Quick Question re Zusi 3

[Vern]

As readers may be aware there are currently major ructions over the possibility EA/Kuju may include some kind of data mining/spyware routine in their "Rail Simulator" to place dynamic advertising on routes based on information it finds on the user's PC.

The morality and legality of this is being discussed elsewhere but just wondered if Carsten can confirm that Zusi 3 will not contain this type of programme. With issues over add-on licencing and now the spyware it really looks as if KRS will be one to avoid - leaving a nice gap for Zusi 3 to fill in the niche market.

[Daniel Rüscher aka Merlin]

For shure we can confirm that there are no sorts of spyware or other maleware, because Zusi is some kind of non comercial non profit Software

[Christopher Spies]

Zusi is some kind of non comercial non profit Software

Erm... no.
Zusi is sold commercially, and its purpose is definitely to make profit (though maybe not enough for Carsten to make a living out of it).

For shure we can confirm that there are no sorts of spyware or other maleware

And while I think Carsten is trustworthy and it's really highly unlikely that Zusi includes spyware, you can't really confirm it -- who knows, perhaps Carsten wants to generate some extra income .

- Christopher

[Roland Ziegler]

I recommend to wait for Carsten to comment on this issue.

That Kuju DIGA story development is making headlines at least in one of the German forums, too.

[Christopher Spies]

With issues over add-on licencing and now the spyware it really looks as if KRS will be one to avoid

By the way, what are people worried about? A firewall should help (in these days, really everybody should have one!), otherwise you can just pull the network cable while playing. No in-game advertising for you, then! After all, there are still people who don't even have an internet connection...

- Christopher

[Roland Ziegler]

Christopher, we could repeat this discussion here. But there's already plenty (23 pages) to read about it in the UKTS forum. The issue is not about possible counter measures, the issue is about the objectionable (at least in most people's eyes) attempt of data mining behind your back in a retail software package targeting an unsuspecting consumer.

[Carsten Hölscher]

I recommend to wait for Carsten to comment on this issue.

Yes - "official statements" should be written by me, please. Everything else should clearly be recognizable as the writer's opinion.


I don't like any kind of spyware, datamining, secret functiona or whatever, so I do of course not programme that sort of function.
Any kind of data-transfer (TCP-connection for tools or multiplayer in future versions) will be in fully controlable by the user. That means Zusi will only connect if the user wants a connection. The data-protocol will be published so that you can control every single byte (if there are any doubts).

Carsten

[Vern]

Well done Carsten and thanks for the confirmation.

Zusi 3 rules!

[Felix Esser]

Any kind of data-transfer (TCP-connection for tools or multiplayer in future versions) will be in fully controlable by the user.

I hope that this data-transfer only needs one port.
And not ten open ports for one game.

[Rbnqss]

What is current sitsuation with the Zusi 3 projekt, any quess when betas are released or something ?

[Carsten Hölscher]

The first public release will be a Demo of the simulator with the Bad Driburg-Altenbeken-route but there is no release-date yet.

Carsten