Best Windows backup software
Today computers play a bigger role in our lives than ever. We store all kinds of data on our PCs from images to Microsoft Word files. The lost of these files, from our hard drives, can be devastating.
We know that we need to backup our systems, but when do we find the time? Fortunately there are some good software backup solutions that can automate much of the work and backup our systems quickly and easily.
There are basically two types of backups. The one is a backup to a different part on the same hard drive. The other is to backup the files to a separate device like a DVD or backup drive. Backing up data to your hard drive can be done automatically by Windows backup software. This protects the files from accidental deletion or damage, to that part of the disk. Backing the files up to a separate device protects the data from catastrophic failure of the hard drive. Also then the files can be stored in a different location. It is probably best to use both types, but to use the backup to your hard drive more frequently.
We looked at several solutions and reviewed the top 3.
Our top 3 picks all had the following in common:
- Specific support for backing up: Outlook and Outlook Express email folders, your address book and the registry.
- Output to the hard drive, removable media(DVD,Zip,CD) or FTP server.
- Backup protection with encrypted passwords, data compression and reports/error logs.
- Email support and good help documentation
Genie Backup Manager
(Vista, XP, 2000, NT)
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Genie Backup Manager supports backups for Eudora and MSN emails.
It comes with disk burning software included.
New to version 8 is a disaster recover facility that allows the operating system to be restored without the need to re-install Windows.
Genie’s backup sets are compressed in standard ZIP format rather using a proprietary format.
All in all we found Genie to be a rock solid backup program.
Acronis True Image
(Vista, XP, 2000)
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Acronis stands out as a full system backup/restore tool. Which it does with a high degree of simplicity and ease of use.
Acronis makes a recovery disk on a removable media, with your registry and some other important files on it. You can boot from the disk in the case of a system crash.
NTI Backup Now 5
(Vista, XP, 2000, NT)
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Backup Now is a good trustworthy and easy to use program. It got pulled down to number 3 because it does not handle backing up open files as well as the other 2 did.
It comes with disk burning software included.
Best PC DVD player software
There is nothing better than sitting down to watch a new DVD. However, without good DVD player software, you won’t get the most from your DVDs. The best DVD player software brings the movie alive with perfect sound and a crystal clear image.
We looked at all the major DVD players and we reviewed the top 3.
Our top picks all have parental control, so the kids can’t watch anything they aren’t suppose to.
PowerDVD 8
(Vista, XP, 2000)
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Power DVD 8 is my mumber one pick, because their video and audio is just a little bit better than the rest. They deliver better video contrast and audio mixing, through their implementation of new algorithms. These algorithms are fairly resource hungry so you won’t be able to enjoy them on an older system.
The program features intuitive menu choices, bookmarks and shortcuts throughout. You can find what you need fast.
Corel WinDVD 9
(Vista, XP, 2000)
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WinDVD has a easy user interface for capturing images and movie clips from DVD. Which you can then send to your friends via your phone or email.
We were particularly impressed with WinDVD’s support.
DirectDVD
(XP, 2000)
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DirectDVD’s Audio and video quality was fine, but the support wasn’t great. Also it can’t play VOB files or DIVX videos from your hard drive.
On the other hand DirectDVD runs on XP not Vista and requires much fewer resources to deliver quality video.
Learn guitar software - PC Mac
Learning to play the guitar is difficult. It takes time effort and instruction - and the instruction part can be quite expensive. Learning to play the guitar using software is much cheaper, it allows you to progress at your own pace and in your own home.
We looked at a number of software programs and we reviewed the top three below. The top three all had the following features: video lessons, a chord dictionary and a computerized guitar tuner. From all of them you can learn to read tablature, use cords and hand positions. Their practice tools all included a metronome, animated fretboard and record playback functions.
They also all had a manual and supported users by phone and email.
eMedia Guitar Method 4
(Vista, XP, Mac, 95, 98, NT, ME)
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Features unique to Guitar Method:
- Support for left handed players
- Teaches how to string a guitar
- Teaches rhythm
Teach Yourself to Play Guitar
(XP, Mac, 95, 98, NT, ME)
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Features unique to Teach Yourself:
- Interactive learning game
- Guitar care
- Teaches scales
Guitar Coach Deluxe
(Vista, XP, 98, NT, ME)
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Features unique to Guitar Coach:
- Accompaniment
- Printouts
Superman games - video game
Ever feel like putting on a red cape and saving the earth from certain doom? Well then these games might be for you.
Superman Returns: Fortress of Solitude 2006(Xbox, Xbox 360, PS 2, GBA, Nintendo DS)
This game has the same name as the Superman Returns movie, but a very different story line. It starts off with superman stopping a meteor shower and learning how to use his super abilities. Then he goes of to Krypton where he makes sure that it really is gone. On his way back to earth he has a fight with Mongrul. Back on earth you have to overcome Metallo, Bizarro and eventually Lex Luthor.
In the game you will spend some time flying around Metropolis. If you get into range of one, a mission will start. There are quite a few missions, ranging from rescuing kittens to fighting giant robots. The game also has a bit where you play as Bizarro and wreak some havoc. You will be able to use superman’s heat vision to damage enemies, ice breath to freeze them and his super breath to throw them back. These abilities get powered up by completing objectives. Superman is also able to pick up cars and throw them at the villains. During the game you also learn new fighting combos that come in handy against the bosses.
Just one tip, in the battle against Metallo, in the end he fires a rocket that you have to disable. To do so, just fly in right next to the rocket. Trying to destroy it will make it go off.
A new twist in the game is that superman doesn’t have a health bar. The city has one. If the city takes too much damage then you lose.
This isn’t one of the “all time great games” but it does allow you to immerse yourself in the world of superman. If you love superman you will enjoy the game, if not you won’t.
Superman: The Man of Steel (2010)
There is a new superman movie in the works for 2010. They will probably release a new superman game with the movie. I seriously hope that the movie and the game is better than their previous attempt.
Best mass or bulk email software review
A mass email marketing campaign is one of the cheapest ways that a small business can use to market their product to new consumers. Unfortunately, because of the low cost involved, bulk email marketing has been abused by a few unscrupulous marketers. If you differentiate yourself from them, you will find that customers are far more open to your marketing message. In the past I have done so by allowing customer to opt out of receiving emails and by not sending out untargeted emails. You can create a targeted list by allowing visitors to your web site to subscribe to a list or you can approach organisations, with this kind of list. For instance if you are marketing a book on lighting you might contact the Institute of Lighting Engineers.
What to look for in bulk email software:
- Database import and export: The software must allow you to import and export email lists to the major databases for example Microsoft Access.
- HTML and Text emails: The software must support both. HTML emails contain pictures like normal web pages. They tend to convert better than text emails, but about 10% of UK PC users will be unable to open them.
- Direct and mail server emails: It is recommended to send out emails through a mail server. But it is also possible to send out emails directly and the software should support this.
- Ease of use: Some bulk email software programs are way to complicated. A good solution is easy to use.
- Reporting: The software should generate reports on thing like the bounce rate of emails and the click through rate. This information is critical to improving your email marketing campaign.
Email Marketing Director (Windows 2000, Vista, XP, 98, NT, ME)
Email Marketing Director is the best software out there, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the other solutions. So I would only recommend it for businesses that are serious about email marketing. One feature it has, that the others don’t, is that it deletes duplicate email addresses out of your email list. It also removes unsubscribers automatically.
Group Mail (Windows 2000, XP, 98, NT, ME)
Group Mail sender has particularly good support and a easy user interface. So definitely good for first time email marketers. This is the solution that is most widely in use.
Atomic Mail sender (Vista, XP)
Atomic Mail sender is my best value for money pick. It is a good solution for small businesses as it is cheap and does all of the basics well.
Ben ten games PS2 PSP Wii Nintendo DS
Ben 10: Protector of Earth 2007 (PS2 PSP Wii Nintend DS)
The only criticism that I have of Protector of Earth is that you can only play 5 of the aliens. I would have liked to be able to play all ten of the original aliens. You start with Four Arms and Heatblast then you unlock XLR8, Cannonbolt, and Wildvine later in the game. Your mission is to stop the earth from being sucked into the null void. During the game you will go up against some of the bad guys from the show like Dr. Animo, Kevin, the fungus plant from Camp fever, Hex, Ghostfreak, Six-Six, and Vilgax. The game has a 2 player co-op mode which is great fun.
All Ben ten fans ages 6 years and up will love this game.
Ben 10: Alien ForceI can’t wait for it to come out. |
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Content internet filter software - censorware
Content filters are software programs that sit between your PC and the internet. Their job is to filter out any content that you deem unwanted. These filters are used by businesses to keep their employees from being distracted during work hours and by parents to protect their families from online predators and unsuitable content.
What should a good content filter be like?
- Easy to use - The more effort they put into making it easier the better.The really good ones are dead easy to use.
- Balanced filtering - It should filter only bad content. It should for instance allow a breast cancer site, but block an adult site.
- Reporting - The software should be able to generate a report, so you can see what has been happening on the PC.
- Flexibility - The filter should be usable by both single PC home users and small business network servers.
- Port Filtering - The software should be able to block Instant Messaging(AOL messenger), online chat, web pages, peer to peer networks(Kazaa), forums, emails and web popups.
- Foreign Languages - The filtering algorithm should be able to filter objectionable content in other languages.
Free Internet Filters
K9(Windows 2000, Vista, XP)
K9 is free for home use. It only blocks web pages. You can add and remove pages to the list of blocked pages. Clearly K9 isn’t the best solution, but if all you need to do is to block web pages, it is the best free solution.
Free Shield(Windows 2000, XP, 98, ME)
Free Shield is a web browser tool bar. So you manage it from inside the browser. It will only work for preteens, as it is possible to bypass it. It does all the basics that K9 does. Free Shield has a logging system, so you will be able to check which sites your child has visited. It also blocks popups and can be set to auto delete cookies.
Parental control filters that you can buy
Net Nanny(Windows 2000, Vista, XP)
Net Nanny is my number one pick, because it has consistently stayed ahead of the competition by delivering superior filtering and ease of use. Of all the systems I looked at Net Nanny was also the cheapest. The software supports all 4 the major browsers IE, Firefox, Opera and Netscape. Net Nanny supports time limits, so you can decide your child can spend 1 hour a day on the PC then Net Nanny enforces that. Net Nanny had the best reporting and support facilities. Net Nanny has blocking, but not filtering for some programs, for instance chatting and emails. It does not have blocking for ftp, popups and personal information sharing.
CYBERsitter(Windows 2000, NT, XP)
CYBERsitter does a few things that Net Nanny doesn’t. It has filtering of emails and chatting and blocks ftp, popups and personal information sharing, so if that is important go with CYBERsitter. It supports the major browsers and has time limit support.
Safe Eyes(Windows 2000, NT, XP, Mac, Vista)
Safe Eyes came in third because of it’s good cross platform performance. It does not support Opera. Further than that it does mostly what Net Nanny does.
final thoughts
None of these these products are foolproof, so here are some additional things that you can do:
- Move the PC to a shared living area
- Talk to your kids about what they are doing on the internet and about the dangers
- Change your filter password regularly