How so. Wouldn't that be there to alert you as to a software update? How different than what Apple or any other software does? What am I missing?
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Google Releases $149 Nik Software Plug-in Bundle for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture
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How so. Wouldn't that be there to alert you as to a software update? How different than what Apple or any other software does? What am I missing?
He's just paranoid like most anti-Google people. The funny thing is, they act as if Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, AOL, Yahoo, etc. don't do the same thing. It's not like they have access to your social security number and are stealing your paychecks and 401k money.
They are just people trying to sell you stuff like any other ad company since ad companies began. Not a big deal. The internet is public by nature.
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He's just paranoid like most anti-Google people. The funny thing is, they act as if Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, AOL, Yahoo, etc. don't do the same thing. It's not like they have access to your social security number and are stealing your paychecks and 401k money.
Indeed. I'm always diligent about my personal information.
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I totally lucked out on this deal. Last year a good friend sent me a link to get the full Color Efex Pro 3.0 for free... yes, a legit license that a German photo publication and Nik promo had running at the time.
So for the hell of it, I sent support an email along with my serial and they replied that I was totally eligible! Downloaded and installed. I was just about ready to buy Silver Efex here before they announced this.
I also own onOne Perfect Photo Suite and I have to say the Nik software is better in many ways, but PPS has a few components Nik doesn't.
Anyway, had to share.... SCORE!
So for the hell of it, I sent support an email along with my serial and they replied that I was totally eligible! Downloaded and installed. I was just about ready to buy Silver Efex here before they announced this.
I also own onOne Perfect Photo Suite and I have to say the Nik software is better in many ways, but PPS has a few components Nik doesn't.
Anyway, had to share.... SCORE!
It is a separate process that is always on, whether I'm running Google software or not. It doesn't alert me to new software, it updates when it cares to. It doesn't only update the software I ask it to, it updates whatever it wishes. It has the power to replace root owned processes and kernel extensions. If I remove it, it gets automatically reinstalled.
It is, in essence, a root kit.
It is different from what Apple software does in most of the above ways (Apple's runs at my request, updates only what I ask it to, etc) plus in one very important additional way: I purchased my computer and operating system from Apple, not Google. The relationship I have with my OS vendor is different than what I have with the maker of photography plug-ins for my photo management application. I don't expect every piece of software I install to open a catheter to the internet.
Look, I recognize that these forums have recently been overrun by Google shills, and that suggesting that Uncle Google isn't a faultless and benevolent benefactor without spending twice as much time pointing out that Apple is worse leads to an astroturf outcry, but I would appreciate being able to answer for myself if someone asks me what I mean.He's just paranoid like most anti-Google people. The funny thing is, they act as if Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, AOL, Yahoo, etc. don't do the same thing. It's not like they have access to your social security number and are stealing your paychecks and 401k money.
I do believe their system leaves openings for security vulnerabilities in the same way the infamous, and righteous, Sony software did in the past. I'm not the only one to have looked at it and to have drawn that conclusion. Uncle Google will tell you so if you ask him.
I'm not going to waste my time trying appear balanced by enumerating all the flaws in every other company on the internet when it has no relevance to the topic at hand. I'm also not going to waste my time talking about how wonderful Google is and how I hope I don't hurt their feelings by pointing out this one minor oversight.
In this case, the companies you mention don't do what Google Software Update does. Even if they did, that doesn't mean we should just quietly accept it-- that's what the free market is all about. We vote with our dollars. Nik gives me and others an opportunity to vote against Google Software Update.
The naturally public internet allows me to share the information I've found through my own error with others.
I suppose another part of the free market and public internet is your making ad hominem attacks against me rather than saying anything relevant. Of course, I do have to say I enjoyed how you follow your "he's paranoid" attack with "and they all do it." Not that it has anything to do with the point I was actually making, but watching you so eager to come to Google's defense that you contradict yourself in two sentences was a treat.
It's clear I hurt your feelings.
Anyways, as to your "root kit" theory, anyone with basic computer knowledge would find this -
http://support.google.com/installer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=100386
And if you're really worried, you can go here: http://wireload.net/products/guu-google-update-uninstaller/
But I know, Google is out to get you and destroy your life.
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That's not a long page to comprehend. Anyone with basic literacy skills would draw three key pieces of information from that link:
1) Like any good malware, it reinstalls itself if you don't eradicate every last piece of the infection.
2) Every last piece of the infection includes "any Google programs".
3) There is no uninstall, instead you must go into Terminal, hunt down the offending process which could be in a couple of places, and rm it as superuser.
This has all the hallmarks of a Bad Thing: This software is installed stealthily. It has root privilege to circumvent proper permissions control. It has no UI to indicate that it's there at all, that it's modifying your system, or to control its behavior. It has no uninstalller and requires more advanced skills to remove it than to install it. If incompletely removed, it reinstalls itself without notice. It has built up a cottage industry of vaccination tools.
Sorry, I know you want to believe that Uncle Google has your best interests in mind, but this doesn't sound like the behavior or removal instructions for something happy.
Next time you might benefit from reading your own posts to determine if you're supporting your own point or the one you're arguing against. If they're supporting the point you're arguing against then stop arguing, concede the point, and offer the information neutrally.
Hurt my feelings because someone on the internet doesn't understand the technology they use? Hardly. It's sad, but in the same way homelessness is sad. I'd like to help, but sometimes people need to want to be helped.Irritated me because I'm tired of seeing a forum I've been coming to for a decade, and where I used to be able to have intelligent conversations, get overrun by hair triggered zealots ready to surround and bludgeon anyone they suspect of a thought crime against Google? Yeah, that's closer to the mark.
You'll notice I didn't say anywhere that Google was out to get anyone. I didn't say anywhere that Google Software Update was after my personal information. I never drew a comparison between Google and any other company. I simply expressed dismay that the software I paid for contained a component that I and others see as badly designed and dangerous, and that this software was inseparable from my purchase without freezing my new purchase in time. I shared my experience so others would be aware of this fact.
You, on the other hand, seem to feel I've offended your one true god and you must enter the belly of the beast and slay those you suspect of worshipping false idols.
Anyone with basic computer knowledge would find this:
Warning Signs of a Brainwashed Victim
Disagree about what? Aside from your derisive slights, it seems to me we agree on everything. Maybe you've forgotten my post that set you off:
We agree that GSU is included, we agree about what it does, we agree about how it's installed and removed and I suspect we agree that if I don't want to deal with GSU, I shouldn't install Google software.
It seems that the only thing we actually disagree about is whether someone can not like any small thing about Google products without being attacked for it. On that, I agree that we disagree.
Should I start with the first one where I say I just gave $150 to the company you think I have a crusade against?
Seriously consider the possibility that Google Software Update is a Bad Thing. If you come to the conclusion that it isn't, consider the possibility that someone else might think that it is-- not because they have a vendetta against Google, but because it violates a list of well established security and user interaction rules.
Then reread those posts again. Am I crusading against the company, or am I concerned about a piece of software that the company puts out. Am I spending more (or any) time attacking the company, or mostly responding to people who have attacked me for being concerned.
I use Little Snitch to block Google Software Update.... I'm of the same thinking as you. I block any similar software devices from ANY company that isn't specifically authorized for the updating of my OS.
Yeah, LS is what alerted me to Google Software Update starting up. That tool is a godsend... It does require patience though.
Just to update on this, we bought it about a week before the 30 day cut -off period, however we contacted Google and they still refunded the difference to get us down to the new price
TBH the app was worth the old price for us, so the money back is a real bonus.
Just to update on this, we bought it about a week before the 30 day cut -off period, however we contacted Google and they still refunded the difference to get us down to the new price
That's great! Glad to hear they're being a bit flexible for recent buyers.
I've been away for a bit and haven't logged in for a few weeks or I would have responded sooner.