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Pay Now Or Pay LaterMay 14 '01 (Updated May 26 '01) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Unless You're A Complete Novice, Get Some Diagnostic Software
Sooner or later, your computer system will crash. And with it will go that killer screenplay you've just finished. Or maybe the ungrateful wretch will just clog up, crunching bytes ever more slowly. Either way, it will cost you precious time and money you could be investing in a Survivor tryout camp. That's where Diagnostic Software (DS) comes in. If you spend a few bucks now, you may save a lot more somewhere down the road. So, Dr. Smartypants, What Are Diagnostic Software, Anyway? DS includes a very broad range of computer utilities. Generally speaking, DS includes any software tool that keeps your system running or makes it run better. The most common types are system analyzers, performance checkers, and disk utilities. There are even a couple of full-service packages that combine most of this stuff. A Comment Of Potentially Cosmic Significance. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If your system is running fine, resist the urge to fiddle with it. Dr. Feelgood distinctly remembers a wintry weekend in '98 when we just "had" to tweak the silicon weasel. The emotional scars have yet to heal. Special note: strictly for your benefit, your relentlessly inquisitive reviewer has deliberately made every mistake in the book. We rarely just stumble into these disasters. Taxonomy, The Forbidden Pleasure. The main categories of diagnostic software include: --Performance Tuners. Arguably the most common type of diagnostic software, these tools improve your system's performance. This category includes disk scanners and defraggers, registry fixers, file optimizers and uninstallers. --Benchmarks. Utilities such as SiSoft Sandra (free, check it out) report a boatload of useful performance info about your system. They measure everything from CPU and graphic card performance to WinSock and IRQ settings. --System Analyzers. These tools fall into two categories: software and hardware. Software diagnostics check and optimize your operating system and applications programs. Hardware diagnostics check system devices (such as hard drives) and detect conflicts. Remember those Y2K utilities? They belong in here. By the way, isn't it about time you finally unloaded that 40-pound stockpile of peanut butter? --Anti-Virus. Once a sleepy subdivision of diagnostics, these useful (and now mandatory) tools have blossomed into their own category. If you don't have one, you're asking for trouble with a capital File Delete. We won't even mention Identity Theft. --Full-Service Packages. These products combine most of the functions listed above. Moderately knowledgeable users will find them indispensable. True propellerheads will find other, cheaper solutions. --Network Analyzers. These powerful tools are practically required to set up a network and keep it running. These utilities report traffic statistics, pinpoint bottlenecks and detect conflicts. If you're not running a network, you don't need any of these products. If you are running a net, you already have at least one. Don't you? Do I Really Need Any Of This Stuff? Depends. If you don't know your floppy from your elbow, you're probably better off not mucking around with diagnostic software (except anti-virus). Cozy up to a knowledgeable friend for those times when you need help. But, if you're a veteran, you'll be able to squeeze some extra performance out of the old bucket and fix most common problems. Diagnostic software will make your computing life considerably easier. What Price, Victory? Indeed. Most DS runs from about $25 up to $75 for the full-service packages. But you can get most of it pretty cheap if you shop a little. There's always something on sale if you're willing to jump through that irritating mail-in rebate hoop. Which leads us to A Final Comment Of Potentially Cosmic Significance. It's a truism in the software biz that whenever somebody is selling something, somebody else will provide 90% of it for free. If you browse the web, you can find practically any diagnostic function you need for the cost of a download. Think SiSoft Sandra and Tweak UI and RegClean. In other areas, Download Accelerator Plus and First Page HTML Editor are great products for free. And now, off you go. Dr. Feelgood requires a margarita, rocks, no salt.  |
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by texas-swede
