martinibuster - 9:49 pm on Jan 12, 2010 (gmt 0)

CNet's download.com software policy is here [cnet.com]. It inspires confidence and trust.

...we prohibit certain types of software and we require that publishers conduct business according to certain standards. We expect publishers to comply with these Software Policies and the spirit of our mission statement.... We test all software products submitted to us against a comprehensive set of criteria. In addition to screening for common viruses and spyware, we also look for other threats that might interfere with our users' security, privacy, and control. We consider publisher Web sites, publisher conduct, and our own experience with a particular product.

It's a comprehensive policy covering activities on the publisher's website, the ability to uninstall the software, the EULA, and will even disapprove a software program if there are other versions of the same software available elsewhere that do not meet their criteria.

I'm shocked there isn't a process for evaluating the software. It's an oversight that carries negative customer experience and PR consequences.