At 12:34 PM 28/12/2006, Anthony Q. Martin wrote:
You do realize that in Aug 2006 this website you reference rated Norton ADVANCED+, 10 of 10 on polys, right?
Yes I do. But for other reasons, I don't recommend it. Once again, this isn't an Avast vs Norton argument. I will state my opinion again: I think that given how cheap AV software is (in the general scheme of things) there is no reason not to buy a good one. If the free ones were better (or even as good) they might be worth considering. They aren't. And added to this is the lack of support. Buy a piece of at any reputable store, and they will help you with problems. Download a free one and good luck (open source is different, of course.)
The free version of Avast is only available to home and noncommerical users. Otherwise, from everything I can find, it's the same as the Pro version.
So maybe it's as good as the for pay one. Which isn't as good as the other for-pay ones. I think we're going in a circle here. I'm glad you like it. I'm glad you promote it. I think you're wrong, but go for it.
To my mind, the question is can these websites be trusted in their evaluations. In Aug of this year, Norton was among the top, but you personally have been down on it for a long time. Hence, is the website really giving valid recommendations based on these tests? I read their methodology and find it so complex that I wonder if they can really effectively implement it.
You're starting to sound paranoid here. I doubt these sites are in involved in a conspiracy to promote one AV over another. If you'd like to take on the task of running some tests, that would be great, but I just don't have time - perhaps we could come up with better tests that would be more accurate.
Would you suggest that we end users change our AV software everytime one of these websites provides new results based on new testing procedures? Also, do you really think Norton got worse while NOD32 didn't, or perhaps the tests just show one in a better light than another? Can you or I be sure of what's really happening here?
Why couldn't it get worse? Because you don't agree with the results they are wrong?
Finally, if there were a home/noncommercial version of NOD32 should we pay for the pro version? What if during the next testing period NOD32 drops from ADVANCED+ to ADVANCED or even STANDARD? Time to move on even if NOD32 has been doing a good job?
Yes. The value of paying for software means you get support - and generally a better product. If NOD32 went downhill it would be time to switch (when the current subscription ran out.)
measure. But everyday usage by real people doing real things is effective at deciding what's sufficient. Using condoms that are not rated as the BEST while staying out of brothels is probably better than using the BEST condom while hanging out in brothels.
You're right, but often it's hard to tell what site is going to infect you - so that sytem isn't always 100%.
I'm trying out Avast based on your strongly fought support of the product. I hope to be pleasantly suprised.
T
