CD/DVD & Burning Utilities
*These are the software downloads that are mentioned in the 12/31/03 News section of our website. For more info go there DVDShrink - DVD Movie Backup Ripper Software and BurnAtOnce - DVD Movie Backup Burning Software Please note - These softwares are listed here as tools for use by you on Movies/Media that you already own. These are not offered on
"The Zjooj" as tools to be used for illegal copying or copyright infringement.

*DeepBurner - This is just a link to a very nice (and free) CD and DVD burner that does quite a bit. Highly recommended!!

 

 

AntiVirus
*AVG Anti-Virus - This is one of the best freeware virus protection apps on the net. Give it a whirl! (A Big thanks to all of the LangaList readers that informed me this is still free!! Greatly appreciated!)

*Avast - This is another one of the best freeware virus protection apps on the net. Easily installable, works well and free. That's always good!
Please note though - We have discovered some minor problems with Avast Antivirus and Compuserve/AOL software. At times it can slow things down with those two internet service providers software and in some instances can cause other small problems. Otherwise it is well worth a try.

 

 

Backup Software (Note - this not freeware - Please read below)

*Backup4All - Backup Software
It is not often, really, that we do a review on a product that isn't
freeware but we recently were informed of a product that we decided to
take a look at. As it turns out, this product is a real contender in
Backup Software market.
The product aptly named BackUp4All offers a shareware version that
will hook you the first time you use it. It truly is simple for just
about everyone.

The version of BU4A (BackUp4All), 2.3.2 is a nice change of pace
compared to other Backup solutions.
The interface is very clean and the functionality is simple once you
learn the developers Icons. Which, honestly, does not take
all that much time. Below is a list of a few things that we noticed
while using BU4A (Pro's and Con's)

********
Pros:

*The readability of the interface is very clean and clear - An "Outlook"/"Explorer" style paned window that keeps things organized and neat. This type of interface is always easy to work with!!

*Nice list of options available for different backup sets (Full, Incremental, Differential) as well as program options.

*Simple "newbie" style wizard walks the user through the process of
creating a backup set. VERY NICE!!

*Number of Backups stored/saved can be limited which helps manage
drive space easier and manage backup sets

*Includes Zip options for backup compression

*Over-sized backup options that allow the user to control what happens
if excessive sized differential backups are encountered

*Secure Password options

*User define-able/customizable filters

*Built-in scheduler included in the Wizard interface

*Advanced features that give complete flexibility over "before and
after" operations of the backup. (e.g.- notification application can run after the backup has completed) Handy!!

*File verification options/properties can be modified through the Wizard interface

*Quick Access Buttons that allow the user to quickly view different
files in a set according to their backup properties (changed, unchanged, deleted etc…)

*Detailed log files with an easy to read output and tons of great
info. This is a HUGE plus. Many times most backup software simply
splashes text all over the log file or in such a linear listing that it is
difficult to read. BU4A's logs are neatly organized. Very Cool!!

*Restoring a backup is quick and easy. In our weekly backup process
the restoration is always something we test for. What good is a backup if you can't restore it? BU4A makes this a simple process

…There are many more features but these are some of the ones that help
Backup4All stand out in the crowd.

Cons:

*Interface can be confusing at first. Icon buttons with no text
(although there is popup text). But, just like any other app, the more
you use it the easier it gets to use

*The wizard has options sort of "scattered about" in certain steps.
(This really isn't too much of a big deal though, like we said, once
you use it a couple times…)

*The scheduler for the backup requires that the application is running. It does not use the Windows Task Scheduler to run the Backups while the user is logged off or signed out. This is, unfortunately, a big minus. (NOTE - We have been in contact with the spokesperson for Backup4All and he let us know that this will be fixed in the next version)

All-in-all the application is an excellent option as a complete personal backup solution.

Even with it's miniscule "Cons" we still recommend it as a reliable and inexpensive option for just about any type of user.
Take a look here for more information and a free trial. Definitely worth a look!!

Spyware/Adware Removal Utilities
Here are a few spyware/adware removal utilities that have been mentioned in our 1/2/04 news section. Be sure to visit the home page of each and/or read its documentation to get comfortable with how to use the tool.

*Spybot Search and Destroy Download - Spybot Homepage - This is the mother of all Spyware removers. We at TheZjooj use it literally every day to help others. It is well written and very easy to use. Download it NOW.
UPDATE!!! 6/15/05
Spybot Search and Destroy has been updated to 1.4. Very slick and much faster!

 

*CWSShredder Download - here is some more info on CWS and the CWSshredder.
The CWShredder was designed by merijn at http://www.merijn.org. This is one excellent little tool for removing CWS from your PC. Great Job merijn!!

 

*PepiMK CoolWWWSearch SmartKiller Direct from Safer-Networking.org -If you have trouble with the first link we have it here - This is an extremely helpful tool when you can't get to any of the Spyware removal pages because of the new CoolWWWSearch/CoolWebSearch variant. The new CWS variant kills the spyware removal pages of several known Anti-CWS sites including http://www.merijn.org and
Spybot Search and Destroy. The nasty little variant also kills the actual running applications that can remove CWS. What a little stinker huh? You can read more here, here and check out our News section as well.
Note: Always make sure to visit the websites of these utilities (if CWS will let you) to check for the latest updates/versions and instructions!

 

*SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlasterHomepage - This is one heck of a great little piece of software. The app actually stops most Spyware from ever being installed. We are using it daily and it works like a champ! Highly recommended! Head to the
SpywareBlaster homepage to read about how it works.

 

*Kazaa Be Gone - This is the best (Literally THE BEST) at removing everything to do with Kazaa. Some may not need it much anymore now that Kazaa is all but useless but if you do then here it is. This utility, provided by our friend Merijn, removes everything Kazaa installs. If nothing else, it is great for starting over with Kazaa. We have used it to fix many PC's and it has never failed. A Rightously Worthy Download.
****IMPORTANT Note - Before downloading and running KazaaBeGone be sure to download LSPFix. Sometimes KazaaBeGone can break your internet connection and this file will fix it. For info on LSPFix and/or an updated version go here.

 

*InstallFile - This is a very handy little utility that allows you to delete files that Windows considers as in use. It is kinda tricky to use but mostly safe. Here is a ReadMe.txt file on how to use it. We have used it many times. The first time or two is kinda tricky but the time it takes to use is much less than the time most of the spyware files waste. If you have any trouble you can leave a post in our forum and we will get back with you as soon as possible.


*CWSService Remover - We found this nifty little removal registry script somewhere on the net. Very helpful in removing the Cool Web Search Service ( Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Helper). Be aware that the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) services are needed by windows but definitely not this one!!

 

Browsers and IE Uitlities
*Maxthon - Tabbed Browser - Maxthon Homepage - This is a really great tabbed browser - Totally free! We use Maxthon everyday. Here is an easy tour of some of the many features this application has.
NOTE: The developers of this free application actually listen to their user base and add updates/features all of the time. Be sure to check for any updates.

 

 

Zip and Compression Utilities
*Winzip- This is one of the best compression utilities on the internet today. It has been around a long time! Normally we don't list a trial version of software but this is so widely used we had to. Please be sure to register with Winzip if you use this app for very long. Those guys do a great job on creating their Zip app and we really want them to keep doing it.

*ICEOWS rar Extraction Utility - This is a free version compression app and it is right up there with Winzip. The interface isn't as easy as Winzips wizard interface but these guys do their best to keep up. Best of all...It's free.

 

 

Peer to Peer (P2P)

*Limewire 4.9 (New, Improved and Spyware free!)- This is the latest and greatest Peer-to-peer app today. Shareaza is still good but Limewire is working it's way up the ladder. This one has excellent finds for music for sure. If you're looking for a good Peer to peer application that is free (that's free of spyware, adware and any other kind of malware garbage) and will get you the stuff you want, then check this one out. The link above is to get it from download.com but take a minute to visit the Limewire Hompage to get some good info on Limewire and its new style. Let us know what you think.

*Shareaza - Shareaza WebsiteVersion 1.8.10.4 - Waaay better than Kazaa and Spyware/Adware FREE! Now that's a big deal. Here is a review from www.download.com
Download.com Review -
"Although the bigger names in the P2P world still maintain a lion's share of users, several smaller entities have popped up. These developers appeal to those fed up with the fluff, adware, and general bundled ugliness so common in the more popular apps. Shareaza is focused and lean, with a pleasurable interface and connections to the Gnutella2, Gnutella, and eDonkey networks. Most notably Shareaza is adware- and spyware-free. This alone makes it a good choice. It's also easy to use; we had no trouble quickly figuring out how to search, check our network status, and customize the interface. Search results were extremely fast, but we wished each new search automatically
spawned a new tab. Shareaza also has a built-in media player that works fine for playing common audio and video files. The file-management system is a disaster, however. With a slew of folders divided and subdivided into all sorts of categories, the odds of losing a file is far greater than finding the one you're looking for. Overall, though, Shareaza is a breath of fresh air with its hands-off approach and trim size."

 

Multimedia
*Fusion 1.5 Multimedia Viewer - This is a great little freeware multimedia viewer. Several options including customizable skins and more - Here is their website. It looks like they may have a new version coming out soon so be sure to take a look.

 

Miscellaneous
*WinDriver Backup Utility - this is a great little utility. It is called Windriver Backup.Basically it allows you to backup any and all drivers on your system. It automatically detects the drivers and determines which are usually included with Windows and which are not. We use it quite often when helping others reformat their computers. Especially helpful with OEM type PC's where the drivers are hard to find. It works very well! Give it a try.

*CleanBAT System Cleaner 2000/XP - Here is a nifty little system cleaner with a different approach. It uses the Clean Manager (cleanmgr) tool included with windows and a Batch File tool all wrapped up in one. This app is pretty slick!!! CleanBAT System Cleaner is designed around the basic concept of just cleaning the files no longer wanted or needed in Windows2000/XP. It is extremely flexible and will allow the user to clean any or all of the basic system areas as well as additional, user-defined, file storage areas that may no longer be needed.
This application uses several basic techniques all wrapped up into one easy-to-use
interface. It incorporates Windows Disk Cleanup (included with 2000/XP for cleaning
well known areas of Windows where files may no longer be needed), user defined
preferences for areas not always used by windows (areas the user may
store their own "temporary" files in) and a Batch File creation utility to tie
all of those operations together. Considering it's free (Spyware and Adware free as well) it really can't be beat!! Give it a try! Here is the readme file.

*StatBar 2.406 - StatBar By Globe Software Home Page - Excellent resource watch utility. This utility shows Memory resources used and unused, available hard disk space, CPU usage and a ton more all in a neat little bar you put anywhere on your desktop. It has an auto-hide feature, changeable skins and a bunch more options. This is a must have for anyone that likes to make sure their PC is doing what it is supposed to. Be sure to visit the Homepage for more info and any newer updated versions. The website also has excellent tips, tricks and instructions. "A#1" by The Zjooj Team Standards!