There has been much talk about all the crap that comes loaded with a new PC and why this needs to go. There are six types of crapware if this classification is to be believed :

Adware

Foistware

Spyware

Hijackware

DriveByDownloaders

Porn diallers

While nobody would want spyware and the like, I see a lot of positive upside in allowing Adware and Foistware to thrive. Here's why:

They help reduce the cost of the PC by letting PC manufacturers sell real estate. While users in developed countries might rather pay a few dollars more to avoid Adware, the same is not necessarily true in the retail PC market in a country like India. Here, PCs are a luxury for most people. Every dollar counts and the mass market would not mind a couple of popups in exchange for cash. In fact, reducing the cost of the PC/other entry devices is critical for the retail market in developing countries to explode. I forsee Adware getting into mobile phones in India big time soon. The mobile phone will be the next biggest shopping mall in the world and there can be no mall without ads!


AdWares that gather browsing/usage can also be used to reduce end user costs. In a web2.0 world, user demographics and information on online habits are very very valuable. Google and Microsoft often ask users if anonymous information can be sent to improve software. I think there needs to be a bill of rights that lets end users charge for providing this kind of information. 


Commerical software than piggybacks on free ware (foistware) should subsidize the cost of free ware and thereby help the consumer get more choice and better software. 


Ultimately, it is for the consumer to decide what he wants, but Adware is just not plain crap.