In fairness, Kara is correct. While others may have used the term craplet, Walt made it popular.
(Thanks a lot Walt)

Until then, the ultimate way to keep unsolicited third-party products from getting the craplet label is to design the machine and its product parts to work better for users in the first place. (An immediate way is to use “helper” software such as ActiveWords to navigate through the complexity.)

While start-from-scratch design would address the whole interface, integration, security, stability, and above all, ease-of-use, we all know that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Web-based products are not always “better,” but they are less likely to clog our computer registry and hard drive, and their development people can listen and respond with improvements quicker. They get my “Atta boy!”

Buzz’s ActiveWords is a tool I use dozens of times a day and, in my opinion, ought to be included with every OS that ships.

In my 12 years using computers I have often been frustrated by all the extras that come bundled in that installation CD. Often I have no clue about what it is or it’s value–the icons just appear on the desktop and it’s my job to figure it all out. All of these extras should be installed optionally. All should have legitimate descriptions to aid the consumer in deciding whether to install now, later or not. What is nice to have or necessary is entirely dependent upon the consumer’s particular situation and I do resent automatic installation of stuff I never use, that runs in the background eating up resources and has no uninstall option.

You bring up a great point. On my chosen path work, workplace performance and productivity, you bring up something I write about and speak about any chance I get:

What is necessary?
What is nice?
What is extra?
What gets in the way?

So, applied to a new computer, you can imagine how confusing the answers to these questions can be. Hopefully, you can see – too – how applying these questions to a manager’s workspace could manifest in some great discussion…what do they keep? What do they remove?

Thanks for continuing the discussion…

Most users can’t differentiate between what’s promotional and what’s needed to make their computers run. It’s sort of like imbedding ads within a newspaper story.

Computer companies can have it both ways. Provide a menu of the available free software with explanations and terms, and let the user select install or delete.

I wouldn’t call Quicken or Quickbooks a craplet. How about a new name like Samplet?

If you are fortunate enough to talk an OEM into bundling your product with theirs, why is there a presumtion that your product is a “craplet”.

How would you suggest that one avoid this unfortunate label?

Just curious…