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1. 
   Review - Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit)

   1.1.1.13 (May 27, 2010)

   Best of the freeware PDF creation/print programs I've used (have used most of the top-rated over the years)! What sets Nitro apart from the others are a couple of important things...first, you can do markups and save them, as well as "fill out forms in a .pdf file" which is actually overlaying text on a layer above the document...but it works! Also..you can use the program to extract text and/or graphics from a .pdf file. Only other program I've had that could do these things was Adobe Acrobat...but who can afford that program?!? Try it...think you'll like it!

2. 
   Review - Open Hardware Monitor

   0.1.23.1 Beta (Apr 16, 2010)

   Good basic hardware monitoring system - low resource use and provides what you want to/need to know! On my wishlist...option to convert to "gringo" temperature readings (eg. fahrenheit instead of celsius) as I'm old enough that I still don't think "metric". But, that's not a showstopper for using this program! Great work!

3. 
   Review - IObit Smart Defrag

   1.02 (Oct 26, 2008)

   Works well...tested on a PC and laptop without issue. Nice features, but missing a couple of things. First...when a new version comes out and you update, removes settings from last version..not a huge issue but would be nice to be able to keep any schedules and preferences from prior setup. It is a wee bit of a CPU pig..but if you have a fast system not bad..if you have a laptop (non-dual core CPU) you may want to setup the defrag process for some time when you don't need to do anything else. For the money...FREE...it's fine. Better than built in Win XP/Vista defrag.

4. 
   Review - Calendar Magic

   17.0 (Feb 18, 2008)

   Neat program...ugly, but who cares, it gets the job done. Actually quite a few useful tools and calendars. Reminds me of my DOS applications days... ;-)

5. 
   Review - Microsoft Windows Defender (32-bit)

   1.1.1593 (Mar 16, 2007)

   Vista already includes Windows Defender, so this new install would only be required for XP or earlier versions of Windows...

6. Comment - The iPod touch: Still a category of one

   1.1.1593 (Feb 1, 2010 - 11:35 AM)

   As an iPod Touch owner for the past 2 years...I agree that the Touch is about as close to perfect device for those on the go as there is... As the owner of the Touch...I am still seriously considering buying the iPad when it comes out...simply because with the additions of iWork and a few other goodies that make this an even more practical device to own I believe there will be enough good reasons to ADD it to my arsenal of portable devices. Note I sad "add", as I still think the Touch is the way to go for daily walking-around use. I will not buy into the AT&T 3g plan as first, I am a Verizon Business employee and don't want to support "the enemy". But even more importantly I believe the Verizon Wireless "MiFi" device to be the perfect solution for connectivity, as the cost is only slightly higher than the monthly unlimited AT&T charge and with the MiFi you get a LOT more value in that you can also connect another 4 devices to it while on the road.
   
   With the new iPad, I could see using it as a superior GPS unit while driving (with the MiFi giving me access to much more info than my Garmin GPS currently does) as well as being a decent travel movie player (I use the Cucasoft DVD to iPod converter software to carry my movies on the road on my Touch now..and soon with the iPad).
   
   My one hope is that we will have the ability to import and read PDF files on the iPad, as I hope to scan music lead sheets in and use the iPad on my jazz gigs in lieu of carrying around paper versions. With the 10" (ok 9.7") screen...it's big enough to be usable in this scenario.

7. Comment - Why a Verizon iPhone wouldn't work (for Verizon)

   1.1.1593 (Oct 11, 2009 - 12:49 AM)

   Verizon was offered the iPhone before Apple offered it to AT&T, but refused because of Apple's demand to have absolute control over the device, applications, and profit! Verizon's share of the potential profit for selling the iPhone was simply not worth it, in the opinion of Verizon executives, who want to remain in control of Verizon Wireless...not giving up that control to an outside party. Can you blame them for making that business decision? Sure...I have an iPod Touch...which I love because of the Apps...and wish Verizon Wireless, my carrier, sold the iPhone...but I understand business decisions, too...and support VzW's reasons for turning down Apple's offer. I expect that with all the complaints about AT&T's poor performance in supporting the iPhone...that Verizon is now in a much better position to work a deal with Apple...but I wouldn't expect to see an iPhone on the Verizon network until 4G, which will begin full rollout in 2010!

8. Comment - HD DVD Claims 'Undeniable Momentum'

   1.1.1593 (Sep 6, 2007 - 10:02 PM)

   I have both a Toshiba HD-DVD player (latest generation) and a Sony PS3 w/Blu-Ray, so have had a chance to look at both critically. IMHO HD-DVD wins out in that the picture is just plain BETTER! Also my Toshiba HD-DVD is the best player I've had for converting non-HD disks to 1080i format. I think the fact that Sony included a Blu-ray drive in the PS3 is skewing the statistics, as people do buy a lot more game consoles (XBox or PS3) than they do a stand-alone DVD player, so Sony is definetly using the game console sales to exagerate the popularity of Blu-ray. Blu-ray is good...but HD-DVD is better in every way at this point in time! Hope one company (Sony) stacking the "statistics" and with their tremendous marketing clout doesn't kill off superior HD DVD format...sigh...

9. Comment - MS Opens Live Messenger Beta to More

   1.1.1593 (Jan 5, 2006 - 11:27 PM)

   I've been testing Live Messenger as part of a cooperative test between MS and my unnamed communications company for about a year. I've found it to be a great improvement over MS Messenger...both the PC-to-PC and PC-to-POTS calls work well...and quality is very good. My company is going "live" with this being our primary IM software in the next month or two... so more later.

10. Comment - Welcome: New BetaNews Launches!

    1.1.1593 (Jun 6, 2004 - 12:47 PM)

    I have been a member of Betanews for almost the entire time of its existence and have found this website one of my DAILY visits (usually multiple times)! I am one of the "bleeding edge" kind of guys and BetaNews helps me keep up with the changes in a way that no other website can. Thanks for hosting this important website...and I really like the new format! My wish is for growing successes in the years to come...Keep up your great work!