Title this one: IT'S MY COMPUTER, NOT YOURS!

Well, my beloved laser mouse finally died the other day after several months of heroic service. I gave it a proper burial, wiped a tear from my eye and went to CompUSA. I returned home with a replacment Logitech laser mouse.

(Laser-based computer rodents are far superior to the old "rolling ball" types, which require frequent cleaning.)

I installed the Logitech Software and got -- free of charge, and without my request -- several other software packages, all screaming, "me! me! Load me, too!"

It's bad enough that when I installed Windows 98, I won a free desktop filled with advertisements and "click me!" links. It's bad enough that dozens of innocent-looking links in Internet Explorer actually go to sites that are trying (desperately) to sell you something.

But when it gets to the point that each new modem, mouse or light pen that I buy comes with dozens of Free Offers, it's time for a revolt.

IT'S MY COMPUTER. NOT MICROSOFT'S, NOT LOGITECH'S, NOT NETSCAPE'S, NOT MEDIA PLAYER'S, NOT QUICKEN'S.

I PAID FOR IT. THEY DIDN'T.

You know, I didn't even realize until a few weeks ago that Netscape automatically checks each URL and scans their (fee-based) directory for its "what's related?" feature if it's enabled. Internet Explorer, Media Player and a host of other software do similar things.

Enough is enough.

The data on this computer is MINE and is no one else's business. The software that I choose to use on this computer is MINE and is no one else's business. Where I browse on the Web is MY business and no one else's. Period.

This has gotten ridiculous. Hey, I know they can't resist, because there's tons of money to be made in getting these advertisers to PAY you to put their crap on your software CD.

"Don't you want to try AOL 7.0? PLEEEEEZE?"

NO. GO AWAY.

"How 'bout Compuserve (which is owned by AOL, but ignore that!). We'll give you a rebate? PLEEEEZE?"

No.

"Well, then, how's about you just let us slip an icon onto your desktop without asking you?"

NO! My desktop is cluttered enough, thank you.

Mumble, mumble.

We need to start a revolt. Someone please print up some bumper stickers: IT'S MY COMPUTER. GO AWAY.

-- Stephen (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), February 10, 2002

Answers

Of course, I should diffidently mention that I only have this problem in Windows. Linux distributions are refreshingly free of such garbage (though that may change, once the marketing types figure out how to cram it into free, downloadable software).

I still have Windows 98 in a dual-boot arrangement (with Linux as the primary OS). Installing the mouse under Linux was a simple matter of plugging it in. The kernel automatically figured out how to use the mouse (even enabled a USB port it!) and that was that.

The Windows install, on the other hand, took several minutes, three reboots, and a mad scramble for the Windows 98 CD (it needed to install something in addition to Logitech's stuff).

Wha'gives? I don't understand.

But thank you for letting me get this off my chest. I feel better now. :)

-- Stephen (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), February 10, 2002.

LOL, it's funny how some people always seem to have so many problems! Guess they always need to have some kind of drama in their lives.

Stephen,

I am running Windows 98SE, and coincidentally, I bought the same Logitech optical mouse a couple months ago (M/N M-BD58 in case you don't believe me). Plugged it in, did a restart, Windows recognized it, and it works fine. No problemo.

-- (you have @ Charlie Brown. syndrome), February 10, 2002.

Poole:

Just a note: my G4 twin came with that kind of mouse. Nothing to install. Works on both OS's. Now I need to get more memory. It tells me I can't handle those 700 meg files. Need to assign more memory to Photoshop. ;o)))

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), February 10, 2002.

This particular mouse is a MB-J58, USB-type (my previous one was a Microsoft PS/2 type). Windows wanted the CD so that it could install the USB drivers, which were required before Logitech could install ITS stuff.

I didn't know that the USB support had never been installed, so I followed the usual procedure: I went into Control Panel | System and removed the current mouse, then rebooted with the new mouse connected. Without the USB drivers, Windows didn't see it. I ran the Logitech software, it saw the mouse, but it still wouldn't work.

(By the way, operating Windows without a mouse is fun.[g] The paint on my ALT, arrow and TAB keys is faded now.)

When I rebooted the 2nd time, Windows hollered for the CD to install USB stuff. Whence the 3rd reboot ...

But hey! That wasn't what bothered me (anyone who's ever installed a printer under Windows 3.1 already knows about day-long config games!).

It was the blasted "click me" advertising all over the place!

Umm. Sorry. Couldn't help it.

I'm going to go talk about "click me" advertising to the cat now.

-- Stephen (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), February 10, 2002.

Z,

How in the load-bearing Hades do you create a graphics file that's 700Mb in size?!?

Sheesh. You must enjoy zooming in on someone's zits from a distance of 3 miles. :)

-- Stephen (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), February 10, 2002.

Yo, take yer weenie tech-talk to slashdot.

-- (Rocco@buffed.enuff), February 10, 2002.