I am very suspicious of Microsoft downgrading Claria's definition in their anti-spyware tool. I'm all the more frustrated because I like the tool and I think that it works very well, and it's probably been the best one I've tested out of a bunch (in a vain attempt to keep family member's computers clean).
Much has been made of Microsoft's announced intention to buy Claria, and given the change in the anti-spyware tool I think that Microsoft is playing fast and loose with the rules.
Originally I thought that maybe Microsoft was just buying Claria to shut it down and put the nuisance down once and for all, but that's apparently not the case.
I don't care what kind of cool technologies Claria has, Microsoft buying it is like Ford buying the company that makes slim jims because of their "innovative door opening tools". No good.
That's a great analogy, Maurice. For as big of a humanitarian as Bill Gates is, you would think his ethical standards would deter him from wanting something as devious as Claria affiliated with the Microsoft name.