QTTabBar (free) is a moderately useful add-in for Windows Explorer that adds tabs and several other features to the Explorer interface. With it, you'll be able to quickly switch between folders by simply clicking a tab, as well as being able to ...

Tabs can be useful

Takes some time to adjust to

If you believe having access to multiple tabs and those features is a benefit, QTTabBar could be worth the time and effort.

The latest upgrade to Roxio's comprehensive disc-burning suite introduces some welcome improvements, but Roxio Creator 2010 costs significantly more than competing packages.

Comprehensive abilities, professional templates and content

Pricey, complex

In a world where many free programs can handle basic burning tasks and even basic audio video chores, you should spend your money carefully on software that makes video editing, disc authoring, and possibly Blu-ray playback easy. Roxio Creator 2010 ...

The latest version of Paragon Hard Disk Manager includes updated driver support and a slew of new features. Two of the additions - the ability to back up individual files and folders, and diverse hardware restore - are particularly useful.

Partitioning and imaging under one roof, easy-to-use interface

Linux Preinstallation Environment recovery CDs doesn't allow you to load drivers post-boot

Hard Disk Manager 2009 Suite is a versatile application that's now virtually dead-even with Acronis software in useful features. The new additions make it a worthy choice for your local-backup needs.

iTunes has not killed file sharing using peer-to-peer clients. iTunes has not killed file sharing using peer-to-peer clients. There are still plenty of people who share music, video, and other files with one another. If you're one of those, you may ...

Free, simple to use

Not many 'extra' features

For those who want file downloads simple and straight-ahead, Cabos is a solid bet.

MDB is the format used by Microsoft Access, one of the most popular databases in the world. Usually, a front end application of some type is used to - no pun intended - access the data. However, it can sometimes occur that you end up with a "naked" ...

Free, allows filtering and sorting

Some bugs

It's not all bad. MDB Viewer Plus allows for filtering and sorting, which are fairly intuitive, and also for editing, not just viewing, of data, making it a useful tool for simple database maintenance, especially if it's not possible to get to the ...

Strong feature set, small system footprint

Detection rates have been higher in the past

Features-wise Kaspersky 2010 is a definite step-up from its predecessor. It's always had a strong feature list but it trod lightly on our clunkier system, having little impact on performance - providing you discount the high CPU use in the Safe Run ...

Revamped user interface, WPF designer is even smoother than before, new code browsing features, improved thread debugging

Missing support for ASP.Net MVC and smart devices

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1 is a very promising upgrade to the premier IDE for .Net development. It improves the UI, IntelliSense, and Designers; supports parallel programming; and improves support for test-driven development. It's still ...

Inexpensive, excellent malware protection

Noisy pop-up alerts for signature file updates

In our comparative reviews, G-Data InternetSecurity 2010 was the best all-around suite, offering both protection - it can to detect and block traditional malware while deploying superior heuristics to stop newer threats - and several additional ...

Interface is clean and straightforward, good results during rootkit tests

AVG Firewall displayed a high learning curve, scored below average in pro-actively identifying unknown malware

AVG Internet Security 8.5 did very well with traditional and zoo malware, but it didn't do so well using just heuristics, missing the 2- and 4-week old signature file tests. Still, for the money, AVG Internet Security 8.5 is a good value that will do ...

Super-realistic new hard media tools, better Photoshop support

Interface remains cluttered, priced for professionals (not amateurs)

Corel Painter 11 is a worthwhile upgrade overall - and a must if you have a Wacom Intuous or Cintiq tablet and use its virtual pencils, chalk, pastels and other nonpaint tools to do sketching.