that is because:

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

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.

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.

It's a real problem.

Devs need money to live also...

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

Thanks for the heads up, Doc.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.