I've used SUPER © video and audio converting software for years now.
It's a very full featured and easy to use program for extracting audio from videos, or converting from one video or audio format to another.
Every few months when you start the program a box pops up that a new version is available, with updated codecs and what not.
Previously, performing updates had been the most annoying thing about using the software, since eRightSoft literally has the worst, most user-unfriendly site in the history of the internet. The website is not unlike Super Mario Bros. level 7-4, which you have to navigate exactly correctly or you have to start over at the beginning.
This morning I used the software to extract the audio from an mp3 and got the update notice. After 5 minutes on the website I finally found the download link and shortly thereafter started the install process.
In the previous version of SUPER ©, v2012.build.50 (February 21st, 2012), during the install process there's a screen where it gives you the option of installing the "blekko Spam Free Search Bar," but you can simply opt-out by unticking the box and the crapware is not installed.
I guess too many were being careful and not installing that crap, because while installing the new version this morning, v2012.build.51 (April 7 2012), it installed multiple crapware programs without ever giving me the chance to opt-out. The crapware included:
IMinent - Firefox add-on and toolbar
iNTERNET Turbo - Software
2yourface - Firefox add-on
Nowhere in the installation process or the changelog is the inclusion of these unwanted programs mentioned.
After an hour with RevoUninstaller, scrubbing the registry with regedit, and restoring a backup from of my Firefox profile from Friday, I think I was able to remove every last trace of these crapware programs, as well as SUPER © itself.
Unfortunately, it looks like eRightSoft got the last laugh since after uninstalling everything I tried to reinstall the previous version of SUPER, from February 21st, which was not bundled with all this garbage. When I tried to open the program I received an error message that it was expired and it wouldn't start. So I guess now I have to find another audio and video converting program.
tl;dr Fuck you, eRightSoft!
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3 comments:
I had a similar experience with "Any Video Converter". The primary web site said NOTHING about the degree to which the "free version" is limited (tease ware...far too common). I could live with that, however it came with an "unadvertised passenger" called "blekko spam free toolbar".
There was no point in the install process where I was warned of this, or given the choice not to have this "extra". I only saw that it was occurring because I saw it being installed... and only because I did not walk away from the machine during the install process (a very common thing to do as they are tedious).
I then uninstalled the whole thing, and went into the menu to find "blekko" and removed that as well. I hope the damned thing is gone. I do not want to have to revert to a previous state to remove it.
In my opinion (I was in the software industry for a long time) it is always unethical to install extras that are not advertised, and a CHOICE. So to me, http://www.any-video-converter.com is a MUST MISS.
Thank you very much for your post. I've decided to not install SUPER anymore, and instead learnt how to configure the converter (bitrate, frames, etc) in the video editor itself. It was the solution for me, and gave the same result.
I personally hate those programs that think can do whatever they want in your machine.
This is the last time I will use Super. eRightSoft can shove it along with all the crapware that installed on my PC!!!
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