Gator Forces Site To Remove 'Spyware' Label

lurker412 writes "CNet News is reporting that Gator has forced PC Pitstop to remove Web pages that call Gator's software 'spyware.' The correct term, according to Gator, is 'adware.' The article states: 'If we find anyone publicly calling us spyware, we correct it and take action if necessary,' said Scott Eagle, Gator's senior vice president of marketing. So be careful what you say in your comments..."

Me first

[setzman]

I, setzman, say that Gator is spyware. btw, First Post!!

You heard it here...

[MaskedInterrupt]

I publicly declare Gator Software IS SpyWare. Now... Come get me!

This isn't a troll, it's funny!

[corebreech]

Because I say so.

And just because I say it's funny doesn't make it a troll either.

Re:Me first

[rolling_rox]

I don't like to use the term spyware, I prefer the term "Crapware"

alternative names....

[User 956]

What if we call it snoopware? shitware? How about "fucks-up-your-computer-and- makes-it-run-slower-ware"?

whoa... whoa!

[digitalsushi]

Gat0r is spyware. Ha ha! Can't get me! Fooled you! Neener neener neener! ... *sigh* it's so lonely in my parent's basement. *sniff*

A rose is a rose...

[winkydink]

If you put a pig in an evening gown and take it out for the evening, it's still a pig.

In other news...

[sTalking_Goat]

Charles Manson has asked that public stop refering to the acts of his folloers as a "Murder Spree". The correct term is "existence adjustment initiative"...

Linux version

[LEPP]

Have they come out with a Linux version of Gator? I am sure the Linux community feels left out. This might be just the thing that would cause me to fdisk my computer and reinstall windoze.

LEPP

Re:alternative names....

[i am nude]

i like "You stole my CPU cycles and i want them back!!! ware"

Let there be...

[after]

I will be the ultimate... and thus name this new type of software:

SpyCrap

New Term:

[Cytlid]

Assholeware - companies that produce spyware and then insist that noone calls it as such.

Re:alternative names....

[Crispin Cowan]

I think we should just say "beware" :-)

Crispin
----
Crispin Cowan, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, Immunix Inc. [immunix.com]

not spyware

[moojuece]

i have never once thought of gator as spyware....i have always just refered to it as a well marketed virus

Re:A rose is a rose...

[winkydink]

And breakign the law in many Bible Belt States. :)

Re: Use of Q.E.D.

[Anonymous Coward]

Doesn't have anything to do with that book heh. It's a latin thing you know - which kinda predates that book.

free software

[primus_sucks]

I don't know what everyone is complaining about. According to there homepage you get FREE software (often valued at up to $30!!!). Here are the apps you get:

Weatherscope provides easy access to local temperature and extended weather forecasts. Taking a trip? Weatherscope gives you the current and future conditions!

Cool, no more endless searching of weather.com!

Precision Time - Make sure your computer clock always has the correct time. Synchronize your computer clock with one of the world's most precise timekeeping devices - the U.S. Atomic Clock.

Awesome! I hate being .0006566547866787 pico seconds late for meetings!

Date Manager - Never miss another important date or reminder. Date Manager shows today's date in your system tray and allows you to quickly pull up a two-month calendar and set reminders.

WOW I can't believe this is free!!!!

Gator eWallet - The world's most popular digital wallet. The Gator eWallet automatically remembers login IDs/passwords and fills in online forms with just one click. No more lost passwords, and no more typing information such as address, email, credit card numbers, etc!

This is great, I'm sure your data is completely secure since this software was written by such an innovative company!

Re:Me first - Gator is NOT spyware

[Anonymous Coward]

Gator is NOT spyware - to help the slashdot crowd fully understand this important point that Gator is NOT spyware I have created a helpful reminder by way of the Gator is NOT spyware URL which constantly reminds visitors to the Gator website via a reminder message that Gator is NOT spyware.

This is the Gator is NOT spyware [cjb.net] URL...

Smells like....

[macdaddy]

If it smells like shit, looks like shit, and tastes like shit then it's probably Gator, I mean shit.

Re: Use of Q.E.D.

[Prof.Phreak]

It means: Quite Easily Done, or Q.E.D.

And it appeared in places like Hitchhicker's Guide To The Galaxy way before it appeared in Cryptonomicon.

(ie: HHGG's proof of the non-existance of God: God said, "I refuse to prove I exist, for proof denies faith, and without faith, I'm nothing." "Ah," said man, "the Babel fish is a dead give-away, and proves you exist, so by your words, you don't. Q.E.D." "Oh, I haven't thought of that," said God, and vanishes in a poof of logic.) (or something to that effect).

Re:A rose is a rose...

[Atheraal]

rose... not quite appropriate here... i would venture to say that the steaming pile of horse shit said rose grows in by any other name is still a steaming pile of horse shit.

Re: Use of Q.E.D.

[Kourino]

It means, Quite Easily Done, or Q.E.D.

Oh, please ...

Haven't you read the old Ninja Turtles novelizations (not the original graphic novels, but some cheesy books someone wrote)? As Donatello said, it obviously means "Quite Excellently Done."

*grabs a book and runs giggling from the Latin majors and logic students*

Are you sure?

[MongooseCN]

I guess I'll have to tell Porkette things aren't going to work out...

Gator is spyware

[Down8]

Gator is spyware.

Come and get me.

-bZj

Sure

[roystgnr]

The correct term, according to Gator, is 'adware.'

And hillbillies prefer to be called 'sons of the soil'. But it ain't gonna happen.

Gator = Sypware

[Markusis]

I think that from now on we should refer to all spyware as Gator-ware.

notice the gator eyes...

[antagonizt]

look at their front page [gator.com] and notice this [gator.com] image of the gator logo spying on you!

Move Sig

[theonetruekeebler]

So for the next couple of weeks, a new Slashdot sig.

Re:Me first

[lewp]

Heh. IE not loading is a good thing.

Re:Me first - Gator is NOT spyware

[nolife]

I tried to go to your link. I got the below error page, looks like the administrator on my home network has that blocked ;) Squid rules..

ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved

While trying to retrieve the URL: http://www.gator.com/

The following error was encountered:

* Access Denied.

This site has been BANNED from loading

Access control configuration prevents your request from being allowed at this time. Please contact your service provider if you feel this is incorrect.

Your cache administrator is root.
Generated Thu, 23 Oct 2003 01:39:14 GMT by squid.xxxxxx.org (Squid/2.4.STABLE6)

Re:A rose is a rose...

[seanadams.com]

i would venture to say that the steaming pile of horse shit said rose grows in by any other name is still a steaming pile of horse shit

In the beginning was the plan.
And then came the Assumptions.
And the Assumptions were without form.
And the Plan was without substance.
And darkness was upon the face of the Workers.
And they spoke among themselves, saying,
"It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh."
And the Workers went unto their Supervisors and said,
"It is a pail of dung, and none may abide the odor thereof."
And the Supervisors went unto their Managers, saying,
"It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong,
such that none may abide by it."
And the Managers went unto their Directors, saying,
"It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength."
And the Directors spoke amongst themselves, saying one to another,
"It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong."
And the Directors then went unto the Vice-Presidents, saying unto them,
"It promotes growth, and it is very powerful."
And the Vice-Presidents went unto the President, saying unto him,
"This new plan will actively promote the growth and vigor
of the company, with powerful effects."
And the President Looked upon the Plan, and saw that it was good.
And the Plan became Policy.

Re:free software

[insertionPoint]

Date Manager - Never miss another important date or reminder. Date Manager shows today's date in your system tray and allows you to quickly pull up a two-month calendar and set reminders.

Never miss a date! Hell, I wish I could get a date!

Re:A rose is a rose...

[Overand]

Well, you could call it an average slashdot-reader's girlfriend...

Re:Me first

[Geek of Tech]

> And it takes a lot to make a 7-year-old WinME system worse than it already is.....

I think I see your problem. Windows ME wasn't made in 1996. Unless..... Oh my! You must be from the future! So what is longhorn like, future boy? I'd like to see it myself, but I don't have an extra 1.21-Gigawatts.

I object to the phrase "maggot infested"

[HangingChad]

Maggots have better taste than to inhabit a piece of crap like Gator.

Billions of self-respecting maggots are offended by your comment, sir, and demand an apology!

Re:alternative names....

[novarese]

Turdware.

Re:Me first

[EverDense]

Windows ME wasn't made in 1996. Unless..... Oh my! You must be from the future! So what is longhorn like, future boy?

Obviously complete shite, or else he wouldn't be still using WinME.

Re:Me first

[EvilAlien]

I can't get Gator spyware for my Linux desktop, you insensitive clod.

Re:Me first

[Anonymous Coward]

I suggest 'cuntware' just to be as offensive as possible.

Me Second

[CleverNickName]

Dear Gator,

Gator is Spyware, you fuckers. Spyware. Spyware. Spyware.

Please send me a nastygram. My career is stalled, and I could really use the publicity.

Love,

Wil Wheaton
Linux weenie who doesn't even use your crappy SPYware.

PS- It's spyware.

Me Third

[E-Rock-23]

Hey, Gator! It's Spyware! S-P-Y-W-A-R-E! I did not choose to install it on my machine, but it's still here! Why is that? Because it's SPYWARE!

Like Mr. Wheaton above, I would like a cease and decist order sent to me. However, since I have no previous career in entertainment, I need the publicity to get mine started. I'm a poor, non-RIAA aligned musician trying to crack an industry dominated by old men who think kids want to hear Justin Timberflake and some slut from Wexford, PA all day.

Gator is Spyware. It sucks. Thankfully, I use Opera, which allows me to kill popup ads. But still, you're collecting my data (maybe you're collecting the fact that I'm taking your SPYWARE to task, nes pas? and selling it to companies so you can make an advertising buck. Sounds like SPYWARE to me...

You're gonna feel really embarassed...

[Anonymous Coward]

when you realize that you just made fun of Wil Wheaton for claiming to be Wil Wheaton.

Re:Me Second

[Yenhsrav_Keviv]

I just went to gators website, hit the contact us link at the top, marked the feedback radio button, and sent them this delightful message: Dear Gator, In response to the actions your company has taken against some of the most honest companies in the world, all I say is this: Gator is Spyware, you fuckers. Spyware. Spyware. Spyware Not adware. Go ahead, send me whatever threatening replies you want. I just have to speak my mind. That is all.

Re:Me Second

[Anonymous Coward]

hey you dumb fuck, that really is Will.

p.s. did anyone see him on "the weakest link?"...he was fucking hilarious. all throwing the moves on the actress that played belana torres. i thought it was funny.

p.p.s. anyone who could have gates mcfadden playing their mother is cool in my book. ok, i have wood for beverly crusher, i admit it.

cheers,
btizee

Re:What?

[kfg]

Within the ranks of scum they're scum. Even my pond rejected them.

KFG

Re:Me Second

[Anonymous Coward]

let's start the "Gator is Spyware, you fuckers. Spyware. Spyware. Spyware." Foundation.

yea!

Re:Me Second

[quantaman]

Please send me a nastygram.

I'm afraid I can't speak for Gator but I can assure you there is no shortage of trolls who are perfectly willing to accomodate your wish.

Re:Umm... Dude...

[irix]

Was it on /. or a newsgroup that somebody told Christiansen "you obviously know nothing about Perl"?

Finally ... a moment where my .sig is on topic! ;-)

That post (it was a few years ago) was one of the funniest things I ever read on Slashdot, and it has been entrenched in my .sig ever since...

HEY!! STOP BASHING GATOR I LIKE IT

[ShimmyShimmy]

I am for one, completely offended that all of you bash Gator 24/7. Gator was designed to put targeted ads to the user, meaning consumers get exactly what they want.
From the continued use of Gator, it has developed an accurate profile, and the ads I receive are of premium interest to me. I have made many successful online purchases from the reliable, well-established companies that advertise through GAIN.
To all those reading this message, I would like you to know that the programmers of Gator worked long, hard hours to design this software, and you should be very thankful that the corporation allows you do download it free of charge, which is worth clearly more than the Suggested Retail Price of US $30.
All in all GAIN is a very useful form of targeted advertising, and represents a huge leap in positive, productive media and computer technology in the 20th-21st Century.


Sincerely as OJ Simpon's Court Statements,
Some shitbag PR/Actor/Marketing Major that was paid a lot to say all this crap... err... I mean...
Joe Average User

Re:Me Second

[Anonymous Coward]

Submitted that right to Gator ;)

http://www.gatorcorporation.com/contact/

Enjoy!

Re:Me first

[wheany]

Now what does google think? [googlism.com]

gator is fiery and passionate the top gator is fiery and

gator is fucking bollocks
gator is not hiding out somewhere
gator is back up
gator is a software product that can automatically fill in passwords and other form
gator is infringing our copyrights and trademarks
gator is able to paste ads of the same dimensions on top of the banner ads being used on popular sites such as yahoo
gator is evil
gator is on the go
gator is doing the business western geophysical has contracted concept systems to supply gator to its obc and tz crews worldwide
gator is fiery and
gator is ambassador to the world
gator is a pet
gator is getting installed on their computers with little advanced warning and in many instances
gator is spyware

Re:Gator and Bonzi Buddy

[rjh]

Every user of the Internet.

Re:Me first

[sewagemaster]

specifically, the pop-under-autoinstalls, i'd like calling them underwear

Re:Me first

[Snefu]

I am sure I was not the only reader of this comment, who with great joy and bewildered excitement tried to type interresting words and sentences into this utterly useful tool:

This is a short summary of the most typical Slashdot reader searches:

"Your name":

Sorry, Google doesn't know enough about "Your
name" yet.

Linux:

Linux is for bitches

Windows:

Windows is better

Mac:

Mac is dood

Conclusion: Mac seems to constantly float between a state of dead and God.

--
sn3fu

Re:Me first

[akadruid]

Slashdot:
slashdot is a plot by microsoft to destroy the productivity of linux users

Damn this tool is good.

AddToFavourites ()

Re:Me Third

[WEFUNK]

Like Mr. Wheaton above, I would like a cease and decist order sent to me. However, since I have no previous career in entertainment, I need the publicity to get mine started. I'm a poor, non-RIAA aligned musician trying to crack an industry dominated by old men who think kids want to hear Justin Timberflake and some slut from Wexford, PA all day.

Just name your band or your demo album "Gator is Spyware" -- that ought to ruffle some feathers and get you your cease and desist...