What i don't understand about freeware uploads

[circumFleX]

Hey guys!

I don't understand why contributors upload free available software as warez. Whenever i see something like this i instantly think this must be for one purpose only and this is malicious intent, a virus, keylogger or something similar. Especially if this is something like a password manager or other sensible programs. It's no different in DW, browsing through the apps section and you'll find freeware like GIMP, KeePass, different virus/malware removal tools and so on.

Is it only me who instantly has the alarm bells ringing and a natural mistrust against whoever uploaded freeware on a warez board? Why would anyone ever download free programs not from the official website but rather from a warez site? I don't get the point of these uploads.


regards ^

p.s. for those who don't know it, the ^ symbol is called circumflex. oh and it's a part of the human heart as well. if you have trouble with your circumflex you'll probably check out soon.

 

[NavyRet]

They do it for one reason and one reason only - to make $$. They get paid so much for so many downloads. The more downloads they have the higher the payout. It's exasperating, but since there's no rule against it, we put up with it. I'm the same as you, I get my freeware direct from the aurhor's sire.

 

[Katzenfreund]

The OP has a point.

Perhaps we should review our Rules and only allow uploaders having a (any) rank above plain member to upload freeware as a kind of privilege/reward. At least it will then be fairly sure it doesn't hide malware.

But it doesn't seem right that a member who hardly contributes anything of value to the board, uses it only to make money for himself.

 

[Weaserlorian]

I agree totally with NavyRet

 

[EMS]

It does take the p!ss and I've said about it on many forums but no one does anything about it. Open source software should not be passed off like it is.

 

[NavyRet]

I'm certainly open to any suggestions as to how to stop it. I, for one don't have the time to search for it so unless someone is willing to put in the time it's going to take to hunt down and remove freeware I don't see any practical way to do it.

 

[circumFleX]

I'm certainly open to any suggestions as to how to stop it. I, for one don't have the time to search for it so unless someone is willing to put in the time it's going to take to hunt down and remove freeware I don't see any practical way to do it.

Probably doesn't make much sense to do it retroactive. Like the (vast) majority of threads they will just vanish within a few days into the forum void, which is page 20+, and the links will eventually die. I doubt anyone is actively searching the forum for freeware and then bumping the thread to page one. It's probably more a case for future upload handling, if a rule is planned or considered. To comb the forum for existing freeware posts is not worth the time and hassle IMO. But this is not up to me as I'm just another leecher, not an uploader and in general not the most active user here. I was just curious why people upload freeware in first place, as it gives me a bad taste and an instant mistrust in the uploader as mentioned in the OP.

 

[Weaserlorian]

If you see a file you know is freeware just don’t download it LOL simple as that. Anyone who’s looking for a specific piece of software has probably done the research on it anyway. If the files don’t get downloaded they will stop upping them. Also if you know your looking for freeware software why are you looking here? I know that wasn’t in the original post I’m just making a point.

 

[EMS]

If you see a file you know is freeware just don’t download it LOL simple as that. Anyone who’s looking for a specific piece of software has probably done the research on it anyway. If the files don’t get downloaded they will stop upping them. Also if you know your looking for freeware software why are you looking here? I know that wasn’t in the original post I’m just making a point.

They will still post them because its all done by bot.......

 

[Weaserlorian]

Yes true. But if people follow my direction they won’t make money so they will have to change their settings in their proggy. They don’t want to upload files that aren’t making them money.

 

[Katzenfreund]

I'm certainly open to any suggestions as to how to stop it.

Taking any action may only be justified if freeware posters indeed make money or spread malware, and then like all new laws, will apply from now on, ignoring the existing threads, which will soon be pushed down anyway.

It will be neater if a new subsection for Freeware is created in Applications. In fact, I am mildly surprised there isn't one already.
The Rules will specify who’s entitled to post in it
The Rules already obligate members to post in the right (sub)section, but special mentions can be made in this subsection.

If possible by board software, ordinary members without any rank should be blocked from starting a thread in this subsection. Even if not possible to block them, they’ll stick out in the subsection like flies in milk from their color.

It is then a matter of relying on members reporting abuse, plus the occasional checks by staff.

Aspiring posters of freeware will then have an incentive to do more for the board in order to earn a rank. And aspiring downloaders will know it’s freeware and not feel cheated at not getting a valuable crack. As a result, I don’t see the new section being very popular with downloaders.

Being pragmatic, I do also see disadvantages in making new rules, as they might create more work for staff and drive some members away, albeit the least useful ones.

 

[NavyRet]

I think a wait and see attitude is probably best. If there are freeware being posted with malware attached, I'm quite sure someone will report it or at least complain about it. If there are freeware posted without malware, who cares? Like Weaser says, just don't download it. It'll be pushed back soon enough and that's as good as being deleted.

 

[Dr Pickles]

Didn't we cover this ten years ago??? LOL

There is another aspect to this. Many users of FW may not know that a new version is out.

Of course malware is a separate issue and the Op is certainly correct in mentioning it.
Malware should be treated as the established rules apply.
Prudent users should go to the FW source.

If you have to make a rule - then require FW posts to not have a link to the software, but rather a link to the site.

 

[Katzenfreund]

Guys, the problem is that many downloaders don't know that it's freeware. They just see a program name and description that appeals to them and download it. Not everybody knows all freeware. Further confusion is caused by the fact that some freeware also has a paid version, and it may not be clear it's not that.

A rule to link to the site seems reasonable, and uploaders after money will be put off by it. But then, the post with just a link might better belong to the Link Collection, not the Application downloads.