Annoying software: a rogues' gallery 
Published: 20 May 2008 10:29 BST
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RealPlayer
If this software turned up at your door, you'd call the police. RealPlayer commits just about every sin in the book, sprinkling itself across your desktop and offering 'Free games!'. It installs a 'Message Center' that tells you about microcelebrities. There is more advertising embedded in the application than used to be on the front page of The Times. And you just wanted to stream The Archers.
At least Europe's been spared Real's Rhapsody music shop. When we looked at a beta before a subsequently abandoned UK launch, we were given software to install. 'Disable your firewall', it commanded. 'Drop dead', we replied.
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29 comments
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Amen J.A. Watson -
Annoying articles 1000030281
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at least the ads were effective... 1000227886 -
Sun, When Are You Going To Get It Right? itflunkie
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Apple 351180
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Like with Real kcredden
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And you just wanted to stream The Archers. 351180
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Real pain in the butt 88050
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The Beeb's version of Real... Rupert Goodwins
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Not just the UK Chrisco
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Jave harpless
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Annoying Software dwr50
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Disable Flash 88050
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BLock Ads 351668
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10 good reasons to make the switch Julipan
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Without doubt, the bane of my net existance.... tomcatuk
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The irony is... Rupert Goodwins
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You missed Lotus Notes fredster73
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Taking Notes... Rupert Goodwins
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Misdirected annoyance dorkiedorkfromdorktown
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Bovril 24 Bob Lewis
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Dork from dorkdorpie Bob Lewis
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A miasma of unending complexity thinkfeeldo
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Bovril 24 Bob Lewis
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Free? thinkfeeldo -
wow... zenerbreakdown
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Brilliant David Long
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Another Qualifying Factor J.A. Watson
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Can't really include outlook 351668
