Software Review

Chickenultra · #1 15-03-2007, 08:32 PM

Software Reviews

This will be a frequently edited thread that I (or others) review software made for WINDOWS and mostly for Windows XP. Some of the software will be free while others you need to pay for. This is not a professional review - just impressions of the software. It's rated based on effeciency, looks, and comparisons with other programs. Screenshots coming soon!

Also if you could help me by telling me the missing information that could be great!

1. Mozilla FireFox
Website: http://www.getfirefox.com/
Catergory: Web Browser
Price: Free
Author: Mozilla

Latest Version: 2.0

If you have not switched from Internet Explorer do so NOW! The new IE (Internet Explorer) 7 is slightly better with tabbed browsing but it still doesn't measure up to FireFox. For a few reasons to switch visit Stop IE. FireFox has many less security vulnerabilites and is enhanced by Add-Ons that you can download. Alterantively you can use Opera - another great browser but less add-ons (they're called widgets). FireFox also tends to browse faster than Internet Explorer but I noticed it tended to start up slower with a bunch of add-ons.

Rating: 9.5/10

Good but not perfect (slow startup)

Screenshots:

-Chickenultra-

2. Dreamweaver
Website: http://www.adobe.com/
Catergory: Web Design
Price: $99? Not sure what is now
Author: Adobe

Latest Version: 8

I just have a love affair with this software =p. It offers a good balance between WYSIWYG editor and pure code. Microsoft Frontpage (I haven't used it that much) seems to focus more on the WYSIWYG aspect though you can edit code too. They're equally good and powerful but I prefer Dreamweaver because of the tabs and the smooth interface.

Rating: 9/10

I wish there was faster startup (yeah I'm lazy)

Screenshots:

-Chickenultra-

3. Word
Website: http://www.microsoft.com/
Catergory: Word Processor
Price: Depends on what Office you buy
Author: Microsoft

Latest Version: 12 -> 2007 (2008 for Mac)

I tried Corel WordPerfect for a while but couldn't get the hang of it and OpenOffice Writer just seemed to have an outdated look (Windows 95?). Maybe they're more powerful and such but I really like the new Ribbon thing and Aero look. The startup time seems reduced too.

Rating: 9.5/10

I use it mostly for school assignments so =p -> bit concerned about the meta-data privacy issue though

Screenshots:

-Chickenultra-

4. Photoshop
Website: http://www.adobe.com/
Catergory: Graphics Editor
Price: Not sure
Author: Adobe

Latest Version: CS2 (Not sure number) CS3 is still beta so I'm not considering it "out" yet

<Insert Review>

Rating: 9/10

WAY too long startup though cs3 seems to remedy this

Screenshots:

-Chickenultra-

5. WinAmp

6. jetAudio

7. Flash

8. Alcohol 120%

9. UEStudio

10. RunMe

11. ScreenHunter

12. DAEMON Tools

13. Google Desktop Search

14. Directory Opus

15. Acrobat

16. WinRAR

NOTE

If you can write an review for this thread and be listed as an author that would be awesome

TEMPLATE

// ---------------------- //
<Optional: Software Logo>

#. <Software Name>
Website: <Insert>
Catergory:
Price:
Author:

Latest Version:

<Insert Review>

Rating: #/10

<Insert Reason>

Screenshots:

<Insert Custom Screenshots>

-Author name or symbol-
// ---------------------- //

Current Authors:
-] Chickenultra [4]
-] Your name here [# of guides]
-] ...

-Staff-
Perhaps a review could count as 1/3 of a guide?

Version History:
3/15/2007: First launched with four reviews

PS: Offering 50k for a good review (complete with screen shots and in depth looks, come on it's not that hard)