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accessibility

Exceptional performance

Much like its professional counterpart, WinLock offers an endless array of options for locking certain files, functions, and even Web access. And as is the case with the professional version, our only complaint is that its Internet options work only with Internet Explorer.

WinLock's interface will appeal to all user levels. It's easy to navigate. All of your protection options are listed under drop-down style menu buttons. The program includes options for hiding files and folders, disabling system features such as Windows' Registry Editor and Task Manager, and limiting access to executable files. You can also manage your … Read more

Overwhelming options

There are many instances when users need to view a Web page but can't get access to the Internet. Portable Offline Browser solves this problem by letting you save and view them offline, but it might offer too many other options.

This program takes users right where they need to be from the start. Other offline browsers make you work to learn the program, but Portable Offline Browser has a start-up wizard that immediately asks you for a URL. From there the user is asked a range of other questions, which is this program's blessing and its curse. … Read more

LogMeIn's remote access plan for Netbooks

A Netbook's extremely limited hard drive space (typically half that of a laptop and one third of that for a desktop) makes it terrible for storing files, but its Internet-connectedness and light weight make it ideal for carrying around.

LogMeIn, a company best known for its free and pro-level remote access applications, is looking for carriers and Netbook manufacturers to preload its LogMeIn Ignition remote access software onto Netbooks so that consumers will be able to view and edit photos and documents from their main desktop or laptop computer from their tiny Netbooks. The deal would give carriers that … Read more

Copernic Mobile: View PC files from your phone

Applications that let you access the files on your desktop from anywhere else are wonderful things, but the traditional remote-desktop app has one annoying flaw--you must browser for an e-mail, photo, or document in often tall, brambly file trees. Copernic Mobile (see slide show), in a sturdy prerelease build for Windows XP and Vista, offers the thorough indexing of a remote-access tool, but with a search component that makes finding those individuals files as simple as using a desktop search tool like Google Desktop--or Copernic Desktop Search.

It works by downloading Copernic Mobile's remote access application to your desktop … Read more

Seattle tops 'Forbes' most-wired cities list

The list-happy business magazine Forbes released on Thursday its annual survey of the nation's most wired cities. Topping the list is Seattle, the home of Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Microsoft (well, it's in a suburb).

Surprisingly, none of California's famed tech cities made the top 10. San Francisco dropped to No. 11 from No. 4 last year, mainly because of its lack of high-speed access options. But take heart, San Franciscans: Forbes still says you're the most tech-savvy city in the country, since you have the highest percentage of home broadband Internet users. Following right behind … Read more

Monitor and protect your system

For the paranoid or detail obsessed, Grouped Access Tools (GAT) would be a welcome Task Manager replacement. It also would appear to be a valuable software debugging tool. The interface is aesthetically spare, but not inappropriately so, as it provides well structured information on first launch. The menus seem logically arranged, and context menus are provided.

Installation is straightforward, but there's no option to exclude or specify the location of the Start Menu folder. GAT appears to deliver on all its promises, though the Memory Editor option never became an active option and couldn't be tested. With no … Read more

Not a program for the faint of heart

There are programs designed specifically for novices and those geared toward experienced users. Then there are programs designed to make experienced users feel like novices. Welcome to Crypto Composer; 10 tabs of boxes, buttons, text fields, and a Help file filled with enough jargon to cause your eyes to turn glassy.

Can you tell we loved it?

This freeware application is for the uber-privacy advocate on a budget. Experienced users looking for a challenge should jump right into this collection of privacy tools. The less masochistic might look to the Help manual. However, the FAQ-based manual might lead to greater … Read more

Worth the time to spend learning operation

Though it suffers slightly from some odd operation steps, this program gives experienced users a powerful tool to restrict file and folder access. SecuInHand's tabbed interface logically separates functions and features, but the cramped window can't be resized.

Using a series of passwords and access controls, SecuInHand Professional helps users lock down their systems. Setting and updating all the major functions requires an odd set of clicks and passwords over the interface and the tray icon. Most users will need to follow the help manual closely at first, but the process can be memorized after a few tries.… Read more