DisasterBar
FAQ
What is a toolbar? What is the DisasterBar? My favourite spyware-detection software tells me that Netdisaster's DisasterBar is a confirmed spyware!The toolbar doesn't work: the disaster happens over a white page instead of the target site I was just browsing.I've checked the Sound option and yet I get no sound; I've checked the Mouse Control option, and I get no mouse control. I've checked the Massive Destruction option, and disasters heal. Why is that?How do I unsinstall the toolbar?Can I temporarily hide / disable the toolbar?Does the toolbar spy after me? What is the privacy policy? Is there a version of the toolbar for browsers other than Internet Explorer, e.g. Firefox?After downloading the toolbar, I get an alert message stating that the application is not signed, the editor not authenticated, not identified...Why do I get 2 toolbars?I cannot see the whole toolbar...How do I upgrade the toolbar? Are there other languages available for the toolbar?I'd like to report a bug, or make a suggestion.
What is a toolbar? What is the DisasterBar?
A toolbar is a small piece of software that will be added to your browser, below the menu and address bar. The DisasterBar will allow you to use Netdisaster without going through Netdisaster.com home page. Namely, you'll have the ability to target any site with a disaster, any time while browsing.
My favourite spyware-detection software tells me that Netdisaster's DisasterBar is a confirmed spyware!
The DisasterBar is guaranteed spyware-free, adware-free. However, some Netdisaster users and some security-related sites suspect the DisasterBar of being / containing a spyware.
I personaly don't like / want / need spywares.
After investigating this issue, the reason turned out to be the following: I use a third-party, spyware-free piece of software to generate my DisasterBar. Some dishonest persons use the same piece of software to generate their toolbars, to which they add spywares / adwares. It doesn't mean that ALL toolbars generated via the same software (and therefore having the same signature) include spywares. But some spyware detection algorithms consider all toolbars generated with this tool as spywares, causing false positives in the detection process. For instance, it's as if the police found 3 blond persons guilty of theft, and decided that all blond persons are thieves.
So if you feel uncomfortable with this spyware detection issue, or if you don't trust Netdisaster, just DON'T DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE DISASTER BAR!
The toolbar doesn't work: the disaster happens over a white page instead of the target site I was just browsing.
The first time you use the toolbar to target a site, you might find that it doesn't work. Actually, it will work, but the toolbar has to be installed / displayed prior to browsing the site you want to target, namely:
1. install / display the toolbar
2. go to target site
3. click Go!
Apart from this issue, there is no reason why the toolbar should not work. Please feel free to advise me otherwise.
I've checked the Sound option and yet I get no sound; I've checked the Mouse Control option, and I get no mouse control. I've checked the Massive Destruction option, and disasters heal. Why is that?
OK, you're right, it doesn't seem very consistent. Actually, not all disasters have sound, nor do they all have mouse control or massive destruction ability. However, the DisasterBar just cannot hide the options unavailable for a certain disaster. Furthermore, you select the options prior to selecting+launching the disaster, which makes it clearly impossible for the toolbar to know which options are available or not for the disaster you are going to choose.
From this point of view, the DisasterBar doesn't work the same way as the site's toolbar - the latter being written in html / javascript. With the site's toolbar, you choose your disaster and options; the options are hidden or displayed, depending on their availability with the current disaster; then you launch the disaster.
Please note that I'm currently working at adding sound to all of the disasters - well at least most of them (I'm not sure I'd be able to find a snail sound...).
How do I unsinstall the toolbar?
You can uninstall the toolbar anytime by choosing Uninstall Toolbar from the main toolbar menu. You can also use Windows XP Control Panel feature:
1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
2. In the Currently installed programs box, search for Netdisaster, and then click Remove.
3. If you are prompted to confirm the removal of the program, click Yes.
Can I temporarily hide / disable the toolbar?
Yes. Please do as follows:
1. Right-click in the browser's toolbar area;
2. Choose "Netdisaster" from the list of installed toolbars;
3. If the item was checked, it will be unchecked, and the toolbar will be temporarily removed from the browser.
4. To get the DisasterBar back again, repeat the same steps.
Does the toolbar spy after me? What is the privacy policy?
No, the toolbar doesn't spy after you. Please read the privacy policy to learn more.
Is there a version of the toolbar for browsers other than Internet Explorer, e.g. Firefox?
There is no Firefox version for the time being. The reason for that is that, unfortunately, the software used to generate the toolbar cannot handle yet all features required by the DisasterBar. I will publish a Firefox version of the toolbar as soon as I am able.
After downloading the toolbar, I get an alert message stating that the application is not signed, the editor not authenticated, not identified...
Never mind, you'll still be able to install the toolbar anyway. Developers creating a program (such as the netdisaster.exe file) can pay and get an ID that identifies themselves and authenticates their work. If they don't, users get a warning message that is meant to advise them about the possible threats of the piece of software they are about to install.
Why do I get 2 toolbars?
When you use the toolbar to target a site, you are redirected to Netdisaster.com, to view your disaster. Since Netdisaster.com has its own toolbar, you find yourself with 2 toolbars at a time:
• your browser's toolbar;
• the site's toolbar.
The site's toolbar will disappear as soon as you leave Netdisaster.com. During the attacks, you can use either the site's toolbar, or the browser's toolbar. The browser's toolbar is ideal for the first attack, while the site's toolbar is more practical for further attacks.
I cannot see the whole toolbar...
If the DisasterBar is stuck in the same line as another toolbar, the browser window might be to narrow for the whole DisasterBar to show. In that case, do as follows:
1. Unlock the toolbars (right-click in the browser's toolbar area) if necessary;
2. Drag the DisasterBar to another place, above or below another toolbar;
3. Lock the toolbars again if you wish.
How do I upgrade the toolbar?
Most of the DisasterBar is build dynamically. This means that everytime you launch your browser, your DisasterBar will be automatically updated with the most recent menu items. However, some new features might require that you download and install a new version of the netdisaster.exe file.
To check if your toolbar is the latest version or not, select "About your toolbar" from the main toolbar menu. You will be redirected to a page stating your version, and the most recent version of the toolbar.
Are there any other languages available for the toolbar?
Unfortunately, no. The toolbar is currently available only in English.
I'd like to report a bug, or make a suggestion.
This way, please.
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