Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options
The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking and file-sharing options are hidden.
Tips for Securing Your Home Router
Seemingly minor and easily overlooked settings can still have profound security implications. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your wired or wireless home router — and by extension, your network — is as secure as possible.
Most Popular Reviews
Microsoft Windows Home Server
If you have a home network, you'll welcome the easy file sharing, remote access and the image-based backup features of Windows Home Server.
Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive
Iomega's fourth generation StorCenter Network Hard Drive brings many of the features found in higher-end storage devices down to an attractive price.
MikroTik's The Dude
This free tool delivers many of the same capabilities that you'd find in pricey network monitoring tools. As long as you don't mind tinkering, The Dude is a decent network utility that should be worth the download.
BOTTOM LINE: Do not get PlayOn! REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much worse than I expected. DETAILS: AGREED – DO NOT GET PlayOn! It does not work with Hulu. I just wasted 2 hours trying to get this stupid thing to work with my PS3, and the video is choppy — you watch in 2 second intervals. This company sucks. Their engineering quality is reminiscent of a bunch of drunk college students in the 80s — it is not at all up to standards of modern software. No support, no useful help, no problem saving tips, no FAQ — you have got to be kidding me! How can this blogger with any shred of dignity endorse such a shady deal?
NetSetMan Recommended by staywalt [staywalt@verizon .net]
on 5/28/2009
BOTTOM LINE: Excellent REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much better than I expected. DETAILS: This program allows me to log onto network server at drive at work with vista home premium, something Vista is not supposed to due. It also lets me select a different default printer at hoe and at work automatically. Before this I had to have a shortcut to our server network drive and type a password every morning. This program logs me in automatically. Although I do not need the Pro version I will buy it since the developer deserves the cash.
BOTTOM LINE: A regular Skype 3.8 user - I coudn't use v4 REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much worse than I expected. DETAILS: Sorry to say, I had difficulty with the simplest task. Making calls was OK, but SMS to multiple recipients is a nightmare - very unintuitive - Sorry - After a week of perservering, I have gone back to 3.8 - Tony
Nintendo DSi Not Recommended by XYZ [matrix2uall@gmail.com]
on 4/24/2009
BOTTOM LINE: Its a utter crap REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much worse than I expected. DETAILS: None.
BOTTOM LINE: Pricey - but works great! REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: better than I expected. DETAILS: I got mine at Amazon for a little over $100 for both units. It does run quite warm which I didn't expect.
BOTTOM LINE: horribly unstable product REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: worse than I expected. DETAILS: Things like port forwarding don't work right. VERY poor wireless range. Needs weekly rebooting and no remote reboot option.
BOTTOM LINE: stay away REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much worse than I expected. DETAILS: Hardware flaky, support nonexistent, loses firmware for no reason, manual page about firmware reload is bunch of crap
BOTTOM LINE: DO NOT INSTALL THEIR UTILITY REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much worse than I expected. DETAILS: 2 hours now after uninstalling this piece of shit "utility" from the laptop, and I still cannot get windows XP back on line. FUCK YOU BELKIN you assholes.
BOTTOM LINE: need a quick response REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: much better than I expected. DETAILS: I HAVE A QUESTION: IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT IN A INTRANET NETWORK? FOR EXAMPLE WITHIN TWO USERS CONNECTED TO A SAME ROUTER
BOTTOM LINE: not worth the hassle REALITY vs. EXPECTATIONS: worse than I expected. DETAILS: I enjoyed the concept, however the mobile player price was not appreciated nor was the marginal at best reception was a real let down. Overall, just not my favorite tech toy.....