MajorGeeks tops list of safe software download sites
Posted by: Timothy Tibbetts on 01/28/2014 08:14 AM
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MajorGeeks is proud to announce that The Windows Club listed us first in their recent article, Safe Software Download Sites where they took to task many of the largest download websites and pointed out that many of these sites now bundle their own installers, often including what is considered malware with their downloads.
On Majorgeeks, you're NOT looking for the "Download Now" button, although clicking our advertisements is appreciated.
These "Download Now" buttons ads come from third party ad networks. We do our best to preview these ads for legitimacy and block the offending ads before they come to market. However, this is a time consuming, manual process and hence an imperfect system.
This confuses a lot of new readers but now you know why we do it a bit differently. On almost every site, including MajorGeeks and even non-software related sites, you will find “Download Now” type of advertisements because they work so well with our impulsive culture. Hence, looking for the "Download Now" button on any site can often get you in trouble.
Not here.
So, what makes MajorGeeks different?
MajorGeeks has been in the download business since 2002 and yes, it's just about as ugly as it was in 2002. We're geeks - not artists. Prior to 2000 we were called Tweakfiles so you can add a few more years of experience to the list. In those 15+ years not much has changed on MajorGeeks. We look for the top 1% of useful software; test it out in a safe environment for quality, bundled software and malware. If the software is good enough, we list it. That’s it! When the new fad became buttons that said “Certified” or “Tested” we made similar buttons but they were sort of redundant because while everyone needed to brag (often lie) that they tested a file, this often meant they were just virus scanning it while we were actually testing it completely.
We do not allow authors to edit their own listings and we do not automate file updates using pad files, both common practices. We’re not perfect (I had a mullet in the 80’s for crying out loud) but having just a couple of people do this is time consuming. Many authors tend to be surprised when they submit software to Majorgeeks only to be told we will test their software and let them know. The majority of software submitted to MajorGeeks never makes the cut.
Since day once MajorGeeks has battled malware on the internet, promoting anti-malware apps long before the word existed in an environment when our competitors refused to list these titles because they we making boat loads of cash installing that junk on users. The current fad in this arena is toolbars and installers. We have turned down numerous offers to bundle these installers on MajorGeeks. While we are taking our lumps from the economy like everyone else, we think forcing toolbars or installers on you would ruin everything MajorGeeks has always stood for. We know there’s a ton of money to be made by doing this, but it doesn't matter how much money you make - when you can't buy back your reputation. When good software we list has something bundled with it that is out of our control, we take care to make sure the user can opt-out in the install process AND we notate that info on the file page in big, bold letters - to help give you a heads up.
In return, we ask that you click an ad occasionally and if you use an ad blocker, maybe you could whitelist MajorGeeks? Finally, we have a new store online at http://shop.majorgeeks.com where you can buy t-shirts and other cool gear like Tetris lamps, grenade lighters, cameras, pocket tool knives and more at great prices.
If you have never visited MajorGeeks before, we welcome you to check it out. New files are listed on the front page with news below that each day. On the left side you will find the file categories. It’s often better to list by popularity or date to see what’s new and what other’s recommend by the rating or comments. On the right side of the page you will see Top Downloads, Top News and if you scroll a bit more, Trending News or Downloads. We also have a Support Forum where you can get help.
Anyhow, having been at this as long as we have, having someone like The Windows Club giving us props on our 'user first' philosophy, we have to say - it put great big smiles on our great big geeky faces. We try to do this with a lot of attitude, ego and humor and we hope you appreciate the difference.
You can read the entire article, which is done in great detail at http://www.thewindowsclub.com/safe-software-download-sites
On Majorgeeks, you're NOT looking for the "Download Now" button, although clicking our advertisements is appreciated.
These "Download Now" buttons ads come from third party ad networks. We do our best to preview these ads for legitimacy and block the offending ads before they come to market. However, this is a time consuming, manual process and hence an imperfect system.
This confuses a lot of new readers but now you know why we do it a bit differently. On almost every site, including MajorGeeks and even non-software related sites, you will find “Download Now” type of advertisements because they work so well with our impulsive culture. Hence, looking for the "Download Now" button on any site can often get you in trouble.
Not here.
So, what makes MajorGeeks different?
MajorGeeks has been in the download business since 2002 and yes, it's just about as ugly as it was in 2002. We're geeks - not artists. Prior to 2000 we were called Tweakfiles so you can add a few more years of experience to the list. In those 15+ years not much has changed on MajorGeeks. We look for the top 1% of useful software; test it out in a safe environment for quality, bundled software and malware. If the software is good enough, we list it. That’s it! When the new fad became buttons that said “Certified” or “Tested” we made similar buttons but they were sort of redundant because while everyone needed to brag (often lie) that they tested a file, this often meant they were just virus scanning it while we were actually testing it completely.
We do not allow authors to edit their own listings and we do not automate file updates using pad files, both common practices. We’re not perfect (I had a mullet in the 80’s for crying out loud) but having just a couple of people do this is time consuming. Many authors tend to be surprised when they submit software to Majorgeeks only to be told we will test their software and let them know. The majority of software submitted to MajorGeeks never makes the cut.
Since day once MajorGeeks has battled malware on the internet, promoting anti-malware apps long before the word existed in an environment when our competitors refused to list these titles because they we making boat loads of cash installing that junk on users. The current fad in this arena is toolbars and installers. We have turned down numerous offers to bundle these installers on MajorGeeks. While we are taking our lumps from the economy like everyone else, we think forcing toolbars or installers on you would ruin everything MajorGeeks has always stood for. We know there’s a ton of money to be made by doing this, but it doesn't matter how much money you make - when you can't buy back your reputation. When good software we list has something bundled with it that is out of our control, we take care to make sure the user can opt-out in the install process AND we notate that info on the file page in big, bold letters - to help give you a heads up.
In return, we ask that you click an ad occasionally and if you use an ad blocker, maybe you could whitelist MajorGeeks? Finally, we have a new store online at http://shop.majorgeeks.com where you can buy t-shirts and other cool gear like Tetris lamps, grenade lighters, cameras, pocket tool knives and more at great prices.
If you have never visited MajorGeeks before, we welcome you to check it out. New files are listed on the front page with news below that each day. On the left side you will find the file categories. It’s often better to list by popularity or date to see what’s new and what other’s recommend by the rating or comments. On the right side of the page you will see Top Downloads, Top News and if you scroll a bit more, Trending News or Downloads. We also have a Support Forum where you can get help.
Anyhow, having been at this as long as we have, having someone like The Windows Club giving us props on our 'user first' philosophy, we have to say - it put great big smiles on our great big geeky faces. We try to do this with a lot of attitude, ego and humor and we hope you appreciate the difference.
You can read the entire article, which is done in great detail at http://www.thewindowsclub.com/safe-software-download-sites
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