3 comments about SMITH MICRO CheckIt NetOptimizer ( Windows ).

1. In the world of fast connections, this product claims to maximize the speed of dial-up's and fails miserably. In fact it does not seems to do anything. There was no improvement to the dial speed and also change the settings did not seem to improve anything. I do not recommend this product to anyone. Also this product could have included a firewall along with its main product and it lacks this feature.



2. I was skeptical at first when I saw this program for 2 reasons: 1) the ~1995 SoftRAM fiasco [in short: SoftRAM did not work as advertised, in fact it did not work at all], and 2) the potential for privacy invasion from "free" Internet accelerators.

   As it turns out, Netoptimizer does not cache your web pages, etc. IMO, it has 2 specific purposes: 1) fine tune your network settings, and 2) help you troubleshoot modem/connection related problems. I have a dial-up Internet connection, and Netoptimizer pointed out some bottlenecks I was not previously aware of.

   First the cons which, as you will soon notice, are minor: 1) fine-tuning takes quite a bit of time [took me about 20 minutes for the thorough fine-tuning], 2) does not directly work with AOL[6]/Compuserve[6]/etc [though a work around exists for AOL and Compuserve], and 3) does not support Windows XP.

   I thought I was downloading pretty fast by connecting at an average speed of 51k, I was wrong. The k/s indicated by the initial Netoptimizer benchmark showed that my download rate was the same as a 28.8k modem! This despite having the US Robotics 56k Performance Pro Modem [best modem around IMO], a high quality phone cable, a large network packet size in dial-up networking settings, and a very efficient ISP. After fine-tuning, which Netoptimizer does unsupervised, I gained a 40% speed increase!

   I ran into a problem a couple days later, my connection speed suddenly dropped to an average of 35k. This is where Netoptimizer's troubleshooting kicks in. I looked through the extensive list of modem/connection problems and found out that using the external port of the modem can slow down your connection speed. Without Netoptimizer, I would have thought it was a hardware or Windows issue and may never have bothered to solve the problem. I removed the device attached to the external port, and my connection speed went back up again!

   As far as Windows XP is concerned, I will upgrade to the latest version of Netoptimizer without hesitation as soon as WinXP is supported.

   Don't let this gem slip through your fingers!




3. I found that this package did little to enhance my connections. I am using a dial up service and my tranfer speed (according to the software) was increased by 2%. (Really, I am not exagerating.) All the software really does is change the packet size of your connections plus a few other settings with which dial up is to slow to make a difference. Namely, you can change the number of hops a packet goes through before reaching your system. Sure, fewer hops are better, but usually one doesn't have a choice of the path a packet will take. If you are waiting 10 minutes for a perfect path with 2 hops, doesn't that defeat the purpose?

   In testing this with my friend's cable modem and DSL at my work, I saw a larger increase. Changing the packet size for a dial up connection is worthless. Imagine and ant 200% larger, it still won't be all that big. (And this package will not give you results anywhere near 200%) I wouldn't recommend this to anyone using dial up.

   Broadband users, however, you may want to consider it. I would test your thru-put before purchasing this product just to see if you really need it. If you are substantilly below where you think you ought to be, give it a try. If you are within 2 or 3kbs (Remember, broadband only) you may jsut want to save your money.

   It also has settings specifically for Token Ring networks. Nice, I suppose, but as an administrator, I wouldn't want to hassel with running this on a bunch of clients so that folks can check the weather or so some sophmoric type can goof with the workings of a LAN. But hey, got a T1 at home and a token ring setup, this is the package for you!
   Over all, this is just one more gadget that does kinda does what it says. Sure, you can get the advertised results IF you meet the criteria where this package will really help. But for the vast majority of us, save you money and get something really worth your time, like taxes!

1 comments about Computrace LoJack for Laptops: 2 Year Subscription.

1. YEAH, it really does work, we purchased this for our company of over 3,500 laptops and it reduced our loss rate from almost 100 notebooks a year to less than 10.
   
   We've dissected this software and know how it works, but we aren't going to detail the guts in a public forum to help thieves disable it. Instead, we're going to assure you this stuff is hard to remove and most laptop thieves don't know this technology exists, or what to look for -until the police comes to arrest them.
   
   This is essentially a piece of "spyware" because it is resident system agent that runs with the OS but will also embed itself into the MBR and the BIOS on some systems. Check with Absolute software to verify if your model number has BIOS support.
   
   It will contact a monitoring center on a daily basis by modem, LAN or even cellular, whatever network connection to the Internet you have, this software will connect to the monitoring center with a basic "hello" packet so the source IP address is recorded. The modem uses a 1-800 number and caller ID can't be blocked from toll free numbers because the US Supreme Court ruled years ago their right to billing supersedes your right to privacy and since the owner of a toll free number is paying the toll,,, voila they get your phone number.
   
   Scenario:
   
   Your computer is stolen, you alert Absolute Software and the next time the Computrace agent notifies the monitoring center it is flagged and will also configure the agent to go "hyper alert" and send hello packets frequently. Absolute then works with law enforcement agencies to help direct them based on source IP or caller ID where to recover your stolen laptop.
   
   Law enforcement agencies are receptive to this assistance because people who steal laptops often steal other items so the cops recover alot of other stolen goods with the help of Absolute Software.
   
   Special note, this software works even if the system isn't fully booted, if the computer is just left at the logon screen, it still works, if the computer is syskeyed and requires a startup password or bootdisk,,, IT STILL SENDS THE HELLO PACKETS.
   
   All the systems can be managed from a web interface at lojackforlaptops website.
   
   IF YOU SELL THE LAPTOP, YOU CAN TRANSFER THE LICENSE TO ANY OTHER COMPUTER AS OFTEN YOU'D LIKE.
   
   Technical support is excellent, we reached support engineers by phone in Canada and they can work the fluent sys engi or end user.
   
   If you have just one, or 10,000 laptops, this is a worthy investment, you can insure your laptop, but isn't your data priceless ?

No comments about E-Commerce Construction Kit Deluxe.

5 comments about System Mechanic 3.

1. The internet optimization feature was helpful, as was the registry tool, but most other settings aren't that much of a help. I consider myself a power user (I'm a programmer), and there are much better tools than this one...

   No harm was done when using it and it's working ok, that's why I'm giving 4 stars. If only the authors included more functionality, it'd have the potential for being a great utility.




2. I purchased this product and used it for some time. I then used the Registry tool and the next day I found out that my windows xp operating system was messed up. Microsoft Picture and Fax Viewer got messed up and my computer was missing some files. I do not recomment this product. Use Norton Systemworks instead.



3. I have an XP system. I can stand by the product. It works. From clenaing the internet clutter , to increasing the Internet speed, to removing junl obselete files. It did not corrupt anything on my machine..like so many programs of this type do. The best part is the windows startup manager. It really speeds up the computer if you can lookinto it and stop unwanted progarms from running.
   Very good software worth buying .



4. This is bad software! I lost most all of my programs and files using this trash on my DeskPro running Windows 98. I had run it several times before; however, the last time it ran uncontrolled until I noticed a runaway situation. By the time I hit cancel, which did not work, it had wiped out about 80% of my programs and files. Avoid this trash product!



5. I have Windows ME and using this product has caused constant problems on my system. Functions you take for granted on your computer wil start to disappear! I only bought it because Amazon was practically giving it away with a rebate, now I see why. This mechanic is bad news!

No comments about Ce Secure Vault Edition Soft for Pc.

No comments about Jewels of the Oracle.

5 comments about Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional Upgrade.

1. At my business we are required to scan things to PDF documents to send to our clients. I love the PDF format. It is a great way to easily condense documents into small file sizes while still maintaining quality. It's unfortunate that I haven't found a way to create PDF without going through Adobe first. As the IT guy in our office, Acrobat problems is the biggest thing I get called about. This is the most bloated invasive software I have ever used, even more so than some spyware I've seen. It installs itself EVERYWHERE.
   
   I have an Acrobat icon in Microsoft Word, which seems convenient for converting documents from Word to PDF, but it places the toolbar below all the other toolbars, when it only contains three buttons, taking up valuable screen space. It took me hours to find a way to remove it because it kept coming back when I would try to disable it manually. Acrobat will install toolbars everywhere that are difficult to remove, it will add "convenient" convert to pdf options on all your right click boxes, it will reside itself in your system memory and keep itself always on, it will add itself to your quick tray icons, and then it will come to your house, eat your food, and hit on your wife.
   
   Acrobat created problems on our computers that could only be resolved by reinstalling Acrobat. That is fine I guess, however uninstalling Acrobat does not completely remove it. I used their uninstall program, and still found over 100 instances of Acrobat left in my system registry. Acrobat still had a program left in my memory that was causing problems after I uninstalled it. This program installed over 300 keys in my system registry! Lastly, this program constantly has trouble detecting our scanners. We use Acrobat to scan on over 15 computers and we constantly have to unplug our scanners and have plug and plug reinstall them so Acrobat can find them.
   
   I love PDF documents, and their "Print to PDF" feature is very useful for converting things to PDF, but as a whole, the Acrobat software is the worst software I've ever used from a large company, and I eagerly await the day when another company makes an easier to use PDF program that can be used for scanning.



2. Either use version 7.0 or 5.0 --- maybe version 8.0 will return to the unobtrusive, easy-to-use roots of version 5.
   
   This version has major bugs, is really slow, is constantly asking to download and install unrelated software, and adds no useful features (that I've found, anyway).



3. I have used this personally so purchased it for the office. (Someone in the office had purchased the 7.0 Professional Upgrade--but I had nothing to upgrade. By the time I got around to purchasing Standard, I could not find either 6.0 or 7.0 Standard anywhere, except at Amazon.com.) Upon receipt, it was exactly what I had purchased and the price could not be beat.



4. There are other (low budget) products that can make PDF files, but nothing beats the real thing. I've now moved on to version 8, but any version is good.



5. I am not a business user... been wanting this program for years, but couldn't justify the expense. Finally saw the price on E-bay drop drastically, so I took the plunge. Program loaded in a snap. To date, I have used .Outlook, Web, and Word as source to create about 300 PDF documents. All has gone seamlessly. Never having had previous versions, I do not notice any lag or other problems others have noted. All in all, I am highly impressed. Now, to read that used book I got on the program to see what other neat things I can do.
   
   Any comments on whether it is advisable to upgrade to current version (and why) would be greatly appreciated.
   
   All the best,
   
   Jay

5 comments about Macromedia Contribute 3.0 Win/Mac.

1. This program worked fine for several dozen megabytes then currupt files in preferences brought the whole edifice down, wasting weeks of work. Error reports and diagnostic screens are poor and illogical. Support is coy and irratic. There are many Beta releases with fewer problems.



2. I have a hard time recommending or discouraging buying Contribute without explaining what it is both good and bad at.
   
   To start with, this is NOT a program for building web pages from scratch. If you need to truly build a web page, use Dreamweaver MX. On the other hand, if you want to maintain a pre-built site or make a site out of the many professionally designed templates provided, Contribute is an excellent tool.
   
   I purchased Contribute when I was contracted by a local company to build a web page and give them the ability to perform daily updates without deep technical skills. I had originally planned to build and deploy the site with Contribute to ensure that the owners of the site would have no difficulties in the future. I quickly ran into the many limitations of Contribute.
   
   First off, the actual HTML is completely hidden. There is no way to directly edit the code from within Contribute. You can use an external editor but there is no way to see your changes live without going though a save, exit external editing, look, return to external editing sequence. While I consider this an omission, this is a feature for most of Contributes target audience because it's easy to really mess things up in HTML if you don't know what you are doing.
   
   The second omission can only be described as a flaw. Within the design portion, there is no way to perform a "Save As" of your page. Once you have made changes to a page you have only two options - Publish and Save as Draft. Publish overwrites the previous version and Save as Draft prevents changes to the page until the draft is published. The end result is that you cannot make multiple copies of a page to use as a template, you can't test how something works without being destructive and you can't save older versions for historical purposes. This flaw is compounded by Contribute saving your files under a series of folders with a naming convention understood only by the creators of the program. These flaws alone prevent me from giving Contribute more than 3 stars.
   
   On the positive side, Contribute has some very powerful tools that are implemented in a very novice friendly way. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript additions, eBay site building, Google Search and PayPal payment boxes are a mouse click away. The Windows version includes a powerful FlashPaper2 utility that makes documents web friendly and the Mac version is tightly integrated with Apples .Mac service.
   
   Where Contribute really shines is in editing an existing site that has a full administrator using Dreamweaver. The Publish and Draft functions are tied into Administrator, Publisher and Editor roles to ensure that what is on a site is what should be there. For an office that has many parts that need to add to a site, Contribute is ideal. For a small company wanting to get on the web fast or an eBay seller wanting to go beyond the default, Contribute is more than enough. Beyond that, move up to Dreamweaver.



3. Contribute works great for allowing non-web people to edit their web sites. Highly recommended. Works best in tandem with Dreamweaver and in particular sites set up using the Dreamweaver Template system.



4. I know nothing about web design, and don't really want to do it myself. But, I was interested in being able to update one particular page, created by a professional, on my own, and save myself some $$ in the process. I tried two other programs, and got nowhere with them. Contribute 3 was my third attempt, and made it possible to make the modifications with virtually no hassle. My first updates were accomplished in about 5 minutes, and my subsequent ones have taken perhaps 30 seconds.
   
   I have not explored all the bells and whistles of the program yet. But, at least for my simple needs the program works very well, and is easy to use. For that I'm thankful and grateful.



5. This software is good for updating your web site and it's easy to use!

2 comments about NetObjects Fusion 10 Full Version.

1. It is not so much a problem with the program as it is with the support. If you don't understand their limited instructions on how to get a component of the product to work then you are in for a real treat. You can only contact support via email. The person on the other end is probably reading hundreds of emails a day and answering them. Your problem is given a quick look and then a short answer or sometimes a question is sent back to you. Support may have misread your question or just not have read it completely and their response is so limited that you have to email them again to try to get more information. You get into an endless loop. I am going on now for 1 week trying to get one problem solved. You may wish to pass this one up unless you have been doing web design for a while.



2. For the past 2 weeks, I have been using a trial version of Fusion 10.0. I have used Fusion 5 and Fusion 7 for the past few years, so I am rather familiar with those versions. However, I have also encountered some problems understanding the very limited instructions on how to do some functions (ie: flash, etc). I also tried e-mailing my questions to the support staff, and their response was not at all helpful - basically threw the question back to me. However, I have been able to answer all of my own questions - often taking a few hours to do so - and, I really like all of the features of Version 10.0. If you can work through the learning process....with little or no support from Net Objects (or Website Pros)....you will probably find it to be a very good program.

No comments about Intranetware and Netware 4.11 Additive Licenses 10-user.