Activity for November 4

Review - CC PDF Converter
0.7 (Jun 5, 2009)

it's just a generic print to pdf app with creative commons licensing. nothing special if you dont need to cc your documents.
Review - Adobe Reader Lite
9.1.0.29 (May 28, 2009)

Adobe has a "Lite" version on its public FTP (no AIR/Acrobat.com)... "AdbeRdr910_en_US.exe"
this is somewhat unnecessary. the other features like disabled update checking are nice, though you can make your own customized Reader installs using Adobe's own Adobe Customization Wizard which adds an mst file and custom setup.ini to the install files and lets you change everything down to removing individual files and registry entries that the installer creates.
Review - WinZip
12.1 Build 8497 (May 14, 2009)

a decent archiver but WinRAR is better in every way. 7-zip is satisfactory for being free. there's really no need to pay for any of these programs any more, even for businesses and schools.

but it doesnt still work adequately enough
Review - Revo Uninstaller
1.83 (May 11, 2009)

i do lime YourUninstaller more but this is free. The portable version (found on the website under downloads) is clutch and i use it all the time. the registry/file cleaner portion of the uninstaller is not as straight forward as YU's, but again this is free. if YU is a 5, this is a 4.5 but FREE.

you wont miss any features of YU by going with Revo and the portable Revo is just awesome.
Review - AntiVir Personal Edition for Windows
9.0.0.394 (Apr 28, 2009)

not only the best FREE Antivirus but the best Antivirus PERIOD. i have Avira Premium and after setting up a few Guard exceptions (a white list) it runs flawlessly, extremely quickly, and extremely efficiently.

However, the Free version has a nag screen which not only subtracts 1 star, but it also keeps me from installing it on customer computers.

if they removed the nag screen entirely this would be on every computer i fix and i'd be recommending the Premium packages to everyone wanting Firewall/etc.
Comment - How to solve the net neutrality issue
9.0.0.394 (Nov 4, 2009 - 6:21 PM)

because we're supposed to be a "global community" by now, duh?
Comment - How to solve the net neutrality issue
9.0.0.394 (Nov 4, 2009 - 6:19 PM)

Excellent article. Finally someone on betanews that doesnt blindly follow the Net Neutrality BS.
Comment - Analyst: Blu-ray may never replace DVD in PCs
9.0.0.394 (Aug 26, 2009 - 8:56 AM)

why would any PC game be released on BD? it's just installation media and it's very rare ANY game takes over 2 DVDs. 2 dvds isnt even a burden. also, i've purchased maybe 4 games over the last 4 years from retail. the vast majority of myself and my gaming friends buy everything on steam when possible and little price difference/cheaper. no tax, almost instant delivery, no worrying about losing DVDs or serial keys, and no worrying about DLing patches.

i dont see a major market for BD-ROMs in PCs. of course there will be a small market, and eventually the price of drives will make them a "why not?" purchase, but this isnt like going from CD to DVD where we had programs and games on 4-6 CDs. even office ultimate and an iso of windows vista/7 32/64bit discs with every flavor of windows on it are only 1 DVD.
DVDs also have DL format for over 9GB data per disc which games could ship on.

in terms of movies, netflix, hulu, and other services/sites let you watch 720 and higher quality videos either for free or part of their normal service fee.

i just dont see a large need for BD on many PCs. i dont think you can compare DVD to BD like we did floppy to CD or CD to DVD b/c of digital distribution and HD streaming.
Comment - Windows 7 is coming: Don't upgrade
9.0.0.394 (Aug 21, 2009 - 11:54 AM)

If you can afford it and want the upgrade, do it. it will be compatible with any normal consumer software used today. as long as u dont rely on 10 year old applications or very specific apps for work, there's no downside besides money and time.

Windows 7 uses the same drivers as Vista and most vendors dont need to tweak anything for full compatibility while others only need slight adjusting. also, the drivers listed on PC MFGs websites are usually the best often for compatibility, they're really just rebranded drivers from that part's MFG, who may have a true Windows 7 driver released.
Comment - Best Buy leaks the final missing info about Zune HD
9.0.0.394 (Aug 11, 2009 - 8:28 AM)

2 of my siblings have gen 1 zunes. they were quality back then so i assume these will be as well. good devices for cheaper than ipod. i have an ipod video 30gb but bought it only b/c of rockbox. i like the hardware a lot but dont deal with forced software and file type limitations (from any company)...