Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category
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Buying Norton 360? Read the fine print
Norton 360 is considered to be the top ranked security suite for computers. And one that impacts system performance in a very minimal way.
But here’s what the “fine print” on a retail box of Norton 360 reads like:
‡1 Year Protection: With this service, you receive the right to use this product on one PC or on the specified number of PCs during the service period, which begins upon initial installation and activation. This renewable service includes protection updates and new product features as available throughout the service period, subject to acceptance of the Symantec License Agreement included with this product and available for review at www.symantec.com. Product features may be added, modified, or removed during the service period.
In other words, Norton 360 is not software. It is “rentware.” You get to use it for a specified period of time. After that, it becomes the software equivalent of a paperweight. To make sure that it does so, Norton comes with a comprehensive online license activation service, that $tart$ a countdown to the next renewal date.
This is a departure from Norton’s previous policies. For example, previous versions of Norton Internet Security allowed to software to still be used after the license had expired. Only the customer’s access to updated virus definitions was disabled after the license expired.
In Norton 360, once the one year license expires,
- The antivirus protection ceases downloading updates (obviously).
- You can no longer run scans on the computer (But I should be able to using my previous updates).
- The antivirus protection ceases to protect the computer (Antivirus protection can still be very potent without updates).
- You can no longer run backups on the computer (using Norton 360).
- You can no longer set Norton parental controls.
- You can no longer run the Norton start-up manager (which is a bundled utility).
- The Norton firewall turns off (Back to Windows Firewall!).
- Nearly all product functionality is lost.
Even non-security items, such as a password manager that comes bundled with Norton 360, denies you access to the website passwords you have stored in it. Bear in mind that this is a local utility that does not use Norton’s network services.
When purchasing boxed versions of software at retail outlets (at a premium price) it is assumed that the customer is taking ownership of the software, not “renting” it. And even if the terms of the fine print are to be applied, the customer does “own” the updates downloaded over the subscription period, and has the right to use them even after the subscription period has expired. And of course, he or she still has the right to use the software as it came, minus any new updates. For example, if you purchased a boxed version of Windows 95, you can still use it on a computer, even though that may not be a good idea. And you don’t expect Microsoft to disable the product.
Norton 360’s “rentware” agreement enforcement ironically endangers the security of computers it vouches to protect. For example, lets suppose that you cannot renew your subscription because you are in a foreign country and do not have access to your credit card. Or lets suppose you don’t want to pay the full price for a new subscription, and instead you are waiting for retail stores to slash prices on the boxed versions of Norton 360. Until you renew the subscription, your computer will be left vulnerable, without any kind of antivirus protection.
Depending on how angry this post makes you, you may switch to a free antivirus software. Or you may abandon Windows altogether, given the fact that when you pay Norton, you are paying for covering Windows vulnerabilities even though Windows is offering free antivirus to cheer you up.
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What to consider before buying a GPS device
Not all GPS devices are created equal. Some will give you seamless service for years to come whereas others may end up in an Kijiji fire sale, a testament to your lack of diligence.
Before buying a standalone GPS, ask yourself whether you really need one. Are you looking for turn-by-turn directions or do you just need general directions? If you just need general directions and you already have an Iphone, Blackberry or a Windows Mobile Smartphone, you can download and install Google maps to the device. Even without an inbuilt GPS or a separate “navigation plan” from your wireless service provider, Google maps can give you a rough approximation of your location using “My Location,” a technology that uses cell phone towers to determine your approximate location. This can be done without your phone being “GPS capable” or a separate “navigation plan” from your wireless provider. You still need a data plan. Though the amount of data transmitted using “My Location” amounts to miniscule Kilobytes per use.
“My Location” may not be feasible for turn by turn directions while driving, which requires the use of GPS for more accurate positioning. Should you choose to use the phone’s GPS, remember that you are not restricted to the “navigation add-on plan” provided by your wireless service provider. Your phone’s GPS will still require the data plan of your wireless service provider. But it can operate on GPS services independent of your wireless provider. For example, you could install Wayfinder Navigator to your phone and pay a subscription fee for their service. Wayfinder offers near global coverage (which most standalone GPS units don’t). The best part is that you get to update the maps for free.
Obviously, a smart phone can never substitute for a standalone GPS unit. But a good dashboard mount and a car charger can get you going. Nevertheless, 98 per cent of smart phones use A-GPS (short for Assisted GPS) rather than standalone GPS. A-GPS utilizes data connections to location servers over the wireless network. These servers are in turn, connected with satellites, that use information transmitted from the cell phone to inform you of your position. The entire operation is dependent on the wireless network, and therefore, A-GPS is also dependent on wireless network coverage (read: urban areas). The very term A-GPS is somewhat of a misnomer, as there is usually no GPS receiver on the cell phone. Just some technology capable of better handling cell tower telemetry.
If you really need a standalone GPS unit, make sure you get your homework done.
Check out ConsumerReports.org for results of lab tests conducted on popular GPS units (requires subscription).
Should you ever choose to use the unit abroad, make sure the unit is capable of being used as such, and that the manufacturer provides maps for the country where you intend to use it (without charging the price for another unit).
Compare additional bells and whistles provided by different manufacturers (real-time traffic info, number of points of interest, ability to share and update points of interest etc.).
Make sure your GPS unit allows you to upload additional data to it through the computer. For example, many parks are now providing files that can be uploaded onto GPS units to better feature these areas on the device.
Lastly but not the least, check what it takes to get the maps on your GPS device to be updated. If updates are available at half the cost of the device, try another manufacturer. The manufacturer’s website can give you a good idea of how seriously they consider updating their maps. For example, Nextar, a little known brand sold by the Canadian retailer Canadian Tire is as pricey as its major league competitors. But as of this date, its website displays map updates only for a few select models. Where are the map updates for the remaining products? Here’s what Nextar had to say in response to an email inquiry regarding a GPS device purchased a few years ago:
We are sorry, but there are no updates or upgrades for this product at this moment. We are currently working on updates but do not have a scheduled release date. When available, the update/upgrades will be posted on our website (listed below) . For now, please do not use any upgrades other than Nextar upgrades, or the product will malfunction and your warranty will be voided.Such DO NOT WANT moments can be easily avoided with diligence on behalf of the buyer.
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Which Inkjets Give The Most Cost Efficient Printing?
HP Photosmart D7560
Picture 1 of 4The HP Photosmart D57560 gives efficient text and photo printing. Its sibling, the D5460, looks exactly the same but lacks a touchscreen display, along with a few minor differences. HP Photosmart D7560 Thermal Inkjet Photo Color Printer @ Newegg.com
While there are tonnes of reviews available on inkjet printers in general, there is limited online information about which inkjet cartridges provide the most cost efficient printing in the long run. The purpose of this post is to focus on just that. Therefore other factors, which are very relevant to some users, such as the cost of the printer and its features, are omitted. Please note that this post is to be considered as an informed comparative review, and is no substitute for a rigorous lab test.
The three things I intend to focus on are:
· The cost per page for printing black and white text and the cost per page for printing an 8×10 photo. The lesser the better. These metrics are probably the most helpful in determining the cost efficiency of the black and color cartridges.
· The cost of replacing both the cartridges with new ones made by the printer company.
· The quantity (in ml) of both the cartridges. The more the better.
Cost per page
As per current ratings published by Consumer Reports.org (requires subscription), the Lexmark Z1420 produces the most cost effective text printing @ 3.7 US cents per page. This cost is supposed to represent both ink and ordinary paper expended. Two other runner ups are the HP Photosmart D7560 and the HP Photosmart D5460
The HP Photosmart D7560 produces the most cost effective 8×10 photo printing @ US$1.2 per page. It is followed closely by the HP Photosmart D5460 and the HP Photosmart D7460. However, the D7460 appears to have been discontinued by HP, and therefore will not be of much use in our analysis. In its place, we will select the next runner up, the Canon Pixma iP4600. Please note that ConsumerReports.org’s cost per page for printing an 8×10 photo also includes the cost of glossy photo paper, along with the ink expended. And therefore this may be slightly higher than pure “ink” cost.
However there are some caveats to be taken with these ratings. They take into consideration current testing conducted by Consumer Reports.org of 8 out of the 47 available inkjet printers. And this post focuses on only “pure” inkjet printers, not multifunction devices or snapshot printers. Since even though some multifunction printers can secure lower costs per page, their generally small sized cartridges make them less cost efficient in the long run. And the multifunctions are relatively more expensive.
Cost of replacing cartridges
As per current ratings published by Consumer Reports.org (requires subscription) the Canon BCI-3e black cartridge @ US$12 and the Canon BCI-6 color photo cartridge @ US$44 are the lowest priced manufacturer cartridges among the cartridges compared. But again, this report takes into consideration only the cartridges of three specific printer models, made by Canon, Epson and HP respectively. There are many more cartridges out there.
The aforementioned Canon cartridges are used in the Canon Pixma iP4000. This specific model does not figure in the cost per page ratings published by Consumer Reports.org but its sibling, the iP4600 does. As you have followed, we selected the iP4600 for having a reasonable cost per page for photo printing. And like its sibling, the iP4000, its cartridges are reasonably priced, as we shall see.
The price of cartridges for the top three in text printing is given in the following table. The prices are in $USD and were taken from the manufacturer’s website. Note that cartridge prices can be subject to change.
The price of cartridges for the top three in photo printing is given in the following table. The prices are in $USD and were taken from the manufacturer’s website. Note that cartridge prices can be subject to change.
Quantity of the Cartridges
We originally intended to determine the quantity of the ink (in ml) in the ink cartridges. However, manufacturers no longer offer this information unless they are relentlessly probed. Of all the manufacturers we contacted, only Canon offered to share with us the volume of their ink cartridges. But of course, this refers to the volume of the ink cartridge tank, and not necessarily the ink inside. Back in 2001, the HP DeskJet 842C Inkjet came with a black cartridge that had more than 40 ml in ink. Over time, the quantity of ink in cartridges has steadily been decreased by manufacturers. For the printers selected, we guess that the quantity of ink in the black ink cartridge varies from 15ml to 20ml. And we guess that the quantity of ink in the color cartridges varies from 8ml to 12ml. Comparing cost per ml, printer ink definitely exceeds the price of champagne!
Instead of offering the volume of ink in cartridges, the manufacturers offer a page yield, which gives us ample hints about the life expectancy of the cartridge. The figures for Canon were obtained after contacting their Technical Support. The figures for HP were obtained from their website. There was no information available for Lexmark and neither were their Technical Support able to furnish any information in this regard.
The page yields given below were obtained using the ISO 24711 testing guidelines, which do not reflect everyday use.
Conclusion
While the Lexmark Z1420 gives the most economical text printing, it does not have separate color cartridges, which can increase the cost of replacing the color cartridge when just one color wears out. But this is the only printer among those compared that offers WiFi printing. The HP Photosmart D7560 and D5460 offer economical text and photo printing at the same time. The Canon Pixma iP4600 offers fairly economical color printing.
What is a techtangerine?
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