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Originally Posted by golfmad
(Post 23710678)
That's a bit of a daft analogy.
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Originally Posted by IMH
(Post 23710737)
I was also disappointed when I first took a little time to look at what was going on inside the KVS black box. That was back in 2011, when I was still a subscriber.
KVS got sufficiently rattled by criticism/questions from people who'd understood what was going on for some time (some of whom have contributed to this thread) to make a rather unwise move (from his point of view): he started a discussion on milepoint. The key points were summarised in this post.) The thread was quite enlightening until Randy Petersen stamped on it. What I felt then still applies: If you buy an iPhone from a stranger in a bar, or DVDs at a street stall far from home, you shouldn't be too surprised to discover that what you've purchased isn't fully above board. Similarly, people who download 'warez' software or trade passwords are aware of what they're doing. KVS is different, in that most users don't have a clue what's going on. So is ExpertFlyer any better, data-source-wise? |
Originally Posted by josephstern
(Post 23710848)
So is ExpertFlyer any better, data-source-wise?
But this isn't the thread for that so we should prepare for a slapping. |
Just a thought for KVS users:
Considering that the developer plays fast and loose with usernames and passwords, make sure that you don't have any legit info in your KVS. Go through and change all of the usernames and passwords to fake accounts that you make specifically for this purpose and that don't have any value. I'd hate to find that this company is logging in to people's BA accounts and booking tickets on customers' miles. One tip: I was having a hard time making a fake CX account. The key is, you don't want a Marco Polo account, just an Asia Miles account. The MP would cost $50, where AM is free. |
Originally Posted by josephstern
(Post 23711805)
Just a thought for KVS users:
I'd hate to find that this company is logging in to people's BA accounts and booking tickets on customers' miles. |
Originally Posted by golfmad
(Post 23711823)
Good grief. That's a bit of an over-reaction isn't it?
Do you typically give your usernames and passwords to unidentifiable third parties? |
It's a shame and a mess.
What happens when XXX (or whatever other university, institution or company you are using) finds out and shuts your username? We are supposed to jump around Google to find them and create more usernames? |
Originally Posted by josephstern
(Post 23712538)
Any reason not to do it?
Do you typically give your usernames and passwords to unidentifiable third parties? |
Originally Posted by Viajero Millero
(Post 23712575)
It's a shame and a mess.
What happens when XXX (or whatever other university, institution or company you are using) finds out and shuts your username? We are supposed to jump around Google to find them and create more usernames? |
Originally Posted by JIMCHI
(Post 23705771)
I wish everyone would stop complaining about how KVS gets it's data. It's none of my concern. It's between KVS and the data provider. If you have serious qualms about it, you always have the option of discontinuing use of KVS.
KVS is an extremely valuable tool for me that is not matched by any other service. EF is excellent but it is only minimally helpful with OneWorld award searches. I would hate to see KVS disappear. It is very possible that the 3rd party KVS users are piggybacking off of using KVS is being charged by GDS provider per query. If so, essentially KVS is enabling it’s donors to query data but leaving the 3rd party with the bill when this 3rd party had no knowledge of what is going on to begin with. This business model of KVS is very unethical and could very well be criminal.
Originally Posted by Xyzzy
(Post 23710519)
Nobody has said it isn't useful. What's really going on here is akin to someone scouring a city looking for unlocked doors and then selling the information on whose door was left unlocked and what is inside. Time and time again those who provide the data have shut their sources off to the 't:eek::eek:l' once they've found out what is going on. That doesn't happen when data sources are used legitimately. It happens when data sources are used without permission.
Exactly. Similar to unlock doors; another analogy is unsecured WiFi. KVS is telling you where to access an unsecured WiFi (FAU website). Just because it is not secured does not mean you have permission to do access it. BTW it looks like FAU already caught on. The Site ID/password key provided by KVS' link is no longer valid for account registration. Which shouldn't be a surprise. Let's say on average they get 20 new accounts from with fau.edu emails and and suddenly they get 200 new registrations from various email providers....someone will start taking a look at these new accounts. KVS should just stop marketing flight availability as this approach is not sustainable. When FAU shuts it down, which looks like it already did, what next? Redirecting donors to another 3rd party victim? |
Originally Posted by josephstern
(Post 23711805)
make sure that you don't have any legit info in your KVS. Go through and change all of the usernames and passwords to fake accounts that you make specifically for this purpose and that don't have any value.
Originally Posted by golfmad
(Post 23711823)
Good grief. That's a bit of an over-reaction isn't it?
Originally Posted by josephstern
(Post 23712538)
Any reason not to do it?
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Originally Posted by andymo99
(Post 23709563)
You are nearly the only one on this thread pretending that the events of the past week are anything short of a massive devaluation of your tool. This charade is a slap in the face to longtime subscribers, especially those (such as myself) who have been champions of your service in the past.
Nevertheless, we fully appreciate that many of our Members have found those Methods valuable and will continue to work toward finding a suitable replacement.
Originally Posted by andymo99
(Post 23709563)
Will you be honoring requests for prorated subscription refunds? (And will you be selecting this question as to one that merits a reply from you?!)
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50+ methods? That sounds like a heck of alot of scraping!
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Originally Posted by KVS
(Post 23713571)
These types of requests would be evaluated and handled on a case-by-case basis.
But that's my $.02 |
Originally Posted by United747
(Post 23713785)
I'm just a tad curious as to why it would be a "case-by-case" basis. We're all in the same boat. It's not like only some people lost two methods and some lost one. All subscribers lost them. To me, it seems like a simple yes or no.
But that's my $.02 |
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