This response doesn't respond to the claim that download.com is bundling other software as well (the original nmap post referred specifically to VLC). This response claims that wrapping nmap was a "mistake", should we conclude that wrapping other software was therefore deliberate?
Of course wrapping the other software was deliberate! Someone at c|net designed, built, and deployed the wrapping feature; that is as deliberate as you can get.
However, at least they have re-enabled the direct download link for non-registered users so that those people who understand the difference can avoid the wrapper. I still think it's distasteful to pray on the ignorance of users, as all these wrappers and toolbars do, but that is how they get paid.
He is saying wrapping nmap was a mistake because they aren't supposed to do that with open source software. Therefore I would conclude that anything non-open-source is fair game.
