| Palm backup programs |
[Dec. 6th, 2006|08:53 pm] |
For this entry, I've decided to compare 7 backup programs for Palm handhelds that I've found. I'm testing them on my Treo 650.
Firstly, Resco Backup which costs $14.95. It comes with the same basic features as all the others such as encryption, compression, and scheduling. It's a bit quirky managing multiple backups though and the interface could be a lot more straightforward. Overall, I'd give it 5 out of 10.
Secondly, BackupBuddy VFS which costs $24.95. It's pretty much the same thing as Resco Backup, it also does encryption, compression, and scheduling. You can't make multiple backups though. The interface is a bit cleaner, but it's not worth $10 more for a slightly prettier design. I'm going to say BackupBuddy VFS is 2 out of 10.
Thirdly, BackupBuddy.NET at $29.95. It does something none of the others do, it saves your data on a remote server over your wireless connection. This way, even if you lose your SD card you'll still have your data. It is very expensive though, you have to pay yearly (instead of just once like all the others), and you won't be able to access your data when you're not connected wirelessly. Another thing to mention would be that this would cost a fortune to use unless you have an unlimited data plan. It is a really cool idea though, so i'd give it a 7 out of 10.
Fourthly, JSJ Backup at $12.95. JSJ Backup is the cheapest of all, but it's not lacking in features and the interface is very easy to use. JSJ Backup offers very powerful 256-bit encryption to protect your data and you can create as many backups as you like on the same card. It was able to backup all of my files very quickly, and you can name your backups and add a note so you don't forget where you data is. Overall, I'd give it 9 out of 10.
Lastly, Teal Backup at $19.95. It's very similar to Resco Backup, but more expensive. Compared to TealPoint's other software like Teal Paint and Teal Notes, Teal Backup isn't very impressive. Like BackupBuddy VFS, it costs more for the same thing. Doesn't cost quite as much more though, so I'll give Teal Backup 3 out of 10. |
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| Comparison of Palm Antivirus Applications |
[Jun. 1st, 2006|07:22 pm] |
Recently, there has been alot of controvery over the ability of palm antivirus programs to remove palm viruses.
I have decided to compare 3 of the major players and post the results for this week's issue of Bob's Palm Blog.
First of all, Mini Antivirus. An interesting feature of Mini Antivirus is the integrated firewall. This will be increasingly useful as more palm users switch over to faster always on connections like EVDO.
I load my palm Treo 650 with Mini Antivirus and the 4 palm viruses in the wild. Phage, Vapor, Liberty, and the most deadly of all PEMagic.
It found and removed all 4 viruses, and scan was very fast. So I'll give it a score of:
- 40/40 for finding all of the viruses (10 points each)
- 5/10 for the appearance and usability
- +5 for the very very fast scan
- +10 for the firewall
60
Next up, Pocket Antivirus. Pocket Antivirus is the only palm antivirus program to offer wireless updates. This really sets it apart from the competition.
I loaded Pocket Antivirus and the four viruses mentioned earlier onto my Treo and Pocket Antivirus removed all 4 viruses during the hotsync. Pocket Antivirus' Hotsync Protection feature scans files and applications as they are being transfered to the device.
I later disabled Hotsync Protection and loaded the 4 viruses onto my Treo again, Pocket Antivirus removed them all but the scan time wasn't as impressive as Mini Antivirus. It took about a minute to scan my entire device.
Also, I should note the appearance for Pocket Antivirus is by far the best. It actually makes use of color and hiresolution graphics unlike Mini Antivirus, and Bit Defender Antivirus for Palm OS; not that's really important in an antivirus product.
So the score for Pocket Antivirus is:
- 40/40 for finding all of the viruses (10 points each)
- 10/10 for the appearance and usability
- +10 for Hotsync Protection
- +10 for wireless updates
70
Lastly, Bit Defender Antivirus for Palm OS. It's not much to look at, and it doesn't come with any special features, but it is small --too small some might say, only 4kb-- and it's free.
I loaded Bit Defender Antivirus for Palm OS onto my Treo 650 along with the 4 viruses I've mentioned, Vapor, Liberty, Phage, and PEMagic.
The scan was about the same speed as Pocket Antivirus but it only found Vapor and Phage.
You still get more than you pay for with this one (since it's free).
The score is:
- 20/40 for finding all of the viruses (10 points each)
- 5/10 for the appearance and usability
- +10 for being free
35
In conclusion, Pocket Antivirus is best (at $19.95), Mini Antivirus is a close second (also sells for $19.95) and the firewall feature might make it better for some users, and Bit Defender Antivirus for Palm OS is quite a bit out of date both in it's design and it's virus protection capabilities.
Here are screenshots from each program:
Product links:
Mini Antivirus - http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&platformId=1&productId=160511
Pocket Antivirus - http://www.jsjsoftware.com/product.php?id=1
BitDefender Antivirus for Palm OS - http://www.johannrain-softwareentwicklung.de/e_bd_palm_os_antivirus_freeware.htm |
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