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Difference between revisions of "Questionable software"

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A list of shitty software, to be on this list at least one of the following points must apply:
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{{delete|shitty meme page without any facts or sources}}
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{{cleanup|this page is weird. maybe merge with [[Harmful software]]?}}
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{{merge|Harmful software}}
  
* It is a buggy mess.
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The software listed here is both notable and potentially problematic.
* It spies on you.
 
* It takes huge amount of time and/or computer resources just to do simple tasks
 
  
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== BitComet ==
  
== Java ==
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BitComet is proprietary Chinese BitTorrent client.
  
Such a buggy mess that both [[Firefox]][http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/10/firefox_26_blocks_java] and [[Chrome]] block the plugin by default.
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=== The Problem ===
  
The language in which masterpieces of inefficiency were written like eclipse (needs 2GB of ram to edit one small source file), minecraft (Quake 1 has better visuals and unlike minecraft it doesn't take an 8 core 16GB ram machine to run) and healthcare.gov that was so horrible (it took more than 500 million dollars to write) it made the democrats lose the next elections.
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BitComet is notorious for its bugs, padding files, in-software advertising, and well-nigh universal ban from private trackers.
  
Don't use Java (unless you want a job). C and python (with pypy) are much better depending what you want to make.
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=== The Verdict ===
  
All Java software is pure shit I have yet to find any exceptions.
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There is no foreseeable case in which the use of BitComet could be recommended.
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== Java Runtime Environment ==
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''The Java Runtime Environment or JRE should not be confused with Java (programming language) or JavaScript (web scripting language).''
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The JRE is a software package that is required to run applications written in the Java programming language. It includes the Java Virtual Machine or JVM, the Java platform core classes, supporting Java platform libraries, and various Java plug-ins for popular web browsers. The JVM is responsible for the versatility of Java applications in terms of platform support. Unfortunately, it is also responsible for their relatively poor performance and high memory requirements. While the situation has certainly improved in recent years thanks to the Just-In-Time Compiler or JIT, Java applications still tend to be somewhat slower and heavier than their non-Java counterparts. Notably, certain applications like Libre Office require Java for certain features, but can be used without the JRE if the user is willing to sacrifice access to those features.
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=== The Problem ===
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The debate about whether or not to install the JRE on one's computer is most related to security issues stemming from the various Java plug-ins for Web browsers. These plug-ins have no role whatsoever in running most Java applications and are only rarely required to display modern Web content. Due to the significant number of security vulnerabilities caused by these plug-ins in the past several years, major browser vendors like Mozilla and Google have taken steps to see that they are unable to execute without directly prompting the user. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended that one verify manually that these plug-ins are indeed disabled, since they possess known security vulnerabilities at the time of this writing.
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=== The Verdict ===
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Provided that best practise is followed by the user, there is no harm in installing the Java Runtime Environment or its free and open source equivalents on one's PC.
  
 
== Skype ==
 
== Skype ==
  
[[Microsoft]] records everything that goes through it, EVERYTING.
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Skype is the client software for a popular Microsoft-owned voice-over-IP and instant-messaging network by the same name.
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=== The Problem ===
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''For a detailed analysis of the problems with Skype, see [https://www.blackhat.com/presentations/bh-europe-06/bh-eu-06-biondi/bh-eu-06-biondi-up.pdf 'Silver Needle in the Skype']. It is a bit dated and pre-dates the Snowden revelations by quite a few years, but it still contains valuable information.
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Microsoft is capable of eavesdropping on and recording any conversation had via Skype. They are known to furnish collected data to the American National Security Agency, or NSA, and other adversarial entities upon request. The full extent of Skype's surveillance capabilities is unknown.
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=== The Verdict ===
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There is no foreseeable case in which the use of Skype could be recommended. If its use is required by an employer, it should be restricted to a machine dedicated exclusively to business purposes.
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== µTorrent ==
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Microtorrent, or µTorrent as it is more commonly called, is a proprietary BitTorrent client originally developed by [[Wikipedia:Ludvig_Strigeus |Ludwig Strigeus]]. Before its acquisition by [[Wikipedia:BitTorrent_%28company%29 |BitTorrent Incorporated]], it was widely regarded as being the best software package of its kind in terms of features and performance. At the time of this writing, it remains the most popular BitTorrent client outside of China.
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=== The Problem ===
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In the years following its acquisition, µTorrent received a number of controversial new features including [https://torrentfreak.com/utorrent-expands-launches-apps-and-labs-100514/ 'apps'], in-program advertising, and a paid version of the software.
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=== The Verdict ===
  
Takes large amounts of resources and is very slow. Sending files is very slow and videos are low quality probably because of all the analysis microsoft/[[NSA]] does on them.
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In light of the many free and open source alternatives now available to Windows users, the use of µTorrent cannot be recommended. If one must use it due to tracker-specific demands, the [http://www.filehippo.com/download_utorrent/9859/ build 25302 of v2.2.1] is widely regarded as the last acceptable version.
  
Use [[Tox]] when it comes out instead.
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[[Category:Software]]

Latest revision as of 19:38, 5 May 2019

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DELETION CANDIDATE
Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Reason: shitty meme page without any facts or sources
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CLEANUP CANDIDATE
Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Reason: this page is weird. maybe merge with Harmful software?
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MERGE CANDIDATE
Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. This page is a candidate to be merged with: Harmful software

The software listed here is both notable and potentially problematic.

BitComet

BitComet is proprietary Chinese BitTorrent client.

The Problem

BitComet is notorious for its bugs, padding files, in-software advertising, and well-nigh universal ban from private trackers.

The Verdict

There is no foreseeable case in which the use of BitComet could be recommended.

Java Runtime Environment

The Java Runtime Environment or JRE should not be confused with Java (programming language) or JavaScript (web scripting language).

The JRE is a software package that is required to run applications written in the Java programming language. It includes the Java Virtual Machine or JVM, the Java platform core classes, supporting Java platform libraries, and various Java plug-ins for popular web browsers. The JVM is responsible for the versatility of Java applications in terms of platform support. Unfortunately, it is also responsible for their relatively poor performance and high memory requirements. While the situation has certainly improved in recent years thanks to the Just-In-Time Compiler or JIT, Java applications still tend to be somewhat slower and heavier than their non-Java counterparts. Notably, certain applications like Libre Office require Java for certain features, but can be used without the JRE if the user is willing to sacrifice access to those features.

The Problem

The debate about whether or not to install the JRE on one's computer is most related to security issues stemming from the various Java plug-ins for Web browsers. These plug-ins have no role whatsoever in running most Java applications and are only rarely required to display modern Web content. Due to the significant number of security vulnerabilities caused by these plug-ins in the past several years, major browser vendors like Mozilla and Google have taken steps to see that they are unable to execute without directly prompting the user. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended that one verify manually that these plug-ins are indeed disabled, since they possess known security vulnerabilities at the time of this writing.

The Verdict

Provided that best practise is followed by the user, there is no harm in installing the Java Runtime Environment or its free and open source equivalents on one's PC.

Skype

Skype is the client software for a popular Microsoft-owned voice-over-IP and instant-messaging network by the same name.

The Problem

For a detailed analysis of the problems with Skype, see 'Silver Needle in the Skype'. It is a bit dated and pre-dates the Snowden revelations by quite a few years, but it still contains valuable information.

Microsoft is capable of eavesdropping on and recording any conversation had via Skype. They are known to furnish collected data to the American National Security Agency, or NSA, and other adversarial entities upon request. The full extent of Skype's surveillance capabilities is unknown.

The Verdict

There is no foreseeable case in which the use of Skype could be recommended. If its use is required by an employer, it should be restricted to a machine dedicated exclusively to business purposes.

µTorrent

Microtorrent, or µTorrent as it is more commonly called, is a proprietary BitTorrent client originally developed by Ludwig Strigeus. Before its acquisition by BitTorrent Incorporated, it was widely regarded as being the best software package of its kind in terms of features and performance. At the time of this writing, it remains the most popular BitTorrent client outside of China.

The Problem

In the years following its acquisition, µTorrent received a number of controversial new features including 'apps', in-program advertising, and a paid version of the software.

The Verdict

In light of the many free and open source alternatives now available to Windows users, the use of µTorrent cannot be recommended. If one must use it due to tracker-specific demands, the build 25302 of v2.2.1 is widely regarded as the last acceptable version.