Electronic Arts

[quote=dmex]It doesn't scan your data let alone upload it [/quote]

Explain this to me then.
http://www.gamesthirst.com/2011/08/27/ea-scandal-continues-revises-origin-eula-still-will-scan-your-computer-for-all-personal-information/


And please no trick words, just plain simple: do we agree by using origin that origin will scan our hardrives or not?

(edit is quotes not working fault)

Ranthaanr wrote:
Explain this to me then.

And please no trick words, just plain simple: do we agree by using origin that origin will scan our hardrives or not?

No, indiscriminately scanning your hard-drive for personal data is illegal.

Pro tip, don't take advice on EULA's from the media, it's all hype to generate hits and traffic

Well I also know videos that were in the news that contain "process monitors" that show origin running across the pc, those are probably fake too right. And all the people that sandbox origin and try to play BF3 without it.. sry but there IS something strange here.

Ranthaanr wrote:Well I also know videos that were in the news that contain "process monitors" that show origin running across the pc, those are probably fake too right. sry but there IS something strange here.

The only strange thing is the number of unqualified people using Process Monitor and have no idea what they are looking at

If you look at those screenshots and videos, take note of the "Operation" column, you'll see Origin performing the following: QueryDirectory, QueryBaisicInformation, QueryNameInformationFile and QuerySecurityFile.

Here's two screenshots from some articles:
http://i.imgur.com/0cDTw.png
http://i.imgur.com/4i49T.jpg

Note: No ReadFile calls that are required to actually read file data.

The corresponding structures and IRP's by Windows for these functions inc. the information these structures contain:

QueryDirectory: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff548658.aspx
QueryBasicInformation: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff545762.aspx
QueryNameInformation: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff545817.aspx
QuerySecurityFile: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff549298.aspx

Note; None of these contain file data, only attribute data.

These structures are created/queried by FindFirstFile/FindFirstFileEx during folder enumerations and as I've explained earlier in the thread how it was due to a bug with the wildcard string parameter Origin passed to these functions that caused Origin to appear it was enumerating your entire drive (when in fact it was Windows).

That whole media circus about Origin scanning and uploading your data was a load of hogwash by unqualified individuals who didn't understand what they were looking at. Again, don't take advice from the Media about Windows, especially Windows internals operations shown by Process Monitor.

You can email Mark Russinovich (the Microsoft developer, Windows internals expert and owner of Process Monitor) or post on the Sysinternals forums (http://forum.sysinternals.com/process-monitor_forum19.html) if you would like a similar explanation of these operations if you don't believe it

dmex

Glad to hear you're still getting some time to work on it.
It'd have been to the detriment of everyone, and a damn shame for that matter, if the project had stalled through other work pressures.

Still find myself with misgivings over the wording of the EULA, but the intent behind it seems to be legitimately...
Hurm.
Benign is probably too strong a word...
Legitimately harmless I think fits best.

(of course, the wording is more than just sematics when legally binding agreements are concerned)

As such, decided I'll be giving it a test drive with MassEffect3.

Anyway.
Hope you get more time for Open Origin in the future.

Ok dmex thanks for your answers, I also understand you are working on the "open origin" project.
That just might be the solution we are all looking for.

As you said scanning for files without consent would be illegal still this:

EA will never share your personally identifiable information with third parties without your consent. We may, however, share non-personally identifiable, aggregated and/or public information with third parties."

Shows that some data is collected, and hopefully open origin will be what most of us are looking for.
A client for registering our games.

Ranthaanr wrote:Ok dmex thanks for your answers, I also understand you are working on the "open origin" project.

Based on a discussion I've had with management today, the project will prohibit my ability to work with EA on other various projects and items in future.

I had already discontinued the project, I'm now terminating the licence and rights anyone has to the source-code, if you or anyone has any source-code then it must be destroyed.

dmex

^
That is really sad.

I knew EA just wanted to force origin on us all... too bad, hopefully EA will lose enough customers to realize what they are doing.
Thks dmex I'am sure you had the best intentions.

Ranthaanr wrote:^
That is really sad.

I knew EA just wanted to force origin on us all... too bad, hopefully EA will lose enough customers to realize what they are doing.
Thks dmex I'am sure you had the best intentions.

It was my decision, I'm way too busy to sort out the legal stuff (e.g. working with the Origin team and working on an open-source Origin) to continue the project.

I'll also free up more time to assist the Origin team in implementing some of the fantastic features they have planned

Just a feedback.

I'm gamer for 20+ years, I put up the inconvenient of disc check, password and whatever DRM so that I can play the game. As DRM getting more intrusive, it's getting harder to enjoy the game.

case in point, mass effect 3 multiplayer always drop me out, not sure why.... if it have a alway on DRM like sim city 5, then I can't even play the single player !! I don't normally play multiplayer game. If a single player also required the alway on internet, why should I pay the money to buy something so restrictive to me and might as well download a copy and crack with no restriction.

Pls wake up, I pay money to enjoy game, not paying money to restrict me.

DRM don't work and it's not stopping piracy. Do away it.

tks

Glad to see this.But i think you should give a formal reply to the media bout this.
And please.
We need Good 'ol EA Classics liek 1942,Vietnam and MOHAA on Origin.

I think the iron cross is coming back.