So looking in this other thread [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.352923-And-just-like-that-Origin-will-have-thousands-of-new-users-ME3] and the threads there have been on Origin, I am fed up of the stupidity of a bunch of the comments. Certainly in the current thread every other person thinks that Origin is no worse than Steam, from a privacy point of view. The think Origin does nothing that Steam already doesn't. They are wrong. I am fed up of having to repeatedly explain the difference. So he it is as a thread.
The difference is simple. Both look around your computer to gain data on your hardware and software setup.
Steam - then asks you if you are OK for this data to be given to Valve. Tells you what details are being sent (help / about / system information). They even share the results with the community (http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey)
Vs
Origin - just takes it and you don't know what it is they have collected easily.
It's that simple.
You may say that at the moment the rooting around Origin does, is not very much. But with the precedent set, there is no reason for them not to increase what they do. It is a new system after all.
Now let me clarify this. I have no problem with EA having an on-line distribution system. I have no problem with them making it mandatory for their games. Well, no more problem than I had when Valve did it with Steam. It is purely that their data collection is not optional as it is with Steam, that means I refuse to use it. No, I don't expect my action to change EA, it is purely practical step, that I will not give EA access to me PC, full stop. So no Origin. I will happily use it if this one thing is changed.
I have nothing to hide except for a few No-CD patches, but refuse to accept this new paradigm of data collection.
Also for the other stupid argument that gets repeated. Origin is not the same as Facebook either. Facebook does not have access to the hardware and software setup of your PC. Everything you put on / share with Facebook is optional. With Origin it is not. With Origin, EA are saying they have a right to look around your system, as they see fit, it does not matter that it is only being done to a small amount at the moment....
Edit: Something people are not getting with this. Origin's getting to snoop around your system and communicate what it has found to EA without your say so, is a new paradigm . Up until now every other program has asked if you want to share what has been collected. Even Windows asks if you want to send crash reports with data about your setup, activation only sends a hash. EA are setting a precedent here. It does not matter whether their rooting around is a lot or a little. The line has been crossed and since most seem completely unconcerned with this new way of doing things, other companies will follow. Welcome to the day when every piece of software you install will have a root around your system for the cause of improving their product. And you all allowed it to happen....
Update: Catching up on my 'Extra credits' watching. Interested to find part of a mailbag episode where they say what they thing about Origin. I.e the privacy concerns were enough for James who is an industry insider, not to Buy Battlefield 3....
@ 3.40 here: http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/mailbag-4
The difference is simple. Both look around your computer to gain data on your hardware and software setup.
Steam - then asks you if you are OK for this data to be given to Valve. Tells you what details are being sent (help / about / system information). They even share the results with the community (http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey)
Vs
Origin - just takes it and you don't know what it is they have collected easily.
It's that simple.
You may say that at the moment the rooting around Origin does, is not very much. But with the precedent set, there is no reason for them not to increase what they do. It is a new system after all.
Now let me clarify this. I have no problem with EA having an on-line distribution system. I have no problem with them making it mandatory for their games. Well, no more problem than I had when Valve did it with Steam. It is purely that their data collection is not optional as it is with Steam, that means I refuse to use it. No, I don't expect my action to change EA, it is purely practical step, that I will not give EA access to me PC, full stop. So no Origin. I will happily use it if this one thing is changed.
I have nothing to hide except for a few No-CD patches, but refuse to accept this new paradigm of data collection.
Also for the other stupid argument that gets repeated. Origin is not the same as Facebook either. Facebook does not have access to the hardware and software setup of your PC. Everything you put on / share with Facebook is optional. With Origin it is not. With Origin, EA are saying they have a right to look around your system, as they see fit, it does not matter that it is only being done to a small amount at the moment....
Edit: Something people are not getting with this. Origin's getting to snoop around your system and communicate what it has found to EA without your say so, is a new paradigm . Up until now every other program has asked if you want to share what has been collected. Even Windows asks if you want to send crash reports with data about your setup, activation only sends a hash. EA are setting a precedent here. It does not matter whether their rooting around is a lot or a little. The line has been crossed and since most seem completely unconcerned with this new way of doing things, other companies will follow. Welcome to the day when every piece of software you install will have a root around your system for the cause of improving their product. And you all allowed it to happen....
Update: Catching up on my 'Extra credits' watching. Interested to find part of a mailbag episode where they say what they thing about Origin. I.e the privacy concerns were enough for James who is an industry insider, not to Buy Battlefield 3....
@ 3.40 here: http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/mailbag-4
