On 24 Jun 2003 19:44:51 +0800, in <alt.privacy.spyware>, Aaron
<aarontaycheehsien@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
[snip]
>
> I fully agree. Adware is just a class of products much like freeware
> ,shareware and in the past it just meant that - a software that borthered
> you with sponsers ads, probably on startup.
[snip]

Key point here: There's no _real_ reason for it to "mean" anything else
now. Only sloppy usage has caused the generalized FUD you then refer to:

> In recent times, (after grc's
> optout perhaps). the meaning seems to have shifted somewhat. Say Adware,
> and the mind conjures up visions of software profiling your every move on
> the net, and customising Ads for you.
>
[snip]

Only if you don't have a good grasp of the terminology (and, possibly, the
underlying technology). IOW, the behavior you just described is clearly
indicative of "spyware", regardless of whether or not it (by coincidence,
really) occurs in a program which also happens to be "adware". Therefore,
it is _not_ a defining characteristic of "adware".

Remember the context here. The "Q" part of this particular "Q/A" is:

"5. How is spyware different from, or similar to, adware?"

Ergo, (a major part of) the point is to _clarify_ the terminology, not
further muddy it.

> I would prefer the older definition of adware (i.e anything that dispalys
> ads no matter how it does it) However having said that, this is a
> "privacy" group, in terms of privacy concerns, adware software with
> "static" sponsor banners have absolutely no privacy concerns at all.
>
[snip]

That doesn't mean we should baselessly demonize the term "adware" -- or
worse, dilute/confuse it's meaning to the point that the word effectively
has *no* meaning separate and apart from "spyware", which is sort'a what
you're claiming has already happened.

> It's a matter of definition really. I can even think of spliting the
> "dynamic" adware into 2 groups
>
[snip]

Unnecessary and convoluted, particularly in this context. All you're really
saying is that some real-world examples of "adware" also happen to be
"spyware" to some variable extent. And the FAQ already covers that point,
nearly verbatim:

"Similarly, any given example of adware may or may not also be
spyware, depending on how it operates."

Short, simple, and to the point.

--

Jay T. Blocksom
--------------------------------
Appropriate Technology, Inc.
usenet01[at]appropriate-tech.net


"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE: E-Mail address in "From:" line is INVALID! Remove +SPAMBLOCK to mail.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Unsolicited advertising sent to this E-Mail address is expressly prohibited
under USC Title 47, Section 227. Violators are subject to charge of up to
$1,500 per incident or treble actual costs, whichever is greater.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -