We don’t mind constructive criticism but it hardly seems likely that name-calling fits into the category of constructive criticism. We make errors like everyone else and if we do, we’ll admit and correct it.
But constantly re-evaluating things we’ve recommended in the past and withdrawing our recommendation if the product we’ve recommended changes for the worse does not fall into the category of flip-flopping.
It’s a far reach to extrapolate politics with software but that doesn’t stop people from doing it. People just love to categorize and put things in boxes or jars and label them. Our so-called flip-flopping is in your best interest – not ours. We are not going to keep recommending software that we feel has changed for the worse, just to keep from eating crow. When we learn that a program we’ve recommended in the past has changed for the worse or has become ineffective or dangerous to use, we’re going to let you know; if that makes us flip-floppers then so be it — we are proud of it.
Malwarebytes, Microsoft Security Essentials, IncrediMail, Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic, Reimage and many others were at one time at the top of our recommended list – but we no longer recommend them. Why? The software business is not static, it’s constantly changing. Companies are purchased by other companies, good and reliable software becomes garbage or worse. If we withdraw our recommendation for a program, it’s because the program has changed over time and is not the same program as the one we recommended.
Microsoft Security Essentials was, at one time, consistently in the top ten antivirus programs. We highly recommended it and it was (and is) free. But it has been seemingly neglected by Microsoft and on many anti-virus testing sites, you won’t even find it in the top twenty five. In fact, the last time we checked its detection rate had fallen to 78%. Do you want us to recommend an antivirus that doesn’t detect 22% of the viruses and other badware it encounters? Should we not flip-flop and keep on recommending it because it’s free? We cannot imagine doing that.
IncrediMail is one of the examples that those who love to call us flip-floppers like to point to. Since the time we first recommended IncrediMail, the company who makes it has changed hands twice. Its new owner, Perion, has turned IncrediMail into a virtual station of malware and malware add-ons. Should we keep on recommending it because we used to? Should our readers suffer because we are resolute and stick with our original assessment of a program no matter how much or how many times that program changes?
We highly regarded and recommended Malwarebytes until we became aware that it was not detecting the malware that it once detected — and it just so happens that the malware they stopped detecting was precisely the malware most people were most likely to have. We even took steps to contact Malwarebytes to ask them what was going on. They never answered. We gave them extra time. They never answered. Finally we pulled our recommendation. Just about the time we did, Malwarebytes posted a blog stating they were going to back to detecting PUPs and the things they used to detect — and asked the Internet community to join them in their efforts. This was, apparently, all for show, we’ve seen computers with Malwarebytes installed and running which were full of PUPs.
Yep! We will always flip-flop!
We promise you that we will always flip flop whenever we find that something we’ve recommended in the past, changes for the worst – or becomes ineffective or, worse, becomes malware. We will not hesitate to pull our recommendation and warn our users. That’s how we are and that’s how we’ll always be.
So we will continue to be flip-floppers — and we’ll continue to be proud of it.
And I am proud of you for being flip floppers. You’ve always been the most trustworthy, up to date resource for myself and many others. Thank you for being you and sticking to who you are!!
Linda
You can call it flip-plopping – I call it maintaining integrity. Good on you!
Barb.
I for one, am glad you are “flip floppers”. I appreciate knowing I have the best antimalware/antivirus there is and I don’t mind changing if that is necessary. Both Ask.com and Conduit sneaked onto my computer. Malwarebytes Pro didn’t catch them. I was able to get rid of both, fortunately.
Jean, so many nasty people out there! Cyber laws should catch up with what is going on, but they do not. I for one am for not letting anyone put anything on your computer unless you give permission! If they do, then you should be able to take them to court and if do nothing else, but keep them from doing it again! That goes for the hackers also!
Good job, TC! Keep on doing what you are doing. You have a right to be proud and all we faithful Cloudeight members are very proud of you too. You’ve never lead us astray and you’re so-o- right in the fact we’re the first to be told—and that’s a compliment not many people have the courtesy to do. Thanks again for all you have done for all of us and no doubt in my mind that you will continue!!!
The only true flip-floppers are running our country, or campaigning to be part of that pack. THOSE are the ones we really need to watch and “call-out” on the flip-flop scene. You can be sure there’s a lie, deception, or “saying whatever they think we want to hear” in exchange for whatever it is they want. It just depends on what day it is.
What TC and EB do is definitely not flip-flopping. They monitor, update and advise. They start with the “truth” and whenever they change their minds, it’s still the “truth”. Some may challenge and that’s OK. But, I
for one will never be an expert on such things so I need
somebody with integrity for an honest opinion made with MY best interest in mind. On that point alone…..
TC and EB = a solid 100 Trolls = 0
Right on Muriel!!
Call it flip-flopping, call it what you will, I have been with you guys since the beginning and will be with you to the end.I have never felt the need to question your judgement you have always explained clearly your reasons for recommending or not recommending something. You’ve always been there when ever I have needed a helping hand and I appreciate it. Just stay the way you are, that is why you have such a following.
I agree with Enid Webb 100%!
I would rather have honest, decent and trustworthy individuals in my life than have people with a smile on their face and a knife in their hands..I dislike back stabbers. TC and EB I really appreciate your honesty, that is real integrity.
Thank you for all that you do for us.
The organizations or people who are calling you flip-floppers need to be put into that jar and labeled themselves as wholly out for monetary gain and not helping their customers or potential customers. I read with interest whatever you all put out. As you say, you may have recommended something in the past, but, when it doesn’t measure up to standards, withdraw your recommendations! When Darcy tells me something, I listen! When TC and EB write something, I also listen!
When you recommended MS Essentials, I installed it. When you recommended Emsisoft I changed and installed it. Why? Because you know what you’re talking about and you back it up, that’s why… Thanks for all you do
I have complete trust in the two of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you quite honestly! Not much @ all w/computers that’s for dang sure!
I am grateful that you do what you do.
However (sorry), my problem is that I have dial up and almost everything that is now recommended is so hard for me to access.
Just a thought for you that many (well, at least some)are still stuck with slow internet access.
Thanks for what you do. Still an avid fan.
It’s really tough to be honest in this corrupt world.
Keep up the good work. I trust you two and so do many others. Those that complain just live a small box.
What more can I say? I think it’s great that you, TC and EB, both keep us up to date on everything. I trust you completely and don’t know what I would do without all your truthful advice and suggestions.
I have been using you since I got my first PC, and follow your recommendations. But, sometimes when I pay for a program you quit recommending it. I am 79 and need all the help I can get. Recently I used the PC cleaning program, I was disappointed when I was told by the person fixing my PC that they could not help me on third party programs. I purchased them through you. I always do. I will continue to follow you.
I trust you–always have–but I was not aware that you no longer support using Reimage! When & how have they changed? Should I remove Reimage now or it it safe to leave it until my license expires?? Help, HELP–now I’m really WORRIED!!
Thanks for all your help!!
I would not value your opinion so much if you did not keep on top of the changes in software including the ones you recommend. Thank you for being a trustworthy source of information all these years.
Yeah! Yeah! be flip-floppers!
you do such good work, just keep on keeping on!
love it!
Good for you! Do it! do it!
the god you do far exceeds the critics.
oops! good!