Remarkably enough, I do not have any paid for software at all on my conputer other than the OS Windows Vista, and a couple of games for the kids.
I’ll toss East-Tec Eraser into the mix. I find this product to be excellent at removing detritus from my C drive that has eluded the cleanup processes of a number of other products. It is highly regarded securitization software.
I quote from Cnet, which tested the product and awarded it four and one-half stars:
"Windows saves a copy of more or less everything on your computer. Every Web site you visit, every picture, every video; it's all cached or saved or logged somewhere inside your PC. Apart from the security and privacy issues, all that stuff consumes storage and performance resources. A lot of tools promise to clean it all out, but few do. We looked at East-Tec Eraser 2011 from East Technologies, and found it to be a tool that can do the job. It cleans deeply, even files stored as Shadow Volume Copies; thoroughly wipes deleted files; alerts you to risks; runs scheduled cleanups; and cleans traces from all major (and many minor) browsers as well as messenger programs and other popular applications.
East-Tec Eraser 2011's wizard-based interface opened with a Quick Start page with three basic options: Privacy Guard, Erase Deleted Data, and a tool that erases specific data. We started with Privacy Guard in basic mode, which is suitable for most users. There's also an advanced mode. A thorough scan revealed quite a list of cookies, images, videos, Web pages, deleted files, and other PC debris. A review found nothing on the removal list that shouldn't have been there, so we let the cleaning commence. Clicking Change Automation let us configure the scan wizard. When the operation finished, Eraser recommended an immediate reboot, though we could also choose Restart Later or Ignore and Continue. This last option is a "use with caution" option that won't launch Eraser when you reboot and in fact hides your use of the program (for example, from your boss) upon reboot. We clicked Restart and Erase, which restarted our system and returned us to the Eraser interface. The Risk Monitor runs from the system tray; it popped up with an alert that required the Erase Deleted Data tool. This tool makes multiple passes and can take hours, according to Eraser, although our session was much quicker.
Eraser's automated, customizable deep cleaning can help you protect your privacy and security and keep your machine free of a lot of junk without requiring a lot of regular input or effort. While no tool of its type is set-and-forget, Eraser won't forget to do its job when the issue has slipped off your radar."
I was attracted to this product by Cnet's review and, after extensive use and testing, I concur with Cnet's observations.
It is my understanding that East-Tec Eraser is used by a number of government agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the French Ministry of Defense, that are security intensive, to protect their information.
I'll second the DisplayFusion suggestion. I find SnagIt to be helpful as well.
At home, I have a music studio, and I swear by the following:
Acid Pro
FruityLoops
Well for me it's VMware Workstation for my VM's and Snagit screen capture.
TH
At DavidP's request, I am supplying the Cnet link to the East-Tec Eraser review:
http://download.cnet.com/East-Tec-Eraser-2012/3000-2144_4-10047873.html
I have the 2012 version installed. The company will be coming out with a 2013 version shortly.
I have had a lot of dealings with the principal of the company, Alexandra Prada. She is very knowledgeable and helpful.. The company number is (305) 455-8122.
I hope this helps, David.
JimM, TH, I would agree with your SnagIt assessment.
@ wrote:
I'll second the DisplayFusion suggestion. I find SnagIt to be helpful as well.
At home, I have a music studio, and I swear by the following:
Acid Pro
FruityLoops
FruityLoops? What, you eat cerial while creating beautiful music?
That would be Adobe CS6, WSAC, PHPstorm, TextBeast, Evernote
Definitely Ad Muncher for me.
@ wrote:
Definitely Ad Muncher for me.
Pegas, you might want to look at Cnet's reviews of Ad Muncher and AdFender. I have AdFender and have had no problems with it.
http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Muncher/3000-7786_4-10130181.html?tag=mncol;6
http://download.cnet.com/AdFender/3000-7786_4-75183968.html#rateit
Anyway, I'll throw AdFender into the mix. (I'll leave it to the wizards on this site to let us know which is better. ;))
Thanks RWM for the useful links. I will stick, though, with AM because I never had an issue and I am used to it. Moreover v5 that is to be released this year will change the meaning of an ad blocking. Last but not least I have paid for a lifetime license.
Nevertheless I am glad you are fine with AdFender because browsing without ads is what counts regardless on tools used.
BTW, you have lovely Afghan hounds.
@ wrote:
BTW, you have lovely Afghan hounds.
Thanks, Pegas. Actually, they're greyhounds. About 70 pounds each and
really fast. Former racers, now retired and living the good life! 😃
@ wrote:
@ wrote:
BTW, you have lovely Afghan hounds.
Thanks, Pegas. Actually, they're greyhounds. About 70 pounds each and really fast. Former racers, now retired and living the good life! :D
You must be great guy giving them the peace and good life 😃 I do thanks for them. They had hard times even though the Greyhounds are born to run and now they deserve the nice treatment. My familly fell in love with dogs too. My parents have two German Shepherds (my father have a breeding station) and we have two Yorkshire Terriers who share our bed. Practically our whole life turns around the dogs :D
Explanoit, sorry for being off topic.
Pegas, I'd like to continue this off-thread. Please see my PM. Explanoit, sorry for the break-in.
@ wrote:
Pegas, I'd like to continue this off-thread. Please see my PM. Explanoit, sorry for the break-in.
Sure
RWM :D Let's move over our discussion to PMs, just replied you. Sorry
explanoit but we won't hijack this thread anymore.
