Hey Jim,

I ran into a really ugly problem today, and thought you should know about it.  Sorry, but I fear this is going to be a lengthy post.

DO NOT INSTALL THE LATEST VERSION OF "SUPER" AUDIO/VIDEO CONVERTER.

I decided to copy a bunch of music off my iPad and iPhone (in M4A format) and convert them into MP3's.  In the process, I discovered that you need to pull SUPER (the converter) off the NoNags site.  The version you have (v2012.51) is not working, and this developer has turned into a sneaky, greedy piece of crap.

But first, you might also want to know, the small converter you recently recommended, Hewbo Audio Converter, is somewhat "crippled."  It works fine, fairly fast, and without annoyances, but will not convert to high-quality files.  It's "limited" to 128 kbps for MP3's without paying them $30.

Back to SUPER... I never realized that they had integrated "phone home" technology in their latest releases.  Being curious, I played with (tested) the last five versions today.

As you know, I've recommended SUPER for audio/video conversions for a few years now.  It's always worked great, or so I thought (until today).  I've been working with a new laptop lately, and I hadn't installed it on this one yet.  Never really worried about it, because I could always snag the setup files again, right?

Version 2012.51 (on NoNags site)

This is the one you've got on your site.  AND IT DOES NOT WORK.  I tried it twice, downloading straight from NN.  The first time, it gave an error message something like, "This setup file is obsolete. Please re-download the latest version.  This setup will end now."  Boom, it just quit.  Downloaded again, and tried once more.  This time, the setup (apparently after accessing their site) gave an error message something like, "This setup file is corrupted.  Please re-downloaded the latest version."  And it quit too.

Version 2012.52

From what I can gather, this is the oldest version that still works.  It installed okay.  But this is also when I confirmed the communication channel exists between the program and the developer's website.  When I ran it, the opening message said, "This version is obsolete and outdated.  Please download the latest version."

NOTE:  If someone is absolutely determined to keep using SUPER, this is the version I would suggest.  If needed, you can still download it from File Hippo (http://goo.gl/1VQKe).  BUT, I would NOT recommend that you do so.  It's time to start looking elsewhere.

Version 2012.53

This version installed, but was very slow and sporadic during the process.  A couple times, my antivirus popped up with warning messages about "Sonar.Heuristic" violations.  Norton's removed and quarantined a couple files.

Version 2012.54

This version does not work, AT ALL.  It freezes immediately after starting the installation routine.  And my antivirus was relentless with warning messages (again, Sonar.Heuristic violations).  Norton's intercepted several files.

Version 2013.55 (released today)

This is the very latest version, came out today (March 7th), and the one that really pisses me off.  IT'S TERRIBLE, full of spyware and browser addons.

NOTE:  The program itself DOES work.  But unless you're as thick-skulled as I am, it's not worth it. ...I like to think of it as being "tenacious".  When all was said and done, after ridding my system of spyware (at least I hope so), this is the version I used to convert my songs.  I was so mad at that point, I wasn't going to be dissuaded.

1.  The first screen asks you to install something called the WhiteSmoke Toolbar.  If you choose "custom" setup, you can opt out of this one.

2.  The second screen has a very small (almost unnoticable) checkbox for the QuickShare Toolbar.  You have to uncheck this one.  BUT, it really doesn't matter, because IT INSTALLS IT ANYWAY.

3.  Next, you think you're going to the program's setup.  That's not the case though.  Behind the scenes, without giving you any options, it's busy installing all of these addons, for every browser you own (IE, Firefox, & Chrome).

a.  QuickShare Toolbar (even if you opted out)
b.  Jolly Wallet (just the thought frightens me)
c.  Software Version Updater (not sure why, or what it updates)
d.  Updater 12555 (sounds legitimate, right?)
e.  Default Tab (another search bar)

4. Near the end of setup, your browser pops open, to the developer's webpage, and you see all this new "free stuff." Of these addons, a couple had uninstall routines (if they can be trusted).  But I had to find the others by doing manual file searches and running anti-spyware checks.

5.  The program (SUPER) installed. ...And the fun begins!!!

Just to be on the safe side, I turned OFF my internet when running this program. 

Replies to this message:

• Re: BEWARE of the new SUPER program... by Jim