Avast Free Antivirus

avast! Free Antivirus is rated one of the best Windows security programs even among the paid versions. I had Norton Symantec Endpoint Protection 10.2 for years but as of July, 4, 2013 it was no longer updating or being supported.

On my other computers I have McAfee but it is a monster of a program and tends to slow things down. So I was looking for a lighter alternative on computer that I only use to play online games and check emails. avast! Free Antivirus seemed great and most of the online reviews were positive.

Installation was easy and the first thing it does was a quick scan. It also checked for out-of-date programs and found two which I updated. Unfortunately trying to automatically update one program did not work and I had to do it manually.

The third thing I did was run a full scan and it took less than 2 hours on my 60 GB drive. I thought it would be faster but it was the first time so maybe it will improve. I found nothing bad as I expected so I think it was worth it.

They have other free tools and internet security options but I will ignore most of those. They do try to install some Google toolbars but I just opted out so no big deal.

Overall this is a 90% program, while for a free program it is great I expected more with all the race review. Also it could have been lighter because sometimes I noticed a bit of lag when navigating the tabs on the avast! free antivirus interface.

Viggle

Viggle is a free rewards app that works with TV. This app uses your phones microphone to listen to shows and match them to their database and gives you rewards. Along with that you get bonus for playing in app commercials, trivia games, and fantasy sports games.

Fantasy basketball game you play against 10 other whomever has the most points gets 1000 reward points. 2nd place = 500, 3rd = 300, 4th =200. You can choose a player and each time the player does something good or bad the points go up or down, Your allowed a limited number of substitutions so skill is needed.

Some featured shows that are promoted give extra bonus points but +50 is average. You get 1 reward point per minute. So check in Suits at 10:03pm and you get 57 points + 300 check-in bonus that is assuming you do not check in something after. So if at 10:30pm you check in on another show you just get 27 points + 300 check-in bonus.

Current rewards on my phone are the following:

• Sweepstakes for 777,777 reward points cost 1,000 pts.
• 20% off at Fanatics.com cost 3,000 pts.
• 1-Day Redbox DVD rental cost 4,000 pts.
• 5 digital issues of EW magazine cost 8,000 pts.
• $5.99 DirectTV Movie Money Certificate cost 9,000 pts.
• $5.00 CVS eGift card cost 10,000 pts.
• $5.00 Barnes & Noble eGift card cost 10,000 pts.
• $5.00 Hot Topic eGift card cost 10,000 pts.
• 5 digital issues of PEOPLE Magazine cost 12,000 pts.
• One month of Hulu Plus cost 14,500 pts.
• One month of Spotify Premium cost 20,000 pts.
• $10.00 Sephora eGift Card cost 20,000 pts. 
• $10.00 Gap eGift Card cost 20,000 pts. 
• $10.00 Papa John's Card cost 20,000 pts.
• $10.00 Old Navy Card cost 20,000 pts. 
• $10.00 JCPenney eGift Card cost 20,000 pts.  
• Viggle branded iPhone 5 case cost 25,000 pts.  
• $25.00 in value of participating salons for beauty treatments cost 20,000 pts.  
• $15.00 off Groupon cost 30,000 pts.
• $15.00 Chili's eGift Card cost 30,000 pts.
• Viggle branded water bottle cost 32,000 pts.
• Viggle branded T-shirsts (men or women, sm-xxl) cost 37,000 pts.
• $25.00 McDonalds ArchCard cost 62,500 pts.
• $25.00 BestBuy eGift Card cost 62,500 pts. 
• $25.00 Lowe's eGift Card cost 62,500 pts. 
• $25.00 Travelocity Hotel Card cost 62,500 pts.  
• Viggle branded Vlanket cost 80,000 pts.
• Kindle Fire HD cost 375,000 pts.
• 4-5 night Royal Caribbean Cruise cost 4,000,000 pts.

Conclusion: 
Started Viggling back in July 2012 but did not start doing this everyday until 1 month ago. So after 7 months of light use I got 7,000 reward point, and 2 months of heavy use added another 30,000. Great app but the most recent update has caused frequent crashes when scrolling. 
90% for the great games and quick points earning but the constant crashing should be fixed.

Moon Phase Pro

A good looking Moon Phase app. It gives lots of moon phase information especially good for us amatuer photographers.

You can change locations and check the calendar for future or past days but I just like the simple interface that sends you a message every week.

Here's why this is a 90% program...
Cons:

1. Sometimes it is slow, but you can modify the picture settings.

Pros:

1. Very accurate.
2. Like the simple interface that can change with a simple touch.

Rating: 9 out of 10 (90%)

Play it at:
Amazon: Moon Phase Pro $0.99 although I got it when they had a free day.

Optimum App For Laptops

Optimum App For Laptop

It is all your cable TV channels on your laptop. The software you download is pretty simple and requires only an Optimum Account and a monitor that is not separate. Apparently the first thing the software does is look if your screen is built in. If not then it won't download.

It works pretty well but there is some buffering in HD. It is not as sharp as many other services but you can watch one show on TV while another is playing on the laptop. This brings back my ability to watch two shows at once that I lost after the analog signals went dead.

Here's why this is a 90% program...
Pros:

1. Free for customer
2. Works as advertise
3. Watch two shows or change the channel on your TV.

Cons:

1. Buffering...

Rating: 9 out of 10 (90%)

Got it at:
Optimum: Only free, if you have an account and a laptop.

Arcade by Kongregate

Kongregate: Arcade 2.0

Thousands of free games online and hundreds available on their smartphone version. The games can range from extremely simple to huge role  playing complex adventures.

Phone version

Online/PC version

Here's why this is a 90% program...
Pros

1. Fun games
2. Smooth game play
3. Ability to earn points and keep progress

Cons

1. Not all games available to play even with wi-fi

Rating: 9 out of 10 (90%)

Got it at:
Kongregate: Free

Peggle

Peggle

This was one of my favorite games on PopCap but due to its limited play online I stopped playing it a year ago. Now it is on Android phones making it something else to distract me and zap my battery life.

Quick to open

Typical instructions.

With the lack of a mouse you use a touch screen scroll wheel instead. Since the game is limited to left and right movements it does work well.

And then let the pinball type fun begin.

Here's why this is a 90% program...
Pros

1. Easy to play
2. Great graphics and game play

Cons

1. Wi-Fi only download
2. Waste of time and energy although fun

Rating: 9 out of 10 (90%)

Got it at: Peggle on Amazon Free today, Usually $2.99

Angry Birds: Trilogy

Angry Birds Rio
Angry Birds
Angry Birds Seasons

The ultimate game for phones. There is little to add that can not be found on a thousand different sites. I will say this is my go to game when I am very bored. Unfortunately my memory card failed once and it wiped out my scores until I found a back up. The small interruption was enough to make me slow down playing most games.

Here's why this is a 90% program...
Pros

1. Easy to learn
2. Great graphics and game play

Cons

1. Some levels are a it hard and getting three stars is tough
2. Gets redundant

Rating: 9 out of 10 (90%)

Got it at: Android Market,Amazon App Store (All free at the time)

Shopkick

shopkick 2.0

This is a shopping enhancement app. Either use the app to get exclusive deals in certain store or collect rewards points for certain things. Collect rewards by either clicking on the in phone icons, scanning products, or by walking into a participating shop and starting the shopkick app.

The walk-in feature works using sound. At the participating shop there is a either a specific tone or frequency playing from speakers at the entrance and the app hears this and automatically gives you the reward points.
The app can use either Wi-Fi or 3G to pinpoint your location and with that it shows the available shops to get points. Switching back and forth may actually bring up extra locations to get a few more points.

There is a limit on how many reward points you can get everyday. There are also levels depending on the amount of points you have. These levels allow you to raise the limit of allowable points and also unlock other things.

There is also games where you hunt for hidden objects during holidays. If you find these objects you can win badges that are just for fun. Unfortunately many times you must "Like" it on Facebook in order to get the badge.

The rewards themselves are not bad. Best are the gift certificates to Macy's and Best Buy. On average each 500 points gets you $2.00 in certificates or 1250 points gets you $5.00 in certificates. For 6,250,000 points you can get cruise tickets.

With constant point promotions and living in a city like New York it is very easy to get many points quickly. Cheating is possible luckily those caught can be found and banned.

Here's why this is a 90% program...
Pros

1. Easy to use
2. Great deals

Cons

1. Limits and levels are not clear
2. Certain features require to link to Facebook
3. Games/hunts often can not be completed because of limited shops in my area

Rating:  9 out of 10 (90%)

I have yet to use one of the deals or any reward points only because I am trying to get that cruise.

Got it at:  shopkick

Facebook for Android

One of first things I downloaded for my Droid X. It is also the app I use the most. Facebook for Android simply allows you to access your Facebook account with reduced functionality.

My actual Droid X homepage.

My Facebook app.

Let me quickly note that these are photos of my phone because as far as I know there are no apps for screenshots on the Droid X. I will not root my phone and using the Android SDK option is too cumbersome. 

This app is the one I use the most although I only using the News Feed link. I just like to see updates and quickly post a picture or joke. I have never used Groups, Places, Chat, or Events.

Here's why this is a 90% app...
Pros

1. Easy to use
2. Fast uploads and refresh

Cons

1. Can't see full "Like" list on posts
2. People link with "@Your_Name" does not work
3. Pictures often get stuck

Rating:  9 out of 10 (90%)

Got it at: Android Market: Facebook for Android