1excop36
Topic Starter
Hopefully I've posted this in the correct forum. If i haven't, please accept my apologies and I assume the powers that be will shuffle it off to it's proper place.
Now that my Inspiron 8100 is up and running and before I move on to doing some upgrades to our Dimension 8200, I've been checking out various utility and security programs. I'm looking to see what works best with my system, the best value for money spent (if any) and is user friendly. I've discovered that many of them have overlapping functions even by the same manufacturer (I know, not exactly the most astute observation).
The following is my opinion only and in no way should reflect on this forum or site. I've recently tried several of Ashampoo's utilities including their new Firewall program. I tried out PowerUp XP Platinum and the new Firewall. I can't really comment on the technical aspects. It is a bit confusing trying to sort out what modules are contained in what programs but that's no big deal. What totally turned me off was the amount of Spam I received from the company. First you have to choose NOT to get their propomotion which are offered in several different ways, each with its own check box. Afert navigating that, there is a drop down screen offereing still even more opt out options. I am also suspicious when a company has to make a simple yes or no choice as if it were contrived by someone from FEMA. Again just my opinion.
I had been trying Registry Mechanic by PC Tools and it seems to do a fine job. I've just installed a trial of TuneUp Utilities 2006. I've only just had a bit of a chance to play with it, but it seems to duplicate some if not all the functions of Registry Mechanic. If I keep TuneUp Utilities 2006, do I really need Registry Mechanic? I've alsready unistalled Startup Inspector, which as a stand-alone, is a cool startup manager.
Anyway, perhaps some more techno-wizardry soul out there perhaps already has come up with a list of duplicate functions or one that is better managed by one application than another.
Granted this isn't an earth-rendering problem but it is a bit of a bummer after pouring over all the well regarded freeware, shareware and commercial programs to find similiar functional elements in the others.
Hopefully, I haven't rambled too much as I tend to get a bit wordy.
Thanks all;
Gerry
