Hi Folks,
A query which some of you may be able to resolve!
A friend of mine, whose phone is already on an NTL
line, has just had a cable modem installed by NTL for
broadband via an NTL cable. The leaves them with the
NTL CD awaiting insertion into their computer to initiate
the setup and establish the broadband connection.
So far so good.
However, this comes with a contract (I don't have the
full wording avaiable) on the lines of "By using the
software you agree to ... " -- all sorts of things,
including assigning to NTL (as "IAP") and "its suppliers
Motive Communications Inc." the right to obtain information
from their computer and make changes to settings on their
computer; and furthermore to waive all possible claims
against NTL, Motive, *AND*MICROSOFT*, and anyone else that
NTL sees fit, relating to practically anything that one
might normally expect to be able to claim for,
The contract also grants NTL/Motive the right to "send
information to your computer" and "upload changes", and
enters into a commitment to "accept upgrades".
For the most part the scope of these things is completely
unspecified and the contract, as worded, seems to be an
agreement to leave an open door to NTL and their buddies
to extract any kind of information and use it for any
kind of purpose, as well as arbitrarily interfering with
the computer itself.
In couple of places there is explicit mention of "changing
internet related software", in particular a thing called
"The Motive Client Foundation", and of the user supplying
"information such as name (etc.)" [note "etc."].
While one might shrug ones shoulders and say "Well, in
practice, all they're doing is ensuring they will be able
to keep a decent service running", the broadness of the
wording -- while in principle allows the providers to do
what they like in the way of extracting information from the
computer and using it any way they like -- is disquieting.
Does anyone have comments on this?
By the way, my friend also has a Linux installation so
theoretically could use this instead of the Win98 which the
CD is provided for ans which they normally use. Is this
likely to prove workable? Presumably the software on the CD
encapsulates settings and configurations whose details would
need to be known before a Linux box could be set up "by hand"
to do the job. And, in any case, it may be that if the "IAP"
detects a "non-compliant" system then their servers may
simply decline to cooperate.
It all seems a bit of a black hole, and I don't myself know
enough about what goes on here to give any advice (other than
having the same impression that the contract "gives too much
away").
Either or both of accounts of reassuring experiences/horror
stories will be welcome!
With thanks and best wishes to all,
Ted.
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E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk>
Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861
Date: 25-Sep-05 Time: 14:30:45
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