Posted 4:50 PM

6 Simple Rules for Living on my Computer

With all the fuss these days about spyware, sleazeware, and adware, Google has decided to be proactive and attempt to formulate a set of "good practice" rules for internet advertisers and software vendors. Simplified, the 6 are:

1) Software should not trick you into installing it.
2) When an application is installed or enabled, it should inform you of its principal and significant functions.
3) It should be easy for you to figure out how to disable or delete an application.
4) Applications that affect or change your user experience should make clear they are the reason for those changes.
5) If an application collects or transmits your personal information such as your address, you should know.
6) Application providers should not allow their products to be bundled with applications that do not meet these guidelines.

If this were from anyone else, you think think they were being disingenuous, but somehow Google, the company whoose mission statement is "do no harm", can get away with it. Bravo!