They claim to be doing something noble, but the only thing sweet about OpenCandy is the sales pitch to naive developers that might just fall for it, tricking them into thinking it is somehow different than the typical common adware/spyware.

A lot of developers do seem to be biting the bait, but no matter how you slice it, it's still adware/spyware, and to me it stinks worse than the old fashioned kind.

In OpenCandy's own words, this is what they do:

Recommendations are made to users during the installation process. Utilizing the install process creates a user-friendly experience and offers optimal engagement for making a software recommendation. The user is presented with a screen that describes the recommendation, at which time they may choose to install the recommended software.

We then provide analytics back to the creators, so they can see how their software and recommendations are performing. This way they can better understand how to build and recommend great applications.

We've also provided our technology as a platform to a handful of software creators who are utilizing an offer screen during the install process as an advertising unit. Some creators are already monetizing their distribution by offering apps like browser toolbars, so we're helping them improve their user experience and optimize the effectiveness of their offers.

Just wanted to clarify a few things here. (More info available at DonationCoder forum link at bottom)

-While at DivX, the team that went on to start OpenCandy saw that large software developers (like DivX) could leverage their distribution to make money while giving away their software for free.

-They felt that there was a much better way to do it (we do NOT believe in OPT-OUT) -- and that smaller developers should be able to leverage the same things so that they can make money and give their software away to their users.

-We believe in open source and free software, and we are trying to support the developers creating such software in a way that also provides something useful to their users.

-You can call our recommendation an ad if you want -- but the important distinction is that OpenCandy recommendations are specifically chosen by developers for their users. Do you choose the ads displayed on this website via Google Ads?

-Google AdWords collects non-personally identifiable information the exact same way we do -- so if you consider us spyware, then you must consider Google AdWords spyware as well.

-We are definitely not a lazy company... Our mission is truly to help software developers and their users. It is no simple task and we have been misunderstood numerous times by people like yourself, and we will continue to work hard to set the record straight.

-The developers who partner with us are not naive. They are some of the most talented and well respected developers out there, and they have been approached numerous times by various companies/entities promising them riches, etc. They have always turned those companies down because they didn't believe it was in their best interest or their users best interest. They have chosen to work with OC because they believe in our mission, our team, and our values.

-Your highlighting of the difference between your ads and our recommendations doesn't make sense. You say your ads are fine because users can disable them by turning off javascript -- but how many users actually know that and do it? The exact same can be said about our recommendations and users with software firewalls or strict Windows firewall settings. You can simply not allow internet communication during a software install and you will never see an OpenCandy recommendation. How is that different, better, or worse?

-Lastly, I encourage you to look up the definitions of both adware and spyware (Wikipedia actually has it down pretty good) to stop spreading misinformation. As for what we do at OC, we are honestly in new territory and we spend a great deal of time examining all of our guidelines and practices to ensure we are doing what is in the interest of our partner's users and therefore our partners. We are here to support software development over the long-term and the only way to do that is by doing what we believe is right.

I know you are just looking out for users and I appreciate that. That's what I've done for the last 9 years... Helped users keep Windows machines secure. Even after you read this and my DonationCoder post you may still disagree with software recommendations, but I think it's clear that they are going to continue to be done (by someone)... And at least the way we are doing it is the right way. :)

I've written a very detailed post on the DonationCoder forum further explaining what we are do and some info on what type of user/person I am. See: http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=18297.msg164027#msg164027

Thanks. :)

Dr. Apps
Software Community Guru
OpenCandy

http:/twitter.com/drapps