Crave World Clock License Giveaway – The Winners Are….

I’m happy to announce the 20 winners of a free license for Crave World Clock, a must-have world clock application for people who need to keep track of the current time in different cities and time zones around the world. The current time can be displayed on a real world map, along with day and night effects.

You can add cities of your choice on the world map.

You can set the world clock as your desktop wallpaper, or use it as a screensaver.

You can add analog clock and digital clock on your desktop, to keep track of time for multiple cities.

Congratulations to the winners:

Grr, Nil, Ankit, yılmaz, Bob Slyker, Stfan, Mal, John d, TRY, John, Hipockets, Alvin Bruce, Jerry Chance, ha14, Brennan Krieger, delenn13, Don Naphen, Briareoushex, Mike M, David.

Each winner will be notified directly by the developer – please allow up to 4 days for the developer to contact you.

If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, you can download a 14 day trial version of this great application.

System requirements: Windows XP, Vista, Win 7

Try the full version free for 14 days.

Download at: Reflection Software Solutions

Purchase: $14 USD.

Experts Galaxy – Kaspersky and Bitdefender License Giveaway

My good buddy Neeraj Rawat, over at the Experts Galaxy web site, is currently running a number of license giveaway contests. Checkout the site for more details.

From the site:

One More License Giveaway For Bitdefender Antivirus 2011 (1 Year)

Exclusive Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 One Year License Giveaway

Neeraj tells me that he has two more license giveaways scheduled in the coming weeks for Superantispyware and Zemana AntiLogger –two superb applications which I highly recommend.

If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

TechPaul’s Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 – Software License Giveaway Contest

I recently reviewed Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 here (Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 – A Powerful “One Stop” Optimization And Maintenance Suite),  and judged it to be an impressive solution for a host of issues affecting a computer’s performance and reliability. BoostSpeed 5 can uncover bundles of issues and problems, and then correct those problems – often, with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Review takeaway:

If you’re an average user, disappointed with your computer’s performance, or you’re just tired of having to deal with reoccurring unexplained issues, you may find that Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 is worth its $49.95 purchase price.

If you’d like an opportunity to possibly pickup a free license for Auslogics BoostSpeed 5, and save yourself $50, then checkout TechPaul’s Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 – software license giveaway contest.

From the Tech – for Everyone site:

Folks, I had decided to not run any more contests; but, I recently received an email from a company I trust, asking me for a review. The upside for you is: the folks at Auslogics have generously donated three licenses (a license can be used on up to three PC’s) to me, to award to my readers.

So, I am going to do a random drawing contest from folks who “enter” by posting a comment. The drawing will close midnight (Pacific) Thursday, April 7 — the winners announce Friday — so act now.

How to enter? Residents of the US and Canada may enter the contest drawing by simply clicking on “comment” and entering a name and a valid e-mail (so I can send you the license key) in the form. Actually commenting is optional.

To enter the contest go here.

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The Winners in the SPAMfighter Pro, Free License Giveaway Are ….

I’m happy to announce the 10 winners of a free license for SPAMfighter Pro, the award winning anti-spam desktop application designed for both typical at-home users, and business users.

SPAMfighter Pro is a terrific application which continuously filters e-mail, to eliminate spam and protect users against phishing, and e-mail-borne viruses.

Congratulations to the winners:

Grr

PasjonatLeonaWachholza

Mariel

Kate

Nick

Michael Cole

Jerry Chance

Paf

Murphy

jamir

Each winner has been notified directly. If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, you can download this great application at SPAMfighter. If you decide not to buy a Pro license, you will be converted to the free Standard version when the trial expires.

If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

The Winners in the PC Tools Internet Security 2011 Free License Giveaway Are…..

I’m happy to announce the 10 winners of a free license (installable on up to 3 PCs), for the award winning PC Tools Internet Security 2011.

Congratulations to the winners:

Zug

David W

Lee G

Ahmed Helmy

Olga Silva

Kevin (kvhc)

Cappydawg

TomGer

Sara (sesser)

Paul Lubic, Jr.

Each winner will be notified shortly with a congratulatory note and license, directly from PC Tools. If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, you can download a free, limited, trial version, at PC Tools.

Thank you, to all those who participated. Once again, I was struck by how polite the contest participants were – in almost every case, the participants said “Thank you”.

Either Tech Thoughts draws unusually polite people, or the world isn’t quite as bad as we’re often led to believe. I’m convinced it’s the latter – the vast majority of people are polite, and considerate.

Just a quick reminder: Next week we will be offering a giveaway for 10 free licenses for Europe’s leading anti-spam application – SPAMfighter Pro

If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

The Winners in the TuneUp Utilities 2011 Free License Giveaway Are…..

I’m happy to announce the 5 winners of a free license (installable on up to 3 PCs), for TuneUp Utilities 2011, a superior tune up application that’s easy to setup, customize and run, for both less experienced, and expert users alike.

Congratulations to the winners:

Samar

John C.

James

Prakash

Siam

Each winner has been notified directly. If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, you can test drive this great application for 15 days, by visiting the TuneUp Utilities 2011 download page.

Thank you, to all those who participated. This limited license giveaway contest was the most subscribed to ever, here on Tech Thoughts, and if I had my way, each one of the entries would have been awarded a license. I think a strong business case can be made for doing so.

Zemana AntiLogger, for example, did just that here on Tech Thoughts earlier this year, which resulted in the awarding of 2,000+ licenses. Now that’s how to generate interest in a product!

Finally, I’d like to mention that I was struck by how polite the contest participants were – in almost every case, the participants said “Thank you”. That seems to fly in the face of all the hype we hear, that we are become a less polite society. That sure wasn’t evident here.

Just a quick reminder: Later this week we will be offering a giveaway for 10 free licenses for a great security application – PC Tools Internet Security 2011.

If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

Handy Backup Server Edition Contest – And the Winner is…

As part of our ongoing “backup your data campaign”, we recently arranged with Novosoft, to give away one free license (retail value $599 U.S.), for Handy Backup Server Edition.

I’m now happy to announce the winner of a free license for Handy Backup Server Edition – a backup application designed for small and medium sized businesses, with simplicity and convenience in mind.

Congratulations to Leofelix, who entered the contest on May 17, whom we have notified by email.

If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, you can test drive this great application for 30 days by visiting Novosoft. If you prefer, you can test drive Handy Backup Standard 6.6, or Handy Backup Professional 6.6.

Thank you, to all those who participated.

If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

Handy Backup Server Edition – Free License Giveaway Contest

Handy Backup Server: Enterprise network backup software for workstation data backup.

Today’s enterprise simply couldn’t function without the automation that computers provide. It goes without saying; computers have become critical to the effective operation, and stability, of any business. System downtime then, regardless of the cause, can have lasting impact on a business’s long term viability, and reputation.

Without an effective system backup and recovery plan, an enterprise is gambling with its ability to survive in a business environment that does not forgive critical errors in planning, or strategy.

Any business which lacks an effective and systematic data recovery plan, is courting disaster, and is simply living on borrowed time.

As part of our ongoing “backup your data campaign”, we have arranged with Novosoft, to give away one free license (retail value $599 U.S.), for Handy Backup Server Edition, a backup application designed for small and medium sized businesses, with simplicity and convenience in mind.

To enter the contest, simply add a comment at the end of this article. On May 31, 2010, all comments will be added to the online List Randomizer, and the first name that appears, will win a free license for this valuable backup application.

You don’t need to write a paragraph – “enter me in the contest”, or similar, is enough. Good luck!

Read the following review and I’m sure you’ll agree, this is a contest worth entering.

Handy Backup Server enterprise network edition – the right application for those tough backup jobs.

Operating a small/medium sized business has always been a tough job. But, the unstable economy that we are all forced to content with, has made a tough job, even tougher.

The bottom line, always a major consideration, now looms ever larger in the background. But investing in the right technologies can deliver operational, and productivity efficiencies, that can flow straight to the bottom line.

Backup solutions, for example, don’t have to be a cost center. A strong and aggressive backup strategy, effectively implemented, can have a measureable effect on the bottom line by impacting positively on system administrator productivity.

Choosing the right backup solution and service provider then, has taken on a new importance. One in which cost savings can be realized through system administration productivity growth.

Handy Backup Server, from Novosoft, is a complete server-based network backup solution for small business enterprises. This application is designed to allow the user to back up and recover data stored on both central servers and remote computers, on a client-server scheme, and has multiple server-specific functions.

Workstation backup tasks can run as a service under Windows 2008/2003 Server, or Windows 7, Vista/XP/2000 seamlessly, and will not interfere  with employees’ work.

Handy Backup Server allows the enterprise to backup not only individual files and folders, but in addition, creates drive images – backups of the operating system and all applications.

All workstation backup tasks are fully automated, and run with low system priority – making it easy to perform backup tasks during operational hours.

A  Comprehensive user interface provides easy, step-by-step, adjustment of network backup – including compression, encryption and flexible task scheduling options. E-mail notifications, command line interface, and log file generation, makes the system administrator’s  task management easy and efficient.

As well as file, folder and HDD imaging, this application features plug-ins for backing up MS Exchange, MS SQL, DB2 databases and Lotus Notes/Domino data, stored on the central server.

Additionally, the user can back up Oracle database and ODBC-compatible databases, which can be located on both a local server, and remote workstations.

Data transferred to the central server can be stored on the widest range of backup media: the user can backup to FTP, SFTP, Network, FireWire and USB hard/flash drives, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, HD DVD and much more. Detailed online help is available.

Centralized workstation backup and fast system recovery ability, distinguish Handy Backup Server from other network backup software. Handy Backup Server carries the “Certified for Windows Vista” and “Works with Windows Server 2008″ logos, and is acknowledged as one of the best tools for backup and recovery of the entire office network, or local server.

Fast facts:

Image backup – snapshot of entire hard drive contents including all programs and data files

Hot database backup through ODBC protocol

Backup of Lotus Notes/Domino databases

MS Exchange Server Backup

Client-server network backup – centralized workstation backup managed by one enterprise backup server

Backup of email directly from the server

Support for backup to CD-R/CD-RW, backup to DVD/Blu-ray/HD DVD media; remote FTP backup, secure SFTP backup; local and network drives; ZIP, JAZ, MO; flash drives; HDD and floppy disks, USB drive

Registry Backup

Data Restore

ICQ Backup plug-in

128-bit encryption support

E-mail notification on operation results

System requirements: Windows 2008/2003 Server, and Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000.

For additional information on Handy Backup Server edition, please visit the official website.

In the meantime, you can download a full-featured 30-day trial by clicking on the following link: Download Handy Backup 30 day trial

Note: A number of our regular readers are Handy Backup users and consistently report excellent results with this application.

About Novosoft:

Novosoft LLC was established in 1992. Over the years Novosoft has established an excellent reputation and the recognition of users worldwide. Today, Novosoft LLC is a prominent developer of computer and server backup software for both home users and small and middle-sized enterprises.

The key products of the company include three major editions meeting every user’s needs: Handy Backup Standard, Handy Backup Professional and Handy Backup Server.

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The Winners in the Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus 2010 – Free License Giveaway Contest Are….

I’m happy to announce the 10 winners of a free license for Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus 2010, a superior anti-malware application that is easy to setup, customize and run, for both less experienced, and expert users alike.

No fussing and bothering with a ton of long winded setup or customizing screens – just install, and after choosing a few run options, you’re good to go!

Congratulations to the winners: Mal, Aurel Moroseanu, Bori , Louis Gordon Jr., HarleyBBorn, as77, CE, Ahmed, springboy, and Adrian.

The winners will receive official notification, directly from me, within the next 3/5 days, which will include the free license.

Thank you, to all those who participated.

If you are not a winner, you can of course, download a fully functional 30 day trial of Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus 2010.

Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus Review:

So how do you take the best and make it better? That’s a neat trick, but something PC Tools has managed to do with the release of Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus.

Spyware Doctor, as a stand alone anti-malware application, has long had a rich reputation for effectiveness, and ease of use. With the addition of both an anti-virus component, and ThreatFire technology, PC Tools has taken PC security to a new level.

Regular readers will remember, I have often recommended the stand alone version of ThreatFire, as one of the top three necessary components to maximize PC security. Kudos to PC Tools, for including it in this new version of Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus.

Experience has taught me that typical computer users are most interested in two areas when choosing an anti-malware application:

• Protection against current threats, and equally as important, protection against rapidly evolving new threats. During testing, I found  Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, excelled in detection; particularly in its active protection against phishing sites.
• Ease of use, with a limited learning curve; so that the inherent power of the application can be be brought to bear immediately. Those of us you have relied on the free version of Spyware Doctor Starter Edition, are familiar with its clear, simple, no nonsense user interface, and this new application continues that tradition.

Fast facts:

• IMPROVED ON-DEMAND DETECTION – Detects and thoroughly cleans an extremely diverse range of malware during on-demand and real-time scans.
• UPDATED BEHAVIOURAL PROTECTION – Leverages ThreatFire technology to detect and block zero-day malware based on its runtime behavior.
• NEW BROWSER EXPLOIT & SCAREWARE BLOCKING – Dynamically scans every webpage loaded in Internet Explorer to detect and block malicious exploits, such as iFrame & MDAC, that trigger drive-by-downloads of malware. Detects and blocks websites that scare visitors into buying scareware through fake antivirus scan pop-ups.
• NEW STATE AWARENESS MODES – Detects how you are using your PC and adjusts to minimize performance impact and reduce interruptions.

– Game Mode: all scheduled scans, smart updates and program alerts postponed when playing games, resulting in an interruption-free experience. Activated automatically when playing games in full-screen, otherwise manually switchable

– Power Saving Mode: no scheduled tasks run when powered by battery

– Idle Mode: automatically scans in background when PC is not in use to reduce the length of subsequent scans

• EMAIL GUARD – Detects and cleans infected email attachments at unencrypted POP3 and SMTP4 protocol layer (client independent).
• 24/7 Help – available in 10 languages. Select the most convenient option for you – reach our support staff by phone, email, live chat or web.

I have always been a strong proponent of free security software, but with the increasing challenges we now face on the Internet, I’m finding that, by and large, the free versions of security applications are not up to the task of protecting an average, or typical user.

Free security applications, with their built-in limitations, are best suited to those who have a “better than average” understanding, of operating systems, security systems, and who have a heightened awareness of the hidden traps on the Internet. Even with an enhanced skill set, technically astute users are still finding that staying safe on the Internet is more difficult than ever.

In the last two years, I have only recommend two “pay for” applications and Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, has now become the third.

Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, offers all of the protection that a top notch anti-malware application should, in an easy installation package leading to a “dead simple” interface, and then does what it sets out to do – protects the user efficiently, against the epidemic of malware and additional dangers circulating on the Internet, waiting to trap the under protected, and the unaware.

System requirements: Windows 7 (32bit, 64bit), Windows Vista SP1+ (32bit, 64bit), Windows XP SP2+ (32bit).

You may Buy Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus direct from PC Tools, ($49.95 direct, for three licenses).

If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus 2010 – Free License Giveaway

As part of our continuing “Stay Safe on the Internet campaign”, PC Tools has generously provided us with 10 free licenses for Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, (retail value $49.95 U.S.).

To enter the contest to win a free license, simply add a comment at the end of this article. On January 15, 2010, all comments will be added to the online List Randomizer, and the first 10 names that come up, will win a free license for this award winning security application.

As with previous contests, you don’t need to write a paragraph – “enter me in the contest” is enough. Good luck!

After reading the following review of Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, I’m sure you’ll agree, this is a contest worth entering.

Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus Review:

So how do you take the best and make it better? That’s a neat trick, but something PC Tools has managed to do with the release of Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus.

Spyware Doctor, as a stand alone anti-malware application, has long had a rich reputation for effectiveness, and ease of use. With the addition of both an anti-virus component, and ThreatFire technology, PC Tools has taken PC security to a new level.

Regular readers will remember, I have often recommended the stand alone version of ThreatFire, as one of the top three necessary components to maximize PC security. Kudos to PC Tools, for including it in this new version of Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus.

Experience has taught me that typical computer users are most interested in two areas when choosing an anti-malware application:

• Protection against current threats, and equally as important, protection against rapidly evolving new threats. During testing, I found  Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, excelled in detection; particularly in its active protection against phishing sites.
• Ease of use, with a limited learning curve; so that the inherent power of the application can be be brought to bear immediately. Those of us you have relied on the free version of Spyware Doctor Starter Edition, are familiar with its clear, simple, no nonsense user interface, and this new application continues that tradition.

Fast facts:

• IMPROVED ON-DEMAND DETECTION – Detects and thoroughly cleans an extremely diverse range of malware during on-demand and real-time scans.
• UPDATED BEHAVIOURAL PROTECTION – Leverages ThreatFire technology to detect and block zero-day malware based on its runtime behavior.
• NEW BROWSER EXPLOIT & SCAREWARE BLOCKING – Dynamically scans every webpage loaded in Internet Explorer to detect and block malicious exploits, such as iFrame & MDAC, that trigger drive-by-downloads of malware. Detects and blocks websites that scare visitors into buying scareware through fake antivirus scan pop-ups.
• NEW STATE AWARENESS MODES – Detects how you are using your PC and adjusts to minimize performance impact and reduce interruptions.

– Game Mode: all scheduled scans, smart updates and program alerts postponed when playing games, resulting in an interruption-free experience. Activated automatically when playing games in full-screen, otherwise manually switchable

– Power Saving Mode: no scheduled tasks run when powered by battery

– Idle Mode: automatically scans in background when PC is not in use to reduce the length of subsequent scans

• EMAIL GUARD – Detects and cleans infected email attachments at unencrypted POP3 and SMTP4 protocol layer (client independent).
• 24/7 Help – available in 10 languages. Select the most convenient option for you – reach our support staff by phone, email, live chat or web.

I have always been a strong proponent of free security software, but with the increasing challenges we now face on the Internet, I’m finding that, by and large, the free versions of security applications are not up to the task of protecting an average, or typical user.

Free security applications, with their built-in limitations, are best suited to those who have a “better than average” understanding, of operating systems, security systems, and who have a heightened awareness of the hidden traps on the Internet. Even with an enhanced skill set, technically astute users are still finding that staying safe on the Internet is more difficult than ever.

In the last two years, I have only recommend two “pay for” applications and Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, has now become the third.

Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, offers all of the protection that a top notch anti-malware application should, in an easy installation package leading to a “dead simple” interface, and then does what it sets out to do – protects the user efficiently, against the epidemic of malware and additional dangers circulating on the Internet, waiting to trap the under protected, and the unaware.

System requirements: Windows 7 (32bit, 64bit), Windows Vista SP1+ (32bit, 64bit), Windows XP SP2+ (32bit).

You may Buy Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus direct from PC Tools, ($49.95 direct, for three licenses), or you may download a free, limited, older version, at PC Tools.

If you enjoyed this article, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.