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An accept/decline button on installing additional software is just as bad as a pre-ticked box. If you've ever done user studies with people installing software

An accept/decline button on installing additional software is just as bad as a pre-ticked box. If you've ever done user studies with people installing software you'll notice 90% click the next button until it's done without reading the pages The way that the accept button is positioned in these "optional" offers makes it look like you have to click it to proceed. This is exactly what a dark pattern is (http://darkpatterns.org/ http://darkpatterns.org/ or http://www.90percentofeverything.com/2013/07/23/the-slippery-slope/ http://www.90percentofeverything.com/2013/07/23/the-slippery...). I downloaded Filezilla from Sourceforge to see how this offer system is implemented - http://i.imgur.com/7tZuUoE.png http://i.imgur.com/7tZuUoE.png. From quickly glancing at the window it looks like accept is the only valid way of continuing with the installer. Furthermore the program installs Hotspot Shield which will constantly show the user ads after it's installed, I doubt even 1% of the people installing Hotspot shield through this offer want it on their PC.

rhizome 13y ago
I doubt even 1% of the people installing Hotspot shield through this offer want it on their PC. No, nobody wants it, that's why it's there. Your optimism presupposes that there has ever been a such thing as a person who wouldn't mind more commercials on TV. These people aren't out there, people only tolerate the advertising they do see, and software like this only exists to inflict itself on the user.
- bshanks 13y ago
  I have a technically literate friend who chose not to install Adblock in their web browser because they find it entertaining to see ads on the web while they browse. There's probably lots of people who enjoy these things.
  - rhizome 13y ago
    Do they search out more ads, and install more sources of advertising, no matter what they are? There's a difference between liking interesting commercials as a distraction or hobby, and having an appetite for advertising in general. In other words, Nike and Budweiser don't advertise on Sourceforge crapware toolbars, but have you suggested to him that he might want to install that kind of thing?
Too 13y ago
It's not just as bad, i would call it worse than a pre-ticked box. As you say accept or abort everything looks like the only two options. There is no decline and continue option.

rhizome 13y ago

I doubt even 1% of the people installing Hotspot shield through this offer want it on their PC. No, nobody wants it, that's why it's there. Your optimism presupposes that there has ever been a such thing as a person who wouldn't mind more commercials on TV. These people aren't out there, people only tolerate the advertising they do see, and software like this only exists to inflict itself on the user.

bshanks 13y ago
I have a technically literate friend who chose not to install Adblock in their web browser because they find it entertaining to see ads on the web while they browse. There's probably lots of people who enjoy these things.
- rhizome 13y ago
  Do they search out more ads, and install more sources of advertising, no matter what they are? There's a difference between liking interesting commercials as a distraction or hobby, and having an appetite for advertising in general. In other words, Nike and Budweiser don't advertise on Sourceforge crapware toolbars, but have you suggested to him that he might want to install that kind of thing?

Too 13y ago

It's not just as bad, i would call it worse than a pre-ticked box. As you say accept or abort everything looks like the only two options. There is no decline and continue option.