StanleyTweedle

What is OpenCandy?

OpenCandy a recommendation engine for projects like ours. It allows us to offer our users the opportunity to discover useful programs through the installer. The user is presented with a clear option to accept or decline the installation in order for recommended program to be installed on the computer. Nothing is selected by default and there is a clear description of the program, which means no confusion is caused. Respectable projects such as MediaInfo and WinSCP use this, with VLC Media Player currently considering it.

View the video showing OpenCandy in action:

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How will it benefit ApexDC++ and its users?

Each time a user installs a recommended program, our project gets paid. The money received through OpenCandy will go directly into the project's vision. That means a brand new website with a better support facility, interactive portal to promote Direct Connect activity, 2.0 with a brand new GUI and hopefully we can span across multiple platforms. This means users can run ApexDC++ on Windows, Linux or Mac OS.

With this sort of funding, we will be able to hire additional developers, graphics and web designers to progress with ApexDC++ 2.0 and its website.

Will it effect future versions?

No. If anything, it should speed up development cycles because we have more resources available.

When will it happen?

OpenCandy will be integrated into 1.3.2's installer package.

What programs will it recommend?

OpenCandy offers programs based on your computer specifications. It will not install a program you already have, or cannot run. Alongside other programs, we will be recommending certain types of Open Source programs in order to promote our openness.

What information is used?

You can read OpenCandy's privacy policy to reflect this.

I don't want to install it

You have two options: 1) Just select Decline and ApexDC++ will install successfully. 2) Download the binary archive. We will still provide you with the binary version without OpenCandy.

How can I remove it?

Simple. Go to Add or Remove programs and select the program that was installed. ApexDC++ will remain operational and not be affected.

I want to know more

You can view the OpenCandy FAQ page for more information. We will reveal more details about the website and program developments in the near future. Our team is excited to work on our new ideas, but this isn't possible without something like OpenCandy to fund our resources.

Let us know if you have any questions regarding this announcement and we will be happy to answer them.

I see this as a good way to make the client user friendy and more interactive. By installing the client the users now get the option to try new stuff they otherwise would not have found and probably never would have tested.

I think it is a very good move by the Apex team to incorperate this. Up to now they have spent long hours and lots of money of creating DCs best client and usually the project time is limited by how much time they have and how much money they can spend. The only way to fund a project up to now has been asking for donations which works poorly. This is a way for the users to give something back to the team and improve the client they are using.

Installing a new program does not cost anything for the user, it's fun and easy to remove if you don't like it. I think this is a wonderfull idea and it can only mean that both the team and the users benefit from this.