Talk:Scumware

Merge

Fubar Obfusco, I disagree with your redirect to spyware. From this article:

Scumware is a pejorative collective term for various forms of intrusive and/or destructive computer software including, but not limited to malware such as computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, AdWare, Spyware

Maybe you have a different definition of scumware, but according to this article, scumware includes software such as adware and virii that would not be classified as spyware. Malware might be a closer synonym but that might not include adware. What do you think? —Quarl ^(talk) 2006-01-15 13:23Z

As far as I can tell, the term is a very idiosyncratic one, that does not seem to be actually used professionally in the field. (This is in contrast to both "spyware" and "malware", both of which are used in the field.) It's basically a slang expression that a very small number of people use to mean "software I don't like". As such, it isn't even obvious to me that the term needs its own Wikipedia article. Redirecting to Malware would be about as suitable; I chose Spyware because the term seems to be used more in that vein.

For instance, a Google search for "define:scumware" yields only one other definition besides this article: "A slang term for spyware or any unwanted software/programs installed on your computer." This explicitly mentions spyware but also a vague & undefined other category. It probably doesn't include the article's example of RealPlayer, since this is software that people go out and choose to install, so it isn't "unwanted" -- although I agree it's annoying software. Another source, http://www.scumware.com/, seems to use the term more or less synonymously with the (broader) meaning of "spyware". --FOo 19:53, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

I agree the term is a neologism and definitions may be vague. I also see definitions like "software I don't like"; this definition seems intuitive to me.

I believe we should create a series on adware, spyware, et al; so we need a term for the superset union of all these. "Scumware" may be appropriate; can you think of any better one? Malware comes pretty close but I don't think it's encompassing enough. (There is a series on "software distribution" but this series is flawed - shareware vs open source vs postcardware etc are licensing and distribution models, which is orthogonal to "nastiness".) Many lay people don't know the differences between virii, worms, spyware, etc., but everyone knows something is "software I don't like". The problems I see with using "scumware" are not enough people use the term ("only" 500,000 google hits), and the term is pejorative. —Quarl ^(talk) 2006-01-16 07:30Z

I think "badware" would be a good all-encompassing term. 800,000 Ghits. —Quarl ^(talk) 2006-02-04 02:49Z

"Badware" is a brand-new neologism; as such, it doesn't have too much history or recognition yet. Let's stick with placing articles where people are likely to find and understand them. --FOo 08:20, 4 February 2006 (UTC)