17 replies to this topic

[marko]

Keep the suggestions coming guys

[bribiec]

Congratulations guys for a job well done, am looking forward to spending more time on here. Just a big "thank you" for all the work you have and are doing.....

[marko]

Thanks bribiec, appreciated
Marko

[Quantum D.]

I agree with JamesM in some ways.


Tutorials that go beyond just telling us about freeware would be good and as a replacement, if you don't have the time to make one, a link to a safe place to get some guidance would also be good.


Other than that, everything is fine but I'll surely be back with other ideas when they pop out of my brain!  

[marko]

Thanks Quantum, will keep that one in mind
Marko

[Information Overload]

As a new reader I think that a review of the various freeware/shareware antivirus suites would be a great addition to the newsletter; as a person who has just started reviewing software on my own I can see reviewing interface, ease of use, and developer support, and etcetera, but I find it hard to see a way of testing out security that is safe. I have these questions:

1.) How do you find the amount of viruses it missed with certainty?
2.) How do you protect the reviewer from those viruses it did miss?
3.) How do you measure what the average reader would encounter virus wise? (Slightly safer and more pertinent.)
4.) How do you compare it to the "average" virus program?
5.) How do you compare it to professional programs at no cost to the reviewer?

If there's an answer to the questions, such as a dud virus or a program that acts as a virus but only cracks into the system and doesn't do damage, then I'd love to get in on such reviews, but anything that is unsafe can't really be asked of a reviewer as most of them are doing their reviews free of charge and have no way to pay for damages to there systems and probably don't want to damager there systems in the first place. I know of one alternative and that is if the reviewer has used/is using the antivirus software. That's great and I'd love to see those reviews, but how can it be compared with other programs? And how can we relate it to the reader if there's no information as to what the average reader encounters?

I know I've used a couple of antivirus suites and will be reviewing those shortly. I've done things with my computer, stupid things that with the knowledge I now have continue to bewilder me at my own stupidity, that have probably, scratch that, have pushed my antivirus and antispyware to the limit and even past the limit of their abilities. Such things that would horrify any computer loving geek in the universe (and now, as I am a geek myself, horrify me). I can tell you right now I've had those rogue antivirus programs at least three times now; it only takes one to kill your computer for good, I used to get about two to three trojans every day or two, and Iused to get a plethora of adware and minor viruses every day. To this day I stand in shock an awe that my little netbook survived the torment it did. I have to give thanks to the God of computers, give alms to the different antivirus software I used, and do penance for the developers whose creations I strained to the very limits and beyond of what they were meant to do. I am humbled at the fact that my little netbook doesn't yet deny me access to its wonders. ("Okay when's this guy gonna shut up," is what your all thinking.)

As a new reviewer doing things on my own I'm glad for this thread as I am always welcoming of new ideas and new programs to review.(This is what happens when I'm caffeinated or sleep deprived, I get verbal diarrhea...)So if you have any more ideas please keep 'em coming and if you have any freeware/shareware to be reviewed just give me a holler. As you can see, especially if you have access to my login history, I have plenty of time on my hands that's why I've decided to put it to good use.

I've ranted enough to kill an elephant and bore even the most avid reader. So I shall commence the shutting up. (We shall see how long it lasts.) Thanks for reading or even just skimming!

[marko]

Many thanks for that Vic, always appreciated  
Marko