VirtualDrive 7 Deluxe & RestoreIT 3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)You really need to own the latest version for it to work. I bought version 7, and it doesn't work for anything I've tried so far. When I checked the website I realized that the current version is 12. Oops. Now I'll have to pay more money to upgrade.

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BitDefender Internet Security 2011 Value Edition - 3 PC/2 year Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So here's the deal. I've been using computers since the TI-994a (actually had one called a Timex Sinclair before that)and have been "online" since the Prodigy days and 300 baud modems. So I've been around the block when it comes to computers, internet and security software. I know how to install, uninstall and tweak my way through most issues without having to contact support...until this security suite.
I was previously using Norton 2011 and when this came up on Vine, I'm always looking to try new security suites. I fully removed Norton and during the BitDefender installation, it confirmed that no other security software is installed that would conflict with it (nice feature).I'm running a Windows 7 64bit Toshiba laptop with 3 GB memory and pentium processor so this shouldn't be a problem I thought. The installation went fine and I did a full system scan (took upwards of 6 hours), the product updated, requested a reboot and I thought we were off...
Unfortunately, although it initially recognized registration key, it appears to have lost that or not worked correctly. I can't get the services to start and I'm supposed to contact BitDefender support directly from within the program...well that's great IF the program will run. So off to the website, go through my account I was required to establish with BitDefender and have already left a tech support ticket within 12 hours of installation. I can't say as though I've ever had to do that.
I'm keeping my review 'neutral" at 3 until I hear back from support and determine if this is fixable. I'll keep you updated on any resolution they find.
**UPDATE** 9/22/10
Support contacted me within 36 hours asking me manually run a support tool that was to capture information and then I was to send the file off to them. I did all of that and while I've been waiting, I uninstalled and reinstalled. This time all went as before, but it took my account information for good. Maybe it was something you need to do first, actually create your account online, then install...not sure but it has worked fine since the reinstall. It's doing a full system scan which it estimates will be done in 2 hours +
**UPDATE** 9/29/10
So I thought I would take advantage of the additional licenses and install on my laptop upstairs and then use the "network" feature. This feature allows you to create the server and client pc and run all updates, scans etc from the server to the client. Sounds nice doesn't it. So, I installed the product upstairs, rebooted and went to my server laptop to begin. I enabled the network with a password (the client also has a password) and if you choose the same password for both, the server pc is "supposed" to recognize it and add it automatically...didn't happen. So I thought I would add it manually. It shows up in the network space, has the pc icon with the bitdefender icon on top of that which lets you know this computer can be added. Click on it and select and..."Can't add computer as it is not running BitDefender or can't be added"...Really?? Even after your program is telling me it sees that it is running BitDefender? So off to technical support again. I have to give them props as I have gotten very timely responses. This go around however, the list of items they wanted me to do (including stopping certain services within the product) just wasn't worth the effort. Shouldn't antivirus/network control truly be set it and forget it? My Norton 2011 was that way, and I've had to fiddle way too much with this program already.
All in all, I've been disappointed in the product and happy with tech response time. Not many people are willing to go through support ticket after support ticket just to get their virus protection working.
UPDATE 10/1/10
Well, I've gone back to Norton. Too many issues with BitDefender even with a 2 year license key. Particularly annoying was the fact that my pc kept registering problems with security (bitdefender out of date and antivirus scans) I just wasn't going to put up with it anymore.

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BitDefender Internet Security 2011 Value Edition provides 3 PCs with two years of protection against viruses, hackers, spam, and identity theft… without the slowdown! Includes: Firewall; iPhone-friendly Parental Controls, to monitor and control what websites your kids visit and who they IM with, 24/7; IM Encryption, for private chatting; QuickScan, to detect viruses in just 60 seconds; Video Tutorials, to keep you in the know about your security; a customizable dashboard that lets you choose how much or how little you want to see; Home Network Management; Laptop Mode, to prolong battery life; Gamer Mode; automatic hourly updates; and more!
Get advance warning of risky websites.

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Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 1yr/1user/3PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 is one of the most obnoxious computer security programs I have ever had the misfortune of using. I couldn't get it off my machine fast enough.
[*Note: the help file refers to both 2009 and 2010 as the name of the this product being reviewed, so I am not sure which version actually came on the disk. Most likely it is a hybrid of both.]
Subscription-based paid-to-use "premium" security products are fighting a battle they may not be able to win. Many of the services and features such software products used to solely offer, can now be found for free in the operating system itself, or for free as a downloaded program. Case in point, Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 has a feature to control when Windows user accounts access the internet via a time schedule. Versions of Microsoft Windows, after XP, offer that set of tools for free right in the OS, as "parental controls." They don't work the exact same way, but they are close enough for most parents. In the case of the OS provided controls, the computer itself cannot be used outside of the time limits. In the case of the Trend Micro product, just the internet is disabled outside of the time limits. But, for kids these days, 90% of the time if they want to be on the computer, they want to be online. For the rest of that 10% of the time they need to be typing up school work, that is what parental control overrides are for, should the need arise.
[Note, my comments in square brackets, like these, are optional. You may skip them without missing any important information.]
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EXECUTIVE REVIEW FOR THE IMPATIENT:
Installation Process: ...........................2/5
Malicious Code ("Virus") Protection: .......4/5
Resource Use & Computer Slow Down: ...3/5
Firewall Protection: ............................4/5
Internet/Child Controls: ......................3/5
Network Map/Management: .................2/5
Irritation level/User Friendliness: ..........1/5
Overall: ...........................................2/5
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[Note: throughout this review I will be using the word "virus" in quotes. That is because I consider that word to be a media invented label for malicious computer software/code which is used to scare people into behaving irrationally. (I have actually been called out to look at employee PCs to diagnose slowness/lag only to find an insane number of redundant security programs running by people who have been frightened into thinking "viruses" are just lurking around everywhere, trying to get into their computers -- security programs tend to be very resource hungry -- they slow computers down, see the screen shots I am posting with this review). A virus, in biology, is a microorganism you can "catch" if you are exposed to it, no matter what safety precautions you might be taking. A computer "virus" doesn't work the same way. If you practice safe computing practices, your odds of your computer being compromised by malicious computer code (AKA a "virus") are very small. Yes, the bad guys are working on new and improved ways of figuring out how to get their malicious code onto your computer, and they are most certainly getting more inventive. But, the fact still remains that if you take the proper steps and follow the proper procedures, your risk of your computer being compromised is very small. At the end of this review I will list some basic steps you can follow (for free) to secure your computer.]
[Note: the computer used to test this product is a 3.2GHz, dual core processor, with 2GB of RAM, running Windows XP SP3 running Spybot Search & Destroy, and PC Tools' Free Firewall and no other security software]
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TREND MICRO INTERNET SECURITY 2010:
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INSTALLATION PROCESS:
Unlike Norton 360 and McAfee Family Protection 2010 3-User, which I have also reviewed, this product INSISTS on you removing all other security programs it can detect. The full list can be found here: [...]
If you leave them installed and ignore their warnings, the installation program will automatically run their uninstall programs anyway, when it detects them. Among the programs that Trend Micro objects to you having installed: Spybot Search & Destroy, anything from Norton, anything from McAfee, most 3rd party firewall and security suites (although not PC Tools, which I am currently using -- go figure). Norton and McAfee might complain about you having other security software installed, but that is it. Trend Micro will just flat out refuse to install if you refuse to cooperate. See uploaded screen shots from install process which I am adding with this review.
[Interestingly enough, Spybot recognizes what Trend Micro's program is trying to do, and calls them on it. The uninstall program has a list of options for when you are uninstalling, and one of them is, "forced to uninstall by Trend Micro product due to alleged incompatibilities." It lets you know that they cannot reproduce these supposed incompatibilities, and that you can re-install Spybot once you are done installing the Trend Micro product. Seems to me that Trend Micro (and the rest of the companies listed in Spybot's list) are up to some shady business practices. I don't like this strong arm tactic of Trend Micro's at all. It is one thing to advise me that there might be problems, it is another thing ENTIRELY to refuse to install unless all other competing products have been uninstalled. It just so happens that Spybot has a nifty "Windows Start Up" editing tool which I find quite useful to purge the junk that software will try to put into my startup process. I don't know if the Trend Micro product will contain this functionality or not, but I DO know I am going to re-install Spybot right after I am done installing this thing. Minus 1 star right here, Trend Micro, and I haven't even finished installing the dang thing yet! (Note: I did re-add Spybot soon after I wrote this part of the review, and as I predicted, it conflicted with nothing, also note the Trend Micro product DOES NOT include the same functions Spybot most especially the "Windows Start Up" editing tools.)]
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MALICIOUS CODE ("VIRUS") PROTECTION:
I ran the standard battery of tests on their "virus" & spyware protection functions. Arguably, this is the main function of the software, so one would expect it to perform the best, and it came through pretty well.
Detecting old/known "viruses": Succeeded. As a security and computer professional, I have quite a few old/quarantined "virus" files in the archives. I peppered a few of them through the test system, including some non-Windows ones, and the product found all of them on the first scan it ran during installation.
Detecting/Protecting against "zero day" (brand new) "viruses": Succeeded. Visited a well known cyber criminal "hang out" and downloaded code for the "latest and greatest" "virus" being worked on. (Modified the code so it wouldn't do any actual harm to the target PC), compiled it and ran it. The program's threat detection noted the behavior of the program trying to run, and blocked it. It may not be able to detect everything right away, but it knows about basic "threat behavior" -- specifically attempts to insert sneaky start-up code, attempts to modify the master boot record, and attempts to overwrite existing, legitimate program executables.
Detecting/Protecting against website threats: Succeeded. Visited known insecure websites, and all such visits in all major browsers (MIE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome), was blocked. However, you cannot simply check a box, or push a button that says, "I know the risks, override," like many other security products. Instead, you have to physically go into the filters and white list something manually. Making it a chore, instead of a quick and easy fix.
Only complaint: unlike Norton 360, Trend Micro's Internet Security 2010 doesn't download updates nearly as often. Norton's 360 downloads updates roughly every 15 minutes. Trend Micro's product does so roughly once or twice a day. This leaves a larger opening for "zero day" threats to land. Perhaps Trend Micro is stealthily checking in the background and I am not aware that it is checking, but I only see notices of updates being checked for/downloaded about once/twice a day. Whereas with Norton's 360, it was all the time.
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RESOURCE USE & COMPUTER SLOW DOWN:
All computer security software that does any sort of "scanning" is going to take up resources, both RAM and CPU. There is just no avoiding that with the modern approach to scanning methods. Trend Micro's product claims that it has a, "20% faster scan time." They do not elaborate what, specifically, it is 20% faster than, but I am going to assume previous versions. The scanning process is rather fast. Even the "deep" scans didn't take that long. However, they still do take up to 40-50% of the CPU resources. RAM use is relatively low, CPU use is rather high while it is scanning. It runs two levels of scans, one is a process called "tsc.exe" which is part of their spyware, etc. detection and removal tools. The other is called "SfCtlCom.exe" and it is the standard "virus" scanning and removal...Read more›

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Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 provides easy-to-use protection for your home network, identity, and online activities from the present and future web threats.

Smart Protection for Your Family
Easy-to-use security for your home Trend Micro Internet Security protects you and your family against cybercriminals and inappropriate content without slowing down your computer.
Surf the web with confidence With easy-to-use security features, Trend Micro Internet Security protects your personal information when you email or surf the web:
20% smaller file size, 20% faster scan time
Detects and removes viruses, spyware, and other malicious threats from your computer, email, instant messages, and downloads
Proven leadership in anti-spam technology, including email and image spam
Finds and blocks untrustworthy links in email and instant messages
Stops websites from installing dangerous downloads on your computer
Quick Scan allows you to quickly find and remove most malware when you are running short on time.

Protect your children online Enhanced parental controls help you to protect your children from inappropriate content when they go online.
Block websites with inappropriate content based on specific categories
Choose when and for how long your children are allowed to go online
Monitor online activity reports to fine-tune your controls if necessary

Enjoy smart features tailored to your activities Trend Micro Internet Security safeguards your computer and personal information against the latest threats:
Prevent unauthorized software from changing your critical applications, without impacting your PC performance
Pause security updates or scans when you give presentations, watch movies, or play games
Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening.
Helps you to easily manage all the devices connected to your home network

Security made easy Protect your personal information with easy-to-use Trend Micro Internet Security.Surf the Internet without slowing down your computer.
Key Features of Trend Micro Internet Security
Get Essential Protection
Protects against current and future viruses An award-winning anti-virus engine protects against computer viruses, worms, Trojan horse programs, and related security threats. Automatic updates immunize you against new computer virus outbreaks for the full duration of your subscription.
Defends your personal information with anti-spyware technology Powerful anti-spyware technology guards your personal information and privacy against spyware, rootkits, and other malicious software.
Safeguards against attacks with a personal firewall Prevent your computer from exchanging data without your approval and defend against attacks from the Internet.
Prevents unauthorized changes Improved security policies find and stop unwanted attempts to change your operating system and critical software.
Offers customizable security warnings Decide how often you want to receive warnings about security threats.
Safeguards Multiple Computers Install Trend Micro Internet Security on up to three PCs per household.
Surf the Web Safely
Protects against web threats Steer clear of online phishing scams that try to steal your credit card or bank account numbers. Continuous updates identify the newest risky websites.
Secure Web surfing Find and block malicious or untrustworthy hyperlinks in email, websites, or instant messages.
Blocks image spam Stop seeing spam that tries to evade filters by delivering images instead of just text.
Device Access Control Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening.
Protect Your Children Online
Enhanced Parental Controls Take charge of when and where your children go on the Internet. Block websites with inappropriate content, prevent access at specific times, and even stop them from entering personal information onto web pages.
Smart Features for Your Online Activities
Home Network Map See the computers and other devices connected to your network at a glance, manage the security of other computers remotely, and block wireless home network intruders from accessing yours.
Security Activity Dashboard Get a comprehensive and customizable snapshot of all the security activities on your computer through easy-to-use charts and graphs.
State Aware Work on your presentations, watch movies, or play games without security updates or scans getting in the way.

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Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 - 3 Pc/2 Yr Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I looked forward to trying Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 as it was a product that seemed to have a number of decent features. But let's get right to the point: there are better products on the market today worth considering. And with such products as the latest AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, to name one, it's hard to recommend this one from Bitdefender, unless you're new to computing and just want an easy-to-install product.
I initially installed this product on two computers, an HP Presario notebook running Windows Vista, and on a Sony VAIO running Windows XP Professional. Both computers had all available software updates and Service Packs installed. There were no problems with the installation on either computer other than a number of mildly annoying little pop-ups and reboots, but if you've installed security and anti-virus applications before, then you are probably familiar with this happening.
Getting down to details...
Installation: For the most part, and other than the above noted minor annoyances, the setting up process was smooth, as should be expected with a contemporary package of this type.
Ease of Use: Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 was as good as any of the other "major" anti-virus and security packages on the market today. If you've been looking for an alternative to some of the other security products, then this operates as well as and in some cases even better than some of the higher prices packages.
Functionality/Protection: As one who has dealt with computer security and Internet protection for a number of years, this was the area that mean the most. In each case, the product handled any of the older viruses and isolated Trojan horses that I keep on CD for such testing. Also visited a number of older and newer familiar malware sites, and this Bitdefender application blocked each one.
Conclusion: Bitdefender offers a decent package for those who are looking for a reasonable computer security application at a fair price. The interface is good, as is the overall product, but there may be better choices worthy of consideration, such as the latest AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition (noted above), or Vipre AntiVirus + AntiSpyware, which which this reviewer found to be a superior product overall, and one that I reviewed here some months ago.
In any case, Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 is a reasonably good product and deserves a 4-star rating form this reviewer, but it's just not a stellar product. It would pay to look at all of the recent security offerings, both free and paid for before you make your final choice.

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The Industry's Best Value! BitDefender Internet Security 2010 provides 3 PCs 2 full years of protection against viruses, hackers, spam, and identity theft, without slowing them down. Includes: Firewall, Parental Control, Instant Messaging Encryption, File Vault (encrypts sensitive files), Laptop Mode (prolongs battery life), Gamer Mode, hourly updates and more.


Maximum Security, Maximum Speed
Securely download music, movies, and files from the Web, friends, and family.
Scans and removes viruses and spyware
New--Advanced protection that continually monitors your system to catch threats that lay dormant, before they attack
Scans all Web, e-mail and instant messaging traffic in real-time
Proactively protects against new virus outbreaks using advanced heuristics

Protect your identity: shop, bank, listen, and watch, privately and securely.
Stops attempted identity theft (phishing)
Prevents personal information from leaking via e-mail, Web or Instant Messaging
File Vault encrypts and stores personal information or sensitive files
Blocks concealed programs that track your online activities

Security that won't slow down your PC.
New--Scans 60% faster than even last year's lightning-fast edition!
Uses minimal system resources
Laptop Mode prolongs battery life

Guard your conversations with top-of-the-line encryption.
Instant Messaging Encryption (Yahoo! and MSN Messenger)

Connect securely to any network at home, in the office, or on the road.
Automatically modifies firewall protection settings to suit location
Wi-Fi monitor helps prevent unauthorized access to your Wi-Fi network

Parental Control.
Blocks access to inappropriate websites and e-mail
Schedules and limits kids' access to Internet and to applications, such as games

Gamer Mode.
Reduces the system load and postpones scans/updates, allowing for secure gaming at top speed

Be in control, stay in control.
Manages the security of your entire home network from one PC
Use the dashboard to fix security issues with just one click
Automatically decides best security actions to take

Designed for ease of use.
New--User Profiles (Standard, Parent, Gamer, Custom)--set up your security to best match your computing activities
New--See only what you need! Select from Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced views


New and Improved in BitDefender 2010
More Protection Many of today's stealth viruses are designed to avoid antivirus detection by initially laying dormant only to attack your PC when it is most vulnerable. BitDefender 2010 features a cutting-edge security system, Active Virus Control, which constantly monitors all of the processes on your PC, 24/7, blocking any malicious behavior before it can cause any damage.
More Speed The abundance of new viruses calls for faster ways to detect them. BitDefender's Optimized Scanning avoids the scanning of files that are known to be safe. The result? BitDefender 2010 scans your PC in half the time needed by previous versions, while using less resources.
Easier to Use Whether you're a security expert or a novice, with the new BitDefenderUser Profiles you can easily manage your PC's security. The product interface adapts to the chosen profile and provides quick access to the main security functionalities you are most likely to need (Parental Controls for parents, or Gamer Mode for gamers). BitDefender 2010 also features three dashboard views--Novice, Intermediate, and Expert--to better accommodate users with different levels of PC knowledge.
Improved Parental Control The Parental Control module features a newly added reporting system allowing parents to view what websites their children visit. Moreover, parents can set specific time intervals in which their children are allowed to access the Internet or use certain applications.
Improved Intrusion Detection BitDefender detects and blocks attempts to change critical system files or registry entries on your PC and warns you about attacks performed by code injection (DLL injection).
Improved In-Product Technical Support You can get answers to the most common product-related questions or contact technical support directly from the product using its easy-to-use self-service module.

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Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Windows 7 Home Premium is the best version to choose for older machines and/or simpler networks. The "Backup" offered in 7 Pro can be done easily with free tools, and unless you need complex networking, 7 has what it takes to manage a home network. Last, the 'XP Mode' promised in 7 Pro and above will only work on hardware new enough to support "Virtualization Technology" (stop by Microsoft's website to learn more). This isn't the same as "XP Compatibility Mode", which you will still have for all versions of Windows 7 (there's a great video explanation of this on CNET's website in their Windows 7 Center at CNET TV).
Some very important things you need to know about upgrading:
1) There are two types of upgrade: "in-place" (where a Vista machine upgrades to 7 and you get to keep all your programs) and "clean" (where you lose all your old programs and settings).
2) Anyone going from XP to 7 will have to go "clean".
3) Anyone going from a different Vista to 7 (for example, Vista Home to 7 Pro, or Vista Ultimate to 7 Home) will also have to go "clean".
If you have to do 2) or 3), all is not lost--I'll explain in a moment.
Before you even buy 7 for your machine, stop by Microsoft's website for two things:
a) download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. Run it with every device connected to the machine that you'll ever want to use in 7. It'll thoroughly examine your machine for any roadblocks and give you good advice about upgrading.
b) Go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center and double-check anything that came up negative in the Upgrade Advisor (or didn't show up at all). This site lists detailed compatibility info on a LOT of different devices.
Anything major, like a video card or sound card driver, I'd recommend double-checking with the manufacturer's website to be sure. This almost burned me on two of the machines that I upgraded.
Last, make a backup. There's a free tool called Macrium Reflect that can do this for you.
Do you have to do a "clean" install, but just want to carry over your user accounts and settings? Microsoft makes a program called Windows Easy Transfer that's already in Vista (and can be downloaded from Microsoft for XP) that will export your accounts and settings and let you import them back again. It's very easy to use and does a good job of putting your accounts back together again, even going from XP to 7.
Do you have to do the "clean" install, and you don't want to reinstall all your programs? Laplink has an offer for $19.95 that will let you use a special version of their program "PC Mover" to upgrade one machine one time. Read the documentation in detail.
The most important thing to doing a "clean" install is that in the Upgrade setup you choose "Custom". Windows will take all of your major files and place them in a folder called "Windows.old". PC Mover and the Easy Transfer program will use this folder to reconstruct your system from, so this is VERY important.
I wish I had more space to go into detail here...bottom line is, if you plan ahead a bit, upgrading to 7 will go very easily (and if it doesn't, you'll have something to fall back on).

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Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium. Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV (a broadcast TV tuner may be required). Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium. Do you use your PC for work, run Windows XP programs, or require enhanced security? Consider Windows 7 Professional.


Upgrade to Windows 7 All editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista qualify you to buy an upgrade license.
1. Choose your edition of Windows 7 Explore key features and choose the edition that's best for you. Be sure to check the expanded list of extended features in Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate. System requirements vary for each edition of Windows 7 because some features might require special hardware.

2. See if your PC has what it takes to run Windows 7 In general, if your PC can run Windows Vista it can run Windows 7. To make sure, download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to do a quick check. If you want certain features, such as HomeGroup or Windows Media Center, check to see if your PC has the hardware that's needed.

3. Check which operating system your PC is currently running How you make the move to Windows 7 depends on your current operating system.

Windows Vista The transition to Windows 7 should be pretty smooth, although you may need to update your system to the latest service pack first.
Windows XP (or any other operating system) Windows 7 is best experienced on a new PC with the latest hardware, but if your computer meets the minimum specifications, you can install Windows 7 on a PC running Windows XP. Windows 7 must be "custom" installed (also known as a "clean" installation) over Windows XP. Before beginning the installation, you'll need to copy your files and settings to an external drive. After Windows 7 has been installed you will need to re-install all of your programs using the original installation media and then copy over the files and settings you backed up to your external drive. Because Windows 7 requires a custom installation, we strongly recommend that you get help with this process from your local computer service provider.

The best entertainment experience on your PC
Easiest Windows to use ever

Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap.
Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs.
Setting up a home network and connecting to printers and devices is easier than ever.
Windows 7 Home Premium supports the latest hardware and software.

It's faster

Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker.
Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory.
Connecting to wireless networks is fast and easy.

Best PC entertainment experience

Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center.
Blu-ray read/write support for data files.
Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.

Simplifies Everyday Tasks
Simple to use
Preview Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail previews and full-screen previews of open windows.

Pin Open files and get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar. You can easily pin programs you use often to the taskbar and launch them in just one click.

Jump Lists Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar previews and Start menu.

Snap Windows 7 has simple new ways to manage open windows. For example, with Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen.

Peek and Shake Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop.

Windows Search Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC, from documents to emails to songs, right from the Start menu, with Windows Search.

Easy to connect
Wireless setup With Windows 7, setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks, whether those networks are based on Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, dial-up, or corporate VPN.

HomeGroup Connect Windows 7 PCs on a home network in just four clicks and easily get to the photos, music, and files on each one--even share printers--with HomeGroup.

Easy to browse the web
Internet Explorer 8 Visual search helps you quickly find the information you want by adding visual cues and previews to search results from top search providers including Live Search, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Amazon, and others.

Internet Explorer 8 Use Web slices to conveniently keep up with changes on frequently updated websites, like eBay auctions or traffic sites, directly from the IE8 toolbar.

Easy to communicate and share
Windows Live Photo Gallery Windows Live Photo Gallery makes share your photos to your favorite photo site easy.

Windows Live Mail Windows Live Mail makes managing multiple email accounts easy.

Windows Live Family Safety Keep your child safe by managing what sites they can visit and who they can send/receive emails and im communications from.

Note: Windows Live components need to be downloaded separately.

Works The Way You Want
Faster and More Reliable Windows 7 will help your PC sleep and resume more quickly. It is designed to respond to commands more quickly and will help your PC to be more reliable.
Fewer clicks and less interruptions

Makes New Things Possible
Media on your terms
Windows Media Center Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center.

Windows Media Center Watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV.

DirectX 11 DirectX 11 technology delivers breathtaking game graphics so real, it's unreal.

New ways to engage
Windows Touch Windows Touch makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use.

Media on your terms
Windows Media Player More and more consumer electronics, from TVs to digital photo frames, can be connected to home networks. With Play To in Windows 7, you'll be able to easily send music, photos, videos from your PC to a networked device throughout your home.

You can enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you're away from home with remote media streaming.

Work anywhere
Location Aware Printing Windows 7 will automatically pick the right printer for you when you move from home to work networks.



Work anywhere with less effort.
Instantly locate virtually any file, email, or document on your PC just by typing a word or two.
Get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar.
Open programs you use regularly in one click and files you use regularly in just two.
Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.
Manage multiple email accounts, including Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo! Mail Plus, all in one place with one simple program.
Get to the files, photos, and music on any PC with Windows 7 in the house from any other.
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CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First, this should not be your only reference. There: got that out of the way.
I recommend this book along with the official questions and answers book and the official questions and answers supplement.
This book does a very good job of covering every topic with which you need to be very familiar in order to pass the test. It covers the practice areas as updated for 2006, which haven't changed for 2007. However, the questions in this book are terrible and do not represent the questions you will be asked on the actual test. Also, there are many editing errors in this book so be on the lookout.
The official questions and answers book and its supplement are essential. The test questions are often misleadingly (or just poorly) worded and correctly answering the multiple choice questions often comes down to almost arbitrarily deciding which one is "most" correct. You will have a hard time on the exam if you haven't subjected yourself to this abuse before hand.
I do not recommend the official study guide. The official study guide is so terrible on so many levels I wished I could throw it at an ISACA official after wasting my time and money on it. The writing is terrible: redundant, dry, and often times of questionable use and technical accuracy. The book itself has terrible typography and pedagogy that make it painful to read. The softcover, oversized dimensions, and spiral binding make it very annoying to carry or store anywhere other than on a flat desktop since it flops around. That it was so obviously cheaply produced and yet costs more than $100 is insulting.
So, in summary: This book is worth your money despite its flaws and will help you pass the CISA exam. Make sure you also buy the official questions and answers book and its supplement. Avoid the official study guide.

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CCNA for Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)Words of caution. Test #640-507 was released in Aug of 2000. This book came out in April of 2000. I found out "AFTER " I read the book, took the test, didn't pass, and searched for new study material. The book cover says that it is for test 640-507 but it misses the mark. I found the book to be generally useful. Lots of good info. Everything was explained clearly. Good book to have on your desk. For test preperation, look for a newer book.

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What was that whizzing sound? It was you, passing the CCNA certification exam. After you've covered all of Cisco Systems' exam objectives in CCNA For Dummies, such tasks as following network protocols, routing, and maintaining network security will be new tools to add to your skill set.
First, expect to become familiar with the language of the exam with the expert guidance of your certified authors. Then, find your way around the workings of the OSI model and its layers: the data link, network, transport, and upper layers. Routers become manageable as you practice commands and algorithms. And when you're comfortable with network protocols, you'll move on to LAN and WAN switching.
The book's CD-ROM helps you assess your weak spots through a test engine and a variety of exam scenarios, and ten sites to boost your studying are also included. Remember: It's just a test, and at this point, it's open book!
Covers: Exam 640-507

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The World Is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education Review

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(More customer reviews)I've seen educators struggle to herd their faculty cats, hire staff under industrial-era rules, and strive to accommodate students that know more than their professors about anything outside the "teach to test" topic. This is one of three books that I have digested these past ten days, along with Making Learning Whole: How Seven Principles of Teaching Can Transform Education and (in galley form) Reflexive Practice: Professional Thinking for a Turbulent World. All three are 6 STAR books, and since I have only given this grade to 99 books out of the 1636, so at 6% of the total, this is saying a lot IMHO. These three books together, along with Don't Bother Me Mom--I'm Learning!, The Emerging Worldwide Electronic University: Information Age Global Higher Education (Praeger Studi) and my favorite deep books, Philosophy and the Social Problem: The Annotated Edition and Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, comprise a basic library for anyone wishing to develop global strategies for taking any university into the future. Of course there are other great books, but in my limited experience, these are a foundation.
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK without first looking at the web site WorldIsOpen.com, and more specifically, the only part of the website that I found to be essential, the sixteen pages of links to every online resource mentioned in the book. Had I done this first, I could have cut my note-taking time in half. As it is, I have created a sixteen page alphabetized list of all the references, and include that in my more robust review of this book at Phi Beta Iota, the Public Intelligence Blog, where I can do things (such as link to my other 80+ education book reviews and include non-Amazon links) that Amazon simply will not allow.
BUY THIS BOOK. It is in my view an essential foundation for any university as well as any lower school or continuing education and training program that desires to increase its effectiveness by a thousand fold while also increasing its global reach by a million fold.
The basic premise up front: anyone can learn anything from anyone at anytime. The author charms me early on with his recognition of how broken our existing educational delivery system is, and his passion for how information and communication technologies (ICT) can empower all (at the end of the book he specifically focuses on the five billion poor and how they can learn via mobile learning) and create an "egalitarian learning frenzy." He considers education to be a human right--I agree and would add that it is also the only way we will achieve Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny by harnessing Collective Intelligence: Creating a Prosperous World at Peace.
In his critique of existing education the author excels at pointing out all that is not included in the narrow educational curriculums constrained by cultural bias and the physics of a 24-hour day, budgets, and so on. In his view textbooks and classrooms are on the way down, and oral and visual digital and especially mobile learning is on the way up.
I am immediately--and then continuously--impressed by the very deep and broad homework the author has done, integrating into every chapter so many actual resources (all with links at the book's website, soon books like this will come with embedded QR Code to make the analog to digital connection simple). The book is a tour of the horizon and a triumph of logic and presentation.
The ten key trends for those who read this review at Phi Beta Iota are:
01 Web-Searching
02 Blended Learning
03 Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS)
04 OpenCourseWare
05 Learning Portals
06 Learners as Teachers
07 Electronic Collaboration
08 Alternative Reality including Serious Games
09 Mobile Real-Time Learning
10 Networks of Personalized Learning
As my oldest son prepares to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the only school he was willing to apply to because of its new media program, I am totally pumped by the author's emphasis on education rather than any of the more obvious global threats (see A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility--Report of the Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, and on his emphasis on how visualization and new media will be the lever that will move education. Poverty is the number one high-level threat to humanity, and later on in the book my esteem for Nicholas Negroponte goes up as I digest a quote that connects low-cost laptops to education to the eradication to poverty to creating a prosperous world at peace. These guys get it, and virtually all our legislative and executive "leaders," at both the state and national levels, do not get it because they are not being "incentivized" to get it.
The author has a gift for summative categorization and draws ably and with full attribution on many other minds throughout this book. I like:
Globalization 1.0: Nations
Globalization 2.0: Multinational Corporations (MNC)
Globalization 3.0: Singular Individuals
Globalization 4.0: "We"
He points out that online learning favors collaborative work and team learning; problem-based learning (rather than applying canned "solutions"); generative (incremental modification); exploratory; and interactive learning. In short, rote learning in the classroom is constraining while online learning is liberating and empowering.
Most of my notes are obviated by the author's superb resource section (WorldIsOpen.com/resources.php). Here are the highlights outside of my listing all of the leads I want to follow up, related to the section of the book.
01 Web-Searching. Faster is not better, still missing a great deal of structure and substance on the Internet. Open everything is here to stay--open content, open office, open library, open document. See my briefing on "Open Everything" at oss.net/GNOME.
02 Blended Learning. We must stop holding students back! Online pushes reading and writing skills as well as presentation skills and technology skills. We must rapidly accelerate means of recognizing learning accomplished online (e.g. challenge tests). Learning must be offered "on demand" and across every device imaginable (the MP3 player shines in this book). However, blended means just that--online is not a substitute for face to face and team interaction.
03 Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS). I am the primary proponent for Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and now public intelligence, and as an honorary hacker have long understood and admired the F/OSS movement started by Richard Stallman. Along with OSINT and F/OSS, Open Spectrum completes the Tri-Fecta. It is essential, if we are to rapidly achieve all we are capable of, that we leverage F/OSS across all university functionalities. This is also how we enable the eight tribes of intelligence (academia, civil society, commercial, government, law enforcement, media, military, and non-governmental) to do multinational, multiagency, multidisciplinary, multidomain information-sharing and sense-making (M4IS2, a Swedish military concept I have adopted).
04 OpenCourseWare. MIT, which is also the birthplace of modern hacking as recounted in The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit, Twentieth Anniversary Edition, gets full credit all it has done in this area, and the author provides a very rich discussion of many other similar initiatives including the Peer to Peer University (P2PU).
05 Learning Portals. These are in their infancy. The author cites a number of important ones, and the availability of platforms to create more learning portals, but he does not address the abject fragmentation of knowledge and the urgency of creating an overall architecture so that we can restore the links between disciplines and domains and do "Whole Learning."
06 Learners as Teachers. Here again the author is phenomenal at reviewing some of the most important initiatives in this area, and my notes are irrelevant in the face of his superb listing of electronic links, chapter by chapter, at his WorldIsOpen.com. He does observe that quality control and sufficiency of funding are issues, and I certainly agree, with the observation that there is plenty of money for education, we just have to eliminate corruption in government....
07 Electronic Collaboration. This is a section I want to come back to, after I have checked out 1kg, TwinBooks, ePals, iLearn, and others. We still do not have the basics that Alta Vista offered before Hewlett Packard lost its mind and let them all go--the eight functions of shared directories, access and competency directories, budgets, maps, libraries, calendars, and forums are still scattered with no back office that cuts across disciplines.
08 Alternative Reality including Serious Games. Quote on page 277: "We have entered an age of alternative reality learning." I am a huge fan of the original World Game created by...Read more›

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Discover the dramatic changes that are affecting all learners
Web-based technology has opened up education around the world to the point where anyone can learn anything from anyone else at any time. To help educators and others understand what's possible, Curt Bonk employs his groundbreaking "WE-ALL-LEARN" model to outline ten key technology and learning trends, demonstrating how technology has transformed educational opportunities for learners of every age in every corner of the globe. The book is filled with inspiring stories of ordinary learners as well as interviews with technology and education leaders that reveal the power of this new way of learning.
Captures the global nature of open education from those who are creating and using new learning technologies
Includes a new Preface and Postscript with the latest updates
A free companion web site provides additional stories and information

Using the dynamic "WE-ALL-LEARN" model, learners, educators, executives, administrators, instructors, and parents can discover how to tap into the power of Web technology and unleash a world of information.

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Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Support Essentials (2nd Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is for Service Professionals or those wishing to become Service Professionals. It gives the reader everything he/she will need to pass the required exam for the Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) designation. This rating replaces the Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) rating and covers Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Each chapter provides in-depth coverage of the workings of the operating system. The Appendix includes the Apple Troubleshooting Workflow Chart and troubleshooting methodology used by Apple Technicians.
You'll learn about Installation and Setup, including configuring, installation troubleshooting, etc. Lesson 2 covers User Accounts, how to manage them, account security, and more. Lesson 3 covers Storage, Partitions and Volumes, File Ownership and Permissions, File Management via the Command Line. Lesson 4 covers the Mac OS X Volume Hierarchy, Mac OS X Metadata, Archiving and Backup. Lesson 5 discusses Applications and Boot Camp, Processes, and how to run Windows on a Mac. Lesson 6 provides detailed information about Network Configuration, fundamental networking concepts, configuring Mac OS X networking, and network troubleshooting. Lesson 7 describes how to access network services and directory services. Lesson 8 takes you through a discussion about providing network services, providing and protecting network services, and troubleshooting shared services. Lesson 9 talks about peripherals and printing, as well as faxing. Lesson 10 includes an overview and detailed discussion of the startup process and troubleshooting the startup process. Finally, the Appendix covers troubleshooting techniques.
Support Professionals need to pass one exam, Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-402), sponsored by Thompson Prometric. This book will give the reader everything necessary to pass the exam. Those pursuing Apple Technical Certification may also want Apple leader-led training, which is available at training centers in major cities in the United States.
For the above reasons, I highly recommend this book, which is well written, easy to read, contains essential information, is thorough in its scope and complete in its design.

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The only Apple-certified book on supporting Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, thiscomprehensive reference takes support technicians and Mac aficionadosdeep inside the new operating system, covering everything frominstallation to networking technologies, and more. Following thelearning objectives of the Apple Certified Support Professional exam,the lessons in this self-paced volume serve as a perfect guide forApple's own training class and a first-rate primer for computer supportpersonnel who need to troubleshoot and optimize Mac OS X as part oftheir jobs. Lesson-review quizzes reinforce the knowledge gained alongthe way.

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A+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition (Certification Press) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've read a few A+ books recently and trying to find the right balance between too much unneeded information and not enough this books strikes that balance. It has the facts you need and if you need more information- you can easily find it online as well. The accompanying CD is more than adequate as well. If you're more than just basic PC literate I would definitely recommend this book for the tests as well as for better personal knowledge.

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The Best Fully Integrated Study System Available

With hundreds of practice questions and hands-on exercises, CompTIA A+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition covers what you need to know--and shows you how to prepare--for these challenging exams.

100% complete coverage of all official objectives for CompTIA A+ exams 220-601, 220-602, 220-603, and 220-604

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Computer Security: Art and Science Review

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(More customer reviews)Please understand that the Amazon star system, while very powerful has limits, I feel this book is 5 stars as a textbook for an undergrad computer security course, 4 stars for a graduate student and 3 stars for a book on the average information security worker's shelf.
Computer Security Art and Science has been years in the making and for good reason; it is over a thousand pages. The book seems best suited for four groups of readers. The first group is college students; this will probably be a popular choice as a textbook for undergraduate level students and with additional materials, graduate level students. It is a complete guide to computer security terminology and theory. Other groups of readers that would benefit from this book include security knowledgeable managers seeking to assess the knowledge of potential employees especially in policy and architecture positions. A third group includes anyone preparing for information security certifications. If you are wish to certify you will benefit from a close reading of this text before attempting your examination. Finally, anyone seeking to understand the big picture of information security would benefit from Computer Security Art and Science. However the book's value is primarily as a textbook!
Like most authors writing a security book, Matt has chosen to start at a basic level beginning with a discussion of confidentiality, integrity and availability. As a reviewer I was quietly wondering how long he would stay there. The answer proved to be one chapter only and at the back of the chapter one the author has included insightful, thought provoking study questions. If I were considering hiring someone who claimed to have experience in information security that could not answer these questions, I would show them the door.
Now to consider the rest of the book! On the first page of chapter two we are introduced to logical equations. This is where the casual reader is likely to get off the bus while the diligent student with a qualified instructor gets on. As soon as I saw the equations with no explanation of how to read them, I could see someone browsing in a bookstore shut the cover and move on. Be brave and press on is my advice; the book is well worth it even if some of the illustrations are beyond comprehension without a teacher's guide. It says in the preface this book was designed to be a college level textbook. They have to put a few inscrutable pages in the book so the professors can appear to be smarter than the students.
The cryptography section, chapters 9 - 11 are very approachable and while not as in depth as some other sections, they would help anyone preparing for the various industry security certifications including CompTIA's Security +, ISC2's CISSP and SANS' GSEC. In fact the entire book would be beneficial for any of these.
The table of contents says that part 6 of the book, assurance, chapters 18 - 21, were contributed by a different author, Elisabeth Sullivan. I read those chapters closely and could not detect a different tone or level of quality; the authors are to be congratulated for that. Nice use of humor on the heading title for 18.1.1, "The Need for Assurance" and where else can you read about "Extreme Programming".
No book is perfect, the intrusion detection and penetration testing discussions need to be beefed up, but chapter 29, Program Security more than makes up for them. That chapter should be required reading before anyone is allowed to touch a compiler.
I donate most of the books people send me to review to my local library, but this one stays on the shelf and I am setting an iCal reminder to re-read the policy and audit sections a couple months from now.

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CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam #640-801), 2nd edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Very Good Book. If you didn't know already the CCNA exam is no Joke. You really have to know the concepts and you really need a good book to prepare for it. Cisco is not giving the CCNA Certificate away anymore. They really want you to learn and earn it. I purchase this because I felt the sybex CCNA didn't cover the exam in full detail (Especially the NAT section). This Book is Well Written. The Price wasn't that bad either since it came with 2 Books (Intro&ICND) and a 30min Video CD. You won't be disappointed. A+

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Assessment, review, and practice package for the CCNA 640-801, ICND 640-811, and INTRO 640-821 examsThis library combines the most current versions of the Number-One sellingCCNA study guides with a bonus CD-ROM containing30 minutes of video training on difficult exam topics. The libraryhelps you master all the topics on the CCNA exam, includingTCP/IP and OSI networking models Operating Cisco® routers and LAN switches IP addressing and subnetting Discovering information about an IP network Analog modems, PAP/CHAP, DSL, and cable Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), VLANs, and trunking RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, and static route concepts and configuration Variable-length subnet masking (VLSM) support and route summarization Classless interdomain routing (CIDR) and Network Address Translation (NAT) Point-to-point leased line implementation ISDN and dial-on-demand routing (DDR) Frame Relay configuration IP access control list (ACL) securityCCNA Official Exam Certification Library, Second Edition, is a comprehensive review and practice package for the latest CCNA® exam. The two books contained in this package, CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide, First Edition, and CCNA ICND Exam Certification Guide, First Edition, present complete reviews and ample opportunity to test your knowledge of all the CCNA exam topics. Also included is a CD-ROM with training videos that explain select CCNA topics. Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas requiring further study and improve both your conceptual and hands-on knowledge. The material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics. This new edition includes the CCNA Video Mentor, Library Edition CD. This CD-ROM contains three select video labs totaling 30 minutes of personal visual instruction at no additional charge! In each 10-minute video, author Wendell Odom walks you through basic CCNA configuration tasks, including navigating router and switch command-line interface, static and connected routes and the IP routing table, and NAT overload (PAT). The videos consist of animation and video captures of a terminal displaying router and switch command entry and output while Wendell provides audio instruction on how to configure various features and offers various tips and shortcuts that truly help make learning easy.CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide, First Edition, and CCNA ICND Exam Certification Guide, First Edition, present you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. "Do I Know This Already?" quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Exam topic lists and Foundation Summary tables make referencing easy and give you a quick refresher whenever you need it. Challenging chapter-ending review questions help you assess your knowledge and reinforce key concepts. Scenario-based exercises help you think about exam objectives in real-world situations, thus increasing recall during exam time. The companion CD-ROMs contain a powerful testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams from INTRO, ICND, or unified CCNA test banks. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and provides feedback on a module-by-module basis, presenting question-by-question remediation to the text and laying out a complete study plan for review. The CD-ROMs also include a wealth of hands-on practice exercises and a copy of the Boson NetSim™ for CCNA, Learning Edition, network simulation software that allows you to practice your hands-on skills in a virtual lab environment.CCNA Official Exam Certification Library, Second Edition, is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems® that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press®. To find out more about instructor-led, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.

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CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Let me start off with just one word: Wow. When I was going through my training for A+, I would've loved to have had this book for studying. While I have not read the book cover-to-cover, I have gone through a lot of it and actually found myself being sucked in and reading more and more of it. Throw in the changes for the new A+ exam and I was blown away. The format of the book really works for someone getting a foot in the IT door by taking the A+ exam. Not only that, but as it stands now with the current trends, this (currently) very up-to-date tome is a good standby reference tool.
Having been only accustomed with the Mike Meyers universe of A+ study, this book was like walking into a different culture. It begins with my favorite part of the book: the Real World Scenarios. Often I found myself shuffling through the book looking just for these, some were a bit lacking but for the most part I found them to be relevant, insightful and in a lot of ways bringing the classroom to the reader. A great part of having any type of teacher is how they are able to impart to the student contextual knowledge, thereby putting everything in perspective. I think the Real World Scenario does a great job of accomplishing this. This also helps out in something friends and I have discussed that I happened to notice in the book.

A part that's almost worth the price of admission is the introduction, all in all, it's a mini study guide. I believe someone could use the intro for some last minute recognition and cramming. I believe this will come in handy for prospective A+ test takers.
As far as the negatives, while I have previously complimented much of the format used throughout, I do have a couple of qualms. For starters, when it comes to the OS-es, I think it would be a tad bit easier if it was separated by chapter. Command-line gets a chapter, 2K gets a chapter and XP gets a chapter. In some ways it seems a bit mashed together. The other les with the exam itself.
Instead of two clearly defined exams: OS and Hardware, there are 4 exams, but you only have to take 2: The "core" exam: Essentials and from there you can choose one of 3 tests. While I could go into more details, just looking at the outline and objectives, they all seem the same but just vary on the amount of customer interaction. It's nice to go the route of Microsoft and others with paths to certification, but it seems like it's more hype than anything else, almost irrelevant. Of course, without having ever taken the test, I can't be entirely sure. We'll just have to wait for the first victims to find out if I'm right or not.
All in all, the format is friendly and inviting. I thought that I would dread going through another A+ book, but I thought the approach was a breath of fresh air. It brings the classroom to the reader. The labs/exercises, scenarios, tips and notes do a marvelous job of getting the point across. I was even impressed by some of the technology covered. The various printers, scanner and media technology got some page time, so while it may, in some cases, give too much information, the book will stand the test of time on a shelf for easy reference.


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All-in-one guide prepares you for CompTIA's new A+ Certification
Candidates aiming for CompTIA's revised, two-exam A+ Certified Track will find everything they need in this value-packed book. Prepare for the required exam, CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601), as well as your choice of one of three additional exams focusing on specific job roles--IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support Technician (220-603), or Depot Technician (220-604). This in-depth book prepares you for any or all four exams, with full coverage of all exam objectives. Inside, you'll find:
Comprehensive coverage of all exam objectives for all four exams in a systematic approach, so you can be confident you're getting the instruction you need
Hand-on exercises to reinforce critical skills
Real-world scenarios that show you life beyond the classroom and put what you've learned in the context of actual job roles
Challenging review questions in each chapter to prepare you for exam day
Exam Essentials, a key feature at the end of each chapter that identifies critical areas you must become proficient in before taking the exams
A handy fold-out that maps every official exam objective to the corresponding chapter in the book, so you can track your exam prep objective by objective
Look inside for complete coverage of all exam objectives for all four CompTIA A+ exams.

Featured on the CD
SYBEX TEST ENGINE:Test your knowledge with advanced testing software. Includes all chapter review questions and 8 total practice exams.
ELECTRONIC FLASHCARDS:Reinforce your understanding with flashcards that can run on your PC, Pocket PC, or Palm handheld.
Also on CD, you'll find the entire book in searchable and printable PDF. Study anywhere, any time, and approach the exam with confidence.
Visit www.sybex.com for all of your CompTIA certification needs.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

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A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok. There have been some negative reviews about this book and I wanted to add my 2 cents to this. It is possible to pass the A+ Certification exams using little more than this book. I should know, as I personally did it. It wasn't easy, it took a lot of studying, and my scores weren't the greatest, but I did pass using little more than the book and practice exams that came on the CD with the book. I got a 574 on the Core and a 619 on the OS. Not impressive, but I'm not saying this book will make you incredible, I'm just saying you can pass using very little besides this book.
My strategy went as follows:
1) Read the book staight through for about 2 weeks, reading 150-300 pages a day while TAKING NOTES. Writing the information physically on a sheet of paper helps a lot.
2) Memorize the notes you took. Ingrain everything you think is important into your brain. And this isn't just necessarily facts. Its the concepts behind the facts. This book did a really good job with those and because of it, I was able to correctly guess a good number of the questions on the OS exam that would have otherwise stumped me.
3) Read the Objectives off CompTIA's website! This will help you catch anything that the book missed.
4) Take the practice exams with the book. I left one exam for Core and OS until I felt like I was done studying and just wanted a confidence boost. Don't underestimate this. Attitude can make a big difference. Also, don't underestimate the value of the practice exams. They are about as tough as the real thing. Some questions easier, some harder, but overall about the same difficulty.
5) Retake those practice exams until everything you missed is ingrained into your mind. There were at least 6 or 7 questions on each test I ONLY got right because I remembered getting them wrong on the practice exams.
6) Find any practice exams or questions online that you can. I opted to use some free ones, many of them only being about 10 questions or so, but they gave me other perspectives and ways to ask questions that I hadn't seen.
7) If you can, get some hands on experience. If the book is going over the Recovery Console, do it yourself. If you can picture doing things on the computer in your mind, it will help when it comes to test time.
8) Good luck! The more info you can get, the better, but with this book and your wits, you should at least be able to do better than I did. It took me about a month total of solid studying, and this is from someone who one year ago didn't even know how to build a PC, and had only made 3 before taking the test.
So overall, I think this book is worth it. I can't say anything about the competition because I haven't used it, but for about 50 bucks, this book is well written and easy to read, tells you at least MOST of what you know while being a little entertaining at the same time, and will come in handy as a great reference book. I've given it 5 stars not because its the most amazing thing written, but that it did what it was supposed to: get me to pass the A+ Exam.
I hope this review is helpful to those of you considering getting your certification!

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Written by Mike Meyers, the industry leader in A+ certification training, this authoritative reference offers complete coverage of all material on the A+ Core Hardware and Operating System Technologies exams. You'll find exam objectives at the beginning of each chapter, helpful exam tips, end-of-chapter practice questions, and photographs and illustrations. The bonus CD-ROM contains a testing engine with questions found only on the CD. This comprehensive guide not only helps you pass this challenging exam, but will also serve as an invaluable on-the-job reference.

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CompTIA A+ Complete Deluxe Study Guide: Exams 220-701 (Essentials) and 220-702 (Practical Application) Review

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(More customer reviews)This books is absolute. It comes everything in the A+ exam while also helping its readers understanding the concept behind the topics tested, not just making sure you pass.
CDs that come with the book a excellent including a PDF version of the book, which is handy for when I travel.

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Information Security : Principles and Practice Review

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(More customer reviews)This text is an excellent introduction to the popular, important subjects of computer and network security, and is the best such text that I have yet seen. Professor Stamp offers clarity of presentation and a fluid, conversational style. There is an nice balance between comprehensive coverage and detailed analysis. Overall, I really like the structural organization, selection of topics, breadth of coverage, and level of difficulty. No special prerequisites are required to comprehend the basic ideas. However, readers with technical backgrounds will find a lot of material to challenge them. There are an abundance of illustrative figures, nice examples within the body of the text, and a wealth of good problems at the end of each chapter. The author provides excellent references for further study. Appendices delve into details concerning mathematical underpinnings and networking details.
The book is divided into four main parts: cryptography, access control, protocols, and software. The cryptography section introduces fascinating historical vignettes, then explores details of modern block and stream ciphers. The author includes an excellent chapter on cryptanalysis. He provides specific examples, using mathematics and Boolean logic. The access control section explains issues of policy and implementation, regarding authentication and authorization. The protocols section discusses specific mechanisms for secure exchange of confidential information. The final section describes management of software flaws and related security issues.

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Your expert guide to information securityAs businesses and consumers become more dependent on complex multinational information systems, the need to understand and devise sound information security systems has never been greater. This title takes a practical approach to information security by focusing on real-world examples. While not sidestepping the theory, the emphasis is on developing the skills and knowledge that security and information technology students and professionals need to face their challenges. The book is organized around four major themes:* Cryptography: classic cryptosystems, symmetric key cryptography, public key cryptography, hash functions, random numbers, information hiding, and cryptanalysis* Access control: authentication and authorization, password-based security, ACLs and capabilities, multilevel and multilateral security, covert channels and inference control, BLP and Biba's models, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems* Protocols: simple authentication protocols, session keys, perfect forward secrecy, timestamps, SSL, IPSec, Kerberos, and GSM* Software: flaws and malware, buffer overflows, viruses and worms, software reverse engineering, digital rights management, secure software development, and operating systems securityAdditional features include numerous figures and tables to illustrate and clarify complex topics, as well as problems-ranging from basic to challenging-to help readers apply their newly developed skills. A solutions manual and a set of classroom-tested PowerPoint(r) slides will assist instructors in their course development. Students and professors in information technology, computer science, and engineering, and professionals working in the field will find this reference most useful to solve their information security issues.An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department.An Instructor Support FTP site is also available.

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CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I spent over a week agonizing over which book to purchase to prepare for the A+ exam. I ended up choosing this because it seemed to me to be the most material for the money and because Meyers, the author, has a reputation for quality in the industry. After working through the book, I am fully satisfied, and passed the exam on the first try. This guide is extremely comprehensive, and laid out in a very logical and easy-to-use way. Meyers' writing style is very easy to read and engaging. Even dry subjects are quite readable. The included materials are also quite good, but I should mention a few caveats. The book advertises 8 practice exams, but that means two for each of the four tests. Because any one person will only take two tests (Essentials and one elective), there really are only four practice tests (however, there is so much overlap, I found taking all the tests to be helpful). Also, each practice test is only 50 questions, but the real test is 100, so each is only half a test. On the other hand, the practice tests are very accurate and the interface is just like what you'll face on test day. Also, if you purchase your exam vouchers from Meyers' website, you will not only save $30 on each test, but also get an additional two practice tests (100 questions) for each exam. Overall, I definitely recommend this book over any other you might be considering, and I plan to purchase the accompanying Network+ book to study for that test.

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The Number-One CompTIA A+ Exam Guide

"The most comprehensive publication on the market." -Certification Magazine

Completely revised and updated for all four new exams and reviewed and approved by CompTIA, this definitive volume covers everything you need to know to pass the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam and CompTIA A+ Exams 220-602, 220-603, and 220-604. Mike Meyers, the leading authority on CompTIA A+ certification and training, has helped hundreds of thousands of people pass the CompTIA A+ exams-and now he can help you too. Inside, you'll find detailed coverage of the exam format, helpful exam tips, end-of-chapter practice questions, and hundreds of photographs and illustrations. After you ace the exams, this comprehensive guide will serve as an essential on-the-job reference.

Full details on all exam objectives, including how to:

Work with CPUs, RAM, and motherboards
Install, partition, and format hard drives
Work with portable PCs, PDAs, and wireless technologies
Install, upgrade, and troubleshoot Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP
Install sound and video cards
Manage printers and connect to networks
Implement security measures
Understand safety and environmental issues
Establish good communication skills and adhere to privacy policies

The CD-ROM features:

Eight full practice exams covering CompTIA A+ Essentials and Exams 220-602, 220-603, & 220-604
One hour of LearnKey video training featuring Mike Meyers teaching key A+ topics
Electronic copy of the book
Complete exam objective map for all four exams
List of official CompTIA A+ acronyms
Useful tools and utilities for PC technicians

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