Entitled Mia for Vicky Limited Download. Is an exe file not a zip be carefull. Make sure you scan if you dl before using. I cancled halfway through the dl when I relized it was an exe.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/homepage.ez?Who=Ecstasy

Wasnt aware of who Ecstasy is, only that typicaly exes from freebies tend to be viruses (not that zips dont either on occasion) wanted to warn to check before using. Thanks for setting me straight!

I haven't seen or heard of an exe in the freebies here having a virus. Did I miss something?

It is a self-extracting Stuffit File.

I don't care if a person might be a vendor. I don't download .exe files from from sources which haven't been checked, scanned, verified, what-have-you. Something from a store is usually safe... and even then Norton eagle-eyes it. If a free stuff item is an .exe, no matter how badly I want it, I will pass it by. It simply is not worth the risk. The other problem with .exe files is that people who are Mac only can't install them. I have both operating systems. Most people don't. If someone wishes to share with the entire community, they should upload .zips or .sits since those can be opened by the entire community. Carolly

With a self-extracting exe (Under Windows anyway) you can right click on it and open it in Winzip just like a zip file.

Mac's intall self-extracting .exe's just fine, at least mine does :-) Just drop it onto Stuffit's lil icon.

Please don't make Virus accusations about peoples items, just because you do not know who they are. This really hurts innocent people.

Well, DAZ has .exe files. I've only uploaded two .zips. Some day I hope to upload exe's cuz there is a definite time savings to the end user and that's good for the merchants. Just because its exe doesn't mean its virus. And if you dl an exe, the virus won't run until you execute it. So dl, run your virus scanner, and if it checks out, go for it. I presume that you have backup so that if your virus scanner doesn't catch it, you can restore. Granted we don't know merchants/free stuff exe's like we do MS, do some research. I would be more suspicious of an exe from a new contributor than I would from one with a long history with osity and a long track record.

Just a thought. Folks can upload freebies on their basic logon account. Should Osity require a more detailed account for freebie / merchant uploads? For example ask for credit card (to check authenticity and identity) and ask for contact info and then do a reference check before allowing freebie / merchant uploads? I think there's value in this because if a problem does occure, the downloader will want to know how and who to contact if things go wrong. All any of you know about me is that I'm EricofSD and my email addy. If you had to contact me with a real problem you'd be waiting for a voluntary response. If you had to find me for service of process in a suit, it would be a snap for the computer savy and a heartache for folks who don't know how to do internic whois, or 411, etc. Why should buyers or freebie downloades be in the dark like this? Shouldn't there be a disclosure statement that has the pertinent info? And how would the uploaders (freebie/merchants) be protected from the trolls who are looking for a slip and fall suit, or those who don't investigate well enough to realize their crash was from something else? Holy Smoke, Batman! Don't turn your Bat dial, stay tuned next week for answers to these and other riddling questions.

Should Osity require a more detailed account for freebie / merchant uploads? For example ask for credit card (to check authenticity and identity) and ask for contact info and then do a reference check before allowing freebie / merchant uploads? Yeah! Let's teach those damn anticommerce freestuff panderers to give to the community! Imagine, actually providing stuff for free! Taking bread out of the mouths of merchants! The nerve! First, we'll treat the free stuff providers as second class citizens in the gallery. After all, our merchants should get premium credit listing! And maybe this will discourage people crediting freestuff providers at all! Yeah! Then we'll require credit cards and other background checks for anyone low enough to actually GIVE something to the community! And how dare they not provide all the relevantinformation so we can sue them for their generosity! Yeah! That will show those irresponsible wastrels to get with the program! Regards- Lemurtek, Hoping EricofSD was kidding

My God....people have every right to post their freebies as exe files.....I can't believe you've accused them of passing on a virus just because it's an exe file....if you are afraid to download it, that's up to you but it's not right to go yelling Virus in Free Stuff because a file is an exe.....

I am partly kidding. No need to stifle creativity, or those who share freebies. At the same time, this thread started with someone who was concerned about an exe. Granted, the concern is in my humble opinion, not necessary... but... given the 'osity invitation card in P5 box for all new buyers, we're bound to get folks in here who are not long standing members of this fine and ethical group. (and I have to say, I've never been burned by any freebie or merchant dl). So maybe its a bit of forward thinking. At some level, I think there should be some protection for the uploaders as well as the downloaders. The poster who started this thread rightly pointed out that there is an unknown element to getting stuff here. We have seen an increase of warez requests just prior to the P5 release followed by removal of the threads and presumably admin enforcement of the TOS. This concerns me. I think we've had a fine community and I think we are moving to a time when some unethical folks will troll. One thought would be to check the gallery of the merchant/freebie person. Big gallery, old dates = long standing member. No gallery = ?. Or, in place of this checking that most folks wont take the time to do, should the merchant / freebie site include a line that says how long a person has been a member of the community? Maybe that's better. Go to EricofSD and look at the unicorn horns, see a line that says, "Member since 1998" or some such thing that signifies a person who would have long since been flamed and removed if they were a jerk. What do you think? Should EricofSD be flogged in the desert with a dry noodle or should there be some way for the new members to know that they are downloading from contientious and capable folks who share? How should we approach the originating message in this thread which is quite valid? I for one know Lemurtek's fine work, but not all the new members will. Just a thought.

I hope Eric was kidding, too... By the time a person has modeled or textured or posed or lighted something (say 20 hours of work as a ferinstance), and either set up her own web site (more time!) or found another to host her (but is probably paying either way), made the thumbnail and put up the links in 2-6 forums, she probably wants to sit back and hope that a couple of people take the time to say thanks. Asking any potential uploader to submit to a credit check and verified history is absolute foolishness when you consider the number of members of this Forum who say that they can't order something or join a subscription site because they live in another country or are too young to have a checking account or credit card or whatever... and some of these people have names we all recognize. There are entire countries where it is rare to use a credit card. Also, just because DAZ uses .exes doesn't mean that it is the preferred method. I've purchased a fair amount (cough) from them, and have had to do a manual install on at least 3 occasions when the automatic installer failed to put files where they needed to go in order to be found. I usually end up moving them later anyway, and now simply go with the manual install as my first choice. As a former reference librarian, I'm a bit more consistant with my naming practices. ;^) Automation which scatters something over hell and gone doesn't save time... even if it is bug-free Carolly

"that we all know" ... I agree for us, but what about an influx of new members? "live in another country or are too young". Very good point. Very good point indeed. Still, the basic idea of the originator of this thread seems to be safety "how do I know".

I too pass up items that are .exe extensions no matter who says they are alright. I think that most people would be leary of an .exe and the uploaders should take that into consideration. They should shy away from using .exe's. JMO

If your AV is any good it will scan while the file downloads or as it finishes so it'll catch the virus before it can do any harm, my feeling these days is scan everything before you use it, I even scanned the Poser5 files before I installed it.

There was one incident about half a year ago. I downloaded a freebie which turned out to be an exe-file, supposed to be a morph for Vicky I think. As I didn't recognize the user name of the uploader I got suspicious and looked at the file with a hex-editor. There was a web address in there, and it turned out to be a program for remote control of the computer. Kind of scary :-(

Sorry, Eric, but I'm going to have to whole-heartedly disagree and say caveat emptor. Buyer beware. It clearly says on the entrance that none of these files have been checked by Renderosity, they are all hosted externally, and should be treated in the same way you would treat unverified files from anywhere else. If a malicious file is found linked to, it is removed immediately and if it was purposely posted, the posting member is banned. For Renderosity to do anything more would be inappropriate and Big Brother-ish. If someone is not knowledgeable enough to run a virus program, then trust me, they'll learn quickly or Darwin Award their computer system. It isn't Renderosity's responsibility to push the "Scan" button for them, or to do a background check on every member who decides to be generous and share because they can't be bothered to click "Scan" themselves. I would not post under those circumstances; in fact, I doubt most people would. "Guilty until proven innocent" is no way to run any society or community.

Hauksdottir, you took the words out of my mouth :o) This credit card checking is most annoying, ther are lots of places I can't use/go to becourse they want my credit card to check for instance my age. Well whaddaya know? I haven't GOT a credit card! I don't PLAN on getting one either (or rather my BANK doesn't plan on giving me one sigh) but if that "missing creditcard-issue" should make it impossible for me to upload stuff here... well most of it is trash anyway.... but likeable trash it seems ;o) EricofSD... whether you're kidding or not.... the proposal is ridiculous. It's people's own resposability to scan downloaded files. I just bought Andix's Foreground tool, and hey, it's an .exe too. So did I install it? Yes. Did I scan it? Yes. Have I had a virus b4? YES.... But I've LEARNED...the hard way.

.exe or .zip, if I want the file I'll download it. No need to be paranoid just because .exe files sometimes contain viruses. What do you think anti-virus programs are for?

There's no need to upload an exe instead of a zip. Courtesy and safety suggests the use of zip files. It takes no more effort!

As exe files are rare in freebies, and are often associated with viruses. I was conserned. Myself not knowing the user who uploaded it, simply posted a note to warn others to use caution before downloading. (Mind you it was my bad for not investigating who the user was by going to their homepage gallery and following all of the links etc. I admit that I was in a bit of a hurry on my way to a lovecraft filmfest..) Why? Because of the posts I've seen here in the various forums and discussions in chats about people finding various viruses in freebies here and there through out the months. Because I do isp tech support for a living and see all of the viruses that are comming in through email and downloads and that you should never asume that someone has anti-virus protection just because they seem to have a clue about everything else. I've seen to many people have their systems crashed because they where unaware or not paying attention, or just thought that they knew everything and there for they could never get a virus and did not need protection. (If you do tech support of any kind or even customer service you know these people that Im talking about, they are the ones that make you want to rip your hair out...) I didn't say it WAS a virus I suggested that one use caution because exe's for the most part are rare in freebies. Because sadly not everyone does use anti-virus software. I was happy to be informed by wyrwulf that no this is a merchant and they use exe files as opposed to zip files. GREAT! Im happy thats the case. What I don't get is the extreme offense that some have taken over a friendly warning to those who don't pay attention to things they download who don't have anti-virus programs, who don't know who every single Merchant is in MP. Frankly I think its silly. I don't know about the rest of you. But Id rather be warned about something so I can investigate it and make up my own mind about what to do with the situation, even if it turns out that nothing is wrong, than to not be warned download something with out paying attention because my mind is elsewhere and then end up having to pay the consequences later because that ONE time that no one spoke about their conserns, it was a nasty file that destroys who knows how many hours worth of work. Anyway I'm done with this conversation I've said my peace. It seems my best intentions have gotten the better of me once again. I'll remember to keep concerns to myself in the future.

I appreciate the warning Blooddoll, everyone should always err on the side of paranoia when downloading stuff even from places like 'rosity & daz.

"One thought would be to check the gallery of the merchant/freebie person. Big gallery, old dates = long standing member. No gallery = ?." Sorry, EricofSD, but that one ain't gonna work either! I have 40+ items in the Freestuff at 3D Commune and ZERO in the galleries. I've never uploaded a Poser render in my life and have no intention of ever doing so. People who frequent 3D Commune know perfectly well who I am. I'm quite happy modelling. Rendering scenes bores me to tears. I may be unique, but I doubt it. I'm sure there are plenty of modellers who never render and have no interest whatsoever in poser art. That's just the way the cookie crumbles. Just to name one, I'm fairly sure that Cooler has no gallery, and his Freestuff count is 170+ items. I'm not trying to be obnoxious. Just pointing out the realities of the situation. I can appreciate your concern and attempts to improve things for all of us. But I, for one, would fight to the death to block any kind of credit check-ups on community members FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER and ESPECIALLY for people who are giving their work FREE to the community. I, personally, would be cautious with an .exe, but if it was something I wanted, I'd d/l it and check it out. This is known as 'common sense', nothing more. mac

Sure exe's are rare in freebies but with a name like Ecstasy to it you know it's gotta be FANTASTIC! And it is more than that, as in Ecstasy's tradition it is SUPURBLY FANTASTIC!!!! Hey, I too am extra cautious when there is an executable to download, won't do it unless I know who it's from. But who figured no one here would know the user name Ecstasy??? They are only some of the BEST fantasy Vicky textures ever made!!!

Well, I don't, and won't, distribute my freebies as .exe, because I understand the virus concerns, and also don't wish to exclude the Mac people. And yes, it's certainly wise to exercise caution when dealing with .exe files. By the way, this being renderosity and all, I thought the 'offense' expressed was pretty mild. My offense was directed at the 'credit card' idea. I just don't like the idea of targeting the free stuff creators with this kind of thinking. Regards- Lemurtek

Gee aint it great when Paranoia rules? If you are in any doubt about the safety of a file DONT download it!!! Run your antivirus on ANY dl'ed file and for heavens sake BE sensible..... Its no good shouting virus over .exe files unless you've ACTUALLY had one from here - and beleive me i have visited the free section quite a lot and i've NEVER had any problem from this excellent site that arent of my own creation.... Also the idea of a credit card check is lousy for just the reason quoted - a lot of fine contributors will be unable to post due to them being to young, in foreign country etc...

I'm working on some stuff I will post in the free section. I'd like to create installation files for the following reason. Logic tells me that most who rely on freebie d/l's probably can't make their own and may not know where to install what file. Let's face it, the process of adding stuff to poser aint exactly intuitive. I really don't see anyone working on a serious pro project using freebies. The kind of people who wouldn't have any difficulty with it. Most of the banter in this forum shows there are dedicated advanced hobbyists who know their way around in here, so don't get me wrong, but I'm thinking of those who don't. Geez, it's not really an issue which requires this much type! I must be bored. Anyhow, I'd be pissed off if I had to be subjected to suspicious scrutiny to be generous with my stuff. Mike

Yes, but your installer will probably put things in what I think of as the wrong place. You don't know how I like to organise my Poser files. So the installer causes hassle. Probably anyone who d/ls your stuff can at least read, so putting in an instruction file lets the newbies install it correctly, and the experts can do what they like.

Well I hadnt a clue.Lord get a grip. The file has been updated to zip.:)

THanks to those of you who defended me.Can I sue for slander?;-)lol.Just kidding.

Ecstasy, Thank you for making it a zip file. You do very unique and stylish work, but I avoid all exes and so have never been able to enjoy a close up view of your textures. Carolly