Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Click Here to Agree?
Posted by Jonathon Watkins in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 01:00 AM
"If cars were sold under the same terms as software, the chances are we would all be walking to work. This is because almost every computer program is installed on condition that you accept onerous terms that you would reject if they were applied to anything else. For instance, if your car was sold to you under similar terms you would not be able to talk about its poor mileage down the pub with your mates, and would have to get the permission of the car maker every time you changed radio station or another member of your family drove it. And don't even think about putting car seats in the back for your kids or adding a roof rack - if you don't want to void the warranty that is."
This BBC news article about impenetrable End User Licence Agreements (Eulas), points out that it's an issue that's now really starting to get public attention. Various campaigns are ongoing to draw the people's attention to the problems inherent to agreeing to terms before you can install software. US politicians have also threatened to draw up laws that make software developers liable for shoddy programs. It's a very complex area and I'm sure we hear a lot more about this sort of thing in the future. How many of you guys actually read the Eula before installing new programs?
This BBC news article about impenetrable End User Licence Agreements (Eulas), points out that it's an issue that's now really starting to get public attention. Various campaigns are ongoing to draw the people's attention to the problems inherent to agreeing to terms before you can install software. US politicians have also threatened to draw up laws that make software developers liable for shoddy programs. It's a very complex area and I'm sure we hear a lot more about this sort of thing in the future. How many of you guys actually read the Eula before installing new programs?