Image via WikipediaAsa Dotzler of Mozilla has accused Google of being evil because it installs plug-ins without asking for permission first. Not only did he call out Google but his rant also targeted Apple and Microsoft for using this same practice. To quote his blog "Why do Microsoft, Google, Apple, and others think that it is an OK practice to add plug-ins to Firefox when I’m installing their software packages." My response? "Somebody call the waaaaaaaaahmbulance"
The "evangelist" for Mozilla compares the plug-ins to Trojan viruses. "These additional pieces of software installed without my consent may not be malicious but the means by which they were installed was sneaky, underhanded, and wrong.” If you're going to accuse Google of being evil why do it over something so petty. Asa Dotzler admits that the aren't malicious, so what's the problem? Maybe they're slowing down his computer? Get a faster one then, or just don't download any of Google's stuff at all.
It's not like I have this huge patriotism towards Google, I just think the complaint is a little petty. If you're going to have concerns about Google, at least choose something to complain about that could be considered a legitimate concern. Be concerned about the fact that search engines and browsers like Google know exactly what it is you are looking for on the internet. Personally, I'm not a big fan of conspiracy theories and I could really care less if Google knows what kind of Porn I watch or how often I update my facebook, but if you're going to make accusations of "evil" business practices, I think they should be a little more serious then. "Hey, you didn't ask my permission to put this little piece of code on my computer that I admittedly recognize is not malicious."
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