August 29, 2003

Dude, You're Getting Screwed

Ian Goldberg and Kat Hanna recount their experiences with Dell "click-wrap" licensing, which requires users to agree to a slew of software licenses before operating the computer. Most users skip them, but Goldberg and Hanna make a valiant attempt to obey the license:
I call back, and speak to a tech support woman. She says: "press Tab." I explain that I can't without saying I've read and agreed to documents I don't have. She says "press page down". Same problem. She says "scroll down". I explain it's not a Windows screen. She says "insert any Dell-shipped CD". I exlpain [sic] the problem of opening the CD packaging.

She insists I have to press a key. I ask her if she really means that I have to agree to the licenses before it's at all possible that i've read them. She says "yes". I explain that that's not acceptable, and ask for her supervisor.

(Via Dan Gillmor's eJournal) Posted by johndan at August 29, 2003 12:40 PM | TrackBack