Having a need to consolidate all of my instant message friends, I recently downloaded Trillian v3.2.5.1 from www.download.com.

Of course, I quickly clicked past the license agreement. Who has time to read ALL that? I clicked Agree and moved on.

The next screen asked me WHERE I would like to install Trillian. Well, the default path is fine with me. Again, I don't have time for this! I need to install the software and get on with my day. I don't have time to check out the "More Options" button at the bottom left part of the screen that reveals the hidden check boxes that would have allowed me to prevent the application from installing to my Start Menu and Desktop. Wish I had been paying attention. I could have saved myself the trouble of hunting down the preferences screen after-the fact to turn off these features once the product is installed.

Click click click... where's the installer? I have things to do!!

In my zeal to get on with my day, I blew past the Weather Channel Desktop installation. This application has been reported to sometimes camouflage malware, particularly if it is installed into c:\windows or c:\windows\system32. As a badware researcher, I should have known better and been on the lookout for bundled applications that I don't want. But who has time? I'm busy saving the internet from badware!

And what's this? The Ask Toolbar? The Ask Toolbar claims it does not collect any personal information and is completely "spyware"-free and "adware"-free. But it has a bad rap because users are often tricked into installing them under false pretenses. Like.... trying to download Trillian and then clicking the Next button too fast without unchecking the 'Enable address bar search feature' checkbox. Or how about the extra checkbox you need to uncheck called 'I accept the license agreement and want to install the Ask Toolbar'. The screen kind of looks like the EULA that I clicked past a few screens ago. But then again, I'm in a hurry. Perhaps I was day dreaming that I already accepted the EULA. And I need to accept the EULA before the application I want will install, right?

Ah... a sigh of relief, I've arrived at the screen with the installer status bar that means that I've survived the deluge of advertisement and have been blessed to receive the program.

Oh but wait, I have the option to choose Trillian basic or Trillian pro. Well heck! I'm a pro... I want pro... oh, but dang I have to jump through more hoops to install this product because it's not freeware and costs $25 bucks.

Well...ahem, I'll just back button to basic and stick with the free stuff. I work at a non-profit after all.

Because Trillian does follow the StopBadware Guidelines for “Disclosure and Consentâ€, it's not really badware. But aren't you sick of bundled products? I wanted to install Trillian, but now I've got these two extra things doing stuff that has nothing to do with Trillian software. Is this a "deceptive door opener"? Hmmmm, there's an article on the subject on ZDnet: Edelman on ‘Deceptive Door Openers’ and Ask toolbars.

The point is that even a badware researcher can too easily click through the installation process and end up with more than she bargained for... and next time, I may end up with some nasty virus or spyware or root kit, oh my!

Perhaps I should have gone straight to the ceruleanstudios.com website to download the product instead. That's gotta be more safe and free of these annoying and possibly infected bundled products right?

Bummer, the link just brings me back to www.download.com.