Version reviewed: Sammsoft Advanced Registry Optimizer 5.0Sammsoft Advanced Registry Optimizer – clean and fix your computer registry problems now for top PC performance.

Features:Active X OLE COM Sections User Software Settings System Software Settings Shared DLLs Section Fonts Section Invalid File Associations Run Sections Sound and Applets Uninstall Section Virtual Device Drivers and Services Application Paths Section Backup and Undo Functionality Detailed date and time log for tracking what changes were made to the registry

Nobody wants to have computer problems, especially when these can be avoided. The registry is the main cause for such problems as it stores all the system settings, the softwares that are installed, it retains the files and folders links. It practically is the core of your Windows and the better you take care of it, the smoother your operating system will run.

I read somewhere that taking care of your computer is just like taking care of your car. The comparison is pretty good, as both of them need constant care or they will fail to assist you to your tasks. The difference is that the computer is less costing to maintain in tip top shape if you buy the appropriate tools.

Manual cleaning your registry not knowing what you are doing is a really bad combination. Making the process automatic is a safer and quicker method. And nowadays, as everyone has a stronger knowledge about the registry and the detection engines are improved, embracing the automatic solution seems like a better idea.

The applications able to clean the registry of the invalid entries, obsolete data, leftovers from incomplete software uninstallation are growing in number and the only problem of the user is choosing the right one.

Advance Registry Optimizer is a $29.95 solution for the job. The demo version allows cleaning a limited number of 20 errors.

At the first launch of the application, it will take a snaphot of your registry. This is in fact a backup for your registry. In case something goes wrong (not necessarily because of the software) you can revert to that state and resume your work.

The interface, just like the entire application, is Vista ready and the soothing looks labels it as an eye-candy product. All the options are neatly arranged in the upper part of the application window leaving the user with nothing confusing and difficult to comprehend.

The Home page of the application contains one option and some information on the state of the scans performed on your PC. The option is One Click Optimization and it is designed to take care of your registry from head to toe. The actions taken by the software in this sense are scanning for errors, removing the invalid entries, optimizing and compacting your registry. But before all these are performed Advanced Registry optimizer will make a complete backup of the registry so that, just in case something does not go as it should, you can restore it to the original state.

Regarding the information presented in this screen, the software will show the last registry scan time and date, the moment when the last backup of the registry has been performed (and its type – partial or complete) and the time and date of the last optimization.

Right before proceeding to the registry optimization process the application will warn you that the process will end with a computer restart for the changes to take effect. This way you will have time enough to save all your work before the restart.

Scan Registry menu does exactly what it sounds like it’s supposed to do: scans the registry part of your Windows. The process does not take long and just like in the case of One Click Optimization your computer will slug a little. During the scan, at the bottom of the window, there are the sections of the registry going to be checked and the number of errors found in each of them.

Advanced Registry Optimizer verifies ActiveX, application paths, file types associations, fonts area, help files, history lists, Start menu, invalid shortcuts, the Startup section etc. In case you want one of them to be skipped for various reasons, all you have to do is go to straight to the last tab in the menu bar (Settings) and check only the boxes for the areas you want to be scanned.

The optimization of the registry consists actually in defragmenting it. The more “gathered” the files, the better your system will work. The response times will get shorter and the general state of the PC will be improved. The free blocks between the hundreds of values and keys stored there do nothing but slow down your computer. The optimization process ends inevitably with an automatic computer restart.

In Backup Registry menu things are as simple as can be: you can instantly make a complete registry backup or restore it to a previous state. The operation takes very little time to complete. The application will backup your registry just as if you were exporting it directly from Windows’ Registry Editor, so there is nothing to worry about regarding the reliability of the backup.

Settings menu, besides letting you choose the areas to be scanned, also provides the means to schedule an automatic cleaning process. The operation can be run once, every day at a user-defined time or every week at the user’s choice of day(s) and time.

Regarding the accuracy of the scan and the elimination of the errors from the registry, the application does quite a job. The invalid entries detected did not conflict with valid software installed on the computer and in a couple of scans there were no errors reported on display.

The Good

Advanced Registry optimizer looks great and the interface fits perfectly with Vista environment. The scan was as accurate as the scan engine permitted and after a few scans, the registry was clean, the application no longer detecting errors and invalid entries.

The built in scheduler allows you to program the software to scan and clean the computer at a later time defined by the user.

One Click Optimization feature will do it all for you.

The Bad

Asking for a restart of the computer comes as a downside. There are applications that fulfill their job without requiring a restart.

The Truth

The software will not detect all the errors and registry invalids, but this is perfectly normal as there isn’t yet an engine capable of dealing with all the areas of the registry and leaving it clean as a whistle.

My suggestion is to use several registry cleaners in the process just to eliminate as many errors and obsolete entries as possible.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action:

Price: 79.95 USD

Nitro PDF Professional is everything you need to create, convert and edit PDF files. All files are 100% industry-standard and compatible with other PDF viewers.

Features

Create and Convert PDF
Fast, High-Quality Document Conversion

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Combine files together
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Scan and convert documents to PDF.

Comment and Review PDF
Do Everything You Do with Paper-Electroncially

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Review text
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Draw and mark-up, add document stamps
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Edit text and graphics
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Arrange pages
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Apply headers, footers and watermarks
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Create interactive PDFs
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Protect documents with passwords and digital certificates

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Price: 249.95 USD

MindGenius Business helps individuals, teams, and managers capture and analyze information quickly and effectively. Using powerful mapping capabilities, it facilitates brainstorming, fosters creativity and collaboration, reduces redundancies, and increases productivity. It offers tools aligned with business processes, enabling organizations to become more streamlined, efficient, and profitable. It seamlessly integrates with all Microsoft® Office applications, plus MS Project, Outlook®, and Visio®. MindGenius Business supports unlimited licenses enabling you to adjust to the needs of your business as it grows.

Features
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MindGenius Business

Price: 99.95 USD

eDocXL™ is innovative document automation software which enables you to scan, import and file any type of document, including paper, business cards, PDFs, photos, images, graphics and anything created by any Windows application. You can sort, categorize, search and retrieve your documents the way you want very easily and quickly.

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Features

PDF SUPPORT
eDocXL provides complete support for PDF files with unique features:

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Users can select a range of original files, and have them printed as PDF files - into separate PDF files or into a single combined PDF document.
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DOCUMENT SCANNING & MANAGEMENT

* Scan, import and file any type of document, including images, graphics and anything created by any Windows application.
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Search & retrieve documents according to their text content.
* Windows Folder Synchronization:
An eDoc Folder may be synchronized with any Windows folder.
* Fast Thumbnail Preview & MS OFFICE documents Preview.
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* Create Self Executable Slide Shows of documents.
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RAPID FILING
Just click on the scan button eDocXL will automatically:

* Scan the documents.
* Convert them to Text with OCR.
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FULL OCR CAPABILITY
eDocXL gives you the capability to convert and edit a variety of paper and electronic files, including magazines, newspapers, books, faxes, copies, and PDF files.

* More than 99% Recognition Accuracy and Layout Retention.
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Built- in spell-check is available for 34 languages.
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* Image Enhancement function to improve OCR recognition of poor quality documents.
* Batch Scanning & OCR function.
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BUSINESS CARD SCANNING
eDocXL gives you the capability to scan and file your Business Cards with unique features:

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* Complete support of ALL EUROPEAN LANGUAGES

UNIQUE MULTIPLE CARD SCANNING WITH AUTO CROPPING FEATURE

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eDocXL

Price: 249.95 USD

Award-Winning Database Software

Whether you’re a power-hungry, expert database programmer, or a complete novice who wants to build a simple database fast and easy, we’ve got the right software for you. With Alpha Five, you can quickly and affordably build fully functional desktop and web database applications.

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Features
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Price: 295 USD

“Fax via modem or Internet for small to medium businesses.”

FaxTools eXPert Network allows you to manage faxes the same way you manage your email. Whether you are using the Internet (FoIP) or a modem, this software works with your existing connection system and requires no phone line. With complete Outlook integration, FaxTools eXPert Network facilitates easy management of fax messages from the PC desktop, with attachments, mail merge, archiving, plus manual or automatic distribution.

Features
FaxTools eXPert Network offers all the standard features that you need to effectively manage your company???s fax communication effectively and send professional looking faxes. It also includes some additional value-added capabilities that provide you with enhanced ease of use and security:

Spelling check: so you can make sure your messages are error free before sending them (requires MS WORD).
Faxes Classification: To easily find you faxes, simply assign a short description and color-code them.
Re-expedite Module: with FaxTolls eXPert Network, you can automatically re-expedite your faxes to a fax machine or an email address. That can be useful when away from the office.
Fax security: Each user is authenticated by his/her personal account and password. A user can only view the faxes that are distributed to him/her, preserving confidentiality. Also, a transmission report is automatically printed so you are sure your fax was sent.
Email a fax
Fax broadcasting directly from MS Word
Private and central phonebooks available
Fax forwarding by email or by fax machine
Out-of-the-office automatic forwarding
Customizable cover pages
Archiving of incoming faxes
Compatibility with most database (Access, Exchange, …)
Fax Preview
Up to 8 fax lines on a single server
Fax scheduling
Supports multiple attachments (PDF, HTML, Microsoft Office documents, etc.)

Price: 49.95 USD

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