I was disappointed with this experience, so I sent feedback to Staples. Their response just added to the disappointment - a combination of corporate doublespeak and the typical public relations technique of explaining why it's a good thing we dumped toxic waste on you.
Staples: On Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 1:03 PM, Staples.com
Hi Toni, I received your concerns regarding the Staples Download Manager or also know as the Akamai Netsessions Interface.
Tony, not Toni.
Staples: The Interface utilizes a limited amount of your upload bandwidth and PC resources to connect to a peer network, which improves download speed and reliability for you and other end users of the Akamai Netsessions Interface.
Let me translate that into plain language for you. What you have described is essentially bittorrrent. It pushes the cost of large download capability from Staples on to the shoulders of Staple's customers. In a nutshell, this has no benefit for me, but reduces costs for you. Additionally, it requires me to install another piece of software on my machine which I can not independently inspect.
Staples: You are able to read the full License Agreement before choosing to download.
Ah, but you don't get to read the Licence Agreement before purchase. That's what counts. Also, you should not equate the words in a license agreement with an assessment of the safety of installing a piece of software on a particular computer. In most corporations, installing the Akamai download client would require a separate security review.
Important note: Akamai Netsession is required to download successfully. If not already installed on your computer, you will be prompted to download it to continue your installation. This information was listed under the click her on Staples.com with the Questions about downloading software?
That's patently untrue, since I was able to download the .dmg file by clicking on the "I'm having trouble downloading" (or whatever it was) link. That got me a direct URL for the file.
Thank you for this opportunity to respond to your inquiry. I hope you will continue to look to Staples with confidence and satisfaction for all of your office supply needs.
If you would like to speak with one of our representatives, please reply to this email or contact us at the number listed below.
Sigh. I appreciate the fact that they are trying to save money by pushing their download costs onto their users. But please, don't try to BS a person who points that out by telling them it so their advantage.
1 comment:
Here's the angle they can not dispute. If you ever use your computer to communicate with the Feds or the FBI, you are not allowed to install ANY kind of file sharing software on the computer used to communicate with them. The line to use is, "I am sorry, the akamai net session interface is not certified as being FIPS compliant, so I can not use it."
Removing the Akamai Net-sessions Interface did not correspond with any of their instructions provided either. They sure had alot to say about my "rights" as a user. Perhaps if they actually respected my rights I would not be upset with them.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you, it is My computer and My bandwidth and My license to use Quicken software that I payed for. The opt out choice must be far more easy to use and transparent.
There needs to be a persistent link to download the software that I have payed for always available again for backup and system restore purposes as well. Download it NOW within the next five days kind of constraints are not acceptable. Quicken says that I should back up both my program and data files in case of a system crash. Yep! Duh. Now just where is that program file that I need to back up?
I was going to buy a physical CD from the Staples store, but they did not have same day pick-up. The manager acted all offended that I wanted a copy of Quicken from "his" inventory. I expected some kind of stupid download manager barf, but not a Torrent session crammed down my throat. Live and learn.
Post a Comment