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Software Reviews
by gottleib1885
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.
- Freeware
Win (All)
Needs work... 
IE Privacy Keeper version 2.7.3
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 1
- Overall:
I used this program for about two weeks and found a couple of flaws. That might not normally keep me from recommending software, but there is no room for error when dealing with privacy. Installation, setup, and use were all fine. The two problems that caused me to uninstall and look elsewhere were, first, IEPK didn't seem to activate when I closed Firefox. There is supposed to be an icon in the system tray indicating, as it did with IE, that the program is cleaning. My configuration was all OK, but no icon. Second, when activating the cleanup process manually, the program did not empty my recycle bin. Again, the configuration was set to do so. In summary, I will check for updates in the future, and may end up retrying IE Privacy Keeper when the bugs are worked out. It is a good program, and I commend the developer for his efforts. Unfortunately, I just can't recommend it at this time.
Review date: Dec 14, 2006
- Freeware
- 2000/XP/Vista
Quicky and easy but not secure deletion.
CCleaner version 1.34.407
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 4
- Overall:
User-friendly, quick history cleanup. No spyware. Easy to install/uninstall. Caveat: Does not securely delete files (and doesn't claim to). Using a common free utility called Restoration, I recovered all my 'cleaned' items after running CCleaner. If you need secure deletion, you'll need something stronger. The 'Issues' section of the program is handy for helping to keep your system less cluttered with obsolete files. Overall, a good program for casual use.
Review date: Nov 27, 2006
- Freeware
- Win (All)
Don't be afraid - this will get you started
Enersoft SiteGenWiz version 1.5
- Interface: 4
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Despite being an absolute first-time dabbler, I created and published my website in a very short time using this program. It is intuitive, with a minimum of technical language, and really enables you to get something started quickly and easily, thus building confidence and helping you to understand how the process works. You can build your site offline using the templates provided, and preview exactly how it will look. Then you just have to enter some login information from your web hosting service to upload (publish) your site via the built-in FTP section of the program. You'll definitely need a high-speed connection to upload even the most basic site, or you're in for a huge headache. Sincere thanks to Enersoft for this free program that opens up the fascinating world of website creation and publishing to us amateurs! Please visit danielcwilliams.com to see the site that I built using this program. SiteGenWiz contains absolutely NO malware of any kind.
Review date: Oct 19, 2006
- Freeware
- 98/ME/2000/XP
You can't do this wrong...
Dariks Boot and Nuke (DBAN) version 1.0.5
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
(1) Download ISO Image (2) Burn to CD (3) Insert disc , restart, type "autonuke" at prompt. Seriously, that's it. I've been using this program for years and it is absolutely flawless. Just don't forget to back up your data. Also, remember that this program automatically wipes any and all hard drives attached to your computer. Don't forget to unplug any drives you don't want wiped. My computer is an emachines T2642 with Window$ XP Home. I have two internal hard drives, and this program has no problem recognizing and wiping them both.
Review date: Oct 06, 2006
- Freeware
- Win (All)
Wonderfully simple and effective!
IE New Window Maximizer version 2.4
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is one of those rare, simple, spyware-free programs that just does one thing, and does it beautifully! You don't even think about it once it is installed. It can be configured to start automatically with Windows, and the system tray icon can even be hidden to reduce clutter. If any improvements could be made, I would simply wish to see a future version that would maximize EVERYTHING! Many thanks to the author of this handy little tool!
Review date: Apr 09, 2006
- Freeware
- 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Works great!
CutePDF Writer version 2.5
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
..Does just what it says it will do. Very easy and intuitive. Shows up as a printer when you select the 'print' option from the 'file' menu. Simply select 'cutepdf' as the printer you want to use, and it will prompt you for the location to which you would like to 'print' (save) the file. Then, just double-click the file to open it with your pdf viewer. (Most people use Adobe Reader but I prefer Foxit Reader) The only thing that would be nice to add to this wonderful program would be a shrink-to-fit option so that Internet Exploder doesn't cut off the right side of the page. (The pdf you create will look exactly like the print preview, so you can check ahead of time to see if your page is going to get cut off) Bravo and hats off to the creator of this awesomely simple and useful software!
Review date: Apr 07, 2006
- Freeware
- Win (All)
Many formats, many features... all for free!
TUGZip version 3.4.0.0
- Interface: 4
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I really love this program because it has everything covered as far as compressed file formats go, and it's completely free of cost, ads, spies, trojans, and google toolbars. You're probably not going to run into a compressed file that TUGZip can't open. I do have two nitpicks: First, I haven't gotten the self-extracting zip file feature to work properly for me. Second, the option to have a compressed file be extracted to the same directory by default as a result of a double-click doesn't seem to work, even though it is a configurable option. Double-clicking just opens the program's interface, which is a bit slow. No problem, however, to simply right-click and extract via the shell menu. Overall, a fantastic program that I have been using and recommending for over a year now. FYI, here's my environment: eMachines T2642, 2.8ghz Celeron, 512 MB SDRAM, Window XP.
Review date: Sep 25, 2005
- Freeware
- 98/ME/2000/XP
Just couldn't make it work at all.
ASX Maker version 2.5
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 1
- Overall:
I followed the instructions multiple times with absolutely no success. I was trying to string together some video files, which is one of the suggested uses of this app, but I couldn't load the playlist. It would create just fine, but when I double-clicked on it, Windows Media Player 10 would open and say that it couldn't handle the file type. I also tried opening it from the hokey little 'playlist' part of WMP but that didn't work either. The program is simple and uncluttered with a nice, straight-forward interface - it just doesn't seem to work. I have all of the necessary codecs and so forth, and the player will play the files just fine individually. Another problem is that the help file only gives a cursory explanation of what to do, but doesn't include any troubleshooting suggestions. My apologies to the author if this is my fault, but I just couldn't figure it out.
Review date: Mar 17, 2005
- Freeware
- 98/ME/2000/XP
Says what it does & does what it says...
Swiff Player version 1.1
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Absolutely, perfectly simple. Have no fear - just download & install! This player was able to handle my .swf files with aplomb, including pausing and fullscreen playback (alt+enter). Also, I was able to do a screen capture while paused and in fullscreen mode. This would be pretty cool for creating your own custom pics, wallpapers, T-shirt iron-ons... etc. To compliment this classy piece of code, you may want to find & download a freeware browser plugin for Internet Explorer called "Flash Saving Plugin". It will allow you to save many flash animations & games. Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out Ebaum's World for free games, flash animations & more. Many thanks to the fine folks at GlobFX!
Review date: Jan 03, 2005
- Freeware
- Win (All)
Simple and effective most of the time...
WackGet version 1.2
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is a very simple and user-friendly app that works well most of the time. It is easy to install, and may be integrated into IE so that you simply hold down the control key while clicking on a file to have it d/l to the directory of your choice. The number of simultaneous d/l's may also be changed, if, say, you just want to get one file at a time. Another handy feature is queue-saving, which allows you to load up all the files you want and then d/l them when it is convenient. I like to pause the d/l process while I load the queue, then start it when I am done. One small problem I had is that the program can not d/l pics that are embedded in html links, which results in an html document being d/l instead of a pic. Also, I wish there were a way to "lock" the clicking integration so the control button did not have to remain pressed - and as long as I'm wishing, a download-priority setting would be nice, too. No malware or gimmicks. Overall, definitely worth having!
Review date: Dec 01, 2004
- Freeware
- Win (All)
Good but not great.
AsciiMagic version 1.1
- Interface: 3
- Features: 2
- Ease of use: 2
- Value: 2
- Overall:
This is a very simple program that will convert a small image into a text 'picture' using only ascii characters. It does not resize the image to make it fit reasonably within the text display, so that must be done manually beforehand. One small issue I have noticed is that although the program outputs to a .txt extension, which opens with notepad by default, the images do not display correctly in notepad. Simple enough, however, to just right-click and open with wordpad. Additionally, there is some vertical compression on the final image, making it appear 'squeezed' from the sides. Perhaps this could be compensated for by 'widening' the input image beforehand, but I haven't tried it. Kudos, as always, for no spyware or other nonsense. (Computer info: Windows XP, 2.8ghz Celeron, 512mb DDRAM)
Review date: Nov 22, 2004
- Freeware
- 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Another great program from xiberpix!
Sqirlz Morph version 1.1e
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is a basic morphing application that is easy to learn and use, and produces good results. It allows a user to input two or more images and morph them together with or without custom settings. By default, it will basically just fade the images together and can output the finished product to flash or avi. Using the options, however, the image can be twisted, folded, and variously altered to achieve much more intricate effects. The morphing effect is done using 'control points' that can be placed at crucial points on the objects being morphed, to control how they move when they are 'blended' together. This is a fun and useful freeware program, containing no spyware, nag screens, or other malicious devices. Thanks to the author for donating his superior programming skills to the freeware community!
Review date: Nov 12, 2004
- Freeware
- 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
Surprisingly nice, free program!
Sqirlz Water Reflections version 1.0c
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Very easy to learn and start using, and the results are much better than I expected. The default settings for the appearance of the water are good, and there at least five parameters for changing the texture and speed of the motion - not to mention the option for changing the frame rate once you start to save the file. Two small issues I have noticed are, first, that the program doesn't seem to be able to open its saved outline (.otn) files. No problem, just make sure you get everything done right the first time and export the finished product as a flash or avi. Second, I have not been able to use the "outline new segment" button to outline a new segment that does not touch the first one. You can get around this somewhat, but it would be convenient to be able to "lift" the mouse from one spot to another. Overall, this is one of the funnest and most useful freeware apps I have seen in a while. It is definitely worth the download!
Review date: Nov 12, 2004
Create interactive Flash movies and tutorials to show how applications and systems work.
A powerful, yet easy-to-use tool to automate any series of tasks you can do on your computer.
