Regarding Msg Plus!

[vofflujarnid]

Hi there.

Just a quick warning about this crappy addon for MSN Messenger. Here is a quote from their webpage:

"Messenger Plus! is a freeware. Freeware is not spyware or shareware but freeware. It's 100% free to use and you can choose not to install the sponsor program that comes with it."

First of all, after I installed Msg Plus! on my computer I got like 6 shortcuts on my desktop, a really ugly, annoying quickbar in my Internet Explorer and shitload of IE bookmarkings.

Second of all, I didn't see ANY questions asking about not choosing to install sponsor programs.

 

[~Mobius~]

Yeah I got loads of ads from it, and now my msn is borked, had to reinstall it again.

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

You deserve it for using Messenger anyway.

 

[Mr.Monkey]

msg plus used to be a really nice bit of kit, but it's been buggered up because the coder wanted to make money out of it.

I got it for the reason that it removed the adverts in the first place, now it replaces them with his own.
Whayhey

 

[-Ultimate]

Whats wrong with using msn messanger Scooba?

 

[vofflujarnid]

I used to have same oppinion as scooba until I tried it First when I used it, it used ALOT of system memory and still does in my oppinion. I've seen go up to 22Mb ram usage. And I also heard when MSN messenger was taking it's first steps that all private conversations went first through microsoft's server. Of course, people wen't ballistic when they heard about that and Bill Gates's responce sounded something like this: "It's our program, we can do what we want with it"

 

[-Ultimate]

Well i find it handy because a lot of friends that aren't really into computers use it. If i said 'do you use irc' to them they wouldn't know what the fuck i was on about, i just find its an easy way to keep in touch with them

 

[Jonty]

I believe there used to be an option in the install of Messenger Plus! to ask you whether you wish to 'support' the program, but whether it's there now I don't know (I'm guess not judging by people's comments).

As Mr.Monkey says, Messenger Plus! used to be very popular indeed, then MSN Messenger 6 came out which affected things in two ways. Firstly, people liked v6's new features like XML logging, and so stopped using Messenger Plus! And secondly, Microsoft tried to prevent extentions like Messenger Plus! from working. At first it seemed they suceeded, hence that's why the author included the advert package, much to the rage of many users who took one look at it and screamed "SPYWARE!" for the whole world to hear. Anyway, a way around the block was found, and yet the adverts still remain.

The author maintains that the adverts are not spyware, but seems to remain adamant about the use of them. Anyway, it's a shame, but who knows, perhaps the ongoing concern of users will force tha author to change his tactics.

Kind Regards

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

Originally posted by vofflujarnid
it used ALOT of system memory and still does in my oppinion. I've seen go up to 22Mb ram usage.

Hello well programmed chat client!

 

[(Shovel)]

Erm, OK:

Msg Plus does indeed contain Spyware, but certainly as of the latest realease, it is optional.

The spyware component installation appears as a separate page of the installer at the end. Therefore, assuming you are using the latest version, it's actually your own silly fault for not paying attention to the installer.

 

[vofflujarnid]

Shovel, if you read the Msg Plus! forums, you will find that for some people when they untick the sponsor crap, it still installs the sponsor- and advertising stuff. Some people, like me, have to install Ad-Aware and remove the spyware that way.

 

[(Shovel)]

Obscure....


I know that when it was first introduced there was a big problem. All I do know though, is the version I installed very recently (Checks version from "About": 2.20.52) had a very clear option not to install it.