two clicks and breezed right past that screen on the install?), it just appeared when I installed Foxit Reader.  I've been a happy user of PDF-Xchange PDF Viewer for several months now.  Several others I'd like to try, time has not allowed yet!

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:27:17 -0700 Joji on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11249 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11249 Uhm... just curious, why is Ask.com not that good again? Why are so many people against it? Is it because its searches are malicious or something?

 

~Joji~

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:15:02 -0700 phoenix_rising on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11247 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11247 @ Locutus: Thanks for the heads-up on this. I saw on gHacks a photo of the toolbar installation (http://www.ghacks.net/2010/06/30/foxit-reader-4-installation-read-carefully/) ... deceptively easy to install unintentionally. I have to agree that it's sneaky - whatever claims FoxIt may make to the contrary.

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:13:12 -0700 jumbi on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11246 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11246 thanks for the info, time to switch alternative pdf reader...

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:08:18 -0700 Locutus on RANT: Foxit Reader 4: Don't download it http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11243 Gen-Tech http://dottech.org/forums/gen-tech/rant-foxit-reader-4-dont-download-it/#p11243 Why shouldn't you download Foxit Reader 4? Let me outline the reasons:

  • Asks for Ask.com to be your default homepage
  • Asks for Ask to be your search provider

Not too bad you're saying, right?

Listen to this.

By default, the installer asks you if you want the Foxit & Ask.com toolbar, right?  Just like usual (argh).  But here's the deal: you have to decline the toolbar, not accept like you're probably going to.  It's a sneaky move by a company whose lightweight software has really gone downhill (IMHO) over the last while.  Instead, try one of the other three PDF readers (because I'm assuming you're with Foxit because it's an Adobe Reader alternative) from Lifehacker's hive five from a while ago:

http://lifehacker.com/5328211/five-best-pdf-readers

/rant

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