5 comments about Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 Upgrade.

1. Quite a few years ago I switched to Dreamweaver when Marcomedia was still the owner. I loved how fast it was, and how clean it created web pages. At the time, FrontPage was its competitor and FP was a joke. I followed Dreamweaver until CS3. This version has problems following mapped drives for backup and saving changes. I'm a pc tech and I have advanced skills. This is a Dreamweaver issue. As with all its products the first thing Adobe did was bloat up the program, and it now runs like syrup. The first time I tried to activate I had problems with confirmation. I called tech support and the illiterates in India were unable to help me. I restored my OS to an earlier date and was able to activate. I've also had a lot of trouble saving PDF's with acro 8 pro. I used to love Dreamweaver but now I've switched to Microsoft Expression. It's like what Dreamweaver used to be. And the price of Microsoft Expression Web is only $99! This product is now overpriced and overbloated as with all Adobe products. I won't use it again and I'm looking for another PDF creator. I understand there are some free ones out there.



2. I, too, used to love Dreamweaver and currently have version 8. My experience with Adobe over many many years has been that their software has ALWAYS been overpriced and over-bloated. I HATE Acrobat, which I have NEVER been able to use effectively. So when Adobe bought Macromedia I groaned. But after a while I thought it was time to upgrade Dreamweaver and came here. Changed my mind based on these reviews. Why write a review when I didn't buy the product? Simply to confirm that what these people say is typical of my past experience, too. These reviewers are not cranks. Adobe sucks.



3. One of the early WYSIWYG web page builders I used was an Adobe product that had the worst manuals and workflow ever, so I assumed the Adobe influence on Dreamweaver would be awful. This upgrade was a pleasant surprise, fixing some key issues I had with MX, and offering some features I have yet to explore.



4. The other posts are correct. -- Be very careful before you purchase this upgrade.
   
   Macromedia seemed to have had a different (better) upgrade policy than Adobe and if you don't read carefully you might get yourself stuck with a product that you can't use. -- I have the MX2004Pro studio (that includes Dreamweaver MX2004) but I just wanted to upgrade to Dreamweaver CS3. After reading the other posts on this page - I went to Adobe to see what they had to say on the issue.
   
   This is their response: "I understand that you want to know whether you can upgrade to Dreamweaver CS3 (from the MX2004 Studo Suite). This is to inform you that as per Adobe's upgrade policy; there is no upgrade path from a component product of a "Suite" to a "standalone product". Therefore you will be unable to upgrade from a suite product like Studio (although it contains Dreamweaver) to a standalone product like Dreamweaver CS3."
   
   ...This is not the response I wanted, but it may be a blessing in disguise. Adobe has now given me the incentive I need to stop using Dreamweaver as a crutch and start learning how to code and build CSS websites by hand.
   
   
   
   .



5. I just purchased an upgrade from Studio MX 2004 and cannot change from a windows based pc to a mac. Macromedia was a great company, never a problem. I will not purchase ANY other product from Adobe.

5 comments about System Suite 8 Professional.

1. I've used System Suite since version 4 or 5 (maybe earlier?). It has some useful features but in Version 7, the anti-spyware was very weak and the firewall had SERIOUS LEAKS. I purchased version 8, but use little of it.
   Here's why:
   1. While using SS 7,my computer was attacked several times, with my files being copied to the computer of a hacker. Luckily, my files were not damaged and contained no personal information like an ss number. I discovered the problem when I realized that my CPU was running full-blast and my GoBack utility was repeatedly suspended due to "massive file activity." [GoBack was purchased by Symantec and has NOT been updated for Windows Vista.]
   
   2. I contacted Avanquest/v-com and was sent a link to a "fixed" firewall setup file. Questions: 1) Why didn't Avanquest/v-com notify its registered users of the firewall update? 2) Why wasn't the firewall included in the SS7 Easy-Update downloads? 3) Why didn't Avanquest/v-com respond to my emails that asked questions 1) and 2)?
   
   3. I now run Kaspersky Internet Security. Kaspersky is not for everyone: You have to be willing to get A LOT of warnings and decide what to do with each. Thus, my wife's computer is running SS8 firewall and anti-virus. There's no way she can deal with the Kaspersky warnings, and she is unlikely to click on or download questionable links or files.
   
   4. Just today, Kaspersky warned that a harmless-looking link was a phishing site. The SS8 Linkscanner said the link was OK. Guess which one I believed.
   
   5. I am running PCTools anti-spyware--the free, Google tools version, which seems to find much more spyware than does SS8. [Note: Google may add some undetected spyware with the free PCTools download...but my Kaspersky catches Google's attempt to connect my computer to Google's.]
   
   6. There are good, free alternatives to some of the SS utilities. In particular, see Mike Lin's utilities at [...] .
   
   7. Note: The SS8 Startup Commander 2 says that the KAVP program is dangerous. It is actually Kaspersky!



2. Tremendous Product.
   I have a system that is a year and 1/2 old
   
   I Optimized it to the maximum
   Jet Defrag
   Registry Cleaner- Cleaned out a ton of stuff
   Than in Startup Commander I Removed a ton of stuff.
   
   I was using Zone Alarm and it slowed down my system so much I stopped using it!!!
   
   I'm amazed after removing a ton of detritus from the registry. Stopping all the unnecessary start up items. Defragging My machine is running faster with this fire wall and AV than without it.
   
   I warn you don't do everything at once.
   Example I deleted a ton of stuff the first time in Startup Commander
   and the machine refused to boot into windows. Luckily it chose the last configuration and I
   successfuly entered windows
   
   I was very impressed because when I reopened Startup Commander it was if the last batch of changes didn't happen. So I disabled 5 things Rebooted my machine ran it for the day no problem. Than deleted another 5 etc
   
   You have to use common sense
   Example: if you have a logitech mouse don't delete anything by logitech
   even if it says it's safe.
   
   On the other hand at one point in time or another I've had Zone Alarms and a few other utilites
   I disabled those in Startup Commander and almost anything that wasn't necessary and not related to Programs I'm currently running.
   
   My machine is now a rocket. I'm running the firewall and the AV and it's faster than before I ran it. Now I have a Centrino 2.0 with 1 GB ram your results may differ.
   
   I do have 1 complaint
   Seems that if your ports are being scanned by hackers. The firewall will often close down all internet communications. On the brighter side of things. It's easy as heck to disable the firewall you just right click on the icon in the tray and choose accept all.
   
   Unlike other firewalls when you select that setting it actually does accept all. I once tried a firewall program that even when you put the setting to turn it off or accept all wouldn't do it.
   So I was impressed with this feature.
   
   The second complaint is that it does not have the flexibility to block certain IP addresses like Zone Alarm did.
   Example At home due to poor security I was being scanned continuously by a computer originating from a certain IP address and I was unable to just block it out. So it kept turning off my internet to my machine. With the capacity to block IP addresses I could have blocked out that address and not worried.
   
   This Suite is very easy to use.



3. I realize that my review is not about this product, but I think it is relevant to potential purchasers of Avanquest products. I do not know anything about this particular program, but have had considerable difficulty with Avanquest as detailed below.
   
   I purchased My Ultimate Organizer 7.0 via download and subsequent key.
   
   I am not making this up - the product displayed a message in Serbo-Croatian telling me the key had expired.
   
   Four hours later with Technical Support and the problem is still not resolved (despite erasing the program, reinstalling, trying different keys, searching the Windows Registry, etc). It takes a full hour on hold to get a technical support representative and at the conclusion of the last session, I was told to contact Customer Service for a CD copy in the hopes that that would resolve the issue. Now Customer Service tells me Technical Support must send me the copy, although Technical Support says otherwise. I am out $30 for a program that is at this point, totally useless, and left adrift by Avanquest who has my money and refuses to help me.
   
   I would purchase Avanquest products with extreme caution. If you have a Technical Support issue, you will have to wait a minimum of 60 minutes on hold (no 800 number), and then get fairly substandard service after that.



4. Although this is probably the best product I have used for my home network, I think it is a misnomer to call it pro. As a Network Administrator I spent many weeks trying to upgrade our previous versions using a universal license key (read enterprise license). Our previous sales rep was always accommodating and managed our needs quite professionally. After his promotion everything went down hill, from bad part numbers to completely wrong information. After this three week runaround I finally received a part number but it was not universal. I informed them that using a separate key for each computer would be a logistical nightmare, we had always received a universal key. After the final contact I was informed that the upgrade price for our enterprise would include a universal key but that we would be required to pay 39.95 for each copy we purchase instead of for a block of three as had been the case previously. That effectively tripled our cost and made it unmanageable. It drove the cost far above what we would pay per license for other enterprise solutions. I was very disappointed as we had been using SS since version 5 and were very happy with their product. I am still very happy as a current end user and will continue to use the product at home, but don't confuse this with a professional or enterprise product. At least until their practices change.



5. The software itself is very high quality, does a fabulous job. However, I am having trouble with connecting to update. I sent an email to support over a month ago, and still have not heard a response. Poor customer service, but still I love the utilities.

1 comments about Professor Teaches How to Create Web Pages & Graphics 5.

1. Basically, this is a package containing 3 CDs chock full of tutorials on a number of programs like Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop, as well as HTML fundamentals/advanced HTML. It could potentially save you hundreds and thousands of dollars spent on real-world courses of the same nature. Of course, you have to have plenty of free time in order to really get the most out of Web Pages & Graphics 5, but it is definitely worth it. One quibble that I have with this package is that it could have been just one DVD, instead of 3 CDs, but it doesn't make it less valuable, really.

1 comments about Norton Antivirus 2008 10 User.

1. One computer locked up, another couldn't send/receive email. Had to chat with support to get fixes downloaded.

No comments about Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Design Premium Upsell.

5 comments about Grisoft AVG Internet Security - 2 Year Subscription.

1. I think it works well but really slows the start-up down. You have to sign on then walk away so it can do it's thing. Don't be in a hurry.



2. I purchased AVG Internet Security after trying the free version and testing another anti-virus program. I find AVG easy to set up and use, and generally I like the interface. The reason for my not-so-glowing review is twofold:
   
   1) I have the program set up so it scans web pages for 'bad stuff.' The problem is that on a Google search page, it has to scan all the linked pages the search found and this take a bit of time.
   
   2) More serious is the fact that I've used their tech support online form almost a dozen times in the last three weeks to get some simple questions answered (including how to deal with the issue above), and they have never contacted me. More frustrating is the fact that the web site has no phone or email contacts that you can easily find. I finally sent a nasty email to someone there, but if this serious lack of support continues, I'll look for another anti-virus program when its time to renew.
   
   June 2008 update, after sending nasty-grams to them about lack of support, someone finally got back to me, apologizing for this, and told me the company is in some transition. They told me how to turn off the web page scanning feature, and I've had no complaints about using the software ever since. My critique of their lack of tech support, may change at some point, but I'll have to see how responsive they are in the future. Bottom line though, I do like this anti-virus software.
   
   David



3. This product was exactly as advertised, and was received quickly after payment was made. Works great, although it does slow down my computer during virus scan. Also, the firewall is a little difficult to work with.



4. I currently have AVG 7.5 version which supposedly has just expired. When I ordered it I asked for CD back-ups and never got them. Girsoft insisted I never ordered them even though I have an e-mail from them indicating I did order the CD. Now, 8.0 version? I think the company is dishonest, you can't speak with anyone in person over the phone, and the company is located somewhere in a remote part of the world.



5. I purchased AVG internet security last year with a 2 years contract.
   In the beginning of this year I got a worm from MSN that had me questioned AVG ability to protect my computer. I than was forced to reformat my computer, which lead me to having to reinstall my AVG again.
   The only problem is that my old password did not work anymore, but I have already purchased the 2 years license for 1 computer!
   I tried checking AVG website and could not find the correct answer that addresses my issue.
   I than emailed AVG customer service twice.... that was over one month ago. Until today there has been no answer at all other than the automated answer: "Thank you for your email,...".
   Thank you AVG, you have given me a new direction in life.
   I will never, ever buy your useless product again.
   And oh,.. not only useless product, also fake customer service.

1 comments about Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 Upgrade.

1. Great product with numerous features. Advances over my Premiere 6 are good. Only minus is non support of HD DVD format.

1 comments about Computrace LoJack for Laptops: 3 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 ?

5 comments about PC Tools Spyware Doctor 2008.

1. Major head-on crash with other software. In the middle of a boot-up virus scan, everything locked tight. Technical assistance told me to disable all my other security functions. Spyware Doctor is such a resource hog it caused total lock-up of my system... to the point nothing worked except powering off the machine - one of those things you should do only as a last resort! Cancelling the annual subscription was easy, once I finally got through the on-line maze to Germany to cancel. There is no email address with the marketing company to contact if you have issues. I agree with another review - Zero Stars would be more appropriate.



2. I purchased Spyware Doctor about two months ago and run it every
   day without any spyware being detected of any name or kind.
   Before buying this spyware, I researched this product and found the
   reviews positive.
   This has to be the worst spyware I ever purchased and spent good money for.
   Do not understand why this positive review, but it is a joke!
   Please save your money and do not buy this spyware!!!!!!!!



3. Worked OK for a while, then unregistered itself and would not take the license code I received from PC Tools. Submitted three help requests to PC Tools, all of which were ignored.



4. I can confirm the views of the majority of other reviewers here. This software takes over so much of my computers resources that it can't handle anything else other than run Spyware Doctor. Save your money, do not buy this dreadful piece of software.
   
   I have reverted back to my old favourite - Spybot Search and Destroy. It's free and works much better than this thing does - if you want to download it, be very careful to get the right software, there are a couple of clone pieces out there which mimic Spybot S&D. These load your machine up with spyware.



5. I was getting intermittent spyware warnings and decided to try this software out first, by downloading the free scan. What a mistake!
   I ran the scan it and it gave me a list of various warnings, etc. Then,
   after each time the message came up that it was running in the backround,
   my computer would hang and then reboot itself. This kept happening over
   and over. Every time I tried to get to the Control Panel to remove
   this program, it would reboot before I got the chance to remove it.
   Quite frustrating, to say the least! I thought I was going to have to re-install the operating system. Finally,I lucked out. My computer stayed up long enough one time, and I was able to do a system restore from the system tools. I restored it to the day before and the system rebooted without anymore problems. This spyware is so bad, it acted like a virus just by itself. After all this happened, I then saw everyone's reviews on Amazon, which confirmed the problem I had was this software. If you have
   not tried this spyware package yet, don't even load it to do the free scan. You'll probably regret you did!!!

5 comments about Microsoft FrontPage 2000.

1. Microsoft makes some great technologies for the web. But Frontpage is a product aimed for the home user that should not have any place in professional web development. Frontpage extensions(a server side technology that does things like process forms) doens't work well when it does work and can be a pain to administer. Frontpage writes much IE specific code and will automatically put in features that only Frontpage will support. Microsoft has some great server side technologies such as ASP,SQL Server, and IIS.....but for an editor don't use Frontpage, look into something more professional such as Dreamweaver.



2. I have had some pretty stinkers for web programs when I just started out. So I really wished I had gotten this first. When I got it I was really impressed how easy it was to learn. It was hard a little at first, but once I got the hang of using it I loved it. I have made a few great sites with it. My friend even designed a site for me and with my Frontpage program I was able to edit with Microsoft Frontpage to keep updating the site. And now it's one of my best sites! So I would definately get Frontpage 2000 if your just starting out or again if your a professional web designer :)



3. Microsoft FrontPage 2000 is a fantastic webpage creator/HTML editor. Before purchasing my copy of FrontPage 2000, I was using Adobe GoLive 5. What I especially liked about FrontPage 2000 was the ease of use. If you have ever used a Microsoft Office product before, you can learn FrontPage with relative ease. FrontPage brings templates (such as online forms) to you, which other products do not. There is a downside for FrontPage, and that is for some of the more advanced features the host server will need to have FrontPage extensions installed on it. You should check this with your host before purchasing. This is becoming less of a problem, however, because more and more hosts are installing these extensions. If you don't mind moving your site, you could always move it to a host with these extensions anyway. This is one product, I would highly recommend.



4. I was able to get a functional website up and running in an afternoon with Frontpage -- it is very intuitive and easy to use. It is even useful if you subsequently graduate to more complex software, like Dreamweaver, because you can establish the basic site with Frontpage and then edit the HTML with Dreamweaver to add further bells and whistles. No regrets at all, with this purchase.



5. A lot of people have blasted this software, saying that it's a kid's toy and you can't actually do anything with it. One person even said it's easier to code in html. All these people, in my opinon, have a hate complex about Microsoft, and refuse to actually dip into the program and see it's powers, that you won't find until you spend more than 5 looking at it [and giving off].
   This program, in the right and experienced hands, is incredibly powerful. I am a professional who uses both Frontpage and Dreamweaver on occassion, and I must say I prefer Frontpage. I find it more usable, and quicker, and produces the same results with greater ease.
   Frontpage is a great program, for beginners, intermediates, and professionals. Sadly, it isn't suitable for people who don't want to learn. Or people who like to bring down good programs because they are too arrogant to learn how to use them properly.