Book Reviews and Money Saving Tips

I got an email from Comcast touting their Constant Guard security package.   It’s free so I thought I would download and try it.   If you are interested just go to www.comcast.net and click on security.  It downloaded and installed OK.   It asked a lot of questions and then had me reboot.   Interestingly after I rebooted, neither Firefox or ie9 would open.   Now I admit Comcast’s blurb about their wonderful security software sounded interesting but… If it is so disruptive out of the box, what happens when it is entrenched?  I uninstalled it and will continue to use the variety of protection software  that have served me well.   Alas, another disappointing experience with Comcast.   

Free is a byword on this blog. I’m always looking for good free stuff. My Win7 system is sluggish so I went to ZD.net Downloads to see what was available as a Free download for system optimization. System Optimize Expert came up when I filtered for Windows and Free. Its description sounded good so I downloaded and installed it. I ran Scan and soon as I ran it a pop-up for their Pro version popped up. Seconds after I started the scan System Optimize Expert reported that I had hundreds of problems and did I want to fix them? I replied affirmatively and it said, the free version only fixes 5 problems, did I want to upgrade to the Pro version. I clicked cancel, went to Control Panel and uninstalled the program. Frankly I don’t care if it is accurate or not, the practice of claiming to be free and then finding some outrageous number of issues that can only be fixed by upgrading seems highly suspicious. I might add that ZD.net should more accurately evaluate if a download truly...

Periodically I get a request to write a review on a product and in return get some financial consideration. Being retired, if I can in good conscience write something without impugning by personal ethics, I am happy to accept. I did receive a fee for writing the following blog and that did not impact whatsoever my writing. For those of you that know me, that is easily accepted, for those of you who don’t, in some circles I am considered opinionated. I can’t imagine why? Sunbelt’s CounterSpy has some very nice characteristics. First, you should MOST DEFINATELY be using some product to protect you from spyware and malware. Since most of us resent anything that hogs our computer resources, you want to use a program that demands the least resources and yet provided maximum protection. Take a look at the charts at Sunbelt’s site and look at resource allocation; I think you may find some eye opening information. At $20.00, this program is a very good value. I know I spent ...