Microsoft pushing bing in non related products.

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wreck90

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#77391 16-Feb-2011 02:36

Guess it's expected, was just installing the directx runtime software, and noticed that by default it also installs "Bing".

Thats crap, don't want bing, don't like it. Why push it in directx installs?

MS must be getting desperate. I foresee the end of bing.

[edit] you can disable bing install by unchecking the box, but its on by default.

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#440064 16-Feb-2011 02:48

Tried installing Adobe Reader lately? Or the 10,000 other programs that try to install Google toolbar for you, those also have the Google option checked by default.

Now since in my experience Google does it on a much much larger scale and using your flawless logic; Google will fall over sometime next week.

You are aware the DirectX is a Microsoft product right? Shame on them for using one of their own products to push another, at least Google have the decency to use everyone elses products.

In all seriousness this is nothing new and I don't see Bing going anywhere anytime soon. Market share has been climbing and now that Yahoo uses Bing I think it's safe to say it is around to stay.

freitasm

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#440073 16-Feb-2011 07:30

wreck90: Guess it's expected, was just installing the directx runtime software, and noticed that by default it also installs "Bing".

"Bing" as in a toolbar or something else?

wreck90: [edit] you can disable bing install by unchecking the box, but its on by default.

Oh, so they do give an option to not install. They are not forcing anything down the users' throat then?

I don't know why you're complaining at this point...

Kyanar

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#440114 16-Feb-2011 09:30

wreck90: Guess it's expected, was just installing the directx runtime software, and noticed that by default it also installs "Bing".

Thats crap, don't want bing, don't like it. Why push it in directx installs?

MS must be getting desperate. I foresee the end of bing.

[edit] you can disable bing install by unchecking the box, but its on by default.

I don't see a problem with it, as long as it can be disabled. The number of times I've had random software set my browser homepage to ask.com...

freitasm

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#440115 16-Feb-2011 09:31

Kyanar:
wreck90: Guess it's expected, was just installing the directx runtime software, and noticed that by default it also installs "Bing".

Thats crap, don't want bing, don't like it. Why push it in directx installs?

MS must be getting desperate. I foresee the end of bing.

[edit] you can disable bing install by unchecking the box, but its on by default.

I don't see a problem with it, as long as it can be disabled. The number of times I've had random software set my browser homepage to ask.com...

Yes... People complain about an option, and don't seem to mind adware that's pushed down their throats with no way to disable or opt-out.

billgates

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#440117 16-Feb-2011 09:42

wreck90: Guess it's expected, was just installing the directx runtime software, and noticed that by default it also installs "Bing".

Thats crap, don't want bing, don't like it. Why push it in directx installs?

MS must be getting desperate. I foresee the end of bing.

[edit] you can disable bing install by unchecking the box, but its on by default.

forsee the end of bing? MS getting desperate? You realize that bing's marketshare is growing every month. In December google dropped 2 points to bing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20110208/tc_zd/260350

Do whatever you want to do man.

gehenna

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#440118 16-Feb-2011 09:42

If you can opt out BEFORE anything gets installed it's not an issue with the app. If someone can't be bothered checking what options are checked when installing something then it's also not an issue with an app.

gzt

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#440140 16-Feb-2011 10:18

Using the opportunity to advertise the benefits and offering an opt-in option would be better.

It is not forced but many users lacking knowledge act conservatively and accept the default option, ending with as many extra things on their machines as owners of any installers get paid for putting there. This behaviour is not very ethical in my view, but it is the norm.

It is a bit like putting an additional and completely unrelated clause in a 5 page hire purchase contract, most people will never read it.

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wreck90

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#440160 16-Feb-2011 10:52

Yep, points taken, but, it should be an 'opt-in' process.

Of course, google and other companies do this too, and it should also be opt-in there too.

I still maintain Bing will die off.

Bing market share may be increasing, because so many people are accidentally installing it.

reven

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#440162 16-Feb-2011 10:53

i have no problem with this, but it should be turned off by default.

a lot of people who arent computer savvy will just blindly click away (but thats what they are hoping for)

billgates

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#440177 16-Feb-2011 11:04

wreck90:
I still maintain Bing will die off.

Bing market share may be increasing, because so many people are accidentally installing it.

Marketshare does not increase dramatically because people are *accidentally* installing it and besides if you want to belive in this theory then google is only dominant in search because it's *accidentally* installed when you install adobe and other 10,000 products that install their toolbar.

ps - One has to go to bing.com or google.com or type something in the toolbar to gain that marketshare.

Do whatever you want to do man.

gzt

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#440208 16-Feb-2011 12:20

Yes, Google has a very serious real competitor in search now, and Google is following Microsoft in some search features.

Something Google does not do with their toolbar (apparently) which Microsoft does do with theirs - is use it to collect data on every site you visit with your browser.

When you install the toolbar you get an 'improve my experience' option (checked by default). Text: "Help Microsoft improve your online experience with personalized content by allowing us to collect additional information about your system configuration, the searches you do, websites you visit, and how you use our software. We will also use this information to help improve our products and services."

Usually I agree to this kind of thing assuming it is only the product installed being monitored for improvement.

But, statements from Microsoft indicate this feature is used to monitor all web visits and all searches regardless of Bing toolbar query use. This is not what I would expect - but it is exactly what the text says.

It looks like an attempt to own a lot of data before it gets to Google.

However, when you start the toolbar and look into the options, the same option is actually disabled by default, so even after presenting the option checked by default they are not doing it by default. Strange.

freitasm

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#440210 16-Feb-2011 12:27

gzt: Something Google does not do with their toolbar (apparently) which Microsoft does do with theirs - is use it to collect data on every site you visit with your browser.

You have not read their Google Toolbar Privacy Policy then. Don't assume things:

"If you navigate to a URL that does not exist, the Toolbar may send the URL to Google so we can help you find the URL you were looking for. If you disable the "Provide suggestions for incorrect or unavailable URLs" option through the Toolbar Options window, this information will not be sent to Google and suggestions will not be shown."

"Toolbar's enhanced features, such as PageRank and Sidewiki, operate by sending Google the addresses and other information about sites at the time you visit them."

"We process your requests in order to operate and improve the Google Toolbar and other Google services. For example, by knowing which web page you are viewing, the PageRank feature of Google Toolbar can show you Google's ranking of that web page. And the Sidewiki feature can tell you if others have written Sidewiki entries on a given page. Likewise, by processing the text on a web page, SpellCheck can offer spelling suggestions and AutoLink can provide useful links to information."

People still have the "Microsoft is evil" mindset, and blindly accept everyone else is great...

gzt

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#440218 16-Feb-2011 12:51

Yes, that's true. Google also have a 'suggested' (basically a default) opt-in to enable specific toolbar features like the page rank indicator.

People still have the "Microsoft is evil" mindset, and blindly accept everyone else is great...

Yes, this is often the case where there is a monopoly / or severe market dominance with a perceived lack of choice. The web offers more free choice than the desktop luckily.

freitasm

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#440221 16-Feb-2011 12:54

Yes, this is often the case where there is a monopoly / or severe market dominance with a perceived lack of choice. The web offers more free choice than the desktop luckily.

And what "dominance" would that be in these days? Google "dominates" with its search, with YouTube. Facebook dominates. And so on.

At which point people will see Microsoft is just another company, or at which point people will see Google as a dominant force, flexing its muscles?

Lurch

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#440658 17-Feb-2011 12:31

I don't see the issue, people need read what they're agreeing to/clicking on. We get it at work all the time.

On the side note I get tired of the Microsoft is evil routine. The player people need to watch is Google at this point in time.

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