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rickyj9031

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Utility software comparison

Norton Systemworks vs. McAfee Office 2000.
Which is better and why?
My system: Pentium II 350Mhz, 64Mb RAM, 6-gig HD, WIN 98.
I run Office 97, use Netscape Navigator, and currently have McAfee VirusScan.
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rickyj9031

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I really like your website. Easy to use. I hope I get some good answers.
Thanks very much,

Rickyj
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dew_associates
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On the back of the McAfee Office 2000 box, the company lists about a dozen features and plusses they say Norton doesn't have, including free online virus updates for life as well as automatic online updates for one year. Is this true?
Also, which do you think does a better job of hard disk maintenance and software troubleshooting?

Thanks.
Ricky, up until about 2 years ago, McAfee was head to head with Norton in the antivirus field, both in product as well as development, staying on top of new virus's and trojan. They have made a number of changes that have let them fall behind especially on the development field. As far as updates for life are concerned, I use Norton and we install their antivirus package on systems and servers we sell to both individuals as well as corporations, and Norton has provided free automated updates since version 3, 3 1/2 years ago. McAfee has now jumped onto the band wagon offering the same thing, however their development time still lags.

Here's something to consider though when looking at both packages. Really the only thing you need, presuming that you're using Windows 98, is the antivirus program. There is very little in the tools package that you can't already do in Windows 98. Save yourself some money and use the antivirus page and leave the tools package on the shelf. Everything you need to protect yourself from a crash and/or maintain your system is built into Windows 98. If you really want something that will compliment Win98, buy the Resource Kit. It comes with a bunch of stuff that will help you, especially the explainations of how to do things that isn't explained anywhere else.
I picked up a copy of Norton SystemWorks 2.0 at a trade show today. I know it's more stuff than I need, but it was so cheap - what the hell. Thanks to your patient advice, I'll just load the anti-virus (if I can). You've been a great help.
I assume that the Resource Kit is an MS add-on. Does it share any common features with MS Plus! ?
I've already told 3 friends/relatives about this site. I love it. Thanks, Dennis.
Rickyj
Ricky, the resource kit is standalone and has nothing in common with Plus. If I were going to suggest which to spend money on, go for the resource kit, you won't be sorry. It has all the tools you can use along with explanations on the how's and why's of their use. I had been a long time user of Norton's disk tools, and since 98 came out along with the resource kit, I only use Norton when a customer crashes their HD and I need to recreate data. Otherwise, there's no need for their tools.

If you need more info, just bookmark this question.
Dennis
Just received mail saying Dennis had a further comment. Found no additional comment here. (?)
Thanks,
Rickyj