I think this forum could use a specific list of products that install VMP without adding an extra entry in the Add/Remove Programs. All the uninstall instructions I found insist that I can uninstall VMP from the Add/Remove Programs, but I never had an entry for VMP. After a considerable amount of work, I finally found out that Adobe Atmosphere Player installs it. I uninstalled that, and it got rid of the "c:\program files\viewpoint" folder.

It's also worth noting that I never would have known or cared that VMP was installed on my machine if it wasn't for the "opt-in experience" I received yesterday, regarding the Viewpoint Toolbar. I'm still not sure of the exact sequence of events, but I suspect that installing VMP allowed you to get a hook on my computer to start an automatic update process that triggered the toolbar download.

Do you wonder why people are paranoid that you are spyware? It's because the process I saw yesterday looks exactly like spyware! I received a pop up that some company I've never heard of has already updated software on my machine, and it is suggesting that I install more!

Automatic updates are a sensitive issue, and you need to develop a relationship with the customers so they know you and trust you, before people will accept them. What I saw yesterday was a terrible marketing decision, and it made me angry enough to take time out of my evening to write all this stuff.

BTW, I also sent an e-mail to pr@viewpoint.com, and I heard nothing back.

I agree. I couldn't be any more pissed off right now from finding this garbage on my computer - especially on a night when I am staying late in the office to get some critical work done. This is an increadible invasion of privacy!! -- line striken by admin --

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

Hello Rick,

Thank you for your comments. We are currently in the process of making the notification popup more satisfying. Please see my comments to another user at: http://viewpoint.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/71810192/m/424100109

Regards,
Viewpoint Support

I appreciate that someone from Viewpoint responded to my post, but that is the only positive thing I can say. The response either misses my point or is purposely non responsive.

What about my suggestion involving a list of programs that install VMP without creating an Add/Remove Programs entry for it? Good idea? Bad idea? Impossible? Legal issues? I can't believe there are that many programs that do this.

I already read the referenced topic, and it doesn't address my comments/concerns.

The comment about a more "satisfying" pop up makes me want to roll my eyes or scream. Viewpoint cannot create a satisfying pop up to a customer who has never heard of Viewpoint. If you want to interact with the user, you have to let them know who you are AT INSTALL TIME. And you have to give them the option to decide whether they want further interaction with you AT INSTALL TIME. You can't just pop up out of the blue and expect people to welcome you.

Another critical issue is that the pop up isn't even a product update, it is a suggestion to install a completely different product. I receive updates for Norton Anti-Virus, but they don't group unrelated products in with my virus updates. That is rude.

I don't delude myself into thinking I can change Viewpoint's practices by myself, and I'm sure you'll get millions of AOL users to convert to your search engine, and you'll get lots of advertising revenue from that. If my opinion is not important, I'd rather you came out and said so, rather than a "thank you for your comment" and ignore what I wrote.

And finally, for the benefit of anyone who is wondering what Mr. Scot could have possibly said that was so terrible that it had to be edited out for your safety, he made a completely unsubstantiated claim, which would suggest that Viewpoint's parents were not legally married at the time of conception. While I would agree that this doesn't really make sense, I believe it to be a redundant statement by Mr. Scot that he is angry. With that, I concur.

Have a nice weekend,
Rick

P.S. Interesting how this site suddenly started requiring registration. That should reduce the number of people who are willing to go through the hassle of posting complaints.