TurboTax Customers Strike a Blow Against Intuit

Extremetech.com ^ | January 10th 2003 | Jim Lynch

[ledzep75]

When Microsoft released Office XP and Windows XP with product activation embedded in both products, consumers and pundits alike responded with a gigantic hue and cry. Many Windows users were angry and felt betrayed by Microsoft. Others were uneasy and wondered whether product activation in Microsoft's products was a grim harbinger of things to come in the software industry.

[TechJunkYard]

I'm missing something. Why does one need to copy the Turbo Tax CD?

I think the main issues with C-Dilla are:

• prevents copying/burning other CDs as well..
• may interfere with other programs..
• very hard to get rid of..

I can't find much on the first two claims, but it appears that C-Dilla does install a bunch of stuff and keys and does not un-install with the app which installed it to begin with.

[doosee]

Glad I saw this thread. I was ready to load the CD they sent me. No way now. I have used TT for 10 years straight up to now.

[ThinkingMan]

What is the spyware that they mention? This is the second time I have heard this term in 2 days. The first tme was with regards to Kazaa. I am a bit paranoid of having something called Spyware on my machine, as I do all my banking and investing on the computer.

[TomSmedley]

ping

[Aeronaut]

I've already installed Turbo-Tax. Any tips on how to scour out the junk?

[Tunehead54]

See #21

[Skooz]

I just got Turbo Tax in the mail (unsolicited). Apparently they want me to load it into my computer and pay a $30 activation fee. Glad I saw this article first.

Ditto. Mine came last week. My wife "put it up somewhere," as is her wont. I was going to track it down when my W-2s came in. Now, I won't. It will go wherever all those AOL CDs go.

[BillM]

Yup, XG reqires activation and you can't even put a second copy on your laptop. I have been a user since day one but will never buy an Intuit product again.

[JoeGar]

If I try to keep thieves from stealing my product, that makes me bad?

[Skooz]

If you do it by subversively installing spyware and additional software that disables your customers hardware components without their knowledge or consent, yes.

[Glenn]

If I try to keep thieves from stealing my product, that makes me bad?

Yes. If your fruit stand gives a customer a virus if they swipe an apple, that's bad. There are laws to take care of that.

The idea that there is software monitoring a CD drive to be sure you don't copy a particular CD is not much different than theft, in my book. It's taking my CPU cycles, which I paid for, and using them to monitor my computer, which I use only for lawful purposes.

[SW6906]

Screwing up your loyal, law-abiding customers computers trying to prevent the very few from stealing your software makes you bad......

[SW6906]

"Yes. If your fruit stand gives a customer a virus if they swipe an apple, that's bad."

I think you meant to say something like:

If your fruit stand gives a customer a virus in the apple they legally bought, that's bad.

[Ez2BRepub]

If you want a good spyware eliminator try www.lavasoft.nu.(ad-aware). I use this program frequently to see if spyware has been downloaded on to my computer.
No problems with the program and as a matter of fact I used it before I wrote this reply because you reminded me of it to get rid of several suspicious keys from my computer.
Good Luck!

[Glenn]

I think you meant to say something like:

Probably.

I'm offended that any software company would place something on my computer that takes my CPU cycles and implies (or I certainly infer) that I am a thief and need to be watched. Let them find a less intrusive way to do the job.

[Jim Noble]

>>Why should I have to pay to send them my return? <<

I have used TurboTax (mac version, a/k/a MacInTax) since 1990.

I have saved way more than I've paid. The software (and I'm sure the others, also) forces you to organize properly and identifies strategies for you that you may be unaware of.

That having been said, TurboTax Mac edition 2002 does not require activation, and if and when it does, I will switch.

It will be a major PITA to switch, since I have twelve years of electronic records in the Intuit format.

[SW6906]

I see it as a presumption of guilt. They assume I will steal their product, so they install spyware to make sure I don't.

Punish the guilty after they have broken the law, don't monitor me on the presumption that I would break the law if you weren't.

[PeterPrinciple]

http://www.taxact.com/

TaxAct appears to be a good company. I have used them for two years now and am very satisfied. These guys used to own Parson Technology.

[RogueIsland]

The idea that there is software monitoring a CD drive to be sure you don't copy a particular CD is not much different than theft, in my book. It's taking my CPU cycles, which I paid for, and using them to monitor my computer, which I use only for lawful purposes.

Why don't they just go the extra step and install a closed circuit tv monitor in the user's house to monitor him for "illegal activity" 24-7?

[FreePaul]

I've been using Quicken for many years. I tried Turbo Tax one time.It did a terrible job. I was suspicious when it didn't even address tax issues that had previously been on my tax return. I went back to the CPA I have always used and saved quite a bit in taxes over and above his fee. Turbo tax would have cost me a few thousand dollars.