[Web4lib] RE: Google Chrome - Observations

[Robin]

I run a little resident app called WinPatrol (http://www.winpatrol.com/)
which notifies you anytime something tries to install as an automatic
startup on your computer, and lets you either approve or disapprove it.
Free and sub versions. A little cutesie, but it has given me lots of
messages about stuff over the years - just one more way to get a little
edge over the Evil Developers.


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Cloutman, David
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 4:33 PM
To: Jonathan Bloy; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] RE: Google Chrome - Observations

Safari did the same thing when I installed the Windows version. Apple's
update tool, however, seems quite avid about pushing iTunes onto my
computer, and periodically pops up a request to do so, with the
check-box already filled in. There is no way to tell the updated, no, I
don't want this - ever, something that even Microsoft Update allows.
This seems quite in keeping with Apple's philosophy of shoving features
down the user's throat.

I've seen the Google updater on my system too. It came bundled with a
recent version of Google Earth. I have not yet seen it do anything
malicious. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with the
idea, though I'd rather not have it load on startup.

- David

---
David Cloutman <dcloutman at co.marin.ca.us>
Electronic Services Librarian
Marin County Free Library 

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Bloy
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 2:13 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] RE: Google Chrome - Observations


I became skeptical the minute I uninstalled the program and my firewall
alerted me that an application (GoogleUpdate.exe) was trying to "phone
home."  Investigating further I discovered it was installed along with
Chrome and autoloads when you start your computer.

Having this little add-on installed without my permission annoyed me.  I
was even more annoyed when it didn't un-install along with Chrome (I was
able to uninstalled manually).

I may be a bit paranoid, but this does seem to go against Google's "do
no evil" philosophy.

More info here:

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/09/03/0247205

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10030522-56.html




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