Hello Apteryx,
Thanks for asking! Let's take your questions one by one.
1. What are the risks in installing and using software of this type?
The risks to your computer system in downloading and installing
AgentReader are relatively minimal. Be sure to:
-- Download from a reputable website
-- Insure that your system meets the software requirements
To use the software, you'll need Microsoft Agent installed. The
Microsoft Agent is an Active-X component that adds speech and
personalization features to the Windows interface. If you have Windows
XP, it's likely that these components are already installed. Microsoft
cautions: "Microsoft Agent 2.0 has been designed to be a Microsoft
operating system component. As a result, once it is installed it
cannot be uninstalled."
The risks of using the software are dependent upon which functions and
features you choose to enable. Pop-up killers are relatively benign.
Even the Google Toolbar 2.0 Beta offers a pop-up killer. Some of the
computer memory and speed-up tools might affect windows settings. When
you make changes to any of these configurations, note the before and
after settings, so that you can return to the originals if the new
settings interfere with any other process. It's recommended that you
make changes of this sort one at a time, so you'll know what to change
back. Surf a bit, or open and use your critical programs before adding
or changing features.
2. Are there any general cautions I should observe before I purchase
and install?
Before installing any new software, it's always advisable to make sure
your Windows system has the latest security updates and patches. You
may visit the Microsoft Security site, for free evaluation and update
installation.
Microsoft Security
http://www.microsoft.com/security/
Bookmark the AgentReader homepage (Aldo's Tools) for future reference.
In addition to download access, the site offers troubleshooting
information, and an AgentReader Uninstaller, just in case.
Aldo's Tools - AgentReader 3.3.6
http://aldostools.mysite4now.com/agentreader.html
Why not try before you buy? AgentReader is shareware. You may download
and install the program for a test-drive before you buy it. There are
annoying reminders to register (buy) the program, but the evaluation
gives you the basis for an informed decision about AgentReader.
The system REQUIREMENTS for AgentReader (Microsoft Agent) are:
-- Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0 (x86), 2000, or XP
-- Internet Explorer version 3.02 or later
-- A Pentium or other 100 MHz PC (or faster)
-- At least 16 megabytes (MB) RAM
-- At least 1 MB free disk space for the core components
-- An additional 32 KB for each language component (DLL)
RECOMMENDED:
-- An additional 1.6 MB free disk space if you plan to use the
Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice Text-To-Speech Engine for speech
output.
-- an additional 22 MB free disk space if you plan to use the
Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine for speech input.
-- A Windows-compatible sound card.
-- A compatible set of speakers.
-- Microphone (optional)
3. Is this specific software safe and effective, and does it perform
as advertised?
Yes! I downloaded and tried it myself. It performs as expected, kills
popups, does everything it says it should, and doesn't cause
difficulties with any of the programs I regularly use. My firewall and
system configuration monitors report no problems. I have a fairly
sophisticated system, with plenty of memory. Two minor annoyances:
-- ReaderAgent slows transitions between windows, programs, and
applications to a small degree.
-- The shareware trial has annoying reminders, both message windows
and voice. These would not be present in the registered version.
4. If no or not sure to #3, what software would you recommend?
I'm actually quite favorably impressed with this little program. My
personal preferences render Merlin speechless, but once that's
accomplished I was quite satisfied with performance. It's a keeper for
me!
Additional Reference Info - Microsoft Agent
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Microsoft Agent ActiveX Control lets you add interactive
personalities like Genie, Merlin and Robby to your application or Web
site. Microsoft Agent is a set of software services that supports
the presentation of software agents as interactive personalities
within the Microsoft Windows interface.
Developers can use characters as interactive assistants to introduce,
guide, entertain, or otherwise enhance their Web pages or applications
in addition to the conventional use of windows, menus, and controls."
"Note: Microsoft Agent will not work with Netscape Navigator. In
addition, Internet Explorer 3.0 users may experience difficulties
with Microsoft Agent if they do not have a liberal safety level
activated in Internet Explorer."
Internet Innovations
http://home.earthlink.net/~esmnet/innovations.htm
Google Search Terms
----------------------------------------------------------------------
agentreader 3.3.6
"microsoft agent technology" safety OR security OR cautions
Thanks for leading me to a great little utility and reminder program,
Apteryx. If anything I've said is unclear, or if (egads!) you discover
a broken link, please let me know, and I'll make it right.
---larre |
Clarification of Answer by
larre-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 15:28 PDT
Oops, I'm sorry. I'd meant to also list the features and URL for the
Google Beta Tool Bar, as a comparison Pop-up Killer. I use this
myself, and will probably continue to do so, even with the ReaderAgent
installed. I like the ability to allow pop-ups on certain sites (like
online banking), just by holding down the CTRL key when clicking on a
link.
"The Google Toolbar is available free of charge and includes these
great features:
Google Search: Access Google's search technology from any web page.
Search Site: Search only the pages of the site you're visiting.
PageRank: See Google's ranking of the current page.
Page Info: Access more information about a page including similar
pages, pages that link back to that page, as well as a cached
snapshot.
Highlight: Highlight your search terms as they appear on the page;
each word in its own color.
Word Find: Find your search terms wherever they appear on the page.
Popup Blocker: Make surfing the web easier by stopping annoying
popups.
AutoFill: Automatically fill in a form with the click of a button.
BlogThis: Create a weblog post pointing to the page you are visiting."
The Google Toolbar is also only available for Internet Explorer.
Google Toolbar 2.0 Beta
http://toolbar.google.com/index-beta.php
---l
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
apteryx-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 17:15 PDT
Thanks, larre, great job, as always! Just one little question, since
you do make Google Toolbar sound so good: does it have pop-up
reminder functionality, which is what I was looking for in the first
place? I'm talking about having a notice appear onscreen at 4:00 on
Sunday that says "Call Mom."
Apteryx
|
Clarification of Answer by
larre-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 19:35 PDT
Oh, my...
Imagine my embarrassment! I didn't read your question closely enough
(bad larre). Agent Reader has a built-in personal assistant with
notes, and to-do lists, plus calendaring and notes to oneself,
however, I have not found a way to trigger -pop-up reminders- in the
trial version. Worse, I can't find this specific feature mentioned in
any of the documentation available on the web. I tried all the
features, compared them to the list, and decided, yup, they worked.
All without comparing them to the phrasing of your original query. Mea
Culpa.
However....
I've been out looking and downloading madly. I've come up with three
alternatives that -do- very definitely give pop-up reminders and
alarms. I -DO NOT- recommend you install all three at once and set all
three alarms to the very same time. Unless you're wearing headphones.
:-)
Tempo
-----
"Tempo is an electronic reminder which functions under Windows (32
bits) and displays notes at will. Like Post-It Notes block but with
time management. Once installed, it starts automatically with Windows
and is summarized by an animated sand-glass in the task-bar of Windows
(95/98/ME/NT4/2000). A complete help file comes with Tempo.
Tempo is quick and intuitive. It'd probably be even more so, if I read
instructions or help files first, as I did with the two following
programs. It has a simple, clean, text note interface. To download,
right-click on the download URL, and choose Save Target As.
Program: Tempo
Version: 2.1
Publisher: Jacques Le Roux - Les Arts
Program URL: http://www.les7arts.com/English/telech.htm
Download URL: http://www.les7arts.com/English/Tempo.exe
Program Type: Shareware
Trial Version: 30 day free trial
Price: $17.95
Pink Calendar
-------------
"Pink Calendar is a fast, fun and easy to use Calendar and Day Planner
program. The calendar is small enough to leave on the desktop. Click
on it to open a day planner, type an entry and close - saving is
automatic (and so are the pop-up reminders). Easily set appointments
to repeat. Quick-check feature: simply pass the mouse over the
calendar window to check appointments. Colors, fonts and sounds are
user selectable."
-- Day planner for appointments, reminders, etc.
-- Automatic pop-up reminders
-- Automatically repeating appointments
Tiny, takes up very little space on the desktop, quick to download,
install, and configure. Only disadvantage is the need to "calculate"
when each note/timer will expire. Notes are countdown timers.
Program: Pink Calendar
Publisher: Orange Software
Program URL: http://www.orangesoftware.net/pinkcal.html
Download URL: http://www.orangesoftware.net/PinkCal/install.html
Program Type: Shareware
Trial Version: 30 day free trial
Price: $10.00
Ideal Calendar
--------------
"IDEAL Calendar allows the user to insert an unlimited amount of
occasions. The program displays a dialog and plays a sound on the
occasions the user specifies. The program runs in the system tray and
contains many features. The excellent options and user-interface make
this program truly ideal. The program has a single or multiple user
mode. Download plug-ins to extend the functionality. Try the program
for free with no restrictions."
Of the three programs, I prefer this one. It's a clean calendar
interface, the pop-up reminders are easy to set up, and is highly
configurable to individual needs.
Program: Ideal Calendar
Version: 4.5
Publisher: Ideal Computer Services
Program URL: http://www.idealcs.com/calendar/index.html
Download URL: http://www.idealcs.com/calendar/download.htm
Program Type: Shareware
Trial Version: Free evaluation - no restrictions
Price: $20.00
None of these offerings have all the same features of Agent Reader.
They are nearly pure calendaring/reminder programs.
Two free (well-regarded) Pop-up Blockers:
Pop-up Stopper
http://download.com.com/3000-2366-10186560.html?tag=lst-0-1
Pop-up Manager 1.0.1.4
http://download.com.com/3000-2378-10189471.html?tag=lst-0-1
Once again, I apologize for my original "density" on this one.
---l
|
Clarification of Answer by
larre-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 20:36 PDT
And no, unfortunately, the Google toolbar doesn't have pop-up
reminders, it's primarily a search tool. Very handy for us
Researchers, as you might imagine. It's the Swiss Army Knife of Google
search, but it doesn't remind us to call for pizza or Chinese takout.
Or to call mom. :)
---l
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
apteryx-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 21:07 PDT
Hmm. That's funny. I forget exactly what I was searching on, but it
was something like "time reminders pop-up onscreen," and that site was
one of the first hits. I thought this feature was what I was after:
QUICK NOTES: QuickNotes let you make to-do lists and reminders, even
execute applications at specific time.
Doesn't that feature let you set a reminder that will appear at a
certain time? I thought that might be one sort of application
executed at a specific time.
Don't berate yourself overmuch for the oversight, larre. "Create and
destroy" might have been a little bit more oblique than I intended.
I'll check out your alternative recommendations once I'm sure
AgentReader doesn't actually have that functionality.
I do not want a day planner, a life organizer, a running to-do list,
or any other device that authorizes my computer to pester me and
doesn't work in the first place unless I remember to load it up. I
just want to be able to set a call for myself now and then, like "5:45
start oven" or "9:00 turn off drip hose," so that when I'm absorbed in
something on the computer I don't completely forget my other
obligations. Note, the *time* is important to me. I don't much care
about the date.
Thanks,
Apteryx
|
Clarification of Answer by
larre-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 22:11 PDT
You asked:
Doesn't that feature [QuickNotes] let you set a reminder that will
appear at a certain time? I thought that might be one sort of
application executed at a specific time.
I'm sorry, no, it's not. By application they mean other programs,
Windows tasks, or visiting a chosen URL, checking mail and suchlike. I
experimented to see if I could simply restart the program itself using
that feature/timer, and setting it up so that the day's events would
be displayed upon opening, but it doesn't have the desired effect.
I know I prefer the Ideal Calendar. It uses the calendar as a visual
tool to allow you to add event by simply clicking on the date square.
I verified that each of the URLs for the three Reminder programs do
have screenshots. You'll be able to choose the interface you like
best.
If I can provide further assistance on this, please, feel free to ask.
---l
|
