Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Life Without RealPlayer

Since upgrading to Windows XP I have made a special point not to install RealPLayer, RealMedia, or whatever this month's flavor of "Real" is being called. I got tired of the never ending pop-ups, the recurrent self-insertions into my taskbar, and fighting off its attempts to become my "default media player".

I have some sympathy for the RealMedia company and their struggle to keep Microsoft at bay, but I finally got fed up with their obnoxious tactics. My New Years resolution will be to swear off all third-party media apps. Unless someone gives me free DVD playback.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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I have some sympathy for the RealMedia company

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We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
-David Byrne

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Sophie's Choice

My choice of the word "some" as opposed to "alot" was very deliberate!

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 347

Amen Keefer...

Say NO to Real Audio crapware.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

I used to like RealPlayer, however, upon getting XP and downloading RealOne I was very offended. They constantly tried to trick you into registering for the permonth fee and the app nearly takes over your system! I uninstalled it minutes later. I'm all for competition to Microsoft, but monopolizing a consumer's desktop is not the way!

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-Vincent

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 383

I used to love RealJukebox, then with WMP 8 came with XP I never found a need for Real. I got DVD playback free because I already owned WinDVD. I personally perfer Windows Media Format over MP3, so MP3 ripping isn't a problem, besides you can activate it by editing the registry. I got the Bonus Pack for XP which I love. I converted my collection of <20 MP3s to WMA format, and the Winamp skin importer is pretty cool. Bonus pack also has a tray icon to control WMP. Real stinks.

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

The onlything i use realjuxebox for is ripping cd's b/c it's the easiest way for me, besides that it's winamp for mp3's and MWMP for movies.

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Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

Never really used anything else other than real, it came with my MP3 player. I just set it to 'random' and let the tunes roll anyway - don't need anything advanced for that

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

Have you guys ever set you firewall to not allow Real player to allow net access. That thing is sending every website you go to the to the mother ship. I tried to follow up with zone alarm, but they already have knowledge that Real.com reports back to the mother ship every site you happen to go to.

So... if you MUST use the real player, make sure you don't let it access the internet unless you know about it.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by LarryN
Have you guys ever set you firewall to not allow Real player to allow net access. That thing is sending every website you go to the to the mother ship. I tried to follow up with zone alarm, but they already have knowledge that Real.com reports back to the mother ship every site you happen to go to.

So... if you MUST use the real player, make sure you don't let it access the internet unless you know about it.

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

quote:

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Originally posted by dampeoples


Firewall?, I use dial-up, is this program gathering info while on dial up? I think musicmatch came on the MP3 player CD I got as well as real, I just installed Real for no particular reason, maybe I need to switch.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by LarryN


Not to be paranoid, but I think that everbody, nowadays, should have a firewall set up. There's more apps trying to access the internet from your pc than you realize, until you set it up.... Even with a dialup (when my dsl line is down) I can see people with port sniffing software trying to access any possible shared drives or open port on my pc. I would think it's well worth the download to set up a firewall.

Any others think so as well?

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

Firewalls

I'm with LarryN - it shocked me how much stuff was trying to access the net without my knowing about it. Besides, according to my software someone tries to "probe" my system at least once a week. Freaky.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

I recently purchased a LinkSYS 4Port Router/Switch. It pretty much does it all, including acting as a FireWall.

I also have software installed called BlackICE that I had to use when I got VPN access into my company. The version I have is a scaled down version with no UserInterface. It just runs in background.

I had always heard concerns about people out there trying to access PC's and the importance of FireWalls. Then one day, I was reading the PersonalTECH section of the Atlanta Journal and happened across a website. This website has free utilities that will test your connection. It basically hits every port on your machine in an attempt to verify your exposure.

Believe it or not, I was completely secure. Here are some links that might be of interest.

GRC LeakTest (This download is a utility to test for hidden programs that send OUTBOUND information)

GRC ShieldsUP (Online test for your Firewall and also a Port Test)

Symantec SecurityCheck (Symantecs Tool for testing FireWalls)

**Please note, I have never used the Symantec utility, so I have no idea if it requires a download or software installation.**

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Sumner, WA
Posts: 70

quote:

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Originally posted by Techie2000
I used to love RealJukebox, then with WMP 8 came with XP I never found a need for Real. I got DVD playback free because I already owned WinDVD. I personally perfer Windows Media Format over MP3, so MP3 ripping isn't a problem, besides you can activate it by editing the registry. I got the Bonus Pack for XP which I love. I converted my collection of <20 MP3s to WMA format, and the Winamp skin importer is pretty cool. Bonus pack also has a tray icon to control WMP. Real stinks.

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I, for one, use MusicMatch Jukebox for MP3 ripping and playing CD's, etc. Much nicer than RealWhatver.

Dana

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 560

I use both WMP and Musicmatch, but both have little problems that erk me.

Once I use WMP and its Visualization the screen saver doesn't kick in anymore. This happens on all my pc that run 98 or xp but not 2000.

For musicmatch, it doesn't go back to the top of the list once it has finished the play list causing you to have to do it manually.

I did say they were little problems. :-)

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Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Sumner, WA
Posts: 70

MusicMatch Jukebox

quote:

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Originally posted by Felipe
For musicmatch, it doesn't go back to the top of the list once it has finished the play list causing you to have to do it manually.

I did say they were little problems. :-)

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 560

yeah, I let them know. :-)

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Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.