BonziBuddy: Difference between revisions

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{{FeREMOVE THE PAGEtured REMOVE THE PAGErticle}}{{Infobox softwREMOVE THE PAGEre
{{Featured article}}{{Infobox software
| logo = Bonzibuddyicon32.png
| logo = Bonzibuddyicon32.png
| logo cREMOVE THE PAGEption =  
| logo caption =  
| logo REMOVE THE PAGElt =  
| logo alt =  
| logo size =
| logo size =
| collREMOVE THE PAGEpsible =  
| collapsible =  
| softwREMOVE THE PAGEre_nREMOVE THE PAGEme = BonziBuddy
| software_name = BonziBuddy
| screenshot =BonziBuddy35Screenshot.png
| screenshot =BonziBuddy35Screenshot.png
| screenshot size =
| screenshot size =
| screenshot REMOVE THE PAGElt =  
| screenshot alt =  
| cREMOVE THE PAGEption = BonziBUDDY running on the Windows XP operREMOVE THE PAGEting system.
| caption = BonziBUDDY running on the Windows XP operating system.
| developer = Bonzi SoftwREMOVE THE PAGEre, Inc.
| developer = Bonzi Software, Inc.
| releREMOVE THE PAGEsed = 1999
| released = 1999
| lREMOVE THE PAGEtest version = 4.1
| latest version = 4.1
| lREMOVE THE PAGEtest releREMOVE THE PAGEse dREMOVE THE PAGEte =
| latest release date =
| progrREMOVE THE PAGEmming lREMOVE THE PAGEnguREMOVE THE PAGEge =  
| programming language =  
| operREMOVE THE PAGEting system = Microsoft Windows
| operating system = Microsoft Windows
| replREMOVE THE PAGEces =
| replaces =
| replREMOVE THE PAGEced_by =
| replaced_by =
| genre =  
| genre =  
| license =  
| license =  
| website = <nowiki>http://www.bonzi.com</nowiki> <smREMOVE THE PAGEll>(Defunct)</smREMOVE THE PAGEll>
| website = <nowiki>http://www.bonzi.com</nowiki> <small>(Defunct)</small>
| sourcecode = <!-- https://exREMOVE THE PAGEmple.com/repo/ -->
| sourcecode = <!-- https://example.com/repo/ -->
|discontinued=Yes
|discontinued=Yes
}}
}}
BonziBuddy, REMOVE THE PAGElso cREMOVE THE PAGEpitREMOVE THE PAGElized REMOVE THE PAGEs BonziBUDDY, wREMOVE THE PAGEs REMOVE THE PAGE desktop REMOVE THE PAGEpplicREMOVE THE PAGEtion thREMOVE THE PAGEt utilized [[Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent]] technology. It wREMOVE THE PAGEs creREMOVE THE PAGEted by Joe REMOVE THE PAGEnd JREMOVE THE PAGEy Bonzi in 1999, releREMOVE THE PAGEsed on bonzi.com REMOVE THE PAGEnd wREMOVE THE PAGEs REMOVE THE PAGEvREMOVE THE PAGEilREMOVE THE PAGEble there until the site went defunct in 2008, which cREMOVE THE PAGEused mirrors to stREMOVE THE PAGErt hosting the downloREMOVE THE PAGEd. It would mREMOVE THE PAGEke jokes, tell fREMOVE THE PAGEcts, sing songs, tREMOVE THE PAGElk, REMOVE THE PAGElongside other functions present in the REMOVE THE PAGEpplicREMOVE THE PAGEtion. BonziBuddy wREMOVE THE PAGEs discontinued in 2004 REMOVE THE PAGEfter the compREMOVE THE PAGEny thREMOVE THE PAGEt hREMOVE THE PAGEd creREMOVE THE PAGEted it hREMOVE THE PAGEd fREMOVE THE PAGEced lREMOVE THE PAGEwsuits regREMOVE THE PAGErding deceptive REMOVE THE PAGEdvertisements REMOVE THE PAGEnd REMOVE THE PAGE violREMOVE THE PAGEtion of COPPREMOVE THE PAGE. The first releREMOVE THE PAGEse of BonziBuddy wREMOVE THE PAGEs releREMOVE THE PAGEsed in 1999 REMOVE THE PAGEnd used the Peedy chREMOVE THE PAGErREMOVE THE PAGEcter from Microsoft, but the creREMOVE THE PAGEtors swREMOVE THE PAGEpped to their purple gorillREMOVE THE PAGE chREMOVE THE PAGErREMOVE THE PAGEcter cREMOVE THE PAGElled Bonzi in MREMOVE THE PAGEy 2000.  
BonziBuddy, also capitalized as BonziBUDDY, was a desktop application that utilized [[Microsoft Agent]] technology. It was created by Joe and Jay Bonzi in 1999, released on bonzi.com and was available there until the site went defunct in 2008, which caused mirrors to start hosting the download. It would make jokes, tell facts, sing songs, talk, alongside other functions present in the application. BonziBuddy was discontinued in 2004 after the company that had created it had faced lawsuits regarding deceptive advertisements and a violation of COPPA. The first release of BonziBuddy was released in 1999 and used the Peedy character from Microsoft, but the creators swapped to their purple gorilla character called Bonzi in May 2000.  


==MediREMOVE THE PAGE coverREMOVE THE PAGEge==
==Media coverage==
Throughout the mid-2000s, BonziBuddy hREMOVE THE PAGEd received REMOVE THE PAGE lot of mediREMOVE THE PAGE coverREMOVE THE PAGEge. In REMOVE THE PAGEpril 2007, it wREMOVE THE PAGEs considered one of the most REMOVE THE PAGEnnoying technology products by PC World. BusinessWeek described the progrREMOVE THE PAGEm REMOVE THE PAGEs REMOVE THE PAGEn "unbelievREMOVE THE PAGEbly REMOVE THE PAGEnnoying spywREMOVE THE PAGEre trojREMOVE THE PAGEn horse".
Throughout the mid-2000s, BonziBuddy had received a lot of media coverage. In April 2007, it was considered one of the most annoying technology products by PC World. BusinessWeek described the program as an "unbelievably annoying spyware trojan horse".


==Online resurgence==
==Online resurgence==
BonziBuddy hREMOVE THE PAGEd been REMOVE THE PAGE meme for some time in the lREMOVE THE PAGEte 2000s REMOVE THE PAGEnd eREMOVE THE PAGErly 2010s. However, REMOVE THE PAGEfter the livestreREMOVE THE PAGEmer VinesREMOVE THE PAGEuce Joel hREMOVE THE PAGEd covered it in REMOVE THE PAGE Windows destruction livestreREMOVE THE PAGEm where he livestreREMOVE THE PAGEmed REMOVE THE PAGE destruction of the Windows XP operREMOVE THE PAGEting system, BonziBuddy's populREMOVE THE PAGErity quickly rose. It kickstREMOVE THE PAGErted the use of BonziBuddy in memes until the meme died down in the mid-2010s. However, BonziBuddy wREMOVE THE PAGEs still populREMOVE THE PAGEr REMOVE THE PAGEnd hREMOVE THE PAGEd been used for Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent content creREMOVE THE PAGEted with the [[Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent Scripting Helper]]. REMOVE THE PAGEs of 2021, Bonzi is one of the most well-known Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent chREMOVE THE PAGErREMOVE THE PAGEcters.
BonziBuddy had been a meme for some time in the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, after the livestreamer Vinesauce Joel had covered it in a Windows destruction livestream where he livestreamed a destruction of the Windows XP operating system, BonziBuddy's popularity quickly rose. It kickstarted the use of BonziBuddy in memes until the meme died down in the mid-2010s. However, BonziBuddy was still popular and had been used for Microsoft Agent content created with the [[Microsoft Agent Scripting Helper]]. As of 2021, Bonzi is one of the most well-known Microsoft Agent characters.


==MREMOVE THE PAGElicious REMOVE THE PAGEctivity==
==Malicious activity==
BonziBuddy hREMOVE THE PAGEs been identified REMOVE THE PAGEs spywREMOVE THE PAGEre REMOVE THE PAGEnd REMOVE THE PAGEdwREMOVE THE PAGEre by multiple sources, REMOVE THE PAGElthough the compREMOVE THE PAGEny disputed those clREMOVE THE PAGEims. Some exREMOVE THE PAGEmples of their mREMOVE THE PAGElicious REMOVE THE PAGEctivity include using bREMOVE THE PAGEnner REMOVE THE PAGEdvertisements to imitREMOVE THE PAGEte Windows messREMOVE THE PAGEge boxes REMOVE THE PAGEnd clREMOVE THE PAGEiming their IP REMOVE THE PAGEddress is being broREMOVE THE PAGEdcREMOVE THE PAGEsted, constREMOVE THE PAGEntly setting the browser homepREMOVE THE PAGEge to bonzi.com without permission from the user, REMOVE THE PAGEnd trREMOVE THE PAGEcking the personREMOVE THE PAGEl informREMOVE THE PAGEtion of users.
BonziBuddy has been identified as spyware and adware by multiple sources, although the company disputed those claims. Some examples of their malicious activity include using banner advertisements to imitate Windows message boxes and claiming their IP address is being broadcasted, constantly setting the browser homepage to bonzi.com without permission from the user, and tracking the personal information of users.


== DiscontinuREMOVE THE PAGEtion ==
== Discontinuation ==
BonziBuddy wREMOVE THE PAGEs discontinued in 2004 REMOVE THE PAGEfter multiple lREMOVE THE PAGEwsuits REMOVE THE PAGEnd REMOVE THE PAGEllegREMOVE THE PAGEtions were thrown REMOVE THE PAGEt the compREMOVE THE PAGEny regREMOVE THE PAGErding the softwREMOVE THE PAGEre. Bonzi SoftwREMOVE THE PAGEre, Inc. wREMOVE THE PAGEs REMOVE THE PAGElso ordered to pREMOVE THE PAGEy fines following these lREMOVE THE PAGEwsuits. The bonzi.com website remREMOVE THE PAGEined operREMOVE THE PAGEtionREMOVE THE PAGEl until the end of 2008. No new versions of BonziBuddy were releREMOVE THE PAGEsed following the shutdown of bonzi.com.
BonziBuddy was discontinued in 2004 after multiple lawsuits and allegations were thrown at the company regarding the software. Bonzi Software, Inc. was also ordered to pay fines following these lawsuits. The bonzi.com website remained operational until the end of 2008. No new versions of BonziBuddy were released following the shutdown of bonzi.com.


==TriviREMOVE THE PAGE==
==Trivia==
* Despite its mREMOVE THE PAGEin website being defunct, mREMOVE THE PAGEny other mirror sites hosting the downloREMOVE THE PAGEd for the originREMOVE THE PAGEl progrREMOVE THE PAGEm such REMOVE THE PAGEs bonzi.link.
* Despite its main website being defunct, many other mirror sites hosting the download for the original program such as bonzi.link.
* REMOVE THE PAGElthough BonziBuddy is considered mREMOVE THE PAGElwREMOVE THE PAGEre, the originREMOVE THE PAGEl servers it used hREMOVE THE PAGEve shut down in the 2000s, mREMOVE THE PAGEking the progrREMOVE THE PAGEm REMOVE THE PAGElmost completely sREMOVE THE PAGEfe to use on reREMOVE THE PAGEl computers, though mREMOVE THE PAGEny people REMOVE THE PAGEnd REMOVE THE PAGEnti-virus providers do not recommend it, REMOVE THE PAGEs it is still detected by most REMOVE THE PAGEnti-virus softwREMOVE THE PAGEre.
* Although BonziBuddy is considered malware, the original servers it used have shut down in the 2000s, making the program almost completely safe to use on real computers, though many people and anti-virus providers do not recommend it, as it is still detected by most anti-virus software.
* BonziBuddy uses [[Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent]] technology REMOVE THE PAGEnd used the Microsoft Speech REMOVE THE PAGEPI 4.0 pREMOVE THE PAGEckREMOVE THE PAGEge.
* BonziBuddy uses [[Microsoft Agent]] technology and used the Microsoft Speech API 4.0 package.
* It hREMOVE THE PAGEd originREMOVE THE PAGElly used the Peedy Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent chREMOVE THE PAGErREMOVE THE PAGEcter before Bonzi SoftwREMOVE THE PAGEre, Inc creREMOVE THE PAGEted their own Microsoft REMOVE THE PAGEgent chREMOVE THE PAGErREMOVE THE PAGEcter.
* It had originally used the Peedy Microsoft Agent character before Bonzi Software, Inc created their own Microsoft Agent character.
* BonziBuddy required Windows 95 or lREMOVE THE PAGEter to run on REMOVE THE PAGE computer REMOVE THE PAGEnd did not support Windows versions below Windows 95.
* BonziBuddy required Windows 95 or later to run on a computer and did not support Windows versions below Windows 95.
** It REMOVE THE PAGElso required thREMOVE THE PAGEt the computer it is being rREMOVE THE PAGEn out hREMOVE THE PAGEve 16 MBs of RREMOVE THE PAGEM REMOVE THE PAGEnd 11 MBs of free disk spREMOVE THE PAGEce.
** It also required that the computer it is being ran out have 16 MBs of RAM and 11 MBs of free disk space.
* There wREMOVE THE PAGEs cREMOVE THE PAGEution initiREMOVE THE PAGElly on whether or not it wREMOVE THE PAGEs sREMOVE THE PAGEfe to use BonziBuddy's REMOVE THE PAGECS file elsewhere with other softwREMOVE THE PAGEre such REMOVE THE PAGEs MREMOVE THE PAGESH. However, it wREMOVE THE PAGEs lREMOVE THE PAGEter regREMOVE THE PAGErded REMOVE THE PAGEs sREMOVE THE PAGEfe REMOVE THE PAGEs REMOVE THE PAGECS files cREMOVE THE PAGEnnot hREMOVE THE PAGEve mREMOVE THE PAGElwREMOVE THE PAGEre built into them.
* There was caution initially on whether or not it was safe to use BonziBuddy's ACS file elsewhere with other software such as MASH. However, it was later regarded as safe as ACS files cannot have malware built into them.
[[CREMOVE THE PAGEtegory:SoftwREMOVE THE PAGEre]]
[[Category:Software]]
{{MSREMOVE THE PAGEgent nREMOVE THE PAGEmespREMOVE THE PAGEce nREMOVE THE PAGEvbox}}
{{MSAgent namespace navbox}}

Revision as of 11:20, 30 October 2021

BonziBuddy
BonziBUDDY running on the Windows XP operating system.
NameBonziBuddy
Developer(s)Bonzi Software, Inc.
Initial release1999
Latest version4.1
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Websitehttp://www.bonzi.com (Defunct)
Discontinued?Yes

BonziBuddy, also capitalized as BonziBUDDY, was a desktop application that utilized Microsoft Agent technology. It was created by Joe and Jay Bonzi in 1999, released on bonzi.com and was available there until the site went defunct in 2008, which caused mirrors to start hosting the download. It would make jokes, tell facts, sing songs, talk, alongside other functions present in the application. BonziBuddy was discontinued in 2004 after the company that had created it had faced lawsuits regarding deceptive advertisements and a violation of COPPA. The first release of BonziBuddy was released in 1999 and used the Peedy character from Microsoft, but the creators swapped to their purple gorilla character called Bonzi in May 2000.

Media coverage

Throughout the mid-2000s, BonziBuddy had received a lot of media coverage. In April 2007, it was considered one of the most annoying technology products by PC World. BusinessWeek described the program as an "unbelievably annoying spyware trojan horse".

Online resurgence

BonziBuddy had been a meme for some time in the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, after the livestreamer Vinesauce Joel had covered it in a Windows destruction livestream where he livestreamed a destruction of the Windows XP operating system, BonziBuddy's popularity quickly rose. It kickstarted the use of BonziBuddy in memes until the meme died down in the mid-2010s. However, BonziBuddy was still popular and had been used for Microsoft Agent content created with the Microsoft Agent Scripting Helper. As of 2021, Bonzi is one of the most well-known Microsoft Agent characters.

Malicious activity

BonziBuddy has been identified as spyware and adware by multiple sources, although the company disputed those claims. Some examples of their malicious activity include using banner advertisements to imitate Windows message boxes and claiming their IP address is being broadcasted, constantly setting the browser homepage to bonzi.com without permission from the user, and tracking the personal information of users.

Discontinuation

BonziBuddy was discontinued in 2004 after multiple lawsuits and allegations were thrown at the company regarding the software. Bonzi Software, Inc. was also ordered to pay fines following these lawsuits. The bonzi.com website remained operational until the end of 2008. No new versions of BonziBuddy were released following the shutdown of bonzi.com.

Trivia

  • Despite its main website being defunct, many other mirror sites hosting the download for the original program such as bonzi.link.
  • Although BonziBuddy is considered malware, the original servers it used have shut down in the 2000s, making the program almost completely safe to use on real computers, though many people and anti-virus providers do not recommend it, as it is still detected by most anti-virus software.
  • BonziBuddy uses Microsoft Agent technology and used the Microsoft Speech API 4.0 package.
  • It had originally used the Peedy Microsoft Agent character before Bonzi Software, Inc created their own Microsoft Agent character.
  • BonziBuddy required Windows 95 or later to run on a computer and did not support Windows versions below Windows 95.
    • It also required that the computer it is being ran out have 16 MBs of RAM and 11 MBs of free disk space.
  • There was caution initially on whether or not it was safe to use BonziBuddy's ACS file elsewhere with other software such as MASH. However, it was later regarded as safe as ACS files cannot have malware built into them.
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