Walking Amongst Dark Shadows

How the hell did I miss this? Geroff moi land!

Right, let me just state that I have been using Paint Shop Pro for image editing since the Windows 3.1 days, back when it was a small feature packed app that could fit on a single high density floppy disk. Over the years I have always stuck with this product through all the operating systems that Microsoft have churned out for the consumer. I love PSP and was concerned when Corel acquired Jasc Software, creators of PSP. Merging is baaad folks - just look at AMD/ATI.

Anyway, my old version of PSP wouldn’t work with the newly installed Windows Vista, so I had to upgrade. Had to purchase the bugger too as I couldn’t upgrade. Now I’ve got to state that, without sounding like an arse I always make sure my PC’s are ultra secure and I observe every little file that lands on them, however I have missed one, which I stumbled across by accident when I was examining processes as my new Vista install has been rather slow web speed wise over the past few days.

Upon installation, PSP XI installs a service called PSIService.exe, which is required for the program to run. Why the hell does an image manipulation app require a service? Checking its description, it’s from a software licensing company called Protexis, who develop software copy protection systems. I never gave them permission to install anything on my rig? After turning to the almighty Google it turns out that I’m not the only person who has observed this. I can’t disable the service or PSP XI will not run full stop, and services can be a major pain in the rear on occasions if you mess with them.

No where, upon installation was I told that a third party program was to be installed on my machine, so I am more than annoyed. I don’t want some daft program sitting in the background observing my every action, nor do I want the thing to be consuming MY resources. Lastly, I want the sodding bugger off MY machine. I purchased PSP, I did not ask for any spyware to come with it. How pathetic is this? Of course what I have just stated is negated by the fact that no one ever reads the EULA, which clearly states:

1.5.4    Third Parties:
You acknowledge and agree that the Product may be incorporated into, and may incorporate itself into, software and other technology owned and controlled by third parties.  Any such third party software or technology that is incorporated in the Product falls under the scope of this License.  Any and all other third party software or technology that may be distributed together with the Product (“Bundled Third Party Software”) will be subject to you explicitly accepting a license agreement with that third party.  You acknowledge and agree that you have not entered into a contractual relationship with Corel regarding such Bundled Third Party Software and you will look solely to the applicable third party and not to Corel to enforce any of your rights.

Not a bad way to navigate around that Corel, except the consumer deserves to know what third party programs is being installed on their machines; otherwise it could be classed as a violation of privacy.

I am about to send off an email to Corel explaining this situation, and that I shall not be purchasing anymore of their products until they take a look at this issue in detail. I have found a fix to disable and remove PSIService.exe (Cheers Braden & Vorhees) and am will continue to use PSP XI accordingly. However, as stated you have just lost one hell of a loyal customer.

For those wondering how to get around this, detailed information can be found at Braden’s Corner of the Net.