Utilities
The June 8 issue of PC Magazine has an extensive review of utility programs. We ask our members to come and share with the group which utility programs they use.
Below is a summary of the PC Magazine test results. Those products whose manes are in red are the Editors' Choice. Five stars means excellent, 4 is very good, 3 is good, 2 is fair, and 1 is poor.
Backup Tools
| Name | Stars | Cost | Web Site |
| NTI Backup NOW! 3 Deluxe | 4 | $69.99 | www.ntius.com |
| Retrospect Professional 6.5 | 4.5 | $89 | www.dantz.com |
| Argentum Backup 2.1 | 3.5 | $25 | www.argentuma.com |
| GRBackup Professional 5.4 | 3 | $59 | www.grsoftware.net |
| BounceBack Professional 5.4 | 3.5 | $99 | www.cmsproducts.com |
| Double Image 5.0 | 3 | $59.95 | www.hostinterface.com |
| Connected DataProtector | 4 | $17.95 per month | www.connected.com |
| Glorio | 3.5 | $36 per month | www.restorion.com |
| IBackup | 4 | $14,95 per month | www.ibackup.com |
| SwapDrive Backup | 3.5 | $50 per month | www.swapdrive.com |
| Xdrive | 3 | $29.95 per month | www.xdrive.com |
| Acronis True Image 7.0 | 5 | $49.99 | www.acronis.com |
| Drive Image 7 | 3 | $69.95 | www.symantec.com |
| Norton Ghost 2003 | 4 | $69.95 | www.symantec.com |
| NTI Drive Backup! 3.0 | 3.5 | $29.99 | www.ntius.com |
| CPR System Health Suite | 3.5 | $45 | www.imaginelan.com |
| Norton GoBack | 4 | $39.95 | www.symantec.com |
| Recovery Commander 2 | 2.5 | $39.95 | www.v-com.com |
Defraggers
| Diskeeper 8.0 Professional | 4.5 | $45.95 | www.executive.com |
| JetDefrag | 1.5 | $49.95 | www.v-com.com |
| Norton Speed Disk | 2 | $69.95 | www.symantec.com |
| O&O Defrag V6 Professional | 4 | $44.90 | www.oo-software.com |
| PerfectDisk 6.0 | 4.5 | $44.95 | www.raxco.com |
Registry Cleaners
| Complete Registry Cleaner 1.0 | 3 | $24 | www.abexo.com |
| Registry First Aid 3.3.0 | 3 | $21 | www.rosecitysoftware.com |
| RegistryFixer | 4.5 | $49.95 | www.v-com.com |
| Registry Mechanic 2.1 | 1 | $19.95 | www.winguides.com |
| Reg Organizer 2.0 | 4 | $29.95 | www.chemtable.com |
| RegSupreme 1.1 | 3 | $12.95 | www.macecraft.com |
Partitioning
| Acronis Partition Expert 2003, build 292 | 3 | $49.95 | www.acronis.com |
| Partition Commander 8 | 2.5 | $49.95 | www.v-com.com |
| PartitionMagic 8.1 | 4 | $69.95 | www.symantec.com |
Migration
| Alohabob PC Relocator Ultra Control | 3.5 | $69.95 | www.alohabob.com |
| Move Me 2.4 | 3 | $34.95 | www.spearit.com |
| Desktop DNA Professional 4.7 | 4 | $49 | www.miramar.com |
| IntelliMover 3.63 | 3 | $49.95 | www.detto.com |
Virus Detection
| GFI Mail Security for Exchange/SMTP 8.0 | 3.5 | $315 (25 users) | www.gfi.com |
| NOD32 Antivirus System | 1.5 | $39 | www.nod32.com |
| Finjan SurfinGuard Pro 5.7 | 2 | $30 | www.finjan.com |
| OSsurance Desktop 3.0 Personal | 2.5 | $100 | www.ossecurity.ca |
Browser Add-Ons
| Easy Go Back 2.3 | 3.5 | Free | www.unhsolutions.com |
| Notes Pilot 1.61 | 4 | $39.95 | www.colorpilot.com |
| Candlelight Favorites Inspector 4 | 4 | $20 | www.candlelight.com |
| WebSite-Watcher 3.60c | 3.5 | $30 | www.metaproducts.com |
| The Easy Bee 2.0.5 | 4 | $129.95 | www.browse3d.com |
| MyIE2 0.9.18.20 | 4 | Free | www.myiec.com |
| FineBrowser 3.1.01 | 4.5 | $29.95 | www.finebrowser.com |
| iBrowser 1.1.0 | 3 | $9.99 | www.yazaaweb.com |
Browser Toolbars
| Google Toolbar | 4.5 | Free | http://toolbar.goog;e.com |
| Yahoo! Companion | 4 | Free | http://companion.yahoo.com |
| MSN Toolbar | 4 | Free | http://toolbar.msn.com |
| Dogpile | 4.5 | Free | www.dogpile.com |
| Viewpoint Toolbar | Beta | Free | www.viewpoint.com |
| Merriam-Webster Toolbar | 4 | Free | www.m-w.com/toolbar |
| Toolbar Designer | 4 | Free | www.toolbardesign.com |
Download Managers
| Download Accelerator Plus Premium 7.0 | 3.5 | $29.95 | www.speedbit.com |
| DownloadStudio 1.0 | 4 | $39.95 | www.conceiva.com |
| Fresh Download 6.75 | 2.5 | Free | www.freshdevices.com |
| GetRight 5.1 | 3.5 | $25 | www.getright.com |
| Lightning Download 1.2.1 | 3.5 | $19.95 | www.lightningdownload.com |
| Star Downloader Pro 1.51 | 3 | $19.95 | www.stardownloader.com |
Trace Removers
| Acronis Privacy Expert Suite 7.0 | 4 | $39.99 | www.acronis.com |
| CyberScrub Professional 3.5 | 2.5 | $49.95 | www.cyberscrub.con |
| Privacy Guardian 3.0 | 3 | $29.95 | www.winguides.com |
| Window Washer 5.5 | 4 | $39.95 | www.webroot.com |
Remote Access
| LapLink Everywhere 2.0 | 4 | $89.95 per year | www.laplink.com |
| I'm In Touch | 3.5 | $99.95 per year | www.01com.com |
| Axentra.net | 3 | Free | www.axenter.net |
| Yahoo! | 3.5 | Free | www.yahoo.com |
Utility Suites
| Norton System Works 2004 | 2.5 | $69.95 | www.symantec.com |
| System Mechanic 4 Professional | 2 | $69.95 | www.iolo.com |
| VCom SystemSuite | 3 | $59.95 | www.v-com.com |
File Compression
| ArchiveXpert 2.02 build 80 | 3.5 | $19.95 | http://archiveXpert.com |
| PicoZip 2.6 | 3.5 | $24.95 | www.picozip.com |
| PKZip 8.0 for Windows | 4 | $24.95 | www.pkzip.com |
| PowerArchiver 8.7 | 3 | $19.95 | www.powerarchiver.com |
| Stuffit Delux 8.0 | 4 | $39.99 | www.stuffit.com |
| WinZip 9.0 | 3.5 | $29 | www.winzip.com |
Password Managers
| Robo-Form Pro 6 | 4 | $29.99 | www.roboform.com |
| Pass Crypt 2 | Not rated | $29.95 | www.permutations.com |
| Password Manager XP 1.9 | 3.5 | $24.95 | www.CP-Lab.com |
| Account Logon 2.5 | 4.5 | $24.95 | www.acountlogon.com |
| Password Agent 2.3 | 3 | $19.95 | www.moomsoftware.com |
Desktop Customization
| Window Blinds 4.2 | 4 | $19.95 | www.stardock.com |
| Object Desktop 2004 | 4.5 | $49.95 | www.stardock.com |
| IconChanger 3.0 | 3 | $19.95 | www.shelllabs.com |
| 3DNA Desktio v1.1 | 4.5 | $29.99 | www.3dna.net |
| Filing Cabinets | 3.5 | $19.95 | www.macroworx.com |
| Post-it Software Notes Lite 3 | 3.5 | Free | www.3m.com |
| Say the Time 6.0 | 3 | $24.95 | www.provenio.com |
| The Distant Suns 5.3 | 4 | $39.95 | www.distantsuns.com |
| Helios | 3.5 | Free | www.reallyslick.com |
| Ripple Screensavers 3.0 | 4 | $14.95 | www.wcgame.com |
| Online News Screensaver v1.0 beta 5 | 3.5 | $14.95 | www.instantchess.com |
File Managers
| Directory Opus 6.2 | 3.5 | $57 | www.gpsoft.com.au |
| ExplorerPlus 6.1 | 4 | $39.95 | www.novatix.com |
| PowerDesk Pro 5 | 2.5 | $39.95 | www.v-com.com |
Screen Capture
| Snagit 7.0.3 | 4.5 | $39.95 | www.techsmith.com |
| HyperSnap-DX | 4 | $35 | www.hyperionics.com |
| Easy Screen Capture 1.2.3 | 3 | $19.95 | www.longfine.com |
Keyboard Utilities
| ActiveWords Plus 1.9 | 4 | $49.95 | www.activewords.com |
| AllChars 3.6.3 | 3 | Free | http://alchars.zwolnet.com |
| Key Text 2000 2.24 | 3.5 | $25 | www.mjmsoft.com |
| QuicKeys 2.5 | 3.5 | $99.95 | www.cesoft.com |
| Perfect Keyboard 6.15a | 4 | $19.95 | www.pitrinec.com/pkindex.htm |
Miscellaneous Tools
| RegWorks 1.3 | 5 | $30 | www.regwrks.com |
| Startup Control Panel 2.8 | 4 | Free | www.mlin.net |
| StartupMoniter 1.02 | 4.5 | Free | www.mlin.net |
| StartupCop Pro | Not rated | $4.97 per month | www.pcmag.com |
| EzDesk 1.8 | 4 | $15 | http://home.comcast.net/~ezwaretech |
| Frozen Icons 2.21 | 3 | $19.95 | www.djokisoft.com |
| Layout.dll | 3 | Free | www.microsoft.com |
| Quick View Plus 8 | 4 | $35 | www.avantstar.com |
| IrfanView | 4.5 | Free | www.irfanview..com |
| WnBrowse 4.8 | 4 | Free | www.ngthomas.co.uk |
| UltraEdit-32 10.0 | 4,5 | $35 | www.ultraedit.com |
| EditPad Pro 5.3 | 3.5 | $39.95 | www.jgsoft.com |
| Notepad++ 1.8 | 3 | Free | http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net |
| CPad 0.14 | 4 | Free | www.zantii.net |
| FileRestore | 3.5 | $39 | www.winternals.com |
| Ontrack EasyRecovery Lite | 2.5 | $89 | www.ontrack.com |
| EasyRecovery DataRecovery 6.0 | 2.5 | $199 | www.ontrack.com |
| Undelete 4.0 Home | 3 | $24.95 | www.execsoft.com |
Microsoft Office Tools
| Office Navigator | 4 | $24.95 | www.office-addins.com |
| CrossEyes 2.2 | 4 | $49.99 | www.levitjames.com |
| WordPipe 3.9 | 3.5 | $100 | www.crystalsoftware.com.au |
| Advanced Excel Find & Replace 2.1 | 4.5 | $19.95 | www.ablebits.com |
| ExcelPipe 2.3 | 3.5 | $199 | www.crystalsoftware.com.au |
| Backup Assistant | 4 | $24.95 | www.add-ins.com |
| Cell Color Assistant | 4.5 | $24.95 | www.add-ins.com |
| Link Finder | 3.5 | $49.95 | www.add-ins.com |
| Spreadsheet Assistant | 4.5 | $39.95 | www.add-ins.com |
| Excel Duplication Manager | 3 | $29.95 | www.ozgrid.com/services/exceladd-inspage.htm |
| Spheresoft Highlighter for Excel | 4 | $49 | www.spheresoft.com |
| ExcelTip.com Excel Add-In | 4 | Free | www.exceltip.com |
| LiveWeb 1.5 | 4 | Free | www.mvps.org/skp |
| PowerPlugs: Screensaver Creator 1.0 | 4 | $49 | www.crystalgraphics.com |
| Secure Pack 2.0 | 4.5 | $49.95 | www.mvps.org/skp |
| Sequential Save | 4 | Free | www.mvps.org/skp |
Digital Photo Tools
| Corel KnockOut 2 | 3.5 | $99.99 | www.corel.com |
| Extensis Mask Pro 3 | 4 | $199.95 | www.extensis.com |
| The Panorama Factory 3.0 | 4.5 | $59.95 | www.panoramafactory.com |
| ArcSoft PhotoMontage Video Edition | 4 | $39.99 | www.arcsoft.com |
| InstaCropper 3.1 | 4 | $30 | www.utah3d.com |
| nik Color Efex Pro | 4.5 | $69.95 to $299.95 | www.nikmultimedia.com |
| Xenofex 2 | 4 | $129 | www.alienskin.com |
| Corel KPY Collection | 4 | $99.99 | www.corel.com |
| Shortcut PhotoZoom Basic | 3 | $49 | www.trulyphotomagic.com |
| Shortcut PhotoZoom Pro | 4 | $129 | www.trulyphotomagic.com |
| nik Sharpener Pro Home Edition | 3.5 | $79.95 | www.nikmultimedia.com |
| nik Sharpener Pro Inkjet Edition | 4 | $169.95 | www.nikmultimedia.com |
| Noise Ninja | 3.5 | $29 | www.picturecode.com |
| Noise Ninja Professional | 4 | $69 | www.picturecode.com |
| Metrix | 4 | Free | www.panix.com/~jnr |
| JPEGcrop | 4.5 | Free | www.jpegclub.org |
| PhotoRescue 2.0 | 4.5 | $29 | www.datarescue.com |
| EXIF InfoTip | 4 | Free | http://home.pacbell.net/michal_k/exif_v.html |
Browser Alternatives
In the July 8 USA Today, Edward C. Baig gave the following alternatives to IE. These are for people who are tired of all the security holes that are in IE.
| Name | Stars | Cost | Web Site | Pro | Con |
| Mozilla Firefox v0.9 | 3.5 | Free | www.mozilla.org | Fast, simple and streamlined | Not yet a finished product |
| Stilesoft NetCaptor v7.5 | 3.5 | $39 | www.netcaptor.com | Excellent tabbed browsing | Based on IE |
| Opera v7.5 | 3 | $39 | www.opera.com | Gaggle of features | Cluttered and Confusing |