software reviews
Handy Recovery 3.0 review
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Network Magic Review
Network Magic will automatically setup your network, enable file sharing and make you printer available on every computer on the network.
Spy Sweeper review
Spy Sweeper is one of the programs that we have strongly recommended on this website, and despite the fact that a lot of well known sources claim it's a great program, we're going to review it too.
The Interface
The time comes to face Spy Sweeper's interface for the first time ...
XoftSpySE v4.31 review
Later edit: This software is NOT compatible with Windows Vista
Installation and First Run
As expected, you don't need to have an IQ over 200 to get this program running, and even if you have a slower connection, downloading less than 3MB of data shouldn't be too hard. Once you have the setup package on your hard drive, run it and the program will be installed in an instant.
When run for the first time, XsoftSpySE checks for updates and, if there are any available, starts downloading them. Of course that you can cancel this process and do it another time, but my advice is to keep all your security software up to date without any delays. The updates downloaded another 2MB of data, so after less than 10 minutes, I had this program ready to go. So let's move on and talk about the interface, shall we?
The Interface
Despite the fact that some programs from this category don't work as they should, most of them look great. XsoftSpySE is not exception to the rule, although I am sure they can make it look even better with a little work. Anyway, there's nothing that could give you a headache inside this program's interface, all you have to do is pick a task from the menu to the left of the main window and do what you need.
Features and Usage
After starting the program and updating it, the best thing to do is to scan your computer. As I expected, all I found was low threats, and to be more specific, I am talking about harmless cookies, so you don't have to worry if you see a lot of items found, because usually it's all cookies.
The General Settings area allows you to start the program with Windows, but since XsoftSpySE can't protect you against incoming threats, the only serious reason to do that is for scanning the system each time you start it up.
The Scan Settings area can be used to customize the scanning process, so that only browser hijackers, active processes and the registry or various folders are scanned.
Some additional goodies include Scheduling and the ability to create Ignore lists and backups. No need to say more about them, because their names say it all.
During its use, I never had special reliability problems, and the scanning speed is good, so I guess it's about time to draw the conclusions regarding XsoftSpySE, don't you think?
The Good
This program is easy to use, fast and looks good, and its database contains over 200,000 threats at this time!
The Bad
Unfortunately, there's no real time protection to be had with XsoftSpySE, and the free trial version can only seek and find spyware, but you'll have to buy the full version to destroy it.
Conclusion
XsoftSpySE can be a pretty helpful application, even when using the feature limited trial version. After all, if you scan your computer with this and all you can find is cookies, you can relax and start saving some money for the day you'll need to buy it...
Screenshots
Pidgin 2.0 Review
Pidgin 2.0 is a instant messaging software that allows you to talk to your friends using MSN, Yahoo Messenger, AIM, ICQ, IRC and others. Don't use 3 or 4 messaging programs, just use Pidgin!
Which instant messaging network are you using? Since Windows Vista has been on the market for a while, the software client compatibility is gone, but there's always something left - the freedom of choice. Obviously, it's your choice, but we're here to guide, and today's hint is called Pidgin.
Formerly known as Gaim, Pidgin's last release is labeled "2.0" and, before anything else, you should know that it works perfectly with Windows Vista. As you can see in one of the screenshots below, the list of networks supported includes AIM, ICQ, IRC, MSN and Yahoo, as well as Jabber/XMPP. This sounds good, but... why would you use Pidgin, after all?
Why use Pidgin?
Think about the following situation - you have important contacts that use different networks, and you have to be in touch with them all the time. Despite the fact that you may not have problems with the amount of system resources required to use 6 or 7 messaging programs, switching between them can lead to a full scale windows mayhem on your screen! By using Pidgin, you can have all your contacts available inside a single program, and that's the best reason I can give you .
Limitations
Since this is not a tutorial, what you should know is that Pidgin has some limitations, , like most similar programs, and while Trillian 3 can't transfer files with contacts using YM 7 or 8, Pidgin can, but unfortunately only with those using YM 7. Also, there's no video and audio chat possible at this time, but there are plugins, so maybe we'll have them in the near future, who knows? After all, it depends on how much users are going to consider switching to it.
A really funny part is that while you have your contact groups from Yahoo or MSN preserved, you can't send mass messages to them. The interesting part is that you can organize contacts into trees, simply using drag and drop. For example, if you have a contact called "mum", you can drag "brother" and "sister" to it, so all of them will receive your messages at once. Pretty strange, isn't it? Well, who needs mass messages, after all?
Other features
Feel that something's not right with what you want to write? No problem! Pidgin comes with a built in spellchecker, so you won't do any typos from now on when talking to your boss!
Leaving the audio and video chat aside, I must repeat that it's excellent to have all of you contacts in one place, without having to think "that guy uses MSN, my friends use ICQ, and all my family won't even use anything else than YM". Also small things like the new cool sounds (every time I use a new messaging program, I disable the sounds after the first two or three notifications, but this time, I really enjoyed them for a while!) or different status messages for each account are going to increase the pleasure of using Pidgin.
But... wait! There's more! Of course there's more, so get Pidgin 2.0 right away, start using it, and share your experience with us. As usual, it's going to be our pleasure to help, but until then, let's draw the conclusions, shall we?
The Good
Pidgin is much better than Gaim, and everything is great - system resources load is light, it looks good, doesn't crash and it can be improved by adding plugins. Oh, did we mention that this is open-source software? We did now!
The Bad
I don't know how hard would be to add audio and video chat capabilities, because I am not a programmer, but I hope to see these included in the future. Anyway, the thing to be done as soon as possible is the compatibility with YM 8 for file transfers!
Conclusion
I used Gaim a few times, but it wasn't quite there. Now, Pidgin made me forget about Trillian. This is it, there's nothing else to say for now than "start using Pidgin now"!
Regcure 1.3 Review
RegCure scans your computer, reports and fixes critical erros and tweaks your pc for better performance.
Vista Start Menu review
Tired of the default start menu? If you're using Windows Vista, then you should agree that the start menu looks great, but it's also harder to use than before, so we found a replacement for you! Its name is Vista Start Menu, and despite its name, this program also runs perfectly on Windows NT, 2000, 2003 and, of course, XP.
Vista Start Menu has only 1MB in size, and you can use it freely for as long as you want. The extended version can be purchased for 19.99$, and you also get a 30 day money back guarantee, so there's no risk, but... what do you get for your money?
Paid Version:
The extra features include a handy one-click launch mode for every program, menu customization and quick uninstall for every program on your computer, right from the start menu. Obviously, buying this program won't make its creators filthy rich, but support them for developing future versions...
Free Version:
The free version also comes with a pack of features worth being mentioned, such as:
- flexible zoom (zooming in and out independently, without changing the system settings)
- the ability to resize the Vista Start Menu just like any other window so all programs can be seen on the screen at the same time
- excellent keyboard shortcuts and command line support
- integrated Internet/local search bars
Vista Start Menu can improve your Windows Vista environment and it's going to take your Windows XP/2000/2003 experience to a completely new level ( if you are one of those that decided not to make the big move to Vista yet ) The system load is minimal, and using this program is as easy as possible.
The Bad
While this program can be really useful to a category of computer users, most experts simply don't need it, because there are other easy ways to access your programs, like adding shortcuts to your file manager's toolbar.
Conclusion
Vista Start Menu is an interesting choice for most average Windows users today, no matter if they use Vista or not. As we said, the extended commercial version of this program can make things even easier for you, so the price will be rewarded by the time gained while using this small and handy tool.
Screenshots:
Firefox Review
Are you still using Internet Explorer? If the answer is affirmative, then you should already know it's time for a change. Obviously, you shouldn't move on to a new browser just because I say so, but because there's something better to get