Softonic.com
| Softonic.com | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Web address | en |
| Slogan | Enjoy software! |
| Commercial? | Yes |
|
Type of site
|
Shareware portal |
| Registration | Required |
| Available in | English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Polish, Dutch, Japanese, Bulgarian, Svenska and others |
| Owner | Tomás Diago |
| Created by | Tomás Diago |
| Launched | 1997 |
|
Alexa rank
|
 188 (April 2014[update])[1] |
| Current status | Online |
Softonic.com is a software download portal based in Barcelona, Spain, founded in 1997.[2] Since 2007, the portal has included a blog called OnSoftware.[3]
Contents
History[edit]
Softonic started in 1997 as a file-oriented service called Shareware Intercom,[4] at Intercom Online (Grupo Intercom), a provider of Internet services in Cerdanyola del Vallès, near Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). Originally files for the website came from the "Files Library Intercom BBS" at Intercom Online, using a "5-step semi-automated process", which was later greatly simplified.[5] The company also offered monthly CDs of its software library for users tired of "having to wait for downloads to complete or pay exorbitant phone bills."[6] In 1999, the service was described as having a "generosity of games, antivirus, education and the long, seductive etcetera."[7] In 2000, the company became independent under the name Softonic.[8] In 2004, Softonic was made available in German, and in 2005, English.[9] Initially the service was oriented only to downloads of DOS and Windows software,[10] but it evolved to offer software downloads for Mac and mobile platforms. Softonic was listed as the "Best place to work in Spain (100-250 employees)" in an annual study by the Great Place to Work Institute, in 2009-2011, and as second-best in 2008.[11][12] In 2009 and 2011, the site was listed as having the most unique visitor traffic in Spain by audit bureau OJD Interactiva.[13][14]
In February, 2015, Softonic announced that Scott Arpajian had been appointed as CEO of Softonic, replacing the founder, Tomás Diago. [15]
Downloads[edit]
Softonic offers the "Softonic Toolbar", a Windows-only 4MB web browser add-on for Firefox and Internet Explorer which provides company-specific content, online services, and streamed music.[16][not in citation given] For software hosted by Softonic, downloads can be accompanied by a customized "Softonic Downloader" which shows "commercial offers, such as the Softonic Toolbar."[17] According to Softonic, "some offers can include software that contains advertising".[18]
In 2013, the site was criticised for its downloads installing adware even if the user opted out of its installation.[19][20][unreliable source?]
References[edit]
- ^ "Softonic.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ^ Online - Most Visited Web Sites - NetCraft)
- ^ "About OnSoftware | OnSoftware". En.onsoftware.com. Retrieved 2010-08-04..
- ^ "Shareware". Intercom.es.
- ^ "Backstage" (in Spanish). Shareware.Intercom.es. Archived from the original on February 21, 1999. (English tr.).
- ^ "CDROMs Softonic". Softonic.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2000.
- ^ "Enredados (Tangled)" (in Spanish). Spain: El Tiempo. December 19, 1999.(English tr.)
- ^ "About Softonic". Softonic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
- ^ "About Softonic". Softonic.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2005.
- ^ "Shareware.intercom" (in Spanish). shareware.intercom.es. Archived from the original on December 24, 1997.
- ^ "Best Workplaces in Spain 2011". Great Place to Work. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ "Vodafone, Louis Vuitton y Softonic, entre las mejores empresas para trabajar en España". El Mundo (in Spanish). April 22, 2010.
- ^ "Auditoría Online - Certificación Audiencia - Difusión Medios Online". Archived from the original on 2009-06-15.
- ^ "MES: SEPTIEMBRE 2011 - TIPO DE DATO: TOTALES - TRÁFICO NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL". ojdinteractiva.es. (sort by "N.UNICOS", sort by "PAGINAS")
- ^ "Softonic Names Scott Arpajian New CEO"
- ^ "Softonic Toolbar". Softonic.com. March 24, 2010.
- ^ "Softonic Toolbar" download page. Softonic.com.
- ^ "Do InstallPlus offers include adware?". Support.Softonic.com. June 21, 2013.
- ^ "Another problematic Softonioc installer brings Adware".
- ^ "Softonic delivers adware".
External links[edit]
- Official website
- "Intercom, un proveedor diferente". iWorld, IDG.es.
