Yesterday I was looking for a WordPress plugin that would allow me to announce to the readers of my previous blog that I’ve moved to my current domain. I came across a plugin, called MaxBlogPress Stripe Ad, that places a horizontal stripe at the top of the website. I figured this would be a nice, unobtrusive way to alert my visitors.
After downloading and activating the plugin I headed over to its options page to configure it and was presented with the following page:
What? I have to register to be able to use the plugin? And not only do I have to register but it says:
In addition you’ll receive complimentary subscription to MaxBlogPress Newsletter which will give you many tips and tricks to attract lots of visitors to your blog.
Not only does the plugin require registration to use it, but it automatically subscribes you to the site’s newsletter. There is no opt-out option available.
So What?
MaxBlogPress (MBP) also offers a premium version of this plugin. Despite the recent controversy surrounding selling premium themes on an open-source platform, I don’t have any personal obligations to selling one’s work. However, I do take issue with misleading and downright shady techniques.
The MBP plugin’s download page gives the impression that it is a free plugin and never mentions that registration is required at all. The registration form itself posts your name and email to the plugin author’s Aweber email marketing page (http://www.aweber.com/scripts/addlead.pl).
Personally, I get enough spam without having to sign up for more when downloading “free” WordPress plugins (yes, I realize their newsletter isn’t technically spam). For now, I’m steering clear of MaxBlogPress’ plugins and sticking with plugin authors who don’t require pointless registrations and newsletter sign-ups.
Josh Highland
January 20, 20091:01 pmWhy don’t you hack that piece of code out of the plugin. It shouldn’t be that hard
John Kolbert
January 21, 20098:11 pmNope, not hard at all. In fact I originally did that. Of course he has a copyright policy specifically saying no modifications, which if it came to it most likely wouldn’t hold up anyways. But I could make the plugin myself using half the code he did. So I may just do it that way.
Squawkbox
January 21, 20099:51 pmAnd boy does he spam you. I tried Max’s smart ad placement plugin and registered thinking what the heck, the occasional email would be no bother. LOL at least one a day from Max and then spam or ads about his buds mounting up to three to 5 a day.
I will say that when I opted out he stopped the emails immediately.
Stopped in to try your ad plugin btw. Thanx
Squawkbox
John Kolbert
January 21, 200910:26 pmWow, glad I didn’t give in and register then! Thanks for the comment. BTW, feel free to send me any feedback you have about the Smart Ads plugin!
Kristy
January 29, 20095:42 amThere's a handy service I use to protect my overloaded inboxes – it's called TrashMail.net – it allows you to quickly create an email redirector that will expire after receiving x amount of emails or expire after x amount of days.. there is a FireFox plugin too – so I just right click on a form field & choose "Paste disposable email address".. click the "create email" button and voila! an address is created and the field is auto-filled with it. See how I filled in this form?
johnkolbert
January 29, 20096:20 amThat does sound like a handy service. Thanks for pointing it out. I'm actually going to check out the site right now.
Kristy
January 29, 20096:47 amNo problem
You'll probably be surprised at just how many times you end up using it.. especially for those annoying pages that require a validated email address before they let you download something.
kmpoaquests
February 2, 20098:57 pmI hate this guy's plugin. The whole process of having to sign up and then jump through hoops and get bombarded with spam is total garbage. To remove the guy's coding you have to pay $47. Only a moron would pay this guy.
johnkolbert
February 2, 200910:13 pmYes, the whole registration system is counterintuitive to how WordPress is meant to work. Though I respect the rights of plugin authors to monetize their work, my main issue is that its not clearly stated that registration is necessary. Rather, you have to download, upload, activate, check settings, and THEN find out you have to register.
I wonder if his plugins are listed in WP.org? I find it doubtful.
johnkolbert
February 3, 20094:39 amHa, turns out they are there and people have been discussing this same thing: http://wordpress.org/support/topic/175208
hd-J
February 5, 20092:49 pmThanks for pointing that out!
That's kind of new for me, I have never seen such settings in a plugin before… Let's hope that it's the first and the last one I see!
AndyBeard
April 3, 20096:44 pmJust to play devil's advocate
When they first started doing this with WordPress plugins I actually applauded the concept, and for good reason.
First of all, anyone who wants this kind of plugin are marketers, thus they should appreciate the genius of the strategy. You are free to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time.
Suggesting using a fake 'timeout" email address is something which might affect the guy's deliverability for those people who actually want the emails.
Just think, in many ways the first plugin of this type was Akismet.
Also note, if you hate it enough, it is GPL
articleart
December 17, 200911:49 amI almost install this plugin on my dashboard but I recheck them by search to plugin directory. I read what other said, finally I don't use MaxBlogPress’ WordPress Plugins..thanks for sharing