A new version of the popular AVG Free antivirus was recently released. Version 8.5 build 283 hit the market this month and is now available for download. I think the major improvements to AVG 8.5 are personal identity protection elements that are not part of the free version. So for us cheapskates, … [Read more...]
Free Antivirus Application Roundup
With so many free AntiVirus applications available today, it has become a difficult task to determine which one is "the best". Designating one over another as the best is further complicated because AV needs vary from user to user. For example, industry best practices state that you should never run … [Read more...]
Testing Your Firewall For Outbound Connections, and Why You Should Do It
As part of my ongoing paranoia that my PC's are compromised, I found a free simple little utility to help test the mettle of my current software firewall of choice (Comodo Internet Security). Steve Gibson (GRC.COM) is a well known and respected source of data and security information and he has … [Read more...]
REVIEW: AusLogics Disk Defrag
(click the picture above to download) Its not that I don't believe when Vista tells me the it is routinely defragmenting my hard disk drive, but I am a visual person and have grown up watching the defrag process occur before my eyes. I found a free utility, AusLogics Disk Defrag that gives you a … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Skype 4.0.0.206
- Download it here - One of the most often read articles on Pelokee is my previous Skype review. The new version of Skype is finally out, so what better way to follow up a hit than to review its successor? The new version of Skype offers a new look and feel, improved sound processing, and … [Read more...]
Windows 7 Beta – A Firsthand Look
- Download it here - The Windows 7 beta has been released and you can try it out for yourself right now for free. One note of caution - the beta OS will expire on August 1, 2009, so be prepared to download and install a possible beta 2 or another operating system. Beta products usually imply that … [Read more...]
REVIEW: PassMark Performance Test
While I was writing a review of Windows 7, I needed a quick and easy tool for benchmarking the PC's in the lab to compare before/after results. One of the first hits was for Performance Test, so that's how I found it. It is not a free tool, but you can download 30-day trial copies of the tool … [Read more...]
How Do I Mount an ISO Image?
An ISO file is an "image" of a CD or DVD. Much like a ZIP file, all of the files on a CD may be packed into a single file which represents all files on the CD as one *.ISO file. You can do the same things with an ISO file that you can with a tangible CD or DVD but without the physical media. CD's … [Read more...]
REVIEW: SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive
- Download it here - Virtual CloneDrive is about the best (and free) imaging mounting utility that I have come across so far. It has been very reliable and lightweight on all XP and Vista systems that I have used it on. VCD allows you to mount ISO, BIN, and CCD file formats and allows up to 8 … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Windows Live Essentials
http://download.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0 In keeping with my recent theme of praising Microsoft, I bring you Windows Live Essentials. Windows Live seems to be an initiative by Microsoft to help you establish your online presence while bringing you new/updated applications to make the … [Read more...]