Spybot vs User

[Larry Dunn]

It seems to me that Spybot should not remind the user to always
immunize after downloading updates. The immunization really
should be automatic. Otherwise, the user is forced to spend
a lot of time with the program, and become a semi-expert.

Surely you would like that, but most people have other things
to do. Spybot is a resource, and a wonderful one, and I am
embarrassed that I have not contributed yet. I will remedy
this very soon (honest), and I recommend that everyone else
do so.

The structure of Spybot has many things I don't like.
I don't like that Immunize exists in 2 parts: detect unprotected
areas, then protect them. I don't like that the user even has
to do this. Surely immunization is the smart thing to do,
and should not be optional.

It was months before I found Immunization and started to use
it. After I got the concept in my head. I'm sometimes busy
with other things, and I'm not very smart about navigating
software, anyway.

About Updates: I gave my opinion in an earlier message that we
should not be bothered with selecting a Mirror site, and the
response was that that was the least that could be done for the
mirrors - to acknowledge their contribution. That's understandable,
but it's just one more thing that has to be explained, and understood,
and allowed for. But we can't really know which site ought
to be preferred, and why. I always just Continue, and accept
the site that has been randomly chosen for me. At least,
it's random to me, and as far as I can see.

The way I see the Update process, we ought to click the
Update button, and the files should be downloaded and
installed. Then the immunization process should be done
without our involvement. At the very least, we should be
reminded to do the immunization at a time when we can say
"Yes." Currently, we are reminded by a Message Box,
that must then be closed, and can't initiate the Immunization
process itself. It's just a stumbling block in its current form.
Both parts of immunization, it seems to me, should be
completed together. Remember, it took me quite a while
to comprehend how it worked.

One more thing about updates - the additional disk space taken
to download things we don't need is minimal. If we've chosen
to not use skins, or whatever, what's the harm in quickly - and without
comment - downloading a very small file? My feeling is this: Please
don't bother me with this small stuff.

I'm very grateful to Spybot for solving problems for me - and
it has been a godsend several times. I'm just saying that
some defects should be removed.

One more thing: Separation of the Update and Upgrade functions
would be beneficial. Currently, Spybot (like Ad-Aware, and
Norton Anti-Virus, and many others) steps all over itself trying
to install a new update before the Updater has finished. The
installation process is always a very messy thing because two
processes are running at the same time.

Just because Ad-Aware is much worse is not to say that
Spybot is any more than adequate. And it is annoying, and
always makes me wonder if the installation process completed
thoroughly.

Larry Dunn

[Matt]

Hi Larry Dunn,

It seems to me that Spybot should not remind the user to always
immunize after downloading updates. The immunization really
should be automatic. Otherwise, the user is forced to spend
a lot of time with the program, and become a semi-expert.

Did you already read this thread: http://forums.spybot.info/project.php?issueid=358
Moreover, I think it doesn't take much time, to immunize your computer with Spybot. And everybody should know who to handle his security tools. Your computer is as safe as you want it to be.

Surely you would like that, but most people have other things
to do. Spybot is a resource, and a wonderful one, and I am
embarrassed that I have not contributed yet. I will remedy
this very soon (honest), and I recommend that everyone else
do so.

It's your decision, wheather you use Spybot or not.

It was months before I found Immunization and started to use
it. After I got the concept in my head. I'm sometimes busy
with other things, and I'm not very smart about navigating
software, anyway.

You can learn it. Doesn't take much time.
If you have questions, ask and someone tries to help you. Every Spybot-user is always welcome here.

About Updates: I gave my opinion in an earlier message that we
should not be bothered with selecting a Mirror site, and the
response was that that was the least that could be done for the
mirrors - to acknowledge their contribution. That's understandable,
but it's just one more thing that has to be explained, and understood,
and allowed for. But we can't really know which site ought
to be preferred, and why. I always just Continue, and accept
the site that has been randomly chosen for me. At least,
it's random to me, and as far as I can see.

Is that such a big problem for you?

The way I see the Update process, we ought to click the
Update button, and the files should be downloaded and
installed. Then the immunization process should be done
without our involvement. At the very least, we should be
reminded to do the immunization at a time when we can say
"Yes." Currently, we are reminded by a Message Box,
that must then be closed, and can't initiate the Immunization
process itself. It's just a stumbling block in its current form.
Both parts of immunization, it seems to me, should be
completed together. Remember, it took me quite a while
to comprehend how it worked.

I already gave you a link. Spybot 2.0 will immunize your system after update.

I'm very grateful to Spybot for solving problems for me - and
it has been a godsend several times. I'm just saying that
some defects should be removed.

I respect your opinion and anderstand what you wrote, but I can't really find bugs or serious problems... you want Spybot to get more comfortable... and that will happen.

One more thing: Separation of the Update and Upgrade functions
would be beneficial. Currently, Spybot (like Ad-Aware, and
Norton Anti-Virus, and many others) steps all over itself trying
to install a new update before the Updater has finished. The
installation process is always a very messy thing because two
processes are running at the same time.

Just because Ad-Aware is much worse is not to say that
Spybot is any more than adequate. And it is annoying, and
always makes me wonder if the installation process completed
thoroughly.

I don't understand you... what do you mean here?

You said much about the immunization and about the update, which should be faster and easier in your opinion I guess.
Any other problem with Spybot?

Thank you for your position.


Best regards,
-Matt-

[drragostea]

It seems to me that Spybot should not remind the user to always
immunize after downloading updates. The immunization really
should be automatic. Otherwise, the user is forced to spend
a lot of time with the program, and become a semi-expert.

It is merely a suggestion because we all want the Internet to be a safer place. The whole point of the Immunization is to provide
passive protection (in the browsers), not really to confuse users and to click this and that.
And of course the Immunization feature is purely optional. Some users just want Spybot solely has a spyware scanner, nothing
more, and some might want to use it to it's fullest potential.

The structure of Spybot has many things I don't like.

The goal of providing you with sections and columns is to tell you what Spybot is going to do. I don't think you would like it
if a software just did something without your knowledge.
Like -Matt- said the Immunization doesn't even take a lot of time. Your a few clicks away.

About Updates: I gave my opinion in an earlier message that we
should not be bothered with selecting a Mirror site...

If there would be one updater server in the whole globe for Spybot, wouldn't it be overwhelming for the servers when everyone (millions)
demand for updates at the same time. If a DSL user was downloading updates at a dial-up rate from the Spybot update servers,
it wouldn't be very fun would it. The many update servers being out there is to take a portion of the load of the updates, so it won't
be so much work if it were one server itself. If I were to take a split second to choose a mirror rather than wait 5 minutes for a
300KB update (DSL) I'd choose a update mirror.

But we can't really know which site ought
to be preferred, and why. I always just Continue, and accept
the site that has been randomly chosen for me.

Any mirror server works, but I would click and choose from the server that corresponds with my continent.

Then the immunization process should be done
without our involvement.

Totally optional. I've answered (gave my opinion) already above.

One more thing about updates - the additional disk space taken
to download things we don't need is minimal.

If I understand correctly, you're saying that downloading the updates is space consuming?

Separation of the Update and Upgrade functions
would be beneficial.

Two processes? No, the Spybot updater is one process. Even if it was two, how much memory would it consume?
If users did not even know that .exe file for a newer build existed on a site, they'll often rely on the updater itself (assuming that
they did not install Spybot and someone else did it for them) to provide them with the essential updates and keep them secure.

If you have questions and concerns, we're here to to resolve them.
-

[Larry Dunn]

It's always a mystery to me when people misunderstand my
words. I speak very simply, and should be understood easily.

Immunization is in two parts: listing the unprotected items, then
protecting them. The wall is built up, then it is torn down.
In programming terms, perhaps this has to be done in two
separate processes, but from the user's viewpoint it's unnecessary
When I ask the program to immunize, it should immunize.
End of story.

I was told that everybody should know how to handle his
security tools. That's true, but what I'm suggesting is that
the process could and should be simpler.

I was also misunderstood when I called for separation of Update
and Upgrade functions. What I mean is that the normal weekly
Update consists of downloading new definitions.

As a part of that process, occasionally we get to download a
new version of the program. When that happens, there are
invariably problems. The software installation starts before the
downloads are completed, and there is chaos, with three or
more windows open. In several cases, with Spybot or other
software, I have completed the software upgrade and then found
that the normal download window is still open. Did each process
complete normally, or not? It's very confusing and unnecessary.
Surely it would be possible for the Update process to remind
me that a new version is available after the download process
is complete.

I was also misunderstood when I suggested that we really do
not need to be involved in the selection of a mirror site.

Here is my meaning, quite simply: I believe that we do not need
to be involved in the selection of a mirror site. I am not saying
that there should be only one mirror site. This is the most
incredible misunderstanding of all.

At the time I go into the download process, or during the initial
installation, the software could determine a reasonable mirror
site, and use it. I am not knowledgable enough to have an
opinion about mirror sites. I do not even think it is appropriate
for the average user to be expected to know about such things.
I had never heard the term 'mirror site' before, and am even
now not really sure just what it means.

And that's okay. Millions of people have no idea how the little
clicker works that opens their car doors, yet they go happily
on their way opening car doors without a thought. That's how
it should be, in an age of specialization. I also do not do
brain surgery, or even appendectomies.

Maybe I misspoke above. Perhaps the really most incredible
misunderstanding is the suggestion that I meant that the
disk space for downloads is excessive.

I said very clearly that the space used by downloads is minimal.
That being the case, it would be simpler for Spybot to simply
give me all the available download files. If I never use some of
them, because I have certain features turned off, so be it.
Since the space required is small, what difference does it
make if some unnecessary files are included?