New installation warning! (Windows x Codec Pack)

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sdcinvan
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Location: Vancouver, Canada

New installation warning! (Windows x Codec Pack)

Post by sdcinvan »

[Don't worry... I'm not a newbie that will constantly be posting complaints. :oops: ]

Inexplicably, MadCap recommends installing the Windows 7 Codec Pack in order to obtain a MP3 encoder codec. Worse, MadCap doesn't bother to warn unsuspecting customers that, if you're not careful, this pack will install potential malware (more likely adware) on your computer. One of several unwanted additions to your computer will be spigot searchme - a highly intrusive search tool replacement (that migrates to any and all installed browsers).

Ultimately, it was my fault for not paying attention but fortunately, I caught this pretty quick and knew how to undo the changes.

Why on earth would MadCap recommend this codec pack that is filled with lots of unknown, unverified and unnecessary codecs?

I haven't tested it yet but I think that all Mimic actually requires is the well tested lame_enc.dll mp3 encoder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAME). Does anyone know if this encoder works with Mimic?

On a related note, MadCap could certainly have made it easier to install both the mp3 and the h.264 codecs. I have open source programs that make this process a simple one or two button click. :shock:
Shawn in Vancouver, Canada
Main tools used: Flare 11.x, InDesign, Google Docs, Lectora, Captivate.
Report bugs: https://www.madcapsoftware.com/feedback/bugs.aspx ▪ Feature requests: https://www.madcapsoftware.com/feedback ... quest.aspx[/i]
RamonS
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Re: New installation warning! (Windows x Codec Pack)

Post by RamonS »

Feel free to post any complaints that you have, but you may be more successful with it when reporting this as a bug here
https://www.madcapsoftware.com/feedback/bugs.aspx
If there really is a means to get the necessary codecs in place without installing a bunch of junk then that is clearly the way to go.
sdcinvan
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Re: New installation warning! (Windows x Codec Pack)

Post by sdcinvan »

RamonS wrote:Feel free to post any complaints that you have, but you may be more successful with it when reporting this as a bug here
https://www.madcapsoftware.com/feedback/bugs.aspx
If there really is a means to get the necessary codecs in place without installing a bunch of junk then that is clearly the way to go.
Good idea.

I posted the following:

On the Mimic section of the MadCap website, you recommend that customers go to http://www.windows7codecs.com/ to obtain a mp3 codec.

This codec package is a very poor choice because, unless the customer is careful, they will inadvertently install far more than just the mp3 codec. This package not only includes many other unnecessary video and audio codecs but also adware (and potentially malware) from Spigot (i.e. SearchMe, Savings-Slider, etc.), in addition to resetting the customer's Internet browsers (as in all installed browsers) to Yahoo.

In most cases, these are disruptive changes and take some time and additional computer knowledge to remove. I think it is unacceptable that a commercial product would recommend such a essential codec.

Mimic should include 'one button' install option for both the h.264 and the mp3 codecs (or better - pre-install them). I have shareware and open source applications that make it easier and more convenient to install these essential codecs. Additionally, your "competition" Adobe Captivate and TechSmith Camtasia include these codecs, as part of a normal install.
Shawn in Vancouver, Canada
Main tools used: Flare 11.x, InDesign, Google Docs, Lectora, Captivate.
Report bugs: https://www.madcapsoftware.com/feedback/bugs.aspx ▪ Feature requests: https://www.madcapsoftware.com/feedback ... quest.aspx[/i]
JudyH
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Re: New installation warning! (Windows x Codec Pack)

Post by JudyH »

Thanks, sdcinvan.

I found it was best to ignore the hodgepodge link here, as you advised:
http://www.madcapsoftware.com/downloads/mimiccodec.aspx

.. and, instead, use the instructions here:
http://kb.madcapsoftware.com/Content/Mi ... _Vista.htm

... with the LAME codec download found here:
http://www.madcapsoftware.com/downloads ... ables.aspx
Judy Hennessey
Image
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