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Digsby improves Facebook support, goes on crapware diet
Over on the Digsby blog today, they're trumpeting a new version - one which adds of new Facebook features (things like commenting, liking, and photos), Myspace IM support (stop chuckling), and achievements. Yes, at long last you can taunt your friends with your awesome Digsbying prowess!
As for ditching the adware, here's what the Digsby blog states about the new installer:
"..it will show one ad for the Digsby Ask Toolbar, which brings news, weather, sports, maps, and more right to you fingertips! We will work to improve the toolbar over time, adding some of the social network functionality you already love in Digsby.
The new installer also asks users explicitly during installation if they'd like to contribute their unused CPU power to sponsored grid computing projects."
They go on to say "Blasting ads all over our product is the last thing we want to do so we will keep experimenting with unique, non-intrusive models like these." The don't mention that Digsby also defaults to changing your search engine to Digsby's customized Google search and add affiliated Amazon and eBay searches to your browser.
No, it's not really that big a deal at this point. CCleaner and uTorrent both offer Ask search, and I've got nothing but good things to say about them.
The point is to pay attention when you install any free application. Developers need to make money to fund their projects, and Digsby is using a fairly common revenue-generating system. It would be nice if the blog post disclosed everything, but I think we can probably let them slide for not mentioning the search changes.
After all, the grid computing and the more conspicuous crapware seems to be what everyone had their panties in a bunch about - and they did address those two issues pretty well.
To get the new installer, head on over to Digsby's site and download - just be careful what boxes you leave checked!
Comments
2
Subscribe to commentsSaint SeminoleSep 17th 2009 5:35PM
"I think we can probably let them slide for not mentioning the search changes."
No, this is exactly what people complain about -- with "free"ware. That they don't warn the user what effect, exactly, the software will have on your computer.
For power users like us, we can easily re-set our default search engines and remove toolbars. But for average users, it's just frustrating.
By all means, use ad-related methods to boost your income, but at least warn the casual user that you'll be tinkering with his/her basic setup.
MarkyB86Sep 17th 2009 6:00PM
Maybe I can use this again, if they somehow fixed digsby from calling a registry key every second. It caused my nVidia GeForce 9400 GT to skip badly when plaing games or videos. As soon as digsby was closed, no more skips.