That's not C-DILLA, its Macrovision Safeware, but I guess you could say they are one and the same now.
C-DILLA is simply a memory resident program which allows the encrypted contents and an embedded digital signature of the CD to be decrypted, its a copy-protection feature. But you're right in that this isn't "spyware". There is no reason that uninstalling should leave any executable or active processes behind. Uninstalling it may leave an encrypted registration file some where on your computer, but not an active process.
See a pattern here? Any time a company makes it more difficult to pirate their software its the same old thing, some rabble-rousers scream and shout "Company A has added spy ware to their software and it sends all your personal information to them. Blah blah blah" When that doesn't get the response they desire, they add "Oh, did I mention, and it gives them the legal right to have sex with your virgin daughter! Blah blah blah"
You're exaggerating things just a bit. I have no problems with companies protecting their copyrights. Unfortunately, many of them want to take the definition of copyright much farther than it was ever intented to go and in doing so they wish to strip us of our few remaining fair use rights. That is what I have a problem with. Covertly installing software which "phones home" to help them in their pursuits implys the notion that all customers are guilty until proven innocent. This also does not sit very well with me.
And, before you bring it up, be aware that I don't even use a tax program, let alone pirate one. All of my OSes are legal, as well, so it's not that which concerns me.
Of course, you can bring up all the pulled-out-of-the-posterior statistics like Disney, RIAA, MPAA et. al. do, but until you can show how the technophobic people who push this copy protection stuff are justified in taking away our rights of privacy and fair use in the process, I won't accept your beliefs.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
TT installs this "C-DILLA" without consent or permission (not even in the EULA) and doesn't uninstall it (and in fact leaves it still running) after TT is uninstalled. That is invasive. End of story. My computer does not become their computer just because I might make the mistake of purchasing and installing their software. I am not responsible to help them just because a very small minority might pirate their software. I don't pirate, I'm a paying customer. If Intuit wants me to be their customer, they will not inconvenience me with their problems nor treat me and all their other paying customers as suspected criminals.
But this is nothing new for Intuit and I have avoided all of their software for years. TaxCut is better and easier to use anyway IMO and I have been using that for some years now. I stopped using TT in about 97 when I found that it left bits of itself for advertising all over my PC, for example in authorized places like the Windows folder it created an "Intuit" folder full of AOL icons, etc., that did not uninstall after TT itself was uninstalled. Even back then I was already growing upset at software companies thinking that my PC was their PC. It's not.
Corporate America needs to realize one thing: We are your customers, We are your God, fsck with us at your peril.
Yes I was exaggerating, but only a bit, and you know that.
The 'presumption of innocence' is a legal principle that applies when one is accused of committing a CRIME and is at peril of losing his or her freedom to incarceration, period. It does not apply everywhere, it is not and never has been an 'underpinning' of American society, but our LEGAL SYSTEM. This issue nothing to do with our legal system.
The license management system simply checks the authentication code of your software against the license server. The worse that can happen is that the software won't run, not because you are 'presumed guilty' of pirating, but because you haven't properly activated the software.
So don't buy their products.
Well I agree it should be in the EULA, but that is neither here nor there because nobody reads that stuff anyhoo.
C-DILLA does not remotely approach the minimum burden of 'invasiveness'. It doesn't look at your personal info or any other software and/or files you might have on your computer, so any obligation to disclose it is moot. No harm, no foul.
It will uninstall fine as someone else pointed out, but you have to chose it from the Add/Remove to uninstall the C-Dilla License Management System. When uninstall warns that 'other programs may not function correctly if removed', its talking about other programs which USE C-DILLA and nothing more.
Now go hide under your bed, they're coming for you...
According to the thread I linked to earlier in this thread, it does not. That is my problem with this software. Not the activation, not their right to copy protection but the fact that when I uninstall it it leaves resource eating residue.
Adul
Elite Member
db
Lifer
- Dec 6, 1999
- 10,575
- 292
- 126
C_Dilla seems to be a CD copy-protection program and application authorization program. It also affects the use of your CDR/RW drive. It probably authorizes your TurboTax program. I doubt that TT will work without it. If you mess with C_dilla and still want to use TT, you will probably need re-authorization, *after* you re-install c-dilla (or re-install TT).
I *think* that you can use a travel disk to carry the TT authorization token to another machine, but only one machine can be authorized at a time. It de-authorizes one machine when you deposit the token on the travel disk.
But the issue is, getting C_Dilla off your computer after you uninstall TT.
C:\c_dilla may be the directory where the licencing of TT is managed and stored, and may be hidden. A hidden .dat file there may authenticate your copy of TT.
I *think* that you can use a travel disk to carry the TT authorization token to another machine, but only one machine can be authorized at a time. It de-authorizes one machine when you deposit the token on the travel disk.
But the issue is, getting C_Dilla off your computer after you uninstall TT.
C:\c_dilla may be the directory where the licencing of TT is managed and stored, and may be hidden. A hidden .dat file there may authenticate your copy of TT.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
Bah! I really don't know why I ever bother arguing with you, tcsenter. I do read EULA's, thank you very much.
It installs resource-using content on users' machines without their permission. That is invasive enough. The machines in question do not belong to Intuit, they belong to the users.
As many others, who actually have already purchased and installed the software, have stated here, it does no such thing.
When I purchase a product, my "responsibility" as a consumer is to maximize my value. Software companies like Intuit here seem to be seeking to minimize this value, without their customers' knowledge or consent. You mistake me greatly if you think my concern and displeasure here (or in the other matters we have disagreed on in the past) is based from paranoia.
You mean like Microsoft Office, Quicken, and five thousand other applications? Say it isn't so!
A program installing 'resource-using content' on a user's machine without prompting you for EVERY single process and file installed? Run for your lives!
bump for the morning crowd
Also a quick google for "tax software" turned up this site which lists other progs you can use. I used TaxCut last year and had no problems. I own a home, sold stock for a loss, and itemized other deductions, so my tax return isn't trivial. I had used TurboTax 2000 two years ago and TaxCut imported that data as well as data from my version of Quicken 98. Taxcut worked great for me and I plan on using it again this year.
Also a quick google for "tax software" turned up this site which lists other progs you can use. I used TaxCut last year and had no problems. I own a home, sold stock for a loss, and itemized other deductions, so my tax return isn't trivial. I had used TurboTax 2000 two years ago and TaxCut imported that data as well as data from my version of Quicken 98. Taxcut worked great for me and I plan on using it again this year.
Linflas
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2001
- 15,395
- 78
- 91
I have been using TurboTax for years but will be buying TaxCut this year. There was a thread about this a few months back when Intuit first announced this and I emailed Intuit my objections then. I also changed over to MS Money so I am now Intuit free. If MS ever extends activation to Money then I guess I will just go back to manual financial management.
What bothers me:
- The potential spyware that is present. Has anyone used AdAware after installing Turbo Tax to ensure there isn't any spyware?
What does not bother me:
- The limitation of installing it on only one PC.
[Kazaa Lite]
*cough, cough* patch *cough, cough*
[/Kazaa Lite]
- The potential spyware that is present. Has anyone used AdAware after installing Turbo Tax to ensure there isn't any spyware?
What does not bother me:
- The limitation of installing it on only one PC.
[Kazaa Lite]
*cough, cough* patch *cough, cough*
[/Kazaa Lite]
Thump553
Lifer
- Jun 2, 2000
- 12,839
- 2,625
- 136
Put me in the growing group of people who BUY tax software each year, but this year will be buying something else beside TurboTax precisely because of this issue. I suggest that those concerned about this do not use turbotax on line, but rather vote with their pocketbook by buying a competitor's product. Send your money to another producer this year so Intuit can see the repercussions of their action.
I've used both TurboTax and TaxCut in past years, and if my experience (middle class, married with children, home owner) is any indication, the differences between the two products are minimal.
I've used both TurboTax and TaxCut in past years, and if my experience (middle class, married with children, home owner) is any indication, the differences between the two products are minimal.
This is an important thread. I am still awaiting word from Major Media on this. I suspect that the Technical matter is the problem of why Major Media has not picked on it.
db
Lifer
- Dec 6, 1999
- 10,575
- 292
- 126
I wish major media would pick up on this, but the general public is not concerned about this stuff, b/c they are ignorant; besides, one good response from Intuit's PR people will kill any media alert.
And if Intuit is good at anything, it's manipulating perceptions.
And if Intuit is good at anything, it's manipulating perceptions.
<<All this can be avoided by just filing with turbotax over the web. >>
Over the web filing comes with other limitations, such as restrictions regarding deductions etc. It's not the same product.....
Anyhoo..... Intuit can add my name to long-time former paying customers. I will not pay to support a company that installs this kind of junk on people's PC's, leaving junk running on the machine after the product is installed, and adding inconvenience for the user if the user decides to buy another PC at a later time etc.
No way, no thanks. Fortunately, unlike with MS, we have a real alternative to TT, we can switch to Taxcut, and I will do so.
Intuit has the right to include this kind of junk in their products, and we (as consumers) have the right to then not purchase the product and instead purchase another product. Hopefully, enough people will do this to hit them in the bottom line. I'll do my part to pass the info along to other potential consumers.
Over the web filing comes with other limitations, such as restrictions regarding deductions etc. It's not the same product.....
Anyhoo..... Intuit can add my name to long-time former paying customers. I will not pay to support a company that installs this kind of junk on people's PC's, leaving junk running on the machine after the product is installed, and adding inconvenience for the user if the user decides to buy another PC at a later time etc.
No way, no thanks. Fortunately, unlike with MS, we have a real alternative to TT, we can switch to Taxcut, and I will do so.
Intuit has the right to include this kind of junk in their products, and we (as consumers) have the right to then not purchase the product and instead purchase another product. Hopefully, enough people will do this to hit them in the bottom line. I'll do my part to pass the info along to other potential consumers.
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