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1. 
   Review - Norton Removal Tool for Windows 2000/XP/Vista

   2008.0.3.15 (Mar 25, 2008)

   Norton gets a lot of criticism for its software, but it sure does sell a lot of it. Let's all be fair--when it is working (usually when it is new), Norton stuff works pretty well. People complain it is bloated, hogs resources, etc. but on today's powerful machines that is not as big a problem as people make it out to be. That said, eventually, Norton products will go belly up and take your system with it. This is a great little tool to help you when (not if, but when) this happens. It doesn't always kill every little file, but it will generally take it out of your system and leave what's left as inert

2. 
   Review - Spyware Terminator

   1.8.2.936 (Jan 25, 2007)

   Despite it's***ory/relationship(now ended)with malware maker IBIS, ST has progressed nicely as a useful tool in the battle against things we don't want on our computers.
   
   One has to love the realtime scanner, typically only found on commercial apps, and its on demand scanner seems competent enough.
   
   However, it does have flaws. I cannot say how representative my own experiences are when compared to others, but I have installed it on my four home machines, and recommended it to other acquaintences/family members as an expanded test bed of PCs.
   
   In 3 of the 7 machines I have been monitoring for the past 6 months, ST has spontaneusly malfunctioned in several, painful ways. On one machine, it suddenly started preventing any program from saving files. On another, it began blocking emails for Outlook Express. On the third, it simply started chewing system resources like there was no tomorrow, slowing the machine to a standstill.
   
   Now, the other 4 worked (and work) flawlessly, but the 3 required a complete removal of ST, upon which all three machines stopped exhibiting the above problems.
   
   The odd thing was how each problem (which began after an update) was dissimilar from the others.
   
   So, a 3 from me, but still worth watching.

3. 
   Review - Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

   1.5 (Aug 8, 2006)

   awesome program--can't tell you how many times I have had to reinstall other people's systems and they've misplaced their CD-KEYS keys (stick them on the case, people!)
   
   In victor's defense, Windows Onecare (big surprise) does report it as a trojan. People, be kind. He was trying to warn people about a valid message he got.
   
   Calling him ignorent/other names is just rude

4. 
   Review - Microsoft Windows Defender (32-bit)

   1.1.1347 Beta 2 (Apr 13, 2006)

   Unbelievable how badly MS has messed up Giant's once great software package. It is more difficult to manuerver the user interface, it is more resource intensive, and still does not update!
   
   If you were making an update of significance, and you're product was based on a constantly evolving environment like malware that absolutely required updated definitions, wouldn't fixing the update mechanism be TOP priority?
   
   Very disappointed

5. 
   Review - SpyHolesList

   1.1 Beta (Feb 23, 2005)

   Interesting, I think....let's see if the old computer has any security holes I am unaware of. Download, install, run, click "Get security report and watch the little progress meter work it's way across to completion and then....NOT RESPONDING.
   Reboot, try again, same result.
   Reboot, try again, same result.
   What's the definition of insanity again? Ah yes, doing the same thing the same way and expecting a different result. Back to work, regrun people. Wish I could offer more info, but the thing doesn't even crash right. It just stops.

6. Comment - Vista's dead: Microsoft kills an OS and no one cares

   1.1 Beta (Jul 2, 2009 - 1:56 PM)

   Windows 7 is nothing more than Vista sp2 with a slighly leaner UI. There is no significant feature difference, the underlying technology is the same.
   
   Anyone who lauds Windows 7 and pooh-poohs Vista has no business being in the independent technology analyst business.

7. Comment - Windows 7: Will you pay to upgrade or won't you?

   1.1 Beta (Jun 26, 2009 - 8:14 AM)

   You have to be a non-profit or library to take advantage of that offer

8. Comment - Windows weighs down on Microsoft, which will cut jobs now

   1.1 Beta (Jan 22, 2009 - 11:48 AM)

   The Windows 7 beta pretty much killed any hopes of robust PC sales from now until Windows 7 is released. The buzz is why buy now when a better OS is around the corner.
   
   RIP Vista

9. Comment - Microsoft to Offer Pay-As-You-Go Office

   1.1 Beta (Jul 18, 2007 - 12:51 AM)

   This tastes like what happened with the auto industry. Price your product out of the reach of a typical person and hope that they will buy over time.
   
   That's not going to work this time. One would hope that with the competition from alternatives that MS would try to compete on a price a little more.
   
   I am not an MS basher--I think that Office has been a great product over the years, but it is not so much greater that it justifies the price tag it currently has.

10. Comment - Dell to Offer Ubuntu 7.04 Linux

    1.1 Beta (May 3, 2007 - 4:34 PM)

    This discussion is really kind of awkward with people coming at it with their own perspectives.
    
    A couple points.
    
    The typical home user is not likely to go with Linux, at least not yet. So no sales there.
    
    The advanced home user (who wants Linux) probably builds his or her own PC. So no sales there.
    
    Now, the real customer is likely the business customer. Businesses don't want users installing software, they are tired of trying to protect Windows from malware (note, I am not saying Windows is "bad"--sometimes it is, but it is also the biggest target out there for malware writers), and nothing irritates an IT department more than people "configuring" their own machines.
    
    Imagine an office of linux PCs where all people could use them for is work--it's a dream come true. If an IT department is Linux-capable, it could greatly reduce some support costs.
    
    Those are likely the customers Dell will be targeting.