Source - http://www.uo.com/pb_darkscribe.html

Concerning the concerns about Punkbuster

We thought this announcement would incite quite a discussion, and yes, indeed, it did. There are some misconceptions I want to clear up and some key questions I want to make sure are answered. As you think about this change, please keep these items in mind (and I’m going to re-state some things I’ve already stated elsewhere)...

1. I completely understand concerns about computer security and privacy. I wouldn’t put PunkBuster on my own machine at home (yes, the one with all my financial and personal records) if I didn’t feel safe about it. PunkBuster has been around for 10 years and almost single-handedly saved the multiplayer shooter genre from being torn apart by hackers and cheaters. In that time, we can’t find one instance of someone’s privacy being violated. EA has sold millions of copies of the Battlefield franchise all over the world, and 90% of BF players play on PB protected servers. In all that time, not one person has submitted a valid customer service complaint about a privacy or security violation.
2. Everyone concerned about privacy should read PunkBuster’s privacy policy at...http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=privacy.php. Keep in mind that if PunkBuster betrayed even one gamer’s trust, people would stop using it, game makers would stop supporting it, and it would be the end of that business. It is in PunkBuster’s best interest to protect the privacy of its players. They have been doing that for 10 years now with millions of satisfied customers.
3. UO’s subscription fees will not be going up.
4. We haven’t decided what shard or shards will be non-PunkBuster yet. We want to see the results from the beta test first, as well as collect feedback.
5. As for performance, let me re-state... If beta testing proves that PunkBuster has performance issues for a large number of players, we will consider another anti-cheat solution. Beta testing should start in mid-July.
6. As for the screenshots, it will only take shots of the actual game screen window, not anything else on your desktop. And, it does that only rarely. This feature of PunkBuster is mostly used to verify cheats that turns walls invisible or somehow alter the battleground to the cheaters advantage.

I hope that alleviates some of your concerns. I’m sure discussions and debate will continue, and we will continue to answer questions about this as often as we can.

Meanwhile, as for that other announcement, the in-game story cycle is getting very close to the moment of revelation. The last few steps will be challenging, but I’m betting players see the future before the end of June.

See you in Sosaria,

Darkscribe

I support them in this new venture, not that my "support" means much, but eh

Here is my questions as I will not have this thing in on or around my family PC

1. If I play on the non PB shard (and be subject to insults ridicule and the like) will PB still be installed with the opening of uo. or will it dl only by trying to access one of the other shards.

If the answer is yes to the first one then the rest of my questions are moot as I wont allow this thing on my Family PC.

2. How will those being forced to move from their home shard be compensated? What about our homes? chars and items?
Will players be allowed to transfer all of their things and chars?
And will they be forced to pay hundreds of dollars (not on your life) for the tokens?

3. How can you garentee that PB cannot and will not be hacked?

4. How can you garuntee that they will stay within the confines you give them?
Things happen like a certain company (ea) who in one billing cycle cleaned out an entire bank account of a customer...

I have yet to see where I should allow this Highly Intrussive software on my computer.

Dissable my anit-virus? disable my firewall?

Yes I am aware you use it for other EA games and other games use it too..
I do not play those games.
Yes I actually read licence agreements. I have never played nor will play a game that runs it nor will I have it downloaded on my computer.

Thank you for reading.

Windows, Norton, McAfee, and even UO (though in a very very basic way) already collect data about your system, including data stored, and send those reports out. It's part of how most of them work in some shape or form today, whether it's just making sure your copy of whatever is registered and legitimate or that your system is clean of virus threats and the like. Microsoft's Paladium is going to make it all a moot issue anyways. Quite frankly, I don't see PunkBuster coming close to being anything that could even be changed to gather sensitive information off your system. I'm sorry to say, but unless you're using Windows 3.11 and Netscape 3 on a dial-up connection with no firewall and no antivirus utilities running, information about your system is being sent upstream.

ICQ, TeamSpeak, Ventrilo, and all the rest are more of a potential threat...

It's not a threat. It's not even possible for it to be a threat, after looking at what it is...

Kimmy, I dont want to seem like a jerk, but where do you see how PB could be intrusive?

As stated above, you probably have various programs on your pc already that are much more of a threat; IE, ICQ, TS, AIM, MSMesenger, and the like...

If anything, PB can provide yuo with greater safety against attempted hacks...

This whole PB "Is the bringer to the end of mankind!!!" rubbish is getting so old so quick.

Seriously, where are your evidence of PB being evasive?.. Show me a report of it that can be substanciated.

Any for of Anti-Cheating software is GOING to take system information from your pc. End of story. However it is not sensitive information.

One must wonder what you have to hide if your so up in arms?

http://www.maztopia.org/2006/04/29/p...ivacy-invasion

You know being up in arms about an issue doesnt always reflect a cheater. Sometimes it is someone that has taken a character, developed a storyline, met other players, enjoyed their company for sometimes years and now have to make a decision of letting go or not. Let's face it, that can be a hard thing to come to terms with.

There is the very real probability that nothing invasive beyond searching for known cheat programs will occur with PB. There may be the smallest possibility that PB is exposed to a security breach or just an employee bored during his lunch break and up for a lil entertainment. Some weigh in that the smallest possibility takes precedent over the probability and that is their right. It is also their right to state why they have concerns. It does not make anyone a fanatic or bunkered down in terror. It is simply one person deciding for themself that it is not worth it.

I've stated already that I understand when I load programs or use the internet there is already the likelihood at least some information is put out there but it would never be done with my knowing consent. It would never be done with me saying to PB or anyone else that yes I agree, I think it is ok that you have access to all of my information. I don't care that they have no intention of doing so and have no interest in me as a person. I care that they word the TOS agreement in a way that is unacceptable. If you are not going to scan any other part of my files, if you dont intend to or need to then state that you will not and bring back a little reassurance to the loyal customers and players in UO.

I don't cheat. I don't use third party programs. Heck, I don't even use uoassist. I would have no problems with allowing access to my UO files. I do, however, have serious issues with something having access to everything on my computer. Sure, they say security hasn't been compromised. But there is always a first time.

Guess you better quit using the circle of transparency now too.

I am just very uncomfortable with this idea.