Firefox including Adware?

Stuart · 23-11-2004, 19:59

An "adware function" in the German version of Firefox has been dropped after user complaints.

Basically, any request sent through the eBay search function was sent through the website www.webtip.ch, run by a company called "Metaspinner".

Article: here

The Mozilla foundation say they have done this to collect "anonymised statistics". Fair enough, I have no problem with that. Why do it through an outside company though? Why not do it using the Mozilla Europe search engine. Which, they are now doing.

If, as the article (http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/53518) linked to in the article above is correct, in that this is being done to generate funds for the foundation, then, fine. I have no problem with that. They should BE OPEN about the fact they are doing it though.

Still, at least Mozilla have done the decent thing and altered the eBay search so it doesn't go to outside companies, even if it did take user complaints to persuade them to do it.

I realise that by using Opera, and not paying for it, I am using an Adware supported browser, but at least Opera are open about the fact they are doing that..

Finally, I must stress that the updated version of the German firefox is available for download, and apparently the update should be available via autoupdate within the next few days.

Gareth · 23-11-2004, 20:11

Interesting article - it's kinda hypocritical of Mozilla to do this secretly and then claim Firefox to be free of spyware/malware.

At a time when they're trying desperately to gain public awareness and acceptance of Firefox, I don't think this was a particularly good idea on Mozilla's part. They surely must have realised that this would become public knowledge, and that the backlash would not be pleasant.

No matter how much revenue this company were prepared to offer them, I think this was a crazy decision to have taken. Mozilla isn't supposed to be profit-driven, ffs!

Bifta · 23-11-2004, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Mozilla isn't supposed to be profit-driven, ffs!

Apart from Firefox soon being bundled for retail with Open Office for $29.99 ...

AndrewJ · 23-11-2004, 20:45

I am shocked by this I mean they have kept this quiet who is not to say they aint keeping other things quiet as well.?

Jon M · 23-11-2004, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifta

Apart from Firefox soon being bundled for retail with Open Office for $29.99 ...

Wasn't that Linspire profiting rather than the Mozilla foundation?
I thought it was them bundling it with their OS suite?

Gareth · 23-11-2004, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifta

Apart from Firefox soon being bundled for retail with Open Office for $29.99 ...

Hadn't heard of any such plans, so I can't comment on this. Got any proof?

Mal · 23-11-2004, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Hadn't heard of any such plans, so I can't comment on this. Got any proof?

See here

MadGamer · 23-11-2004, 22:15

but will OpenOffice still be a free download?

Jon M · 23-11-2004, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne A

but will OpenOffice still be a free download?

yes

Jon M · 23-11-2004, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

See here

I was right then... it's Linspire profiting... not Mozilla

MadGamer · 23-11-2004, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1lv3r

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne A

but will OpenOffice still be a free download?

yes

Phew!!!

Richard M · 23-11-2004, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1lv3r

I was right then... it's Linspire profiting... not Mozilla

Well, Sun I would have thought because they make Open Office - unless it's Linspire who are selling this. (no I didn't RTFA)

Jon M · 24-11-2004, 02:18

Basically, Linspire are taking FF and OO and bundling them with it's OS.
The charge is for the OS really, it's just now that they've decided to include these two bits of software, people are getting on their high horse.

Neither Sun nor Mozilla are getting any cash out of it.

and Rich.. RT*A

* = insert expletive of your choice

Stuart · 24-11-2004, 09:26

I think the GPL licence actually prevents a company making any money out of the product itself, but they are allowed to charge for media, manuals and technical support.

So, as long as Linspire is providing support for all the Apps it bundles, it is following the terms of the licence.

Gareth · 24-11-2004, 15:39

If Lindows/Linspire are charging for support then that's nothing to do with Mozilla, although I'm not sure how much support is required for a browser in any case. Kinda like Red Hat charging for support has nothing to do with Linux no longer being 'free'.

Glad to see it's not some evil plan by Mozilla, as some had implied.