Any suggestions?

[waller]

Thomas (or anyone else) ,

someone has posted this comment in a forum regarding one of my free software aps :

Waller,

Hey, I did like that goal setting and managing software, but it has been flagged by my bitdefender as possibly having malware and it slowed my PC down considerably, so I had to remove it to get normal speeds up to par again.

Do you have an ad free version of this cool soft?

********

Do you think it is the ads or might it be something else? I can make an ad free version, but want to check if that is the likely cause, esp as it defeats the purpose (or at least one of the purposes) of giving stuff away for free. Thanks!

I have tested it on my flatmate's laptop and it works fine - he doesn't have many programs on it and uses Norton antivirus etc

Waller

[TigerSoftware]

Thomas (or anyone else) ,

someone has posted this comment in a forum regarding one of my free software aps :

Waller,

Hey, I did like that goal setting and managing software, but it has been flagged by my bitdefender as possibly having malware and it slowed my PC down considerably, so I had to remove it to get normal speeds up to par again.

Do you have an ad free version of this cool soft?

********

Do you think it is the ads or might it be something else? I can make an ad free version, but want to check if that is the likely cause, esp as it defeats the purpose (or at least one of the purposes) of giving stuff away for free. Thanks!

I have tested it on my flatmate's laptop and it works fine - he doesn't have many programs on it and uses Norton antivirus etc

Waller


Hi Waller,

Do you have any browsers? Sometimes the anti viruses pick things that doesn't exist. I haven't had any complaints about mine.

The software may run slow when first starting. Then it should run pretty good. When it first runs it pulls in libraries which causes it to run a little slow at first.

It will also depend on their computer configuration.

I use avast and no problems from my anti virus. I have also uploaded software to many directories. The first thing a lot of those directories do is scan for viruses. It always comes back clean.



Thomas

[jonathon]

I too use many browsers in my apps, and I can tell you that that is exactly what causes most "false positives" with some AV
programs. If you are looking to monetize your "free" apps. Try providing ads as "links" and "static text" objects instead of
browsers. Also consider a mailing list instead of ads. Have the user register (sign up for your mailing list) to get the FREE
registration code. Then, you can email them when you have something of value to offer them. HTH.

[waller]

Thanks guys, I have several browsers in this ap. So I'll redo it for him without them. It works fine on my own computer and on Michael's .

I do have banners and an optin form as well and so will focus on those for future freebies. Anyway, once I learn all the new features in the next update, I'll concentrate on paid aps!

Thanks!

Waller

[jonathon]

Another idea would be to create 2 versions (lite and pro). Then you could give away the lite version (making them register it of course so you can add them to your mailing list) and then promoting the Pro version to those using your lite version... You could still post links within your apps without any worries of AV alerts, so you can still offer promotions.

What I do in some of my apps is make the hyperlink text as generic as possible "Click Here To See Today's Featured Promo" and then I link it to a random URL generator which has a few of my advertisers URLs.

This allows me to offer multiple ad opportunities to my advertisers and it peeks the software users curiosity enough that they usually click on the link, just to see what is being promoted...

Since the ad is in a rotation script which is hosted on my server. I control it outside the app, which means if an advertiser stops his promos, doesn't pay, whatever... I can easily omit their ad from future rotations as well as add in any new advertisers as they come in.

If you decide to continue to use browser based ads, this is still a good idea. If you need a link rotating script, they are a dime a dozen, but if you can't find one you like, I have several available ;)

[TigerSoftware]

Waller, if it is just one person than I wouldn't worry too much. Why change everything if there is only a minority. There will always be people that are scared of one thing or another. I get them from time to time with some of my older products. You can always use a online virus scan and post the image, with site, to show it is free of viruses.


Thomas

[waller]

Hi Guys,

sorry for the delay but I had to have a colonoscopy this week and so was somewhat distracted :eek:

I'm happy to report that, contrary to suspicions, my brains and vocal chords are not located in my arse :D

And it must be true, 'cos I saw it on TV!

Anyway, good point Thomas, but the guy was recommending the software to the forum members, of whom there are many and so I decided to redo it in the hope of sparking a bit of interest.

I've had a few problems, managed to get rid of some, but am left with an error when I try to install. It might be to do with naming. I cloned the original software project - Personal Goal Setting, and renamed it Setting Goals, but the error message contains the original name. Is there a step I might have left out?

Jonathon - thanks for the suggestions. I'll get to that when this one is sorted out!

Thanks

Waller

[TigerSoftware]

Hi Guys,

sorry for the delay but I had to have a colonoscopy this week and so was somewhat distracted :eek:

I'm happy to report that, contrary to suspicions, my brains and vocal chords are not located in my arse :D

And it must be true, 'cos I saw it on TV!

Anyway, good point Thomas, but the guy was recommending the software to the forum members, of whom there are many and so I decided to redo it in the hope of sparking a bit of interest.

I've had a few problems, managed to get rid of some, but am left with an error when I try to install. It might be to do with naming. I cloned the original software project - Personal Goal Setting, and renamed it Setting Goals, but the error message contains the original name. Is there a step I might have left out?

Jonathon - thanks for the suggestions. I'll get to that when this one is sorted out!

Thanks

Waller

Waller, I am the one that talks out of his arse. :) Well Mike and Jonathon as well but don't tell them I said so.

Thanks for the laugh and we missed you!

Yes, there is a problem with cloning the software project. Our resident blonde, who shall be called Tink, has found this bug. I need to correct it. You will have to create a new Software Project and add the Software Objects to this.

I am coming out with an update that will make this stuff a lot easier.


Thanks,



Thomas

[waller]

Hi Thomas,

Thanks. Whoops - didn't see Tink's post :o (sorry Tink, I'm not ignoring you - Must have been having a blonde moment myself . . .)

Thomas, if you achieve this much talking out of your arse,what would you be capable of if you used your mouth? World domination, I guess.

I promise, I won't say a word to Mike or Jonathon . . .

Off to create a new Software Project

can't wait for the new version

Waller

[jonathon]

Thomas, if you achieve this much talking out of your arse,what would you be capable of if you used your mouth? World domination, I guess. HEY! WAIT! That was MY plan, you guys always take all the good plans!!! I'm taking my ball (um, er, balloon rather) and going home!!!
http://www.thetigerpen.com/images/sm/pig_ball.gifhttp://www.thetigerpen.com/images/sm/picking_nose.gif

[Jim Phillips]

Hi Waller,

Here is a pretty good place to check your software for viruses before you put it to commercial use.

http://www.virustotal.com/

Unfortunately what might show virus free one day could show a false positive another day.

It uses around 40 different virus scanning softwares to give you a report. Just upload your software and wait a few minutes for your report.

Oh did I mention it's free. :)

Best Regards,

Jim

[waller]

Thanks Jim, I'll give it a try when I finally get this software sorted out!

Jonathon, I seem to be going backwards, so you might take over the world before me:mad:

Errors which I got ages ago are coming back, such as the layout, which was saved, falling apart. . :eek:

I think it's time for bed

Waller

[waller]

Jim, having finally got the software to function properly, I ran it thru virustotal, which came up with 1 neg result. VIPRE.Suspicious - the question is, what do I do with that information? It's an ad free, browser free version of the software. Is it safe to give it away?

Waller

[Jim Phillips]

Well Waller, that is a million dollar question.

Unfortunately that is one of the problems with using software development tools. As far as I know I have yet to see ANY development tool out there not returning false positives - most development tools that use runtime packages in your EXE. Even Adobe Director (which is very good and an expensive development tool) has issues sometimes with apps created. About the only way to get around false positives is to code your app from scratch, and use a COMPILER. But that takes forever.

I would recommend sending the software you have created to the company who's anti-virus software gave you a false positive. Go to their website and look for where you can submit it. Attach a note telling them that your software is virus free and their anti-virus software is giving a false positive. Sometimes they will fix their heuristics engine.

I'd also set up as part of your business plan how you deal with false positive virus alerts from your customers. ie; Do you submit apps to anti-virus companies to fix heuristics? Do you put up a sign saying your software is virus free? Do you inform your development tool company about this problem? etc.

Usually if you have a plan in place it will make it easier when you get complaints about viruses.

Hope that helps. :)

Best Regards,

Jim

[waller]

Thanks, Jim,

Waller