Where Does Apple Get Off?

Pros: Nothing -- see below...

Cons: It seems that every time I open iTunes, it wants me to install the latest update. With each update, it packages all kinds of stuff I don't need or want, like iTunes helper, iPod Helper, QuickTime, and Apple Software Update. Moreover, they are all set to start up with my computer and run all the time, forcing me to manually disable each and every one these items using msconfig or some other utility.

However, the last straw came yesterday, when for some reason, I was unable to send out any e-mails through Outlook. After looking at account settings, firewall provisions, connections, etc., I decided to reboot the system and restart Outlook to see if that might help.

When Outlook started, it provided a helpful message stating that it had not been able to work properly due to the presence of the ITUNES SYNC ADDIN and would I like it disabled. I responded yes, and suddenly, my backlog of unsent e-mails all were able to go out.

My question is, WHERE DOES APPLE GET OFF INSTALLING AN ADDIN TO OUTLOOK WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OR PERMISSION? By installing this addin that breaks Outlook, Apple shows the same regard for its customers as Sony did with its rootkit installation.

Please do yourself a favor -- buy your music from Amazon. It works with the iPod, doesn't require invasive bloatware, and is DRM-free.

Posted: 02-Nov-2007 04:27:17 AM

Not Sure of Any Benefits

Pros: Seems to work unobtrusively in the background. Nice user interface.

Cons: Have had it installed for several months in conjunction with Norton Internet Security 2008. During this time, ThreatFire has detected 16 suspicious activities, all of which were legitimate processes. Not sure that it provides anything over and above NIS. Full scan takes forever.

Posted: 27-Jul-2008 07:35:00 PM

Best Free Explorer Alternative

Pros: Allows dual pane exploring with the ability to create multiple tabs in both panes, one folder tree, preview pane below folder tree (although what you can preview is limited in free version), etc. Bookmarks let you recall views. Shred option for more secure deletion (although not sure how secure). Attractive, easy to understand user interface.

Cons: FTP access appears to only work with command line rather than using a dedicated FTP user interface. Help file has to be downloaded separately. Both are pretty minor when compared the functionality you get.

Posted: 16-Aug-2007 10:38:19 AM