The BEST (Recommended) Programs
Over the years, Logan has found and uses several programs that he recommends to people again and again. This is free, independent advice that he provides for all his clients. Some of the programs are free and open source, which means the software coding is available online – and programmers worldwide improve on it every day. Some programs do cost money, but knowing which program to buy can save you hundreds of dollars that you would spend on trial and error.
Best Web Browser - Firefox
This should be an easy decision. While Internet Explorer comes free with Windows and is still the dominant web browser, it is also known to be very insecure. While Microsoft has solved a number of the problems with Internet Explorer 6, it's apparently still vulnerable to a number of issues and attacks. With the new version, Internet Explorer 8, they've definitely done their homework, with built in phishing filters and such - it's still not quite as fast as Firefox.
Recommendation: Use Firefox! It’s free, fast, open source, and pretty tight on security. You can download Firefox at www.firefox.com or www.mozilla.com.
Best Web Browser Add-On / Time Saver - Roboform
Logan’s #1 time saver is Roboform. Roboform is a little program on your computer that fills in forms for you quickly AND saves all your passwords securely. This is much better and more safe than letting your browser store this information. Think of all your passwords – banks, credit cards, online stores, rewards programs, surveys, web-based e-mail programs… and Roboform saves so much time keeping it all for you.
Best Anti-Virus Program - AVAST
Symantec’s Norton Anti-Virus is pretty much useless. Over the past 6 yearsr, Logan has repaired over a 100 systems clearly infected with viruses, scumware and spyware, and others issue - and while Norton is up-to-date and humming along proclaiming the system to be safe - it's no where near it. After installing AVAST, he typically finds ten or more viruses invisible to Norton. Again, like the browser, hackers target Norton because it is the most commonly used program. Why not use something better that is updated to catch more viruses? Avast is also cheaper at $39.95 for one year, or $57.94 for 2 years, while Norton costs that much for one year and isn’t catching everything. Avast is clearly the right software to use.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING AVG
Until recently, I used to recommend AVG for antivius. I still believe it's a better solution than Norton Antivirus, or Norton 360 etc. However, I've also now come across a couple of systems that were running AVG and were still infected with viruses. After installing Avast, I was able to easily clean the viruses using it's boot mode scan. Very cool, in my opinion. Avast wins again.
Synchronization / Remote Backup – Syncback SE
SYNCBACK SE is a very cool utility we often use to backup client server files remotely to their home systems. It works wonderfully and fit a need we had been looking for. The interface is nice and easy to use as well.
Click the link below to buy it, or if you just want more info click here: SyncBack Info
Backup in General
I know a lot of users simply want to backup their stuff easily and without hassle, go out and get an external hard drive. Let me make this clear, this is not a bad solution. BUT, it is not truly the best solution.
- What happens if the backup drive dies?
- What happens if the location catches on fire?
- What happens if the users doesn't set an automatic backup to happen to the external drive?
Let me tell you, if you're counting on a human to do your backups for you. You're planning on false hope. I say save you're money on that external drive, and setting up the automatic backup and all that - and use an online backup system like Carbonite. It's VERY VERY good, and easy to setup and manage. It's $50 a year, and you won't be sorry.
Small Office Outlook Sharing - WorkGroupShare
IntenseTech focuses on small businesses. They don’t want to spend thousands of dollars for an exchange server when all they want to do is share their calendars or contacts. WorkGroupShare is a good program that solves this problem. We have installed it at many small businesses and it works beautifully without the hassle and cost of extra servers. If you choose to purchase this product, we can install and configure it for you.
Multiple Remote Access – WinConnect Server XP
We used to recommend PC Anywhere to most of my clients, (and still do if they need integrated file sending and receiving), but Logan is very impressed with WinConnect Server XP from ThinSoft Inc. You can create up to 21 remote terminal server connections to one XP Pro box. It’s like turning your little XP Pro system into a multi terminal server - which previously you could only do if you paid a bunch of money for Win 2003 server. Printer sharing is integrated as well. Highly recommended.
Instant Messaging - Trillian
Forget Instant Messaging with AOL, Microsoft MSN, or even Yahoo. Create your accounts with any of them, and USE THEM ALL with Trillian. This is a free download, and the service allows you to talk with anyone on one of the four major IM providers.
Group Collaboration - Basecamp
Basecamp has definitely changed and organized Logan’s way of doing business. Chances are that if you are a client, you are using Basecamp with IntenseTech. You can follow projects, assign tasks, create to-do lists, and track hours. It is a great way to keep in touch with remote clients and employees as well as keep projects on time.
