Avira AntiVir Version 9.0 March 19, 2009

Hey guys,

Many people I know have become staunch users of the free personal antivirus solution – Avira AntiVir Personal.

It is, in my opinion, much better than the ever popular avast and AVG. It uses far less system resources and has a much higher detection rate.

Their new version – 9.0 – was released a couple of days ago and is a very much improved version. I would strongly recommend it.

Avira AntiVir Information [link]

Avira AntiVir Download [link]

Enjoy!

Early, real, every day tests on Windows 7 Beta = IMPRESSIVE! January 2, 2009

Hey all,

Its the 2nd of January and I hope that 2009 is going well for you all so far.

Anyways, a quick update on how Microsoft’s next iteration of its Operating System – Windows 7 – is going in the 1st Beta Build.

This build (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) has been out and about on the internet for a couple of weeks now as it was somehow leaked. Many speculate that this is the exact same build that will be released to the public in the coming weeks of this month, however some people say it isnt. Either way, Adrian Kingsley Hughes of ZDNet.com has tested out this version of Windows 7 in 23 everyday life PC tests and has also done the same tests on Machines running Windows XP and Vista. He tested them on two different machines (One of a higher spec and the other of a fairly decent spec)

The tests are as follows:

1. Install OS – Time it takes to install the OS
2. Boot up – Average boot time to usable desktop
3. Shut down – Average shut down time
4. Move 100MB files – Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another
5. Move 2.5GB files – Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another
6. Network transfer 100MB files – Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device
7. Network transfer 2.5GB files – Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device
8. Move 100MB files under load – Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file
9. Move 2.5GB files under load – Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file
10. Network transfer 100MB files under load – Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file
11. Network transfer 2.5GB files under load – Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file
12. Compress 100MB files – Using built-in ZIP compression
13. Compress 1GB files – Using built-in ZIP compression
14. Extract 100MB files – Using built-in ZIP compression
15. Extract 1GB files – Using built-in ZIP compression
16. Install Office 2007 – Ultimate version, from DVD
17. Open 10 page Word doc – Text only
18. Open 100 page Word doc – Text and images only
19. Open simple Excel doc – Basic formatting
20. Open complex Excel doc – Including formula and charts
21. Burn DVD – Win 7 beta 1 .ISO to disc using CDBurnerXP
22. Open 10 page PDF – Text only, using latest Adobe Reader 8
23. Open 100 page PDF – Text and images, using latest Adobe Reader 8

The results of all these tests are as follows:

The way these are scored is that the OS with the best results is awarded the mark ‘1′ and second best is awarded a ‘2′ and third place is awarded ‘3′. Therefore the lower the final score, the better!

From these results its conclusive that Windows 7 is FAR better than its predecessors Windows Vista and XP. Also, it is evident that Windows 7 works well on both hardware configurations as there was a marginal difference of one point between the two.

So, for a Beta build it is clear that Windows 7 is on the right track and should hopefully become a lot better in its final RTM Code.

Hope this was useful!

WyzoMan