posted on July 16, 2001 09:39:54 AM
I just updated my Windows 98 system off of Microsoft's web site. I got the newest copy of Windows Media Player as well. When I went to hear a MIDI sound file on my computer, ZoneAlarm poped-up and told me that Windows Media was trying to access the Internet and did I want to give permission for this? Of course, I said NO and clicked the "remember this decision" checkbox as well. I did go through the Settings options and had already selected all of the "Don't report ANYTHING to Microsoft" options.
Now why does Microsoft need to know what I'm doing on my computer? If I want to look at any file on my pc, it is none of their business!
I also have the same problem with RealMedia. Upon installing Real Media Player, you get asked about half a dozen times if you want their icons placed anywhere on your pc, all of which I tell them NO! I also selected all of the "Don't go squeeling to RealMedia when I want to play something" options also. The result when you get done installing it? RealMedia puts an icon in your Start-up tray and automatically starts RealMedia Center when you boot up. It also squeels each and everytime that you boot up AND when you go to play a file! (God Bless the makers and distributors of ZoneAlarm!)
Fortunately, I was able to remove RealMedia from automatically starting up each time I booted up my pc. You see, honest companies put a start-up icon inside your Start Menu/Programs/StartUp folder. That way, you can disable the program from starting up if you weant to.
But other companies won\'t give you that choice. And most people do not kow how to go into their Registry to delete certain keys pertaining to the program\'s starting up. So what do you do?
I use a freebie tweaking program called X-Tech. It has a place in it to see ALL of the programs that start up when you boot up, not just what\'s in the StartUp folder. It also allows you to simply and safely remove the auto-start-up of any program that you choose with just one click of a button. Nice.
Still, are we to be monitored AT HOME ... on our own private computers? What programs we open, what files we work with, play, and view? Of what business and right do ANY of these companies have to do this?
posted on July 16, 2001 09:43:57 AM
Until the law stomps down hard on them they'll get away with it. OR if the consumer gets wise and stomps down on them.
Anyway, in case anyone doesn't know, type msconfig in the run box, click the startup tab and a complete list of all the programs that run on startup will pop up and you can uncheck any you don't want.
posted on July 16, 2001 11:28:31 AMBorillar...I thought that Zone Alarm WAS supposed to ASK you if you want or do not want to allow server to connect. Isn't that the goal? When I first installed it and was playing around with the settings, I could not go online, until I allowed Zone Alarm to give my ISP the OK. Then same with Internet Explorer. Am I doing something wrong? Whenever I try to install anything new, Zone Alarm asks me first, like my Panda Anti Virus, AD-SUBTRACT, etc..Looks like I might be messing up???
posted on July 16, 2001 11:41:01 AM
Shosh, it does. When your software is trying to access the internet Zone Alarm lets you know and asks if it's okay.
What Borillar (and I) would like to know is why playing a midi file that resides in your own hard drive necessitates connecting to a microsoft web site?
posted on July 18, 2001 09:53:26 PM
This spying business is really pushing the limits of my tolerance. It's nobody's business what you do on your computer: what programs you open and close, when you do so, what files you create and look at. There isn't a stick large enough to >>WACK<< some sense into these monsters anymore since the republicans took over with their corporate government.
sp.
[ edited by Borillar on Jul 18, 2001 09:54 PM ]
