Well, I hate to use a clichéd phrase, but this just fits. Digsby, like the good Web 2.0 company they are, are looking for ways to make money. This is fine. This is good, I like their all-in-one IM, social network and micro-blogging desktop app. They have innovative ideas for making money that don’t just involve “small unintrusive ads”. I like this so far. One of the hardest things for Web 2.0 companies is working out how to monetise it. So coming up with some out-of-the-box busines models is just the ticket.
It appears that the two main ways Digsby is looking to do this – offer what is traditionally known as ‘crapware’ (extra offers for toolbars or other – usually unwanted – services) as part of the installer and a research module that functions just like BIONC. These things can work.
The crapware is annoying, but if it pays the bills, ok. Just be nice, and make sure it’s not too easy to just keep clicking next and end up with a bunch of junk. The research module is an interesting one, which I think could be very useful to the user, Digsby, and a range of companies.
How well these things are received really depends on the how well they are presented. And, I’m sorry to say, Digsby have not learnt from the Facebook Terms of Service PR disaster or the eMusic Sony deal. When you make changes, you need to be upfront, honest, open to comment, and prepared with logical reasons. Digsby has done this only in stages. it’s first mistake was “Not announcing [changes to how the product functions] before we started testing it”. Then out came the Lifehacker post about Digsby going to the dark side, and the response.
Digsby have responded adequately to the situation. However, I just uninstalled Digsby, and I urge others to either uninstall or turn off the “research module”. Why? Here is their Terms of Service section:
15. USAGE OF COMPUTER RESOURCES.
You agree to permit the Software to use the processing power of your computer when it is idle to run downloaded algorithms (mathematical equations) and code within a process. You understand that when the Software uses your computer, it likewise uses your CPU, bandwidth, and electrical power. The Software will use your computer to solve distributed computing problems, such as but not limited to, accelerating medical research projects, analyzing the stock market, searching the web, and finding the largest known prime number. This functionality is completely optional and you may disable it at any time.
Did you spot it? It’s easy to miss… “searching the web”. Yes. They are using their software to search the web using your computer. I can handle everything else. Not this. What are they searching the web for? Where does the data from “searching the web” go? Who knows what websites they end up visiting… from *your* computer.
Digsby, give us control, like the good “user-focused company” you say you are. On/Off is not control. Get to it!