Advantages: Good security
Disadvantages: Only one listener

...Stuck away from the office and want to get access to your computer? Need to take over a machine remotely to get to something you need? Well, thanks to PCAnywhere, you can now do this…Anywhere! Yep, one of the best remote controlling pieces of software on the market is a product called PCAnywhere. It allows people to take control of a computer remotely and use it as if they were sitting in front of it. PCAnywhere has a rich history of providing this control for computer users and their latest release, 10.5 is better than ever. Firstly let me explain the logistics behind it. There are normally at least 2 computers needed here. One is the computer that has the information you need. This is the machine you want to control but are not sitting at. This is called the HOST computer. Secondly is the computer you are using to connect... Read review

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Advantages: Free, multi-platform, fast
Disadvantages: No file-transfer, no 'chat' dialog.

...As the Technical Director of several communications companies, I have the onerous task of ensuring that our helpdesk can remotely access and maintain several computer systems at each one of our installed customers. In the past we have used pcAnywhere, Remotely Possible or PC-Duo. All of these solutions are expensive, unreliable and unfriendly to the host system and remote client. A major advantage is that RealVNC will run on any Windows, Linux or OS2 (among many other) boxes, and smoothly conenct to a Windows machine without any compatability issues. Given that file transfer is a must, we now set up our applications to use pcAnywhere (the best of the worst) as the primary connection, and then run WinVNC or RealVNC as it is now called (www.realVNC.com) between the machines at the far-end on their local LAN - this works extremely... Read review

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Advantages: Better then nothing
Disadvantages: 3billion disadvantages listed below:

...allow a remote attacker to gain access to your system! It's supposed to be "Security" Software, this is totaly un acceptable. This version of norton hasn't been found to be vurlnable to anything yet, but the complete package includes things like Symantec "Live Update!" which has multiple exploits. ------------------------ Symantec LiveUpdate 1.5 stores proxy passwords in cleartext in a registry key, which could allow local users to obtain the passwords. The Notify daemon for Symantec Enterprise Firewall (SEF) 6.5.x drops large alerts when SNMP is used as the transport, which could prevent some alerts from being sent in the event of an attack. The client for Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2004-2005 runs winhlp32 with raised privileges, which allows local users to gain privilages on this system. The GUI functionality for an interactive... Read review

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Advantages: Blocks some viruses, as you'd expect.
Disadvantages: Way too slow at everything, impossible to get rid of.

...Apparently, "Norton AntiVirus from Symantec is the No. 1 anti-virus software in the world! It provides clear, easy-to-understand instructions on how to proceed when a virus is detected, reducing fear and uncertainty". I beg to differ! I used Norton antivirus for about 5 months, before I could bear using it any longer! I'll be fair to it, I didn't get any viruses, but then again there are billions of antivirus programs that stop you from getting viruses, and you don't have to pay so much for them! As there aren't many, I'll start with the good points: Effectiveness: In the time I used Norton, I didn't get any viruses, and it did a good job of blocking unwanted popups and trojans. However, it failed to recognise the blaster virus I already had... Easy to find: I can't imagine this being possible, but if you were completely... Read review

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Advantages: Stable | User friendly
Disadvantages: Not the most secure OS | Expensive

...own computer, which came with Windows ME, which looked very nice and was easily customisable, but boy was it unstable. I found that it was "crashing" several times a day and I almost cheered on the day that my next computer that came with Windows XP arrived. I've since owned three computers that have each come with Windows XP Home installed, and have had quite a bit of experience with it over the last three years. ---Do you need the complete package?--- This is an important question to ask yourself before buying Windows XP/SP2 Home Complete, especially as there is a huge price difference between this and an upgrade. If you are running Windows 98, 98SE or ME, then you will only need to upgrade, if you are running any other operating system (or have none at all) then you will need to buy the complete package. Another interesting... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Maybe there would have been some if I could have got it to work properly
Disadvantages: Customer care too far away

...I feel I should give a little background here . I am also sure that many of you reading will rate or think this review is 'off topic' but I felt I wanted to express my opinion so here goes . THE BACKGROUND ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ We have had Norton Anti-Virus on our system for a few years now and always been satisfied with the results . When we got our new computer 18 months or so ago there was a 60 day trial of the current Norton included on the system . When this expired as we had been completely satisfied with the product we renewed our subscription . Although we orderd on-line I asked for the option were we received the discs in case there was ever a problem . We ordered Norton Ghost and System Works in the same package for 50 something pounds . All went well and then a couple of weeks ago we started getting warnings... Read review

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Advantages: none
Disadvantages: everything

...needed to be uninstalled and reinstalled. Ok, not a hard thing to do and onscreen instructions were simple to use, therefore I did what was asked and appeared to solve the problem. However.... the following day the message was back. I decided that I would use the benefit of the offered live chat that came with the product and enetred a chat room. After been told I was 10th in the queue and waiting for 20 mins even though it had stated the wait was only 2 mins. I got into a conversation with Radiq who told me to completely uninstall the program and went through ways of opening folders etc to make sure that all of the previously installed versions of Symantec had gone... as he felt that this was the problem. After having done this I was assured that this would resolve the issue. Two days later to my horror the message appeared again... Read review

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Advantages: Great new feel, built in firewall, virus protection & automatic updates
Disadvantages: Slow at times, hackers target it

.... --- About the packages --- To start off with, if you want to use Microsoft Windows XP, your system must fit the following requirements: • PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended • 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features) • 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space* • Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor • CD-ROM or DVD drive • Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device You will also need: For Internet access: • Some Internet functionality may require Internet access, a Microsoft. NET... Read review

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Advantages: FEWER INSURANCE CLAIMS, LESS BREAKAGES, FREE
Disadvantages: NONE

...NINTENDO WII PROTECTIVE COVER If you bought a Nintendo WII before 15th October, 2007, then there is a very good possibility that you have not got these. Consoles bought after this date should have these covers included in the package. For those of you that have not got these protective covers, Nintendo are now offering these for free - further details below. The controllers themselves do come with protective straps, but it looks like additional protection is required. Having got one of these consoles, I completely agree with the decision too. Imagine the scene. Two players gradually getting more and more animated whilst playing the game. Although the strap is supposed to be used, can we really, hand on heart, honestly say that we use the strap at all times? The cover is designed to provide protection should a Wii... Read review

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Advantages: Ease of use, SmartSound, improved audio and titling
Disadvantages: No background rendering, some new features a bit fiddly.

...and convert them to a different format in one hit. Nice to see is the support for MPEG4 (DIVX) and AC3 Dolby Digital audio as well as 16:9 footage. Note though that the first two options require plug-ins at additional cost (£13.78 each). Ulead have done their best to ensure you have as much at your disposal as possible when it comes to creating your video masterpieces. One things still sorely lacking though is background rendering. Until you prepare your final output either to tape or DVD/CD, no rendering is done. Pinnacle's Studio 9 does this in the background as you work and it's a great time saver when filters and effects have been used. Conclusion Whilst I felt some of the newer features could have been more intuitive in use, they all added to what was already an impressive package. I wasn't much impressed by the Movie Wizard... Read review

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