AOL adds WeatherBug to AIM

[Jeff]

http://www.bigblueball.com/news2/article.asp?id=557

Add your comments here.

[Fanatic]

The free version of WeatherBug is considered adware, and also installs the MySearch toolbar (also adware). Shameful to see AOL going down that road, because most of the users who are likely to be effected (typical AIM users) are not saavy about adware; what it is, how to avoid or remove it.

[Someguy03]

I think AOL is close to incorporating forced spyware into their AIM. First they have no spyware, and just ads. Then they increase the Ads size, and add wild tangent. Now they are adding more, "optional" spyware. Whats next? Non optional spyware that you have to install. Like I said, then we will really have a AIM++.

[David]

quote:Originally posted by someguy03

I think AOL is close to incorporating forced spyware into their AIM. First they have no spyware, and just ads. Then they increase the Ads size, and add wild tangent. Now they are adding more, "optional" spyware. Whats next? Non optional spyware that you have to install. Like I said, then we will really have a AIM++.

It was done: Aim-Lite.

...If I could fine a properly modified AimRes.dll, I could compile it without ads too.

[Charles]

That excuse for a beta that was released a few days ago added the weather bug. (sounds like a disease) I am sick of this adware crap in AIM. I switched to Trillian back when AIM 5.5 came out. I want a freaking instant messenger, not games, not the news, not the weather, not to see this newest reality tv show on(referring to ads), not AOL 9.0 "optimized", not netscape mail, not screen name linking, not spyware, not adware. What is wrong with AOL's messenger developers? What is wrong with AOL? Are they blind morons that can't see past making money? (rhetorical questions)

I recommend to anyone that Trillian seems to be the way to go, even if you only use AIM.

[Evan]

quote:Originally posted by David

It was done: Aim-Lite.

...If I could fine a properly modified AimRes.dll, I could compile it without ads too.

wait is that a program or how to remove stuff?

[rascat]

If you check out the thread, both WhiteMateria and David give a list of unnecessary and optional files along with how to remove them. Schizna69 has posted a link to download AIM lite (haven't done it, so I can't tell you if it works). I also reccomend you check out the sticky note "skimming AIM 5.5". If nothing else, I reccomend you download a new Aimres.dll and uninstall Wild Tangent.

[Evan]

weres the link for aim lite download? I dotn see it

[David]

http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/to...TOPIC_ID=10341

It might work, but I think I have to recompile it, I just got a missing DLL error.

[f0rbez]

this is somewhat off topic but still related. I see everyone complaining about aim bundling wildtangent but I dont really understand why. its a required component for playing games. it would be stupid of them not to bundle it. theres been alot of talk about wildtangent being spyware, and I think its mostly because programs such as ad-aware have labeled it so. its actually due to the program that it runs in the background which automatically checks for updates. while it checks, it sends "anonymous" information. so really, all someone would have to do is disable automatic updates, which is what ive done. no more strange program running in the background and no firewall alerts. in a sense, wildtangent is sneaky because they do not give you the option to choose whether or not you want to send information. but I dont really consider this a serious threat because its so simple to disable in the control panel. and besides, so many programs besides wildtangent have similar auto-update programs that also send anonymous info. I just think people should chill out on wildtangent at least. that is, by far, the least threatening thing as far as aim crap goes. and its even optional now.

but as for the rest of the bundled crap, screw them. I only semi support wildtangent.