zzarr

Thanks for all the discussion about this ... For me it comes down to this; when I surf the net and run Ad-Aware - the only site that places multiple critical (according to ad-aware) tracking bugs on my computer is Jagex (using their Windows Client). It is really your choice whether or not you feel this is a problem. For me - I'll probably play the game again using my Firefox browser and I'll still run a spyware removal program on a regular basis. In general I think we should model our actions on the way we want the world to be. When I play the game I play honestly and I look for ways to better the game for those that are playing when I do. I don't think Jagex really needs to "Spy" on us to make the game better. It really all comes down to living and playing it the way you think the world should be. Cya :-) Zzarr out

You know it's really not paranoia to acknowledge that tracking cookies are an invasion of our privacy. Just because there are so many entities out there that are tracking our purchases, habits, web activity, etc. doesn't mean that we should roll over and acquiesce to them. When I corresponded with Jagex they admitted that they used the tracking cookie in relation to rule breakers only - but good intention is not enough when it comes to our civil liberties. If you think this is a trivial matter you have only to look at the current US Government's activities and their unwarranted surveillance of the US population (and since most of the Worlds internet traffic is routed through the US this applies to everybody). So at what point do you want to draw the line and start living and working towards a world based on respect and trust? Why not start small and start here.... I think it is reasonable and fair to expect that we should be able to play the game honestly and with honor. By not being up front about the use of tracking cookies Jagex is not being honest. By their presumption of the need to spy on us they bring dishonor to the game.

hey if it doesn't bother you to have someone watching over yer shoulder and recording every website that you go to and then storing that info on someone else's server.... well then cool. I personally don't like it and it doesn't have anything to do with banner ads or the ability of Jagex to make money off of me. It has to do with the lack of respect for my personal life and their lack of trust in me choosing to play the game honestly - If you don't trust me and you don't respect me - why should I give you my money? Besides the whole thing is stupid - if I were really cheating - odds are I'd debug every time I did it and Jagex would still know nothing about me. So if it is so fallible why bother with offending some of us - why invest money and time in something that is offensive when the money could be better spent on improving the game or heck going out to dinner more often lol. I think Runescape is a great game and I will probably play it again without using the buggy Windows client. I think Jagex could represent themselves better if they either dropped the bugs or were right up front about the fact that they place tracking cookies on you when you play. As it is now I think they are being deceptive and disrespectful.

Thanks man - good idea - I have been using the Windows game client that Jagex offers on their downloads page. I use Firefox for web browsing so I'll give the game a try using Firefox instead (I love adblock)

Runescape installs spyware/tracking bugs when you play - does anyone know how to block this. I discovered that every time you play Runescape there are 1 to 3 tracking bugs installed on our computer. I contacted Jagex about this and the reply I got was basically that I should trust them - they will never sell or release the data gathered to a third party and that they use the spyware as part of their effort to crack down on BOTS and gold farmers.... I told them that I was offended by their lack of respect for my privacy. While I support their efforts to crack down on the illegal Runescape players I feel like it is bad enough that my own government is trying to spy on us much less the developers of what is otherwise a really cool game.... sigh Any thoughts on this from anybody? I canceled my membership in protest - but I really don't think they care lol In the past I played and jus made it a regular part of the play period to run ad-aware after I was done to clean out the spyware - such a hassle and a drag....

Yay! Thanks fer the great perspective. I too follow a more general skill leveling path - I really enjoyed your article and for me it was the Best Tip It article I've read so far. ... Sweet 8-) :-) Chris