Is it just me or is everyone else annoyed with the amount of “add-on” software that is embedded in commercial software these days. Just about every time I install something I get asked “Install the Ask toolbar?” “Install the Google toolbar?” “Weather.com desktop?” – on and on. If I wanted these tools I would have installed them myself!

This doesn’t bother me nearly as much with freeware or open source software. These guys are giving their stuff away and for each user that does fall victim install it they get a little kick back. Having written open source software before I think this is a great way for these guys to make a little cash on the side. Where it really REALLY bothers me is with software I’ve paid for. Most recently Nero 7 Ultra (there are many examples). I paid $100 for this software (which does work very well) and I have to say “no, don’t install the Ask toolbar” and “No, don’t install Weather desktop” (the default choice is to install them). So I already paid for this software but they are still trying to squeeze every last dime out of me?!?! Too bad it really is my favorite burning software or I’d be kicking it to the digital curb.

So please commercial software developers stop this shit and stop it now. Remember we already paid for your software, we knew what we wanted when we bought it. Stop with the add-ons already, you’re not a car dealer!