Author Topic: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens  (Read 67371 times)

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Offline JuninhoSlo

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #30 on: June 22, 2012, 10:17:09 PM »
Compmanio36 do you like Avast?

Offline bob3160

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #31 on: June 22, 2012, 11:32:44 PM »
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No hard feelings toward AVAST, but their new way of doing things isn't one I would personally want to endure as a user unless there were no cost-free ad-free alternatives.
No hard feelings but maybe it's time to get realistic and realize that in today's economy, a free lunch is only available for those on welfare.

Um, there is a free anti-virus program from a reputable company that doesn't include ads, so your analogy doesn't really hold up.  I am being realistic- in that right now I have a free anti-virus installed that displays no ads.  It's not a figment of my imagination.  I didn't go off in a huff and uninstall AVAST and then realize I had no choices that were more suited to what I was looking for.  I knew what I was doing and what was out there, and picked the anti-virus that was right for me. 

A few years ago, I dumped Norton for AVAST, because I felt AVAST better suited my needs (i.e. cost savings), and now AVAST has changed so that it no longer suits my needs (i.e. changed to include too many ads), so I switched to MSE would is both free cost wise and free of advertisements.
Please come back in 9 years and let us know how well MSE has protected your computer. That's how long avast! has kept my computers safe. (Despite a few ads here and there. ) Thanks.
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Offline polonus

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #32 on: June 23, 2012, 12:17:58 AM »
Hi compmanio36,

That is not a very friendly and somewhat arrogant remark:
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not just the cult following on these forums
. Because those not involved in fanboyism here might feel quite offended by your "classification".  If you would know some nettiguete you would apologize to our virtual forum members for your haughty generalization.
I never seen avast free flagged as scareware. Avast dot com  is part of the real world and the general trend is more ad-driven now.

polonus
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Use NoScript, a limited user account and a virtual machine and be safe(r)!

compmanio36

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #33 on: June 23, 2012, 01:11:08 AM »
Juhinhoslo:  Of course I like Avast....I love this product, and I would hate to be driven away by something so stupid, and to move my friends and family to another product....but that is where this is heading.

polonious:  Not all are like this, but there are some here that do fit the definition of a "cult following" when it comes to Avast.  When anything is mentioned about the program in a negative light, they are right on the spot to tell the person posting their truthful comments to "get lost and Avast is great, and what is wrong with you, are you stupid?"  This is not doing Avast any good.  It just turns people off to this product.  People come to this forum with complaints or problems and instead of getting any help or people taking their thoughts to heart, they get told they just don't know what they are talking about.  Not everybody, but there are those that do.  And they have a disproportionate amount of voice here, as I and others have noticed.  When someone has an issue regarding your program and have listed why, telling them to go find another product and shut up isn't an adult attitude, and will ultimately do more harm to this company than anything else.

Avast may not be scareware yet, but the latest message is coming close.  I and other technically savvy users may know better, but my 65 year old client will be calling me soon here asking me "Why don't I have good protection with Avast anymore? Am I at risk?"....that's the message being implied, and it's misleading. 

I just hope the developers here see what's happening and realize that any further movement towards displaying ads to the user will be inviting a big backlash.  I have Avast on my system still, but it remains to be seen how much longer that will be the case.  I love Avast, it has been a great program for many years, with the most active community of experts to help users and developers who respond in the forums to issues and complaints.  That's something special right there. 

But the attitude of those on here who feel everybody should shut up and just sing the praise for this program when there is obviously a problem brewing with some decisions made recently regarding ad placement and delivery for their other products.....that's not doing any favors to those who are put off by such things.  I have no problem with well deserved love for a program.....blind loyalty is another thing entirely.....and this latest move by the Avast team was a bad move....I love the program, but hate the latest decisions.  The two are not incompatible in the slightest.

Offline George Yves

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #34 on: June 23, 2012, 01:18:47 AM »
I realize that Avast needs more money to exist and to work but I should say they use ugly ways. Yes, I use the word "ugly" in its direct meaning. Look at the attached screenshot. They inflated the pop-up to cram ads there. Now the pop-up covers a big share of the desktop. I think the problem is not in the ads but in the area it occupies. In place of Avast team I would only slightly increase the size of the pop-up and add a yellow link: "Need more protection?..."
May the FOSS be with you!

compmanio36

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #35 on: June 23, 2012, 01:19:55 AM »
Maybe I'm being too negative here, so here's a positive feedback tidbit, for what it's worth.  I find that it is distracting and annoying mostly because it's with every single VPS update, and it makes that popup 2x as tall.  Maybe if you made the extra popup just a small box with a link saying "Interested in extra protection?" rather than saying "You've only got basic protection" (implying you really aren't protected enough), it would resolve some of this negative feeling.  As I've said, I have no problem with promoting the paid version, but this latest "ad" is more "in your face" and more common than all the rest, so it seems more pushy and aggravating.

George: Just saw your post, exactly what I was saying....I just modified the popup to what I think we are both thinking about....what does everyone think about this attached screenshot, imagine the button just saying "Want more protection?"
« Last Edit: June 23, 2012, 01:24:57 AM by compmanio36 »

CharmCityCrab

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #36 on: June 23, 2012, 01:20:21 AM »
I never seen avast free flagged as scareware.

I don't rely on what other people classify things as, so much as my own common sense.  When a program has unwanted pop-ups twice a day telling you that you aren't adequately protected and need to buy their product, that is, if not outright adware or scareware, at least closely riding the line to it.

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Avast dot com  is part of the real world and the general trend is more ad-driven now.

Many of us do not like that trend toward more advertisements and commercialism, and vote with our software choices and/or dollars to escape excessive advertisements and commercialism.  The idea that there is a trend like that makes it even more important for me to draw a line and choose software that bucks that trend, so that we still have the choice to deal with minimal ads in the future rather than them being everywhere.  If we just blindly accept every ad anyone wants to add to anything, and don't move our business, we're saying that the practice is alright and inviting more of it in the future.  I'd rather send a message and go where there are no ads in the case of anti-virus software.

It's not just sending a message, though.  I also like not having to deal with the advertising pop-ups.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2012, 01:22:39 AM by CharmCityCrab »

Offline DavidR

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #37 on: June 23, 2012, 01:24:20 AM »
@ George Yves
Thanks for the screenshot George, certainly looks ugly.

Now we know what is being talked of - as I mentioned users can either disable the auto update notification pop-up or dial down the duration (I have already done that for standard update notification to 5 sec).
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Offline George Yves

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #38 on: June 23, 2012, 01:34:28 AM »
@ compmanio36

Thank you for your artwork. I would only suggest a slightly different layout. I would place a large white button "More details..." immediately under the text of an update and would put the yellow link "Need more protection?..." at the bottom of the pop-up.
May the FOSS be with you!

Jack 1000

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #39 on: June 23, 2012, 02:42:29 AM »
Hi Hellion,

We have made a decision to augment the virus update green "toaster" pop-ups with a button - a link to a page that compares the free and paid products, and allows the user to upgrade to avast Internet Security.

We thought that this was a relatively unobtrusive way to message the benefits of the premium product. If you feel otherwise - or actually feel offended by the new message, we apologize. But we need to run it for a while to assess what effects it will have.

Thanks for your understanding,
Vlk

Sup Vlk?

I understand, but would like for Avast to include a check box to not see the "Do you need more?" protection?  Than users can just unclick it.  Vlk, can we inquire as to how long the bigger pop-up is going to run?  Can you set it to maybe once a week if it has to run, instead of two to three times a day on every definition update?  That could help and make customers feel a little better?

Jack

Offline Lisandro

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #40 on: June 23, 2012, 02:49:49 AM »
Just a question, if the free user disable the update panel, will the ad be shown?
Sorry, I can't know because I use AIS...
The best things in life are free.

Jack 1000

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #41 on: June 23, 2012, 03:14:20 AM »
Maybe I'm being too negative here, so here's a positive feedback tidbit, for what it's worth.  I find that it is distracting and annoying mostly because it's with every single VPS update, and it makes that popup 2x as tall.  Maybe if you made the extra popup just a small box with a link saying "Interested in extra protection?" rather than saying "You've only got basic protection" (implying you really aren't protected enough), it would resolve some of this negative feeling.  As I've said, I have no problem with promoting the paid version, but this latest "ad" is more "in your face" and more common than all the rest, so it seems more pushy and aggravating.

George: Just saw your post, exactly what I was saying....I just modified the popup to what I think we are both thinking about....what does everyone think about this attached screenshot, imagine the button just saying "Want more protection?"

I can't read the language.  The sample re-designed button is an improvement, but the pop-up should be smaller, and only one pop-up. (Not two stacked on top of each other.)  The "Need more protection?" is still too big, too intrusive.  In fact, change the "Need More Protection" to say something like "More protection options?"  However, to have a reminder to upgrade to more protection on EVERY AV update?  That's gotta go!  This "Need More Protection" prompt should show up maybe once once a month and that is all!  Originally, when I said, once a week. once a week is too much!

I THINK I FOUND A GREAT SOLUTION COMPROMISE!

You know what?  Do the "Need More Protection" once a month.  Maybe coincide it with the Avast 30 day security report.  That would make more sense from a business standpoint, and be less intrusive for customers!  Yes!  Have the monthly security report pop-up, showing how many viruses were blocked in the last 30 days like it does now, with a little "Need More Protection?" link as part of the 30 day monthly security report.  This does three things:

1.) It does not nag the customer after every signature definition update.
2.) It allows the customer to look at the 30 day report, and THAN make an informed decision as to their level of Avast protection.
3.) Customers can study the report based on their own systems' and security needs,  than have the option to click on the "Need More Protection?" if they want to do that, or wait for the next 30-day security report to study system threats and than have that data to make an individualized informed decision.


Jack
« Last Edit: June 23, 2012, 06:09:11 AM by Jack 1000 »

Diddy

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #42 on: June 23, 2012, 04:00:57 AM »
Hi I also have been a loyal avast free user and I like avast free it is good enough for me to protect my home computer from viruses and other threats from the internet.  But when I started my computer up yesterday and when I started my pc again today I got the voice that my defs are updated but also their was a big box underneath it the popup was bigger and it says you have free protection should you have more protection and it has a big button that says Learn more. 

I must also say that I don't mind the odd popup but come on avast developers this is just plain silly.  I have the free version and I will not be advertised in anyway to switch to paid antivirus software because I do not have money to  have a yearly subscription.

I hope avast developers will read some of these replies and quite doing this in the near future.

Have a great day every body


Offline AntiVirusASeT

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #43 on: June 23, 2012, 04:28:27 AM »
the new pop-up is kind of too big (it does spoil the otherwise nice graphic of the update pop-up)

would like to suggest just extending the update pop-up a bit to include the phrase 'want better protection?' link to the comparison between free and pro of avast at avast page.

edit: +1 to George Yves's idea
« Last Edit: June 23, 2012, 04:30:26 AM by AntiVirusASeT »

mikeInside

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Re: "Upgrade to paid version" nag screens
« Reply #44 on: June 23, 2012, 06:37:41 AM »
The following is the message I wrote in the avast! Uninstall Survey:

Quote
Hello,

Usually when I am called to fix a client's computer, the first thing I do is install avast! for them. However, the program's popup ads over the past few months, particularly the recent ones that are included with definition updates, are intrusive. Providing no option to disable them is grating. For now, I will be switching to MSE.

Apart from this critical issue, I enjoy avast!, and if it is remedied in future I will return. Thank you for the years of annoyance-free virus protection; no hard feelings and I hope to use your product some day again.

Best regards,
Mike

I am providing this feedback in the survey and forum in the hopes that avast! can find a way to take it on board (along with some of the other polite and considered responses I have read in this thread,) and provide an alternative to popup advertising for those that find it necessary.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2012, 04:12:02 PM by mikeInside »