Favorite Files

1. Adobe Flash Player for Windows (IE)
2. CDBurnerXP
3. cFosSpeed
4. DAEMON Tools Lite
5. Desktop Icon Toy
6. eMule
7. FileZilla Server
8. FileZilla v3 for Windows
9. Glary Utilities
10. GodMode Creator
11. Intel Chipset Device Software
12. Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE)
13. K-Lite Codec Pack Update
14. K-Lite Mega Codec Pack
15. Media Player Classic for Windows 2000/XP
16. Microsoft Security Essentials (32-bit)
17. Movie Label 2013
18. PasteCopy.NET
19. Process Monitor
20. Spybot - Search & Destroy
21. Spybot - Search & Destroy (Beta)
22. Sweet Home 3D
23. TeraCopy
24. WildBit Viewer

Recent Posts

1. 
   Review - SeaMonkey for Windows

   2.0.1 (Dec 15, 2009)

   Well Artem,
   
   It just goes to show you how ignorant you are. I hate web mail and I organize my email into hundreds of sub-folders and dozens of email filters which Seamonkey2 only partially imported. I have 8 email address that download into my email client and I have thousands of email addresses in my offline Address Book.
   
   I also am painfully aware and my point exactly, the developers of of SM are too few and are too enamored with their ability to write code and maintain servers than to make a seriously good browser that works more than it fails. After hearing that they were not going to allow importing from SM1 after the initial release, I decided time was up!
   
   I spent the weekend importing into Firefox and Thunderbird and with a few exceptions I am very happy with the result, (and yes they are not perfect, but much, much, much closer).
   
   No more waiting endlessly for updates that don't happen. No more waiting and waiting for solutions to problems that in many cases I will never see because they are fixed prior to release instead of discovering them after release. And Finally no more only getting security fixes (SM1) when major fixes needed to be made that aren't addressed in SM2 and with their track record never will. Besides many websites don't work with SM2 and they will not correct them to make them work. I am left with having to ask for help with CSS and even then it is on a per web page basis, and why should they when they do work in Firefox which is 3 years or a lifetime ahead of SM2, and just about to release another major release.
   
   When I say that I have been using Mozilla products since the early days. I mean it. I used the Mozilla client and then moved to Nestcape and then back to the Mozilla client that became Seamonkey-- religiously. I was always a supporter but I never could find anyone willing to talk with me except one time when I submitted a bug in bugzilla. I was told it was in the wrong place, but instead of getting help, they dumped it and told me to start over (never even telling me what I did wrong). Years after that I got 2 replies from Robert Kaiser after a year of waiting for a response to a polite request about SM1 and after responding to my direct email he went in to my request and promptly closed it and said we are not going that way. Since then I asked him for help about not getting help in the forum and all he said was, "he was too busy to go to the forum and get help there". OK, I do get being busy, but sending me back to the place that I didn't get help in the first place without even acknowledging my problem...
   
   I also have helped other software developers improve their programs and so don't think I only complain. But yes, if I get nowhere with something that could be great with a little help instead of mediocre then I do my best to keep coming up with ideas and encourage. But you ignore me and refuse to help me, then you get nothing, if you aren't worth it and flames if you are.
   
   There are a huge amount of problems reported in the forum and I even gave some points on work arounds, myself. I also made a number of detailed suggestions and got NO response on anyone of them.
   
   However, I gave up after I got no response to no fewer that 3 requests for help migrating.
   
   No I am on to better things. PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME and download the stable and inventive Firefox and Thunderbird instead. (Even if they are separate programs, I have only seen the need one time for combined programs, but having to open a 2nd program that works is well worth it).

2. 
   Review - SeaMonkey for Windows

   2.0 (Nov 28, 2009)

   This software is outdated and miles behind most current browsers. The developers do not help people fix their problems but instead rely on other users to do it with very mixed results. I have asked for help over and over again and again but the only response I got was a question that related to why I did something but no one responded to my urgent question on passwords and other issues.
   
   Skip this one and go to Firefox and Thunderbird. I will be moving all 15 years of collected stuff over the long break in December.
   
   It is sad because all the work is really for naught when you have to manually copy your email and some settings while other things won't work no matter how hard you try. I have been using Mozilla since the days of early Mozilla Suite and Netscape, but when a product is tired and years behind the competition and only have a very small community that still cares about this product then they will never have the time to make it what it needs to be to compete.
   
   Arrogance and lack of ability has made this software a dinosaur.

3. 
   Review - DriverMax

   5.0 (Jun 16, 2009)

   This crapware is really potential malware. They connect you without permission to an unregulated forum and if you are not an advanced user then you could easily download the wrong driver that could cause your computer to stop working or even worse a virus disguised as a driver.
   
   The rating system is very suspicious and just because it shows hundreds of idiots (I sometimes suspect they may not even be users but malicious hackers) say they downloaded a driver from another so called user that uploaded what they claim to be an updated driver, doesn't mean it is even an authorized nor appropriate driver for you device. The reports are also generated by these so called users so even if your drivers are up to date, if one person claims an update then it will deceive you into downloading whatever the file is. When they report hundreds of different drivers for one specific device then you really have to begin questioning what the hell they are doing.
   
   WARNING=And trust me from experience with a software company (formally called InboxCop that I sadly worked for) who's owner reported gleefully to me that they faked user comments (with hundreds of fake email addresses) to counteract negative comments and add positive comments to every release -- "myboy" is probably one of the guys that makes this crapware.
   
   AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS!!!

4. 
   Review - Adobe Reader for Windows

   9.1.2 (Jun 16, 2009)

   These guys are always claiming updates but many time after the download is complete and the install completed then the original version is still what appears. Also the update via the internal mechanism no longer works due to a website issue on their part.
   
   They have no real tech support if you don't paid for the $700 professional version. I guess since who has that kind of money. Well I hope they do anyway as I have not had the opportunity to pay that kind of money. It's ridiculous the greed over not making the typing tool for pdf's available to the public.
   
   I have even tried tech support to complain about their lack of intelligence on the part of the dreamweaver programmers and the tech support people had no idea what I was talking about so they refused to even send any request to those folks. I guess they figure if you don't have a 6 figure salary then you must surely be ignorant and not worth their time.

5. 
   Review - RJ TextEd

   5.10 Beta 1 (Apr 28, 2009)

   I agree with frodo888. I also used PSPad for quite some time but got frustrated because it just seemed to go nowhere in development.
   
   I love the fresh look and cool ideas for a basic text editor that is Free! I just wish it had a check mark to set a basic setting for newbies so that when I place it on someone's computer that is not very knowledgeable, I don't have try to make it just a simple editor of just txt documents. Even so, I am not completely successful at this yet as some settings were not available to modify in the last final.
   
   I hope to try this one soon and look forward to the changes.
   
   Please keep this up and I know you will be software of the year in no time, as no really good ultra modern plain text editor has been made that is anywhere as good in quite some time.

6. Comment - AT&T: The end of the wireline telephone is in sight

   5.10 Beta 1 (Jan 1, 2010 - 2:00 AM)

   I have been saying this for years! If At&T and the other landline companies would convert to a 100% wireless system (and quit charging by the minute) then they would be able to give the land lines to the cities for dedicated 911 service and in return receive a large tax return or reinvestment credit.
   
   This simply means that when a landline telephone set is picked up then it automatically rings to 911. 911 gets the same info as it does today as to address, but the system is simplified because switching and dialing decoders etc are no longer needed but since the wiring is in the ground already (new addresses would still need new copper or optical whatever wires to connect to 911) help can be reached when no wireless service is available to the residence or business.
   
   Also the physical wireless network should be owned by either a privatized govt agency or a separate public company (with no direct connection to the wireless service providers) that charges fees to maintain and upgrade the system with the mandate to make create a 100% coverage and redundant system that will force a universal system for everything from how numbers are generated to the technology used for making calls and texting, and video transmission, etc. This would drive down the cost and fulfill the demand for universal coverage for moderately populated areas. Sparsely populated areas would eventually get complete service as well, possibly by means of integrated satellite service.
   
   The technology is there for in home wireless to replace the land line which is like having a cell tower in your house, so internet access now via dsl would not be lost and technology to make the service virtually 100% secure is also out there as well via direct beam colored and on/off light technology for the future. So with eventually much greater bandwidth, VOIP would soon be even greater side by side with internet access so why not? Technology will eventually overcome the problems experienced with over usage during emergencies and the towers would become earthquake and wind proof.
   
   I say the sooner the better.
   
   So why has AT&T always been years behind the technology rather than being a leader and presenting ideas way ahead of the need???

7. Comment - Microsoft's Windows 7 House Party prep video is a real party pooper

   5.10 Beta 1 (Sep 24, 2009 - 5:21 PM)

   Yeah, and have you seen the latest tv ad alluding to Windows 7 as another BOB OS with the kids cartoon game and trying to make out like Windows 7 is fun for kids. Like we are all just little children that need take our mother's advice and swallow our cod liver oil.
   
   This reminds me of the car commercials that really say that Our Customers are Stupid Idiots And That Is Why They Buy Our Vehicles. I wonder why anyone would buy something from them.
   
   Despite what you may think, I am a big Win7 fan and Vista hater. But after seeing these 2 ads, I am rethinking that we should boycott MS until they first mature and then become more intelligent in their approach to their customers and the way they advertise this exciting new version of Windows.

8. Comment - What is a Windows 7 upgrade, really?

   5.10 Beta 1 (Sep 16, 2009 - 4:50 PM)

   Actually, I did an XP to Vista directly to Win7 and it took longer to upgrade to Vista than to Win7. I did this on my old home server (at least 4 years old and not the latest when I bought it) and except for a a partition crash cause by some software other that Win7 it has run flawlessly.
   
   I am even able to run my XP only printer drivers and a couple of other software flawlessly in XP compatibility mode.
   
   Now mind you I have the OS it's own 35gb partition but so far RC has been running for 2 months. I even had a couple of times software crashed it and after running the new chkdsk during reboot all came up fine save the one complete partition crash on my second hard drive.
   
   I bought a new laptop with Vista on it and I hate it. Win7 is easier to use and faster. Install it now as a release candidate or when it ships. I don't think a clean install is required for this one.
   
   This is the most pre-tested OS in history and save a couple of minor complaints, I have found no major flaws. I used to be a Microsoft hater, but they have outdone themselves this time.
   
   Not to say I don't have a long list of things I want to see in the next os. Things such as eliminating the registry use by everything except the os data itself and an os only partition that forces all software settings, and files onto a different partition, as well as, all settings for each software into it's own secure little pod. This would prevent HP from filling my registry with outdated entries going back to dot matrix printers for it's latest photosmart printer drivers and software.

9. Comment - Mozilla chief: Microsoft ballot screen leaves IE 'uniquely privileged'

   5.10 Beta 1 (Aug 21, 2009 - 10:59 AM)

   You idiot! You are talking about something out of the dark ages of web serving.
   
   QUOTE: "The Off By One Browser V3.5.d was posted on January 2, 2006"
   
   Right off their website!!!
   
   I guess some people still think IE6 is the fastest and most compliant browser ever made.

10. Comment - Microsoft on Win7 UAC: 'Take the emotions out of the discussion'

    5.10 Beta 1 (Feb 6, 2009 - 12:47 AM)

    I agree dump the registry.
    
    I nearly have a heart attack every time something goes wrong and I have to search the registry for the fix. Instead of nested entries I find hundreds of separate keys that contain the same redundant info over and over and over again. The other problem are empty entries. Why create them if they are just nulls. At least enter a 0.
    
    (Sorry I don't have Vista and have not had time to run the Windows 7 beta yet, so if you have already done some of these things then good. Great minds think alike.)
    
    Instead lets go back to simple ini files but create a new system so that users can make changes securely via a Windows interface that uses visual security like my bank does where I have to click on a succession of images to prove that I am a live person with permission to make the changes. Then a normal graphical and text based system that logically displays things like where the save and profile files are to be stored, what color and size text and all other setting that the user can change there. Then everyone must use the same format and set multilevel settings such as basic advanced and "admin only" settings. Don't have everyone automatically be the admin but ask at install and have a level that can change all settings except internal OS settings. Simple color and font changes would not require this.
    
    Make the GUI built in and very user friendly for endusers and easy for software designers to use for free. The settings are then stored in a secure "ini" type file called *.set" in the My Documents folder in a sub folder named My Settings and another sub folder named after the Software. This location would also store any saved files that the user saves unless he changes their location through the Software's settings GUI. Making this change would ask to move the docs and set files to the new location. *.doc,*.rtf, and *.txt etc. would go in their own folder since many programs us
    these files. Then the OS can make these locations known text and doc editors and allow them to hopefully make this the default location for all of these files. (I know you have tried to get away for one location, but you have a method to have the OS do this silently then everyone is happy. Both the newbies and those very organized like myself.)
    Call this new control panel the "Operations Center" and each piece of software and device drivers are listed and when clicked on displays the installed version number (in a new universal standard XX,XX,XX and (the descriptions: alpha, beta, or final; after it), allows uninstall, reinstall, change of installed pieces (ex. add or remove spreadsheet, word processor, database, programs etc.), available new released updates for that software are listed (no betas) (checked via internet), and the place to change all users settings related to that software. Moving all of this to one location will simplify the programmer and user experience and make it secure so no mal-ware or software can make any changes without being verified as coming from a "live person's" permission (whether end user or admin) and after a thorough testing by anti-malware program. All settings for Windows 7 will be accessed here as well. If an external firewall is used then a manner should be setup to detect it and automatically deactivate the internal Windows firewall.
    
    Also this allows simple backups of the My Documents folder as having all files related to the software that a user needs to backup (settings and docs). As well then Windows can lock the system so that nothing can change the OS or any software settings or the contents of any documents unless a live person gives permission and other than these settings no other overhead is needed to secure a PC. This will require all macros, VBscript, inf, cmd, and batch files to be security protected so that only after a live person authorizes it via the "Operations Center" then these files cannot be modified unless a live person authorizes it. They can then run automatically without any intervention in a secure manner.
    
    Also no default install for Windows 7 (except when created by a liveperson via burned version or removable media config script and begun by a live person). Instead a wizard that asks the live person what the machine is used for and only install those packages and services needed for that use. If any new functions need to be installed then the user opens the wizard and the OS asks what and only installs the newly needed packages. It also looks on the internet and makes sure the latest drivers and software is downloaded and then any service needed is installed.
    
    I believe this would really revolutionize the Windows experience.
    
    Also make a virtual copy during fresh install of all Windows 7 setup files in a separate hidden partition that can be slipstreamed with service packs so that a user can fix his system without a disk. This could have a required system check to determine a legal copy matched to the CPU number of the computer before allowing the slipstream to be added. If a CPU is changed then a live person will need to reauthorized the system. Microsoft needs to then require OEM's to do this as well. This all allows for everything to keep their system running up-to-date and fix most problems on-the-fly. Also a copy if all installed drivers should be stored automatically there by Windows as well.
    
    Also a lower price for home users and small businesses is needed. It is just too expensive. I suggest that the disks are available at a low $5 or $10 price from anywhere then a secure system for internet registration that then requires a credit card or paypal payment to get a registration for like $120 full consumer/home office version and slightly more for small business users. At that time the Home server version could be purchased and unlocked (as it would already be on the setup disk. This registration would be done after the system is setup either at home or office. If no internet access is available then an alternate method of registration could be done via a large store such as Best Buy. Methods for this are to be determined. Serial numbers
    on stickers should be abandoned and a safe secure electronic method should be adopted. Single use mini-cd's obtained from the store might be an idea like the rental movies have used if a non-internet activation method is required.
    
    I hope you guys at Microsoft read this and find some benefit of these ideas that will help us all.