Bitcomet

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Torrent are becoming the most popular file sharing protocol..They feature the unique ability to download a particular file from more than one user ( provided the file is being shared by more than one user). This give s torrent network s remarkably superior download speeds at any time of day, and they act like actual servers on the web..

The interface is similar to the other P2P software, but with reduced functionality.Torrents have their own set of dedicated websites, but but that requires registration.It's a fine option for the special interest group users..With BitComet's three plane interface, you get the list of the files you wish you download..All file formats are supported, and file names are informative enough to let you make a decision whether something is your desired file..

Double click on the file will download it your pre-defined folder from where you have to drag and drop it into BitComet..It then searches for how manty sources are available for the file, and the time for this can vary depending on the availability of the file..e.g. an MP3 of a top song would take less time than, a video clip of BBC's clickonline..

It comes with chat capabilities, stats trackers, and the ability to bookmark your favourite sites..
And soon gonna b alternative to your P2P file sharing..

Morpheus

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One of the best P2P available..Powere by NEOnet network, it comes with a strikingly good interfaceand a very user friendly search panel..Utilises the patented 'distributed hash tables' that lead to more relevant searches and faster downloads..


It searches beyond its network..It conects with the Gnutella, Fast Track (formly KaZaA), eDonkey and bit torrent networks, giving you more options for your search..search results are extremely fast and the interface is helpful in conducting advanced searches..

The help section, too, is useful..It gives you suggestion s and also tells you how to optimise the softwareto perform better in conjunction with other networks..

Tabbed panes let you easily do the searches and keep track of the download speeds...Display panes can also be easily cutomised..Multiple searches can be displayed on the left side of the search screen..They appear side-by-side, and are depicted through a progress bar when you switch between panes..

It also indicates the network status - the network you are searching in and the network you are connected to..

The built-in media player, however is still mediocre, as it supports only limited file types..Ad banners are less obtrusivebut they change too randomly, and can irritates at time..Anyway, you can get rid of them for $20 (Rs 870)..

Gaim - the best is here

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Gives you the flexibility that none other IMs do..It allows cross-platform chatting using its multi-protocol option, which is functional on the Linux, BSD, MacOS X and Windows plateforms..You can log on to your multiple accounts using only one software, saving heaps of CPU resources..


Gaim is open source and is compatible with the AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber and Zephyr networks..You can now chat with your friends on Yahoo!, MSN or even IRC channels at the same time using the same instance of chat window..

Has all the essential features such as away messaging, typing notification, MSN window clossing notification and file transfer (which doesnot ork with all networks)..You can assign different buddies different sound s or actions when they come online..

Stable and does all the small things chat software should do..It's definitely the best of the softwares that provide cross-plateform chatting...

ICQ

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Standard features that all good IMs like MSN and Yahoo! have...Include multilingual support and ability to save the chat histories..Typing indicator indicates when a contact is typing a message..


SMS service, though not very reliable, does not require registration with the service provider, but however, there are limitations dependindg upon the region you are in..

ICQ Xtraz is a very neat feature which lets you send cool, personalised ICQ greeting cards..These stands out from the usual e-greetings you find on the Net..


The basic chat window is full of features..Makes sound of an old typewritter when you are typing text, which is an interesting feature but can be annoying if you are chatting while listening to music..Like with all good features, you have the option to switch it off..The real stand-out feature is 'buzz it', which is present in the Xtraz side bar.. It lets you send message to the multiple recipients at once..

By enhancing its features and adding the new Xtraz side tab, ICQ is once again applying for the position of 'best chatting software'.

Yahoo! Messenger

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Integrates its features in the best possible manner...Comes with added feature of video caling..But bit clustered because of too many buttons too close to each other..


Colorscheme almost miraculous..Has one of the best chatting experience...Smileys to express almost all epression..Even more customisation, with the addition of ur own simleys is possible..Standard font cutomisation with audibles..Message archive and reading of the offline messages..

Animated emotions and IMVironment have great appeal to younger users..Yahoo! Photos IMVironment lets you share photos, you have stored online right in the messaging window..

The only irritating and obstrusive thing is the ads appear in the multi-user chat window..

MSN Messenger

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Oldest but the best, one of the best Microsoft products yet..Brillaint interface with customisable appearance, gives feel of 'being there'..Reliable communication, undelivered messages are returned to the sender with a notice..

Now no need of Hot mail account to sign on to MSN.. Jst an MSN Passport service account and that's it..

Chat window has a lots of features such as the usual smileys, winks, dispaly pictures, themes for the chat window and many more..A lots of options are available to the customer in terms of appeareance, font sizes, colors &c.

No major security flaws in the version 7.0 till date..however it was there in version 6.5..Chatting experience is pleasent and not any bugs or features that may be a bother...Webcam feature is good, and picture quality on a broadband connection is fairly good..Works OK even over a 56K modem..

However offline feature is missing....

AntiVir - it's still a Great Program!

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Another popular free anti-virus..Installation, a cool ride, automatic scanning after installation without warning, ofcourse you may cancel it...light on system resources but cannot be compared with avast! for smallness of memory footprint..

Interface looks preety sparse as compared to the others..Probably the simplest and most accesible of all..Actual scanning program isn't that sparse on tabs, and has a whole lot of options such as how to repair a file, scheduling of scans, the internet update, and much, much more..


No immediate prompt for virus definition updates, nor does the program warn you if your definitions are out of date..Under 'Internet Update' , there's a helpful table , under one column it says "on your PC", and under the other, "on the Internet".. It lists out the program version, the version of the virus definition, and more, so you can see at a glance what's on the internet that's not on your computer!

Option of scanning all files, or using a file extension list, which significantly reduces the scanning time..Scanning option goes in details as scanning on file read, file write, or file read and write..

A tab called 'Action if file not repaired' to specify what action to take if AntiVir cannot repair a particular file..

You can choose to 'report' other kinds of files in addition to the viruses, SPR(security privacy risk), unusual runtime compression tools, double extension files, games, jokes and more..Games refer to the recognisable games like Minesweeper, which one may wanna ban from an office environment..If this is the home edition, i wonder, what's the game scanner doing..!!!!!!

Help is very comprehensive with definition of thousands of viruses.. One hitch, however, while updating the virus definition, the program timed out very often...
It's easy to exit the program and still a good program..

AVG

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Program interface itself is very slick..Little icons that stay in Ur system tray looks like a black and white mess..The icons pops up a warning when ur virus definitions are out of date..Whenever e-mails are being sent or recieved, the programme automatically brought up a bar displayin what's going on: "mails being downloaded," "no viruses found," and other messages along these lines - cms cool

Installer automaticallly assign you a regitration number..There is a post-installation screen that lets you configure the commonly used aspects of the program.. You are prompted straightway to update ur virus definitions..


Features are aplenty, but not being too confusing..You can scan floppies, program files, documents and e-mail files..You can choose to 'use heuristic analysis' , enable 'on-close scanning', or even scan all files..you can choose to have 'System Areas Test' to scan important system areas, files and registry keys..

Jst a double click on the icon (onthe system tray) away and everything in ur front, the resident shield, the e-mail scanner, the status of the internal virus database, &c..Check for updates at jst one click..

In AVG, the Control Center and the app that scan disks are seperate.. As unlike Norton, it's easy to shut down jst by clicks..

However, there is a couple of cryptic things in the menus..Under 'Properties' in the control center, yu have the option to 'Display a comment' ...dnt kno wat it means n even the 'Help' doesnt help..

Why Pro(paid)....????

• AVG Free Edition cannot be installed on server OSes, nor can it be used for scannin of the network drives.
• Scheduling options (in APG Free) are limited.
• AVG Free Edition recieves updates via a lower priority service,
• doesnt offer advanced testing options,
• no technical support.

For Reference Guide

avast ! Home Edition

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avast! is nw one of the most widely-used free anti-virus software out there..lots of us r havin it at home too..


Home Edition is nw free of charge for home users for non-commercial use..You can find more information at More info..
To install the Home Edition, you would have to register it at Register me..
However after installation, you have 60 days to trial the product before you must complete registration. The registration process will take you only a couplr of mins..

Regarding uninstallation: it's not pssible to uninstall avast! the standard way - using 'Add/Remove Programs' in the Control panel.. In this case, you can use the uninstallation utility, aswClear..

When you first install avast!, two icons appear, "why are there two icons ???" actually first is the VRDB icon, second is the on-access scanner icon..Quickly, right click << href="http://forum.avast.com/"> forum..


Features

• anti-virus Kernel with 100 percent "In-the-Wild" viruses detection and excellent detection of Trojan horses.
• Standard Resident Protestion, files will be scanned during copying.
• P2P and IM Shields, with more than 30 programs currently supported.
• Web Shield, acts as transparent HTTP proxy and is compatible with all major browsers..filter all HTTP coming traffic..Web Shield's effect on browsing speed almost negligible.
• Automatic Updates, incrementqal, with only new n missingdata downloaded, thus reducin the transfer speed.
• Outstanding System Integration, with a new option of boot time scan, which allow user to instigate scannin before a virus is activated, in the case a virus is suspected to b active on ur computer already.
• Integrated avast! Virus cleaner, for already infected computers..
• Support for 64-bit Windows, uses native 64-bit drivers with same level of protection as in the 32-bit Windows environments.