AOL 9.0 Called Badware

An anonymous reader writes "The bad news at AOL keeps coming. First they get in trouble for releasing search data on more than half a million customers, then it gives away security software with a nasty EULA, now its free client software is accused of acting like badware according to Stopbadware.org, the Google-funded rating group."

Badware?

[Anonymous Coward]

That sounds like a term a 5 year old would come up with.

Re:badware?

[w33t]

I prefer to call it "misunderstoodware".

Re:LOL

[Anonymous Coward]

"What's it feel like?" Like waaaaarm apple pie...

Malware, Badware...

[whiskeyOnIce]

...I'm the guy with the coasters.

Seriously, none of the free AOL coasters that I've ever received in the mail have ever done anything remotely 'bad'. Unless you consider sticking to the bottom of a cold glass 'bad'.

I've been waiting for one of the new versions to prevent that sort of thing, though. That is certainly a necessary upgrade - maybe version 15?

Re:badware?

[rackhamh]

Badware is software that's really good when it's good, but better when it's bad.

Alternatively, badware can refer to software that gets lots of plastic surgery and lives with a monkey.

Jessica Simpson

[Andrewkov]

The AOL software is down right angelic compared to the Jessica Simpson Screensaver! [stopbadware.org]

Re:Badware?

[iced_773]

Or an AOL user.

Re:Malware, Badware...

[Andrewkov]

One scratched my coffee table once. Now I use cork toasters instead of CD based ones.

wtheck

[kemo_by_the_kilo]

Between not letting you cancel (even post mortum) and having "bad"ware... the only thing left for them to do is start including dell batteries with their CDs

Cops

[robotsrule]

Badware, badware What'cha gonna do? What'cha gonna do when they deinstall you? Badware, badware What'cha gonna do? What'cha gonna do when they deinstall you?

Re:badware?

[Tom in Boston]

But it's so simple and easy to uninstall! I wrote up these instructions...

http://websiteperson.com/advocate/uninstallaol90.h tm [websiteperson.com]

1. Go to the control panel, Add/Remove Software, and choose AOL. I think it asks you to restart after this.
All done, right? Not yet!
2. Follow the same steps to remove "Real Player," assuming you don't want it! (Spyware, intrusive.)
3. Follow the same steps to remove "AOL Coach." Apparently uninstalling AOL doen't uninstall this, whatever it is.
4. Follow the same steps to remove "AOL Desk Bar." Hmmm... Maybe this was the icon in the task bar?
5. Follow the same steps to remove "AOL Spyware Protection."
6. Follow the same steps to remove "AOL Toolbar."
7. Follow the same steps to remove "AOL You've Got Pictures Screensaver."
I think we're almost done!
8. Follow the same steps to remove "Pure Networks Port Magic." (What the heck is THAT?)
9. Follow the same steps to remove "Viewpoint Experience Technology."
Not done yet...

Did you ever think that maybe...

[EnderQON]

It's not Badware, it's just drawn that way?

In related gradeschool news ...

[Floody]

Large object in the center of the Solar System called Hotthing.

Re:Maybe Joe Schmoe shouldn't be using a computer.

[monsterfish]

He doesn't look at a PC as a car, he thinks of it as a washing machine.

In that case... I guess I look at my car as a washingmachine, look at my PC as a car... but I just can't remember what I use my actual washingmachine for!

Re:badware?

[owlnation]

how about badwear? or better yet naughtywear?

Now those sound much more interesting!

Wrong Keyword...

[denebian devil]

The real one is "AOL"

Which makes me wonder... is "AOL Keyword: AOL" recursive? Having never had, used, or even breathed on an AOL browser, I wouldn't know.

I love it!

[SanityInAnarchy]

AOL is worse than malware. Malware is written with bad intent, or possibly written by Malcom Reynolds. AOL is just badware -- badly conceived, badly designed, and badly implemented.

Re:Maybe Joe Schmoe shouldn't be using a computer.

[mspohr]

Dude! Pop Tarts are DANGEROUS with toasters...

Lawyers and pop tarts http://www.overlawyered.com/2004/12/poptart_fire_l awsuit.html [overlawyered.com]

Flaming strawberry pop tart toaster blowtorch http://www.pmichaud.com/toast/ [pmichaud.com]

The definitive word from Dave Berry: http://www.cfcl.com/vlb/Cuute/f/pop_tarts.txt [cfcl.com]

Re:Maybe Joe Schmoe shouldn't be using a computer.

[operagost]

When it breaks, he calls Geek Squad or the smart nerdy kid down the street, just like if the washing machine breaks, he calls the repair guy from Sears.

A real man FIXES it himself... or at least finishes it off so that he can just buy a new one at Sears!

Re:Maybe Joe Schmoe shouldn't be using a computer.

[operagost]

The average joe is a bit too ignorant for his own good.

Yes, he is too ignorant. Let us, the intellectual elite, enslave these weak-minded brutes and put them to work for us!

Seriously, I'm pretty sure most men, at least, know what they're driving. Sorry, but it's only the women I know who have had trouble recollecting certain significant details about their vehicles, such as the number of doors or when they last changed the oil.