USERS are paying a premium for something that should have been on the iPhone initially.

Minimal interface, easy to use, syncs wireless with desktop client

Expensive, desktop client won't be free in January

Things gets everything right when it comes to task management for the iPhone. But at $12.99, users are paying a premium for something that should have been on the iPhone in the first place.

BBEDIT 9 is an essential update for existing users, but there's little truly remarkable here.

Fast and efficient, non-modal search/find makes us grin manically, ability to edit in results windows

Can be complex to set up and tweak, text-completion is and sluggish, UI feels dated, no Windows version

Overall, BBEdit 9 is an essential update for existing users, but, regretfully, there's little truly remarkable here to stop web designers and coders with itchy feet defecting to the likes of TextMate and Coda.

AVIRA'S Premium Security suite 8.0 upgrade is outdated and not smart by modern standards.

Impressive anti-imalware capabilities

Slow spam filter, not very smart

Avira Premium Security Suite 8.0 is undoubtedly first-class at detecting malware but the AV game has moved on when it comes to factors such as usability, intelligence and hardware footprint. It's now looking relatively dated and awkward to use.

IF you have a lot of pictures and need to free up some hard drive space, this is a tempting way to do so.

Can view and manipulate photos as. zip files, great zip-to-e-mail capabilities

Photo compression not that impressive, not really a photo organiser

If you have a lot of pictures and need to free up some hard drive space, or if you need to shrink giant, photo-laden e-mail messages, WinZip 12 is a tempting way to make it happen. If you don't, it's still a handy program to have around.

APART from the poor execution of RegShield, Ad-Aware does a competent job.

Ad-Watch Connect

RegShield is annoying

In general, apart from the poor execution of RegShield, Ad-Aware does a competent job. Its overall performance, however, can be improved upon by alternative antivirus and antispyware programs.

IF you want added protection download Ad-Aware 2008 Free for an extra spyware and privacy scan.

Free

No real-time protection

True, your existing antivirus program likely has antispyware features of its own. But if you suspect you might have spyware on your PC and you want to double-check your antivirus program's assessment, download Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 Free for an extra ...

THIS software includes LinkScanner, which marks dodgy sites returned by a search engine hunt.

Linkscanner, no cost

Nothing of note

Even if it wasn't free, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 Free would be a good antivirus product.

THREATFIRE adds a worthwhile layer of security for your computer. Impressively, it's free.

Blocks brand-new threats, monitors system activity

Occasional PC lockups

ThreatFire adds a worthwhile layer of security for your computer. Even more impressively, it's free.

LITERECODRER is worthwhile only for those who value ease of use and quality of capture over value.

Save audio in mp3, WAV, WMA and OGG formats

LiteRecorder is a worthwhile purchase only for those who value ease of use and quality of capture over, well, value. But at $14, it's hardly bank-breaking.

AS a complete suite ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite is full of holes, however the firewall is extensive.

Kaspersky antivirus engine for malware detection and removal, excellent installation wizard

Lacks extensive scan options ; doesn't scan e-mail traffic or instant messaging communications for malware ; no web antiphishing feature

The firewall itself is extensive and would be a good purchase in its own right. As a complete suite, though, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite is full of holes.