10 replies to this topic

[solmnjms1]

Why does Bible software need telemetry?

(This was one of the many reasons I despise Logos.)

In the Windows 10 registry, I found this:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings\Telemetry\e-sword.exe

Does e-Sword sell our information to a third party?

(And please do not tell me that: "Free software still costs money somehow.". As there are paid modules and donations of untold amounts.)

 

EDIT: I should also add that I understand how telemetry is able to improve software, yet how can we be assured this is not being used to sell info about us... even if it is where we click and how me move the mouse.

Edited by solmnjms1, 17 October 2021 - 12:20 PM.

[JPG]

Simply ask the developer Rick Meyers

https://www.e-sword.net/feedback.html

[solmnjms1]

Simply ask the developer Rick Meyers

https://www.e-sword.net/feedback.html

Done.

[solmnjms1]

No response yet from Rick Meyers.

 

After deleting the registry key/folder from within the Registry Editor, e-Sword regenerates a new one at it's launch.

Due to all the mystery and potential rottenness of telemetry, this is disheartening and I'm not looking to return to e-Sword.

[APsit190]

Why does Bible software need telemetry?

(This was one of the many reasons I despise Logos.)

In the Windows 10 registry, I found this:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings\Telemetry\e-sword.exe

Does e-Sword sell our information to a third party?

(And please do not tell me that: "Free software still costs money somehow.". As there are paid modules and donations of untold amounts.)

 

EDIT: I should also add that I understand how telemetry is able to improve software, yet how can we be assured this is not being used to sell info about us... even if it is where we click and how me move the mouse.

 

 

To the first part of your question, the answer is, "No."

 

At a guess, the telemetry is used for when you are wanting to purchase Premium resources via the Download Manager in e-Sword. It may also be used for the ability to play the audio files of the Bible and Translations on the current version of e-Sword, and sermon files. If you have a look in that folder in the Registry, you will notice that the Windows Media Player is listed. So going by that information, there is that definite link between e-Sword and its dependence on it to be able to connect to specific servers to play those files. ( O yeah, nearly forgot) Also to be able to send and collect data on premium purchases from eStudySource.

 

Trust you find this information/explanation helpful to you.

 

Edited by APsit190, 18 October 2021 - 01:21 PM.

[solmnjms1]

To the first part of your question, the answer is, "No."

 

At a guess, the telemetry is used for when you are wanting to purchase Premium resources via the Download Manager in e-Sword. It may also be used for the ability to play the audio files of the Bible and Translations on the current version of e-Sword, and sermon files. If you have a look in that folder in the Registry, you will notice that the Windows Media Player is listed. So going by that information, there is that definite link between e-Sword and its dependence on it to be able to connect to specific servers to play those files. ( O yeah, nearly forgot) Also to be able to send and collect data on premium purchases from eStudySource.

 

Trust you find this information/explanation helpful to you.

 

My registry folder also contains my browser's attempts at data harvesting; so it doesn't look good.

 

And isn't "eStudySource" a third party?

As well as "Sermon Audio"?

So the answer is probably a "yes" to the selling of user info... should it go to them... who knows where it goes?

Why would I want some other third party like eStudySource to know my computer model, operating system, resolution size, amount of keystrokes, etc.?

Or Sermon Audio?

Or anyone else, who may then sell that information elsewhere?

 

This is about privacy, being exploited, and the respect of personal information.

There is nothing in the e-Sword installer (e-sword_1300_setup.exe) that mentions "telemetry" or "data collection".

[APsit190]

My registry folder also contains my browser's attempts at data harvesting; so it doesn't look good.

 

And isn't "eStudySource" a third party?

As well as "Sermon Audio"?

So the answer is probably a "yes" to the selling of user info... should it go to them... who knows where it goes?

Why would I want some other third party like eStudySource to know my computer model, operating system, resolution size, amount of keystrokes, etc.?

Or Sermon Audio?

Or anyone else, who may then sell that information elsewhere?

 

This is about privacy, being exploited, and the respect of personal information.

There is nothing in the e-Sword installer (e-sword_1300_setup.exe) that mentions "telemetry" or "data collection".

I think you are just freaking out over a word which really you have no understanding what it actually is and/or what it is used for. Now, if I am wrong, I apologize.

 

With that said, I am assuming that you have little to no experience in the IT (Information Technology) industry. here is the basic science in regard to the significance or importance to Telemetry technology.

 

Its important to note that without Telemetry technology it would be impossible to do anything on the internet. In fact one could conclude that it would be impossible to even have an internet of any form, shape, or size. All what Telemetry Technology does is it sends all kinds and types  of "data"  across the wire so that basically computers can communicate to each other across the network, whether its a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Not only that, without having telemetry capability no one would be able to sent and or receive data on the internet. Moreover, when it comes to cellphone technology, you wouldn't be able to make a phone call without some form of telemetry technology.

 

But this even goes further. Telemetry technology is is used in having the capability of being able to do online banking, shopping (e.g., purchasing premium e-Sword resources from eStudySource), and etc. When you registered on this sight, you have given some information (data) so that you could download and/or even upload data (e-Sword resource files) on this website. Without it you can do nothing on the internet.

 

The point is this: Telemetry technology is not merely or all about so called "Data Collection," but more significantly the technology of being able to communicate across the network so one can do stuff on it. So bearing this in mind lets look at the two "concerns" you have listed.

1. In e-Sword there is a download manager where you can download free resources, and purchase resources through eStudySource. In order for you to be able to do either or both of these things, it requires Telemetry technology for you to be able to do it. To actually be able to to make a purchase (and here I'm repeating myself) you have to give data (information) to eStudySource i.e., name, address, credit or debit cart details and etc. But primarily you have to have an account with that business in order to be able to do it.
2. With respect to e-Sword itself, it does not collect information about you. Reason being you have given Rick Meyers no information about you. All what telemetry data does there is to give you the ability to listen to an audio Bible, e.g., KJV, and/or a sermon if you wish to, which actually required Window Media Player to accomplish it. No data is collected about you personally. About the most it may possibly collect (which I doubt very much) is what you clicked on and listened to. Outside of that, nothing!.

As to your concern over this bit here:

 

My registry folder also contains my browser's attempts at data harvesting; so it doesn't look good

Mate, all I can say about that is you seriously need to take you computer to a specialist and get it cleaned up, and get rid of the browser you are currently using and switch over to Firefox, Duck Duck Go, or Brave. Scrap MS Edge and Chrome (if that is what you are using).

 

Anyhoo, I trust that the information given helps you further in your understanding of Telemetry Technology.

 

Blessings,

Edited by APsit190, 19 October 2021 - 02:25 PM.

[JPG]

It will be interesting to see Rick Meyers e-mail reply...

[solmnjms1]

I think you are just freaking out over a word which really you have no understanding what it actually is and/or what it is used for. Now, if I am wrong, I apologize.

This is quite rude, and I would argue the same against yourself.

 

Its important to note that without Telemetry technology it would be impossible to do anything on the internet.

That is not true.

"Telemetry" itself is a unique form of data collection.

And constant telemetry data being phoned home somewhere is not necessary.

Your misconception about "Telemetry" is the main point of your argument against me (as well as everyone who cares about privacy and respect with their Bible software) and it shows that you are greatly misunderstood as to what "Telemetry" is.

Here is a basic, and revealing, explanation from good old Wikipedia (notice the sub-entry of "Phoning Home"):

https://en.wikipedia...emetry#Software

Software

See also: Phoning home

In software, telemetry is used to gather data on the use and performance of applications and application components, e.g. how often certain features are used, measurements of start-up time and processing time, hardware, application crashes, and general usage statistics and/or user behavior. In some cases, very detailed data is reported like individual window metrics, counts of used features, and individual function timings.

This kind of telemetry can be essential to software developers to receive data from a wide variety of endpoints that can't possibly all be tested in-house, as well as getting data on the popularity of certain features and whether they should be given priority or be considered for removal. Due to concerns about privacy since software telemetry can easily be used to profile users, telemetry in user software is often user choice, commonly presented as an opt-in feature (requiring explicit user action to enable it) or user choice during the software installation process.

I'm from the vastly disappearing group of individuals who care about something called: "privacy".

 

Mate, all I can say about that is you seriously need to take you computer to a specialist and get it cleaned up, and get rid of the browser you are currently using and switch over to Firefox, Duck Duck Go, or Brave. Scrap MS Edge and Chrome (if that is what you are using).

Uh, "mate", Brave is that very registry entry with telemetry! Are you even aware of how Brave uses it?

There is no such thing as real privacy with any browser. They all "phone home" somewhere.

 

 

It will be interesting to see Rick Meyers e-mail reply...

JPG, same here... and still waiting on it.

I'm still sticking with theWord for now.

Edited by solmnjms1, 19 October 2021 - 08:03 PM.

[solmnjms1]

I'm firmly standing by the very real idea that "telemetry" is not needed.

At the least, it collects very specific data about my computer that I do not wish to have collected.

At the worst, it is specific data about me that is bought and sold; where I am being made "merchandise of" (2 Peter 2:2), simply for using a Bible program.

Telemetry is not necessary for e-Sword.

 

Again:

This is about privacy, being exploited, and the respect of personal information.

And there is nothing in the e-Sword installer (e-sword_1300_setup.exe) that mentions "telemetry" or "data collection".

Edited by solmnjms1, 19 October 2021 - 08:12 PM.