Archive for October, 2006
Security suites
There are a number of all-purpose security suites that combine a variety of functons. Some are better integrated than others and none has the best software in all categories. I do not personally use a suite but they are quite popular and PC Magazine gives the results of its tests on the leading offerings. Note [...]
Another list of all-time bad products
PC World had a go at listing the worst tech stuff of all time and now PC Magazine is giving it a try. What’s interesting is how little agreement there is between the two lists. Unless I overlooked something, Microsoft “Bob” seems to be the only common item. (Incidentally, I believe that Bill Gates’ wife [...]
How antivirus software affects system performance
CNET has done a study of the effect of various antivirus software programs on how fast a system can carry out certain common tasks. As is well known, antivirus programs slow down a computer and it is interesting to look at the CNET numbers. The article concludes:
For the first time in nearly two years, we [...]
Make Internet Explorer 7 safer
Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) has better defenses against malicious Web sites than its predecessor IE 6 but there are still some vulnerabilities, especially with regard to ActiveX. I have posted a page with some recommendations for configuring the so-called “Internet Security Zone” in IE 7. Increasing the security means that some Web pages [...]
Did Bill Gates really say that?
Most commentators are recommending at least 1 GB of RAM for Windows Vista, with 2 GB being needed for heavier applications. I can’t help thinking of the 1981 quote widely attributed to Bill Gates, “640K ought to be enough for anybody.” To be fair, I should point out that Gates denies that he ever said [...]
Which is better- Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2?
To answer the above question, CNET carried out a comparative study of the two browsers with a panel of three experts. They did a comparison in five different categories and picked Firefox 2 as the winner. Here’s the conclusion:
Firefox 2 still rules the browser roost for now, despite a much improved version of Internet Explorer. [...]
Backup programs
Everyone ought to back up regularly. Contrary to what many PC users seem to think, Windows System Restore does not make a complete backup. (More on System Restore is in this post.) A separate program is required and a good way is with imaging software that creates an image or copy of the entire system. [...]
Make your own Google
The customized search engine mentioned in the previous post is just one example of the possibilities with a new feature from Google. PC World editor Harry McCracken writes:
What if you could create your own version of Google, and do it almost instantly? Starting today, you can, sort of–thanks to Google Custom Search Engine, a new [...]
Search engine for Microsoft Office information
Using a newly released Google application, Office Watch has launched a search engine designed to find tips, help and information about Microsoft Office.
Reviews of Firefox 2
Firefox 2 (FF2) is out and the reviews are starting. At ZDNet, Robert Vamosi says:
The good: Firefox 2 adds built-in antiphishing protection, search engine suggestions, session restore, inline spell-checking, and Live Titles; the browser is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux; localized versions available in many different languages.
The bad: The Firefox 2 uninstall leaves behind [...]
Struggling with Norton antivirus
I have said before that I think Symantec has ruined the once-premier Norton products and the evidence supporting that opinion just keeps piling up. Over at the CNET blog, Rafe Needleman relates the story of his father’s struggle with the latest Norton antivirus in a piece called, “Today’s Norton antivirus: unusable by normal humans”.
If [...]