Comments on: Zona is a Popcorn Time Beater and a Pirate’s Dream

By: Obi Wan Kenobi

Obi Wan Kenobi — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 20:12:00 +0000

This installs the virus Au_.exe. Check before writing a whole article. Idiots.

By: Patokid

Patokid — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 05:23:00 +0000

It’s a virus, trojan, malware pack, according to my anti-virus

By: coinosphere

coinosphere — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:38:00 +0000

Turning this around on my lack of coding contributions isn’t going to help you win the argument. I’ll admit that there aren’t enough code auditors as we need so far, but at least auditing code is POSSIBLE, whereas you are arguing for software where it is not.

More important is the point you dismissed in my original response that closed source code means we can’t fork closed code and keep it alive in the event that the MAFIAA gets to the Devs, you know, like we did with popcorn time.

Your argument would seem to want to do away with that benefit too. Are you sure you don’t work for hollywood?

By: ktetch

ktetch — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:28:00 +0000

But no-one WANTS to do code inspection.
And those virus scanners, they’re dastardly “closed source” aren’t they? And you despite them.

So, what code audits have YOU done?

By: coinosphere

coinosphere — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 05:34:00 +0000

What a sad excuse! At least people would see it if they really wanted to. At least virus -scanning tools could get at the code too! And most of all, at least the owners would friggin’ think twice about screwing over the planet in broad daylight, showing exactly what they’ve done and can be held accountable for.

By: ktetch

ktetch — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 04:24:00 +0000

If nothing else, the OpenSSL issues of the past few months should have disabused people that this argument is invalid.

The problem is you distrust ‘closed source’ because you can’t read the source. But do you go through the source of everything you run, personally, with a fine toothed comb?

Almost certainly not, and OpenSSL highlighted this perfectly.

It’s because with open source, everyone assumes that it’s safe, because the source is out there. And since the source is out there, people have looked at it, and so any vulnerabilities would have been spotted.
The problem is, EVERYONE thinks that. So the code is rarely checked (generally only bits get checked, when someone’s modifying something, especially if it’s complex/big) and any bugs/exploits etc. go undetected.

It’s the perfect example of the ‘someone else’s problem field from HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy. There it was used to cloak a starship but here it’s a massive undermining of the faith in Open Source software.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyUVvII04co

By: coinosphere

coinosphere — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:36:00 +0000

There are so many reasons to despise closed-source software that I’m ashmed of TF for mentioning this product… It really had my hopes up until I read that it was closed… That means it could be spyware by the MAFIAA, or it could be a bitcoin mining trojan, or perhaps it’s looking for sensitive info to steal on your system, or maybe it’s just going to extort everyone one day with hidden ransomware.

Even if the makers are 100% legit, no matter what else happens, the MAFIAA will likely get to the creators one day and stop it’s dev team from keeping it alive. Closed source code means we can’t fork it and keep it alive for them like they did with popcorn time.

Extremely lame, TF!

By: DragonFartOutLoud

DragonFartOutLoud — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 05:26:00 +0000

Closed source & doesn’t support Linux.. fuck that shit! Popcorntime still the king!

By: Groucho Marxist

Groucho Marxist — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 00:47:00 +0000

you would be really stupid to install this malware from russia!??! maybe you like to just open your whole network to thieves…. fail.

By: mao_dze_dun

mao_dze_dun — Sat, 10 May 2014 11:02:00 +0000

Got excited because this one has TV and TV shows. Plus it is Russians so I imagine it has Russian subs on everything and since I’ve been looking for something like that to install on my father’s laptop (he doesn’t speak English). Then I saw it was closed source – HEEEELL NO!!!

PS Not against closed source in general, but when it comes to pirate movies – no way.