Company & Product Ratings (*)
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For spyware, adware and malware removal try AdAware from Lavasoft . It remains highly reliable compared to other pricey programs. However, recent free version has been exhibiting some bugs, so stand by for now. |
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APC |
American Power Conversion offers conditioned power systems, battery backups & surge protection that can no longer be counted on during a power event. Take a look at Panamax instead. |
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We hate to admit it but the iPod companion software for Windows is a very good all-in-one program for purchasing & managing your multimedia library. |
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A very good anti-virus software program. Feature set is not geared toward the novice. Non-commercial, home use only version is free. System overhead is high. |
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An excellent anti-virus software program. Far superior to Norton or McAfee and is aimed at the novice. The personal version is still free. Low system overhead. |
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Free system information utility with Windows Updates verification. |
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Like everything that Canon offers their inkjet printers are very good and cost of operation is fairly low provided you purchase a model with individual ink cartridges. |
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Memory & storage devices. Very good customer service. |
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The rich feature set makes it our choice for filtering software, version 10 is now Vista compatible. Remember, software is no substitute for parental involvement. |
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In general the products are above average, laptops are very good. Customer Support has been impolite & unwilling to help without an extended warranty occasionally. |
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Probably the best inkjet printers on the consumer market. Initial cost is low as is the cost of operation with individual ink cartridges. |
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Hewlett Packard |
Very good laser printers, average inkjets, poor PCs & Laptops. Customer technical support is below average. Rebate payment track record is poor. |
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This latest version of Microsoft's free browser is finally out of beta testing & is competitive with other browsers. Although system resource usage remains high. |
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Intuit |
Publishers of QuickBooks, Quicken & TurboTax. Quicken has really gone down hill in 2007 & their new pay for support after 30 days policy is an idiotic move. Program stability is still an issue with certain mouse drivers. |
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McAfee Products |
They are better than Norton (Symantec) products, but haven't been amongst the best for nearly a decade. Don't bog down your system with their suite. |
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Annual subscription fees and less features than CYBERsitter, but a solid product. Remember, software is no substitute for parental involvement. |
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Newegg.com |
Average pricing & selection. Terrible customer service! (i.e. They ship defective products, issue an RMA then changed their minds, forcing customers to deal with the manufacturer on new products.) Consistent customer complaints. |
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Superior surge protectors for all your home/office appliances & electronics. They've been around for years and have excellent customer service, but are a bit pricey. |
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Free online virus scanner from one of the top antivirus solution providers. Panda beats Norton, McAfee and most others hands down! |
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Reliable well built products at slightly above average prices. Very low product failure rate. Excellent rebate payment track record. |
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A very good spyware, adware and malware search and removal program. Requires more advanced knowledge of Windows registry, system and files. |
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Symantec Products |
Norton Ghost is good but over priced. Several competitors offer much more reliable utilities suites. If not for their huge advertising budget they'd have no customers at all. If you want your system to crash install Norton Anti-Virus on it. Avoid Symantec like the plague! |
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These are the most durable & reliable laptops in the consumer market from a technician's point of view. Be sure to get at least 1GB of RAM with any laptop. |
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The Microsoft program originally known as "AntiSpyware" is back to it's unreliable roots. We have continued to test it for months & still feel uncomfortable recommending it. |
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Windows Live OneCare |
Pay Microsoft for support?! It's Windows that has programming problems & allows most security breaches in the first place. Save your money & skip the 90 day free trial too. |
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Quick link to Microsoft Service Pack 2 download page. Update XP now and eliminate a lot of your Windows XP SP1 problems. |
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A very good firewall program. Some pundits disagree because it doesn't alert the user to every illicit action that it blocks. We say that's a good thing. |
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Various Recommended Websites
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Services |
Brief Description |
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Want to test your internet connection speed? Go here and you'll either laugh or cry when it's done. Limit 3 tests per month. |
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Locate wireless hotspots in your area. |
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Charity Navigator works to evaluate the financial health of America's largest charities. A one stop shop to research your favorite charities. |
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Consumer Product Safety Commission, safety recall lookup by product category. |
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Many computer & electronic products contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals which are dangerous to humans and the environment. Visit this website and learn how to dispose of these items safely. |
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This website contains a virtual cornucopia of high tech product information. |
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Most girls lose interest in math and science by the time they reach Grade 6. Parents visit this site for more information. |
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Global Investment Recovery Inc. is a Tampa Bay Company which specializes in electronics recycling & precious metal recovery. |
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Alphabetical list of computer equipment manufacturers compiled by Houston Area League of PC users. |
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World Internet usage & population statistics. Very interesting. |
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Need customer support but hate those computer voice systems? Then check out this site to bypass each system & speak to a real human being! (compiled by Paul English) |
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The National Cristina Foundation provides computer technology and solutions for people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons. |
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Sign up for a PayPal account today to take advantage of working with the world's #1 online payment service and get great money market rates. |
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More shareware and freeware than you'll ever find on your own. |
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Take the Speakeasy Speed Test and test your broadband connection speed! |
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National Cyber Security Alliance website. Provides free multimedia information for protecting yourself from scammers. |
Here is where you'll get an honest review of popular computer products / services we've researched. If you don't see a product here that you feel strongly about, please email us and we'll test it in our tech lab.
Our ratings are based on dozens (if not hundreds) of direct experiences with the companies reviewed during a period, in some cases, of over a quarter century. We do not usually give a company a good or bad rating based on a single interaction, but there are always exceptions. Typically a company must demonstrate a consistent predilection to a particular behavior. The companies and/or products we have rated above, do behave time and again in a manner determined by the rating they have received.
Once again these are only our professional opinions, which is modestly based on well over 25 years of experience.