[Merged] Messenger Plus Author MVP or Not? (Adaware Installed)
 

http://www.vitalsecurity.org/2006/10...to-adware.html

More info about what an MVP is here:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx

Messenger Plus is bundled with an infection called LOP, which has plagued countless Windows users. I am disgusted with Microsofts money grabbing ethics!

Edit>> More info
http://robertmoir.com/blogs/someone_...ear_2E00_.aspx

http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks...30/103407.aspx
http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks...25/102793.aspx
http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks.../07/89692.aspx
http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks.../05/78084.aspx

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

But the adware that is bundled with Msg Plus is optional isn't it?

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

It is optional, and the complaints only come from docile users who click "next, next, next" at every prompt during the install.

Besides, most things remove it anyway, so, if you make a mistake, it can be cleaned.

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

Yeah but i heard that if LOP is manually removed them Msg Plus wont work.

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

With regard to installing messenger plus, it explicitly forces you to choose yes or no to installing it - it doesn't default to yes or no for the installation of lop - thus you can't just keep clicking next and it will install.

Personally speaking though I still think lop should be removed from it completely and instead have an option to make a paypal donation instead.

EDIT: To see the point I'm making, see this image:
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/ihs/...9081_small.jpg

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

Not in my experience!

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

While I understand that a user can choose not to install the LOP infection, a quick google search for Messenger Plus will show how many people are unaware they have installed the adware!

By giving this award M$ are basically supporting the installation of adware in this manner - so does that mean the developers of other M$ products are free to take this avenue ? Maybe the next version of Outlook, or IE will come with adware as an option ?!?

Edit>> In addition the nature of the LOP infection, is that once the user has agreed to install the sponsor software, LOP downloads other spyware onto the users system....nice...did the users really agree to that ? (rant over)

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

Messenger Plus! is an excellent messenger extension by a talanted author. I can see how this author will want some kind of financial return/incentive to continuing development of this, even though financial gain isn't the main motivation behind development the tool.

However, I would certainly agree than while it clearly gives you the option of whether or not to install lop 'vandalware', I certainly would not support the author this way, but would rather make a paypal donation (it's a bit like the author requesting to vandalise your computer and spy on you just to make a bit of money).

I wonder how much of a difference it would make if he removed this completely? Probably increase donations, increase penetration of the product, and could still make further money but running an second advert at the bottom of the messenger main window, say for example - especially if it was supplied by, say Google Adwords.

What do others think of this?

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

Looks like his MVP status has been revoked:

http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks...08/162266.aspx

:D

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

For christs sake, he deserves that award so much, and now they revoke it? Rather stupid if you ask me. He's revolutionised the way i look at MSN Messenger (and now WLM) it's one of the main things i miss when i'm using another client, whether it be on Linux, or just a totally different protocol altogether.

Re: Messenger Plus maker gets MVP award
 

Both sides of the argument are valid as far as I can see. Nope, it would never have been bundled with malware in the first place I agree, as he could have used some other form of sponsorship such as Google Adwords or the like, but then again he strived to ensure it was always kept above board and that you always knew you aware of what you were installing.

Either he should never have been his MVP in the first place or it shouldn't have been revoked in the way it has. That is one of the worst crimes in all of this that I can see, and you've got Mr bloatware himself to that for that, Billy-boy Gates.

I'm sure Patchou would be welcomed with open arms if he were to develop something similar for amsn he'd be welcomed with open arms.

[Merged] Messenger Plus author loses MVP status.
 

Amid concerns that Messenger Plus includes the spyware program Lop, Microsoft has revoked it's award of Most Valued Professional status from the Author of Messenger Plus.

http://www.theregister.com/2006/10/1...kes_mvp_award/

Further comments from Subelt software ar at http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2006...osoft-mvp.html

Re: Messenger Plus author loses MVP status.
 

Sadly I knew a while back this was likely to happen.

Re: Messenger Plus author loses MVP status.
 

Fair enough but you need to be a bit silly in the first place to instyall it as it is a big option during the instalation.

Re: Messenger Plus author loses MVP status.
 

Hurrah!