Windows Vista in June 2008

Wed 18 Jun 2008

Filed Under: Computers, Windows Vista | Comments Off on Windows Vista in June 2008

Life with Vista has changed dramatically since my last post.  You see after uninstalling Norton from my computer after their attempt to automatically ‘renew my subscription’ by default – the cheek of it – I looked for alternate virus software.

The new one is from McAfee called the Total Protection suit.  This combination of programs claims to protect you from all nasties that hang around the internet.  I bought the versions with multiple user licenses.

There aren’t too many really positive reviews about this piece of software so I wasn’t sure – but the fact that I do not take online reviews as truth – especially from print magazines these days I bought it anyway.  Secretly their comments did effect me but I installed it anyway.   I prefer user reviews these days.

So here’s my review of the Norton Total Protection Suite 2008.

First I turned of all networking and internet connections.
Uninstalled Norton with norton removal tool and checked to ensure everything was removed.
I then selected install the version from disc rather than downloading another over the internet.
Installing Mcafee software was simple and much quicker than the Norton.
You have to register for automatic virus and software updates.
Total proctection had many prompts about wanting you to send anonamyous virus info to them.
There are about 8 separate products you can install form the suite.
You must choose Mcafee Security Center – that’s the control panel for all the programs.
Apart from that I only chose Mcafee Anti-virus and the firewall.
Vista already various malware programs running so didn’t bother with the others.
I may install the others at a later date.

Connected the internet connection back on.
Once installed the program went about the process of registration – not intrusive just name and email address.
Then the program went about downloading the latest updates.
Everything went smoothly.

About 15 minutes later everything was updated.
I rebooted and cheers.

I was also impressed that the Vista and the computer appeared to worked faster than with Norton installed.

I’ll report next month on whether everything is still working.

VMWare Fusion May 2008 Update

Wed 4 Jun 2008

Filed Under: Apple Computers, Computers, VMware Fusion, Windows Mobile 6 | Comments Off on VMWare Fusion May 2008 Update

A late update for my on going experience with VMWare Fusion on my Macbook this time. You see everything is going well so I didn’t feel the need to write anything interesting – which is good.

However during May I was forced to install Microsoft’s ActiveSync, needless to say that this piece of software is still not working properly. Sure combined with Outlook and the Windows Mobile 6 PDA and smartphone – all run the basic software bundle you’d expect stability? Well the answer is no the whole thing is still unstable. Duplicated the set up on the Vista PC and the same results. Very disappointing.

The problem is not Fusion issue because all the settings where simply standard – nothing fancy no proxies or weird connections or software.