Updated Tuesday, March 4, 2008 5:36 AM

Good Things

Paul English Blog
AVG Antivirus
Intel Processors
Windows 98 / 2000 / XP
AOL 7.0
Netscape 7.02
Internet Explorer 5.5 sp2
Comcast
Verizon FiOS
Act! Software
3com Network Cards
Paint Shop Pro
Screensavers for Flat Panel Displays
Ad-Aware
Spybot
Avant Browser
Opera Browser
Thunderbird Email Client
iTunes
Remote Backups
Copernic Search
Backup Platinum

Paul English Website
Tired of the Voice-Queue Hell 'provided' by everything from Dell Technical Support to BofA? Paul English has gathered the information necessary to bypass the queue and go directly to a human for almost everyone from American Express to XM Radio.

Click here for the direct link to this page!

Click here for the main page of his website.

AVG AntiVirus
Grisoft produces five versions of the AVG Anti-Virus product, one of which is free and very effective. The Professional version will scan and repair viruses on your entire hard drive -- and scan incoming and outgoing email seamlessly. It is fully configurable and does an excellent job of protecting (or cleaning) your computer with minimum system overhead. We have been recommending, using and installing AVG since 2003.
Click Here to purchase and download it

Click below to upgrade or renew your AVG

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Intel CPUs
Why? because Intel offers 100% compatibility with every Windows OS, every program and all the hardware you might want to install. Intel offers the best stability and reliability in our experience. Pentium4 CPUs have a valuable feature whereby they 'throttle back' when they detect overheating to protect themselves -- unlike AMD. To see the video comparison between AMD and Intel when the CPU fans are removed, click here (requires Divx)

Windows98SE
This is still a good Windows OS for older, functional systems.  For all applications and hardware -- it just works.  Do NOT attempt to "upgrade" a Windows98 machine. If it was built for Windows98, it will NOT support WindowsXP. Stick with it unless you feel a compelling need for the security features in Windows 2000 or the Gloopy Mac-On-Acid interface of WindowsXP -- in which case it is time for a new computer.

Windows 2000
We recommend Windows 2000 for professional installations only -- where you have an IS support staff to deal with it.  It is really not best suited for home use.  Prior to purchasing Win2k, consult a  professional (not a clerk at a national-chain computer store) as to whether it will work with ALL of your applications and hardware.

Windows XP
We recommend Windows XP Home for most home installations  -- but only as a Virgin Installation.  Never 'upgrade' Windows.  You will always achieve inferior results if you upgrade. Windows XP Professional is also a decent Operating System. We do not recommend "mixing" XP machines with machines running any other "flavor" of Windows on a network, as the results are unpredictable. XP Home is not acceptable on a Domain-centric network. If you have a Domain Controller you need XP Professional.

AOL 7.0
AOL 7.0 has proven to be a stable build and we have found no problems with it. It is highly recommended and you should definitely NOT upgrade to AOL 8.0 -- or 9.

Netscape 7.02
Very clean, stable, well-behaved. Netscape 7.02 provides you with popup control, although it doesn't have a toolbar selection to turn popup blocking on and off, which would be an improvement.

IE 5.5 SP2
Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 Is the most stable build of Microsoft's browser to date. It still seems to be too much for Windows95, but if you're still using Win95, this is the least of your worries.

Comcast
If you don't mind poor response time and poor customer service, this is a decent broadband solution. Their speed is typically much better than DSL and you can have it installed and operational in less time than with DSL.

Verizon FiOS
Much faster than DSL, this fiber-based Internet access service is a great solution if it's available in your area. Less expensive than cable and available in several speeds (and prices.)

Act! Software
A very well-designed contact manager for entrepreneurs, Real Estate agents, Sales people of all kinds and 'just plain folks' who want an exceptional tool to keep track of people and appointments.  Great for mailing lists, too.

3Com Network Cards
Simply the best product on the market.  Whether you're putting together a corporate LAN or simply connecting to a broadband modem in your home, 3Com is the best NIC you can choose.

Paint Shop Pro
This program (from www.jasc.com) is a great alternative (and considerably less expensive) to Photo Shop.  It produces the best quality jpeg images with the smallest size for web use.

Screensavers
If you have a flat-panel LCD display, you need a screensaver.

Ad-Aware
This is an excellent product for detecting and removing Spyware from your computer. It's fast, it's free and it's easy to use. Download it from Lavasoft at: www.lavasoftusa.com Version 6.x and newer contains the necessary module to update itself, unlike the 5.x versions. If you are running a version prior to 6.181 you should download the new version to be fully protected. The professional version take spyware protection one step further and enables you to block spyware from ever getting into your computer instead of simply removing it after-the-fact.

Spybot
This is another excellent product for detecting and removing Spyware from your computer. It's fast, it's free and it's easy to use. Be careful how you use it, as Spybot is a bit 'paranoid' and may tell you there are registry settings that need to be corrected which are actually correct.
Used incorrectly you can render your computer non-operative. Not for the faint-of-heart, you can download it at:
http://security.kolla.de

Avant Browser
An excellent replacement for Internet Explorer, the new Avant Browser is faster, smaller (just over 1 MB download) and eliminates popups. It will import your favorites and cookies from IE, making the installation process seamless -- and painless. The only downside: It's really a product that piggybacks on to IE, so no, you can't uninstall Internet Explorer after installing Avant. www.avantbrowser.com

Opera Browser
Like Firefox, Opera is a true replacement for Internet Explorer. It is a solid browser with decent compatibility, although, as with any browser other than IE, some web content may be displayed differently than IE. However, if you're looking for a browser with fewer security issues -- or if you're just tired of Microsoft being involved in every aspect of your computing, you might want to give Opera a try.

http://www.opera.com

Thunderbird Email Client

From the folks at Mozilla that bring us Firefox, Thunderbird is an excellent alternative to Outlook Express. Thunderbird supports multiple accounts and will import all your OE addresses and email. A nice feature is that, with Thuderbird, you have individual Inbox, Sent Items and Trash for each email account. Much better organized than OE.
The only downside we've found so far is that after importing large amounts of pre-existing OE data, it is cumbersome at best to reorganize large folders under your new accounts in Thunderbird. If you leave them in their imported location you will have no problems.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

iTunes
Very smart interface, great sound quality, FAST to preview songs online (no buffering delay as with Media Player and Real Audio.)

Remote Backups
If you're like most people who bring their crashed hard drive in for us to recover, your response to our standard question of "when was your last backup?" is going to be: (long pause) "um..."
It's frequently difficult to remember to backup your data, especially if it's scattered all over your computer. Using a remote backup service may cost you a few dollars every month, but when you Need your data you'll be able to get it. Don't settle for just any remote backup service, as they are not all created equal. We recommend iBackup:

Copernic Desktop Search

Looking for a way to find all the 'stuff' on your computer? Can't remember where you stashed your Christmas List? Can't find that email with the password assigned by your ISP? Try Copernic. It's an easy install, indexes your entire computer, including your pictures, documents and email and the next time you're looking for something, just type it into your taskbar search window... and in less than a second (seriously -- less than a second) you have the answer, complete with preview. www.copernic.com

Backup Platinum

For years customers asked for backup software recommendations. Last year we spent 3 months evaluating products and found we preferred Backup Platinum hands-down above the rest of the pack.

Backup Platinum is easy to use (therefore you may actually USE it,) allows you to backup your files as-is (as opposed to compressed into one large proprietary file) and is very quick to back up. You can download it from www.backup-platinum.com for only $67.00 and it is well worth the price.

Many of the products we tested were confusing to configure and use, meaning you are less likely to actually USE the product -- and the advantage of having a backup product at all -- is lost.

If you're looking for this type of solution, combine it with an external USB hard drive for data storage and you have an excellent backup solution. Just DON'T use Maxtor hard drives!

Bad Things

Geeks
Windows Vista
Time-Warner Cable
Limewire
AOL 6 / 8 / 9
AMD Processors
Maxtor Hard Drives
Windows Millennium
McAfee Products
Norton / Symantec Products
Windows Upgrades
Windows Media Player
Internet Explorer 6
MSN 8
HP Parallel Port Scanners
Spyware / Malware / Adware
Bogus Spyware Removers
Comcast Software
Any ISPs Software
Active Desktop
Screensavers
Dell Technical Support
eBay
File Sharing Networks
Linksys Networking Products
Spy Sweeper
Google Toolbar
Ad-Aware2007

Geeks!

Geeks come in all shapes and sizes.
You should avoid them all...

Follow the links below for further enlightenment:

Confessions of a Geek

Geek, Nerd or Wizard... You Decide.

Geek Squad links:
• Associated Content

Windows Vista

We don't like it and you probably won't either!

Time-Warner Cable was at the top of our list until Windows Vista came out and kicked it out of the #1 spot.
Windows Vista looks like a Mac - but without the immunity to viruses and spyware. While Mac's OSX is fast and efficient -- and gets better and faster with each new version, Windows Vista is quite the resource hog. Many current PCs lack the hardware requirements to run the advanced features (the Mac-like look and feel functions) of Windows Vista.

It's interface is unfamiliar to existing Windows XP users and the security features are just plain irritating. If you like being nagged to death over everything you want to do, then you will definitely want Vista. If not, we advise you to stick with Windows XP.

Numerous compatibility issues with AntiVirus products, iTunes, existing software, printers, scanners, wireless adaptors and the need for massive computing and memory power make Windows Vista highly undesirable for most current PC users.

Apple has issued an advisory for iPod users regarding loss of data and permanent damage to iPods connected to Windows Vista-based computers.

If you absolutely must purchase a new notebook computer, ask us about our Vista to XP conversion. It's quick, painless and reasonably priced -- and you can have a new computer with a tried-and-true, stable Operating System you're comfortable with. If you need a new desktop computer, ask about our new XP-based systems, hand-assembled in our shop from only the finest components.

Time-Warner Cable

Massive outages, loss of connectivity, lost emails and atrocious customer service make this merger / takeover of Comcast a major headache for prior Comcast customers.

March, 2007: The nightmare continues Months after the merger of Comcast and Time-Warner. Many of our customers have jumped ship in the midst of continuing outages, loss of email and highly unreliable Internet access. We recommend finding another provider.

Limewire

Massive Security Hole in Limewire Reported by WFAA TV Dallas

As The Computer Wizard has been saying for years, Music Sharing Software is very dangerous. Not just for the illegality of sharing copyrighted material. Not because of the growing likelihood of downloading a virus or trojan instead of your favorite song.

WFAA TV Dallas reported today a massive security hole in Limewire, one of the file-sharing industry's most popular Spyware-laced programs. Anyone running Limewire software exposes not only the Shared Folder to browsing from all other Limewire users, but the entire hard drive and everything on it is completely accessible to other Limewire subscribers.

If you have any files with banking, credit card, password lists or Social Security information anywhere on your computer -- and you're using Limewire, you are at risk for Identity Theft!
We recommend two immediate courses of action.

First, remove Limewire immediately from any computers under your control.

Second, change all passwords associated with any accounts accessed by your computer. If you find any suspicious activity in any of your banking or credit card accounts, notify your vendor immediately.

AOL
AOL is at the very top of our BAD THINGS list - why? Several reasons. Primarily because they routinely block mail servers from delivering mail to their users and do not respond to requests to un-block legitimate servers. Additionally, more cases are coming to light every day of corrupt AOL 9 installations where Internet communication is disabled and the entire Operating System (Windows) must be reinstalled to solve the problem.

Additionally, AOL is now providing FREE Anti-Virus software (McAfee.) What's the problem here? Simple. If you already have any AV software installed, neither one will properly work after AOL installs their version. Two Anti-Virus products installed on your computer will usually cancel each other out as they fight for control of an infected file.

We recommend moving away from AOL immediately.

If you're considering cancelling your AOL account - BE PREPARED FOR A FIGHT. AOL representatives are notoriously tenacious and will frequently only finally cancel your account after a LONG and frustrating conversation with you. Read (and hear) Vincent Ferrari's experience.

AOL 6.0
This was the WORST version of AOL -- up until version 8 came out - We have no customers who have been able to successfully run this program.  Run away! Run away!

AOL 8
Much like AOL 8's Even-numbered predecessor AOL 6, version 8 is pretty buggy. Not nearly as bad as...

AOL 9
This product is very unstable and likely to hose your broadband connetion. The list of problems with AOL 9 is almost limitless.

But wait! There's more... This just in - read about the $1.25M settlement

If you must use Dial-up, we recommed Copper.net for only $9.95 per month. See the link in the left margin.

Older AMD CPUs
Why? Several reasons: Generally speaking, the older (2003 - 2004 vintage) AMD Chips run hotter and have more overheating problems as a result. We frequently have to replace the heat-sink compound between the CPU and heat-sink on AMD systems, as the higher temperature the AMDs run at cause the compound to liquify, increasing the overheating problem.
We find these computers lock up more than Intel-based systems. Overall, the AMD systems are just a bit less stable, and when you're working on that really important project you forgot to save -- and your computer locks up -- it's just not worth the few $$ you saved. The newer chips have solved this problem nicely.

Maxtor Hard Drives
Why? Very simple: Maxtor hard drives have an astronomical failure rate. A large part of our business is Data Recovery and we see more bad Maxtor drives than any other brand.

Windows ME
This OS was never 'ready for prime time' - plain and simple.  Windows Me locks up, crashes, Blue Screens and is generally unstable. We have found no way to get it to be stable, do not recommend it -- and have had to remove it on many occasions and install Win98SE or Windows XP in its place. If you have Windows ME, we recommend removing it and installing either Windows 98 or XP as soon as possible. Doing this requires at least a 1.0GHz machine with 256 megs of ram. Anything less is too slow to run XP properly and Windows 98 is no longer available.

Whatever you do, do not 'upgrade' to another version of Windows on an Me machine. That will only bring forward whatever problems you are currently having with Windows Me.

All McAfee Products, especially:

McAfee Virus Scan
We can't even count the number of systems we've done rebuilds and recovery on, due to virus damage that had McAfee installed at the time of infection. We don't trust it.  We have one corporate site where none of the machines can complete a scandisk without lockup up completely - requiring a hard boot - disabling McAfee solves the problem. Generally speaking, McAfee causes considerable performance degradation and instability, so even if we felt its virus protection to be adequate we couldn't recommend it.

McAfee Personal Firewall
This product has the same characteristics as Norton's Internet Security -- massive performance hit, incredible clutter in your registry and frequently 'scrambled' installations, requiring professional removal of this ill-engineered product.

We recommend WindowsXP Service Pack 2 for your firewall needs - plus a NAT-enabled router between your computer and broadband modem.

All Norton / Symantec Products

Why? -- The Short List:

• Excessive Resource Utilization
• Buggy Code
• Corrupt Installations
• Inability to Uninstall
• Inability to Update
• Doesn't catch all viruses
• Finds infestations, but can't fix them
• Causes System Instability
• Causes Windows Lockups
• "Breaks" Internet Connections

Norton AntiVirus
Symantec's Norton AntiVirus products were the single best choice in virus protection for over a decade. That situation changed with version 2003. Every week we repair machines where installations of Norton Antivirus (and their Internet Security Product) have become corrupt, requiring a time-consuming and sometimes expensive removal of the product to restore the Operating System to functionality.
In addition, almost every computer we see with NAV installed -- has viruses undetected by NAV.
Strike 3 against Norton / Symantec Antivirus is the incredible performance loss in most installations. If you don't believe us, turn off all Symantec and Norton services and running applications and see for yourself.

Norton Internet Security
The sheer performance 'hit' from installing NIS is just not worth it.  Frequent problems with corruption, lockups, sluggish system performance and the complete inablitlity to uninstall NIS make it a very bad choice. There are several products on the market that are better and faster. If you have Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you already have a Firewall!

Norton Crashguard
We have not found its intrusion to be worthwhile on a properly configured and maintained system. We've found it actually causes more problems than it solves.

Norton GoBack
Once again, the performance degradation simply doesn't justify the very slight chance that this product might bail you out of a problem someday.

Norton Systemworks
Loads an incredible number of modules and services at Startup that SIGNIFICANTLY slows down your computer. If you think you actually need any of these utilities (you don't) they can be run from the CD without installing them.
Norton Systemworks 2006 installs a Rootkit (spyware) which prompted the Texas Attorney General to sue Symantec under the Texas Spyware provisions. Should a Security Company install Spyware on your computer?

Any Windows Upgrade
Never 'upgrade' Windows.  You will always have inferior results when compared to a virgin install of the same product.  It's simply not worth the performance degradation.

Windows Media Player
Every release since version 7 has been buggy and plagued with security holes. Try iTunes instead..

IE 6.x
Internet Explorer 6.0 has crashed any number of computers we have encountered - especially Windows98 machines. Stick with 5.5 SP2 unless you're running Windows XP.

MSN 8
Too many problems to list, but not a current product.

HP Parallel Port Scanners
We have a lot of performance problems with Hewlett Packard scanners that monitor the parallel port for activity.  Their USB and SCSI scanners are just fine -- but you will have significant performance degradation with the parallel port install.

The Following Internet Downloads:
(some are SpyWare, others merely degrade performance)

100 Proof Cocktail Planner
Ad-Eliminator
AdDestroyer
AdWizard
Alexa
AntiVirus Gold
Aureate
Aurora (top of the Spyware List)
Bargain Buddy
Bear Share
Big Fix
Bonzi Buddy
ClickTillUWin
Comet Cursor
CommonName
CoolWWWSearch
CuteFTP
Cydoor
Download Demon
DownloadWare
Ebay Toolbar
Error Guard (top of the Spyware List)
eZula
FlySwat
Gator (GAIN)
GoHip.com
Hotbar
Huntbar
iMesh
Internet Cleanup
ISTBar
KaZaA
LimeWire
MySearch (anything)
n-Case
Net2Phone
Netscape Smart Download
Network Essentials
Netzip
New.net
Offer Companion
PurityScan / PuritySweep
Rapid Blaster
Real Download
Real Jukebox
Spyware Assassin
SpyBlast
SpyKiller
SpywareNuker (anything with 'Nuker')
Virtual Bouncer
Webhancer
WhenUSave
WinAntiSpyware
WinAntiVirus (top of the Spyware List)
WinFixer (top of the Spyware List)
WinTools /WTools (Very nasty)
Xupiter (top of the Spyware List)
Yahoo Pager
Any Search Bar other than Google


• Go to the Spyware Infested Software List site for all the latest information.
• Doxdesk has another Spyware List.

• For a complete list of BAD (to be avoided) Spyware Tools, click here.

Comcast Software
Do not install their software!  Manual configuration for Comcast is incredibly simple.

The reason for not installing their software (aside from the fact that it may install applications incompatible with your OS) is that full installation of Comcast's software gives Comcast full view and control of your computer (this is directly from Comcast's technical support personnel.)

Any ISP's Software
Never install the software CD provided by any ISP (AT&T, Earthlink, Verizon, Comcast, etc.) The Worst of the bunch is Yahoo. Don't install any more of their software than absolutely necessary to setup your account - then uninstall ALL of it.

They all include software and functions you don't need that will deplete valuable system resources.  Many include spyware and may also install 'updates' to applications or browsers that will not be compatible with your computer's OS.  Most ISPs can be accessed by manually configuring your Internet settings, so take their CD and use it as a coaster.

Active Desktop
In all versions of Windows, having your desktop  set to 'View as a Web Page' will degrade your overall performance by as much as 20%.  Just turn it off.  Enabling 'Single-Click' for desktop icons similarly degrades performance.
In Windows XP you can go to the Advanced > Settings page and under Performance settings and select the "Adjust for best performance" box. Your system will look more like Windows 2000 than XP and will be much more responsive.

Screensavers
There has been no real 'need' for screensavers with the newer monitors for over 7 years.  Just having a screensaver enabled costs you 7-8% in performance and can disrupt CD Burning and Video and Audio recordings.  Turn them off completely for best performance. (unless you have an LCD screen)

Dell Technical Support
There was a time when Dell Technical Support was something to admire. Lately we've received a virtual landslide of rants from customers who have dealt with Dell's Telephone Tech Support and have had inept to possibly actionable results. It seems their Script Monkeys are receiving less training than before, or they are unable to attract and keep decent techs on staff.

There isn't enough space here to discuss the customer complaints we've received regarding Dell Tech Support, but you should know this one fascinating fact:

If you or a family member receive a Dell PC as a gift this Christmas, you may be in for a surprise, if it becomes infected with spyware.

Dell has instituted what has to be the most misguided tech support policy I have ever seen. Not only will Dell refuse to tell you how to remove the spyware, they won't even refer you to web sites that can help.

Why does Dell do this? Dell cites the possibility that removing spyware might violate user agreements between the user and some other company. The following is an email sent to Dell tech support personnel announcing the new policy:

Subject: Spyware: What we can say to the customer

Dell does not support or endorse the use of spyware removal programs.

NOTICE: Use of spyware removal software may conflict with user license agreements of other applications installed on your system. Please consult your user license agreements for further information. Dell does not endorse the use of spyware removal software and cannot provide support on these products.

This means we do not take callers to download.com or doxdesk.com, nor do we recommend spyware removal programs, nor do we advise callers on the use of spyware removal programs. This includes using phrases "We don't support the removal of spyware, but I use..."

Please reply to this e-mail to indicate that you have read and understand this information.

Thanks,
Vader

Fascinating, don't you think?

eBay
In my personal experience, the problems associated with eBay's program now outweigh the benefits:

1. Bidders can now 'snipe' your auction with readily-available software. This circumvents the natural 'bidding' process of an auction and nets you less money as a seller.

2. Bidders can simply not pay for an auction they have 'won' and you, as the seller, have no recourse whatsoever. If you are selling a piece of electronics, this is no big deal. If you are selling concert tickets, this is a significant problem, as you can be left holding worthless tickets that could have been sold to a 'real' buyer.

3. eBay bidders or sellers, once booted off line for misconduct, can simply re-register under a new identity and continue their scams. There is no verification process to make sure a registered user has not abused the system in the past.

4. eBay makes it extremely difficult to contact them. Their customer service is virtually non-existent.

5. The only method of gauging a seller's or bidder's credibility is via 'feedback' -- all of which is submitted by other eBay users. Anyone can submit any kind of feedback they like -- and the person who receives the feedback (positive or negative) has no recourse. eBay will not remove off-topic negative feedback.

Look for ubid.com to make a dent in eBay's business as other users tire of the problems associated with eBay.

File Sharing Networks
Limewire, Grokster, iMesh, Morpheus and KaZaA all rely on FastTrack P2P Supernode Packet Handler for their interconnection and functionality. Aside from the spyware contained in these products (as if that weren't enough) -- P2P has a vulnerability easily exploited by hackers, enabling them to utilize your computer to attack others or execute malicious code. STAY AWAY from these products!
For Symantec's complete report, click here.

Linksys Networking Products
Linksys is the most commonly-encountered consumer-grade networking product on the market, but it is also the most failure-prone and least reliable of the bunch. We carried the product line for 6 months in 2002 and discontinued the brand due to lack of reliability. The most common problem is disconnection whenever the line voltage fluctuates 5 volts or so. All of their products seem to have the same problem.

We have also found a higher than normal failure rate for this brand in general. For consumer-level routers, switches, wireless products and network adaptors we have found Netgear and D-Link to make much better products.

Spy Sweeper by Webroot
Due to its substantial resource usage, frequency of corruption and the instances of high-level spyware products sneaking past it's shields, Spy Sweeper has moved from the Good Things list to the Bad Things list.

We frequently find computers with Spy Sweeper installed exhibiting excessive CPU usage and massive performance degradation, requiring uninstallation, file cleanup and complete reinstallation to rectify the problem. Additionally, when we sweep Spy Sweeper-protected computers with alternate Spyware tools we find an unacceptable number of infections that have slipped past it's shields.

Google Toolbar
For several years now, we have recommended and installed the Google Toolbar to block popups and provide a convenient Google search option in any browser window. That recently changed when we found excessive system slowdown and Internet connectivity problems associated with this previously exceptional product. It has been necessary to remove theh Google Toolbar on dozens of occasions over the last month to facilitate acceptible connectivity and Google's browser add-on has now been moved from our Good Things list to the Bad Things list, effecive February 2008.

Ad-Aware 2007
Another product that has gone from our Good Things list to the Bad Things list recently is Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. It's incredibly poor performance coupled with downright invasive security poilicy implementation cause it to cripple most computers it is installed on. Stay away from this software. If you have recently installed it, remove it immediately. This directive effective February 2008