Dear Marketing Team & Directors of Viewpoint Corporation:

Your Viewpoint Media Player (VMP) technology has always been the best 3D delivery system on the web; I have been a follower for years. For me, it is easy to see the great potential of web delivered 3D -- it has been a personal passion of mine.

However, I abandoned the product when the company eliminated the hobbist license in January of 2004. The ENLIVEN product has re-addressed many issues with the VMP technology (although I have not fully explored its potential yet).

The issue I have with Viewpoint’s current marketing scheme is the “push” of unwanted “Toolbar” software via the “VMP plugin” on a user’s computer. In order to view VMP 3D presentations, the VMP plugin must be downloaded (naturally); however, an update warning window pops up eventually (in the Windows System Tray) prompting a “Toolbar Update” -- when no such software is resident on the user’s computer. To the unaware user, a confirmatin of the “update” installs the Viewpoint Toolbar across the user’s default browser window. This is a blatant “push” of toolbar software. Computer users and corporate IT professionals have placed their trust in then Viewpoint Corporation to avoid unwanted intrusions on their computers. The system tray “Toolbar Update” is the Viewpoint equivelant of “spaming toolbars” found on under-belly of the internet. At issue:

· The update seeks to install software not previously installed on a user’s computer (by definition this is “spam”).

· The update solicits installation of Toolbar software not previously disclosed in pro forma fashion showing the eventual effect of the install.

· The update’s “close” button (or ubiquitous “X” button) is buried -- it can only be found after the suspect “MORE INFO” button is activated.

· The term “Toolbar Update” is generic enough to create confusion as to the true nature of the update.

· The update window can pop-up during demonstrations to colleagues and customers –- to the surprise of the demonstrator.

· A decerning user will stop their work and try to evaluate the “update” window and its consequences; therein the update window is breaking the productivity of a computer user.

I have waited a long time for the VMP product to mature; I want to develop 3D websites and interactive CDs, I want to be part of the 3D revolution; but I can not subject customers and consumers to this sort of infringment; it will reflect back on me and my recommendation of Viewpoint technology.

Now it is up to the Viewpoint Corporation, but does the company really want to continue to generate “ill will” that this kind of guerilla marketing creates. It is your “Viewpoint” trademark and you only get one chance at a “first impression”.

Respectfully,
Greg

Even if I were to believe that this software is never installed without my permission, and that it isn't adware or spyware, I still have two questions:

1)Why does it attempt to "trick" you into agreeing to a EULA with the "UPDATE" prompt? (I didn't click update, but I can only imagine what that does...)

2)Why is it so hard to uninstall? I have followed the instructions found here. The program was supposedly uninstalled. Nevertheless, in "Program Files", the Viewpoint Folder persists. Any attempts to delete it are foiled by an error that states something to the effect that "axmetastream.dll" is in use. Who knows what this program has done to my windows registry.

Let me be clear: I do not use this program, nor have I EVER used this program. Even if some third party put this invidious software onto my computer, it shouldn't be hard to uninstall unless it is not MEANT to be easy to uninstall. If it really is just installed along with some third-party software, why does it need to be popping up update notices that ask you to click and accept a EULA that presumably installs even more software? If we wanted this, we would install it without a unsolicited prompt, don't you think?

These issues are the hallmarks of the spyware/adware industry. If you truly are not part of it, then you have to make some big changes. My guess is, though, that it is too late.

In the mean time, tell me how to get this off of my computer, including any changes to the registry.

<Edited by Moderator>

If you have a good product, you dont have to push or trick people - apparently, you have become another piece of spy/ad/nagware that I DO NOT WANT nor did I ASK FOR!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Admin,

I agree with all these other writers, When you pushed the toolbar as an update, you lost me as a customer and motivated me to remove any of your crap from my computer.

How do I get rid of the update notification. I don't want to be MADE to install something.

Hello,

We apologize for any inconvenience the installation of the Popup opt-in message may have caused you. The Viewpoint popup that you are seeing is being offered as an opt-in experience based on your Viewpoint Manager Preference settings. You can change these settings by opening the Viewpoint Manager Control Panel (Start>Settings>Control Panel) (switch to Classic View if you are using Windows XP)>Viewpoint Manager) and checking "disable auto-update for the Viewpoint Manager."

If you decline our invitation using the "No, Thanks" button on the "More Info." page, the toolbar will not install, no settings will be changed and the dialog box will disappear.

If you already opted-in by clicking "Update" and would like to completely remove the Viewpoint Toolbar, you can click on the Viewpoint logo in the left hand corner and select uninstall.

We, again, apologize for any inconvenience the installation of the opt-in message may have caused you. We are currently redesigning the opt-in message due to feedback received by users like yourself. Please feel free to contact us for any additional questions.

Best Regards,
Viewpoint Support