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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Adobe EULA gripes

I had occasion to download a new version of Flash Player from Adobe. As a conscientious end user, I opted to read the end user license agreement (EULA) before proceeding with installation.

First gripe: what possessed Adobe to lump all the different translations into one giant file? It's one thing for the printed manual to include a dozen translations in the same booklet. It's quite another -- the height of laziness, in fact -- for the online version of the manual to be in such an unhelpful form. If Adobe can't be bothered to create single-language versions of the EULA, each available at its own link, I conclude that Adobe doesn't give a crap about me, and that its software's quality probably reflects such a crummy attitude.

Second gripe: well, first read section 9.5 of the EULA, regarding certificate authorities and indemnification:
You agree to hold Adobe and any applicable Certification Authority (except as expressly provided in its terms and conditions) harmless from any and all liabilities, losses, actions, damages, or claims (including all reasonable expenses, costs, and attorneys fees) arising out of or relating to any use of, or reliance on, any service of such authority, including, without limitation (a) reliance on an expired or revoked certificate, (b) improper verification of a certificate, (c) use of a certificate other than as permitted by any applicable terms and conditions, this agreement or applicable law; (d) failure to exercise reasonable judgment under the circumstances in relying on issuer services or certificates or (e) failure to perform any of the obligations as required in the terms and conditions related to the services.
I'd like someobody at Adobe to tell me, after that list of exceptions and exclusions, what exactly is left over? As regards digital certificates, does Adobe promise anything whatsoever?

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