Ramblings of an old Doc

 

Well, as the song goes, “Another one bites the dust”.

There’s no notice about the SourceForge installer (SFI) when you go to download software there. The SFI is only for Windows, not Linux or Mac.

I agree that devs need funding, and that’s a valid and good thing but bundling without notification isn’t the way. Pretty much all of us have left Download.com . Confusing installation choices isn’t either. The SFI uses the “Accept” or “Decline” choice leading the downloader to think that he/she won’t get the chosen software without the bundled one.

Per gHacks:

  1. Only a small net installer is downloaded by default, which means that an Internet connection is required to complete the download. The installation won't proceed if you do not have an Internet connection.
  2. Some offers may install toolbars on the system or make modifications to the Internet browser's home page or search provider. This is usually not wanted by users.

Also per gHacks, there’s a way to bypass The SourceForge Installer.

I don’t feel right about reproducing that method because I didn’t do the work to find that method. Also, I think visiting his site is a good thing. There’s plenty to learn there.

If you wish to learn it, please look at the excellent article Martin Brinkmann wrote:

http://www.ghacks.net/2013/07/17/sourceforges-new-installer-bundles-program-downloads-with-adware/?_m=3n%2e0038%2e944%2ehj0ao01hy5%2ez0a

Maybe I’m wrong, but while I believe Martin Brinkmann, I’m not completely sure that you don’t end up with something you don’t necessarily want on your machine, if just because the “without installer” file is larger (even though it’s zipped) than the file with the installer. You can see that in the screen shot he included just before the end of the article.

Source:

http://www.ghacks.net/2013/07/17/sourceforges-new-installer-bundles-program-downloads-with-adware/?_m=3n%2e0038%2e944%2ehj0ao01hy5%2ez0a


Comments
on Jul 17, 2013

I’m not completely sure that you don’t end up with something you don’t necessarily want on your machine, if just because the “without installer” file is larger (even though it’s zipped) than the file with the installer.

 

that is because:

 

Only a small net installer is downloaded by default,

on Jul 17, 2013

but yeah, GitHub and Google Code have beaten SourceForge badly in the last few years.

on Jul 17, 2013

Sad news indeed. I basically have scared my parents into not installing anything on their computers without me present due to crap like this. They just don't seem to understand how to evade the easy to bypass extra software. With things like this, they stand no chance.

on Jul 17, 2013

I think I've seen it happen a while ago. A while ago, I tried downloading some software from one these download sites. When I tried to un-check all unwanted options, I still ended up with crap on my machine. Mind you, the crap installed were not listed as items I could un-check. I decided to get rid of all programs I got from that downloader program, even the one I did want, and then I used my internet security program to do a scan.

I wasn't happy that this downloader tried to install stuff I didn't ask for.

on Jul 17, 2013

It's a real problem.

Devs need money to live also...

on Jul 17, 2013

It's a real shame that SourceForge is doing this. It's a great site for cutting-edge software.

on Jul 17, 2013

Thanks for the heads up, Doc.

on Jul 17, 2013

DrJBHL
Devs need money to live also...
Then they should earn it by making good software that people will want to pay for. Half-finished buggy junk that isn't even worth downloading from gaotd seems to be the norm anymore.( I won't mention the primary country of origin here...but, you know who)  And the prices they want for some of it...LMFAO!!

Tip to developers. If you make stuff to sell that people want but is sooo bad that you can't even give away, having it bundled with things nobody wants at any price isn't going to help pay any bills. If you are offering a very good but unknown free program or trialware, see that it is distributed with the focus and emphasis on your software, not a load of crapware some site wants to bundle with it. Please. This may be your one chance to gain the end-users trust. Don't blow it.

That being said, I now prefer to go to the developers site for downloads if at all possible. Bundles...worse than second hand Spam.

on Jul 17, 2013

Wizard1956
Then they should earn it by making good software that people will want to pay for.

The only problem is that they have to eat and pay rent, etc. while improving the software. That requires publishing the software and getting user feedback. I've always felt that software's in permanent Beta...except when it's abandoned. To prevent the abandoning, $$ is needed.

WB8 didn't happen 20 years ago. It happened gradually over the 20 years.

I do agree that Alphas shouldn't be published except for other devs to help work on. If that's what you meant, Wiz, we are in agreement.

on Jul 18, 2013

Does this mean everything downloaded from sourceforge.net comes with this bundling?  If so I might have to see if the fheroes2 project can switch providers.

on Jul 18, 2013

Trying to trick the customer is never going to gain you any loyalty.

on Jul 18, 2013

StevenAus
Does this mean everything downloaded from sourceforge.net comes with this bundling?

Depends when you dl'd it.

Check out the article. See what the size of your dl was, and to which it's comparable/analagous using the screenie at the bottom of the gHacks article is my best suggestion to check.

When you install things, always use the "Advanced" or "Custom" option. That's the best way to reveal what's there. Don't ever use the "Automatic" option.

on Jul 18, 2013

StevenAus

Does this mean everything downloaded from sourceforge.net comes with this bundling?

no. that installer will only be there if a developer chooses to take part in that DevShare program. i don't expect those will be high in numbers. especially when Ask.com is among those bundled applications. (i really wonder how much non-hijacked traffic they get).

you can always download the non-installer option. or compile the source (after all it's free, some effort wont hurt anybody)

what they really should do is introducing a way to distinguish between those SFI installers and installers that are not part of that DevShare program.

on Jul 18, 2013

It's a pity, because ALL sourceforge.net developers are affected by this in a big way, not just those who choose to opt-in.  Some devs might even leave sourceforge.