topbarfade

Software Reviews

by JMMannion

The reviews and opinions below are posted by SnapFiles visitors. They do not necessarily reflect our opinion, and are solely based on the experience of individual users.

CLCL
  • Freeware
  • Win98/ME/2000/XP

qleft  Excellent  qright

CLCL version 1.1.2
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 4
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I have used just about every Clipboard utility I could find, both free and shareware and I have constantly reverted to CLCL. It takes a little patience to get it setup correctly, but after that it is excellent. The .dll's which handle some of the tasks can be difficult to install, but there are web site that explain how this can be done. I have a lot of computer experience and I will have to say the .dll's are tricky. So it you are new to this, find a web site for information. It is worth every bit of your time and effort. If you need a clipboard extender, let me recommend this one to you. JM

    Review date: Mar 28, 2008

Foxit PDF Reader
  • Freeware
  • Win2000/XP/Vista

qleft  Hidden problems  qright

Foxit PDF Reader version 2.0 Build 1606
  • Interface: 4
  • Features: 4
  • Ease of use: 4
  • Value: 2
  • Overall: 3

I used Foxit for about six months and made the error of clicking on "text" only to discover it will not let you go back. The program then nags continually asking for you to buy the upgrade. I reverted to Adobe Acrobat 6 and will remain there. Very disappointing. I would reluctantly recommend it, but point out the crippled portion of the program.

    Review date: Feb 02, 2008

Maxthon
  • Freeware
  • WinWin (All)

qleft  You'll love it!  qright

Maxthon version 2.0.6.9024
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I have tried most all the browsers and browser skins and this is the best in my opinion. The tabs are absolutely great, updates come regularly and it is just a nice experience. So smooth you'll take it for granted which is as it should be.

    Review date: Jan 21, 2008

RegSeeker
  • Freeware
  • Win98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista

qleft  Beyond the call of duty  qright

RegSeeker version 1.55
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I read the comments on this little program and, for the most part everyone is right. The program does do exactly as it has been ordered to do. So, a little caution is necessary when using it. It isn't necessary to avoid it entirely, just run it at the default settings and things go well. For those who are a bit more daring and have some idea of what takes place in the registry you can take it a few steps further and get those really pesky problems satisfied. The "Find in Registry" feature is very good and comes close to the default "regedit" for quality. If this program is used with RegScanner every little stray item can be winnowed and safely removed. The more a person works with the registry the more interesting and fun it becomes to use the programs. I will give this program an Excellent because it deserves it!

    Review date: Dec 07, 2007

Adobe Photoshop
  • Free Trial ($649.00)
  • Win98/ME/2000/XP

qleft  A tool for color manipulation . . .  qright

Adobe Photoshop version CS2
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 3
  • Value: 4
  • Overall: 5

PhotoShop is an expensive professional tool like AutoDesk's AutoCAD. PhotoShop is a continual learning experience. If a person has the wherewithal to purchase PhotoShop and the time and patience to learn how it functions, then it is a worthwhile program. However, it is designed more for the commercial user. A logical substitute for the casual paint manipulation user would be The Gimp. Not nearly as definitive, but will handle the average requirements. I suggest Photofiltre for touch ups and IrfanView for just about every other image handling requirements. Both of these small programs are stable, comfortable to use and tried and proven by most professionals. If a person is confused and agitated by either of the latter two programs, then PhotoShop is absolutely not the solution to the problem. A person would then want to consider Picasa2. JMM

    Review date: Feb 09, 2007

RegScanner
  • Freeware
  • Win98/ME/2000/XP

qleft  This little guy works!  qright

RegScanner version 1.40
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I was plagued with Picasa2 registry entries to the point where I was about to write zeros then I discovered this little guy. It is very easy to use and finds the entries so easily it makes it refreshing to work with the register. No guess work with this program. Two thumbs up for RegScanner. JMM

    Review date: Feb 08, 2007

Ad-Aware 2007
  • Freeware
  • Win2000/XP/Vista

qleft  Handles the problem . . .  qright

Ad-Aware 2007 version 1.06r1
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

This program works! I will give it an excellent rating because it does so well. JMM

    Review date: Jan 31, 2007

CCleaner
  • Freeware
  • Win2000/XP/Vista

qleft  One of the best . . .  qright

CCleaner version 1.35.424
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

Here is a program which I have been using for quite a while. I have it tweaked to handle the tasks to my liking. I have it set to deep clean and the cookies are managed, too. It takes a few swipes for it to get the job done, but it is done correctly. I have tested a few other programs against this one and they work okay, but CCleaner gives me the results I expect. I run this along with RegCleaner and I also personally check the register from time to time by opening it with the Windows regedit and there are rarely any stray, or questionable entries. My computer/s are tools and used for work, mainly CAD modeling and design. I need programs that will do the task without disturbing the delicate and expensive content on the hard drives, yet keep things in order. So, I use this program and find it excellent. JMM

    Review date: Jan 30, 2007

IrfanView
  • Freeware
  • WinWin (All)

qleft  Simply the best . . .  qright

IrfanView version 3.99
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I have been using IrfanView since 1997. I have tried dozens of others along the way and this remains my favorite. It is a program that has about everything I need for serious image viewing. No nonsense and straight forward. It has been my default viewer since I first installed it. It is really my right arm and I strongly recommend this wonderful program. JMM

    Review date: Jan 30, 2007

ZipGenius
  • Freeware
  • WinWin (All)

qleft  Excellent program . . .  qright

ZipGenius version 6.0.3.1130
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

This program is good, as in really good. Don't take my word on it, give it a try and I am sure you'll agree. JMM

    Review date: Jan 30, 2007

PhotoFiltre
  • Freeware
  • Win98/ME/2000/XP

qleft  Necessary program . . .  qright

PhotoFiltre version 6.2.7
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

This little program is a necessary part of any software library. It combines all the important and useful parts of image touch-up programs into one small, easy to use program. Truly a mini-PhotoShop. A must have. JMM

    Review date: Jan 30, 2007

The GIMP
  • Freeware
  • WinWin (All)

qleft  Very good program . . .  qright

The GIMP version 2.2.13
  • Interface: 4
  • Features: 4
  • Ease of use: 3
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 4

This program is very good. It is a bit overwhelming at the beginning, but after a few hours it begins to smooth out. It works a lot like most other paint programs except it does it in a big way. JMM

    Review date: Jan 30, 2007

AbiWord
  • Freeware
  • Win98/ME/2000/XP

qleft  Nice little word processor . . .  qright

AbiWord version 2.4.4
  • Interface: 4
  • Features: 4
  • Ease of use: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Overall: 4

We aren't talking MS Word here, nor are we talking OpenOffice.org. However, this little fellow does a good job considering its size. It has a nice appearance and is easy to learn because it is just about the same as Word and OOo. The only thing I have ever seen wrong with it is it occasionally nests fonts and has done so for as many versions back as I can recall. That aside, it is a slick program that can handle small writing needs in a big way and it is free. Not all that long ago a little program like this would cost over four hundred dollars. It reminds me of Word Perfect 5.2 for Windows and works just as well. I have it on a small laptop, that is, the laptop has a small hard drive and this program fits nicely. It has managed to push word processing programs like CryptEdit and Jarte out of the laptop computer because it works so well. My rating is a very good for this program. JMM

    Review date: Jan 29, 2007

WordWeb
  • Freeware
  • WinWin (All)

qleft  Look it up in the dictionary . . .  qright

WordWeb version 4.5a
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

Now it is simple to follow the teacher's old adage to look it up in the dictionary. I use this little gem daily. When I come across a word anywhere on the Internet, or in any text whatsoever that I don't know, or need an exact meaning and usage, I just highlight the word and click on the WordWeb tray icon and I have it. I have been using this program for about two years and I have come to rely on it. I think this is an excellent program to install on any computer and especially if the machine is used by children. Words are fun and English is the most colorful language with several words to describe one item and this program makes it all so very easy. I just cannot recommend this strongly enough. Get it, use it and you'll find yourself needing it more and more each time you read and write. JMM

    Review date: Jan 28, 2007

OpenOffice
  • Freeware
  • WinWin (All)

qleft  Highly recommend . . .  qright

OpenOffice version 2.04
  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 4
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

In fairness to the reader let me say I have been using OOo for about three years. Lately I use only the Writer, but I do use the PDF Converter frequently. I no longer use any other part of the OOo program, i.e., the office tools. I no longer have a need for them. Therefore my opinion on the program is predicated on just the Writer and PDF Converter both of which are excellent. I can construct pages with images and text which when converted to PDF format are nothing short of outstanding. I use Writer for most of my text needs along with Nvu. In fairness to MS Word, yes, I still use it but less and less frequently as OOo seems to be my favorite. OpenOffice now imports and exports other formats nicely which makes it nice to use. I would recommend this program to anyone without a moments hesitation. It is a nice comfortable program to use. Like any software it takes time to become familiar with it, then it is like an old friend. JMM

    Review date: Jan 27, 2007

Folder Lock

Folder Lock

Create a password protected folder to store all your sensitive files and documents.

Demo Builder

Demo Builder

Create interactive Flash movies and tutorials to show how applications and systems work.

AceSpy

AceSpy

Keep track of everything that is done on your computer.