POWERDESK PRO 5.0
WHAT'S IT DO?
PowerDesk organizes and manages files, digital photos, MP3 music files,
and web images on your PC. It can be customized to move, copy, zip, label,
color code, search, view, prioritize, convert, and otherwise use your
files as you see fit.
DOES IT DO WHAT IT PROMISES?
Reviewer 1: Yes. It has enhanced features from that of Windows Explorer,
and does save time and effort.
Reviewer 2: I haven't found anything that it doesn't do that was discussed
on the Website. In fact, it has such a large list of 'can-do' features
that I have still not been able to go through them all.
Reviewer 3: Yes.
Reviewer 4: Yes, definitely a much cleaner, more usable interface than
Windows Explorer with increased functionality. It increases usability
substantially, and I'd estimate it increases productivity by 30-40%.
WAS IT EASY TO INSTALL?
Reviewer 1: My first install seemed to go fine, but something 'went
wrong', and I had a mess! I couldn't even expand a folder view without
crashing the program. I blamed it to XP Pro's ingrained features
interfering (they seemed to be fighting each other), but I uninstalled and
reinstalled the program, and have had no problems since.
If someone experiences this type of thing with XP, I hope they try a
second time as I did. All has been working smoothly since.
Reviewer 2: Just as smooth as can be in both Windows 98 and XP Pro. I
encountered no difficulties with the installations at all on either.
Reviewer 3: There were no issues, a reboot while not mandatory, is
recommended (by me) I have found that attempts to use with one will lead
to intermittent crashes. Most noticeable when using the extra functions
i.e. Zip file extraction or viewing, etc.
Reviewer 4: Yes -- easy, straightforward, no-problems installing on any of
my systems.
GOOD POINTS?
Reviewer 1: My favorite feature is how it handles .zip files. You can see
what's in the zipped file before you even actually 'unzip' it. Also like
the easily customizable toolbars, and the choice of the program opening
where you last closed it. I'm in my "download" folders a lot, and it's a
time saver to have it open just where I want. I guess it's kind of like
Windows Explorer on steroids!
Reviewer 2: Does much of what I previously needed many tools to do, tools
and features that I wished had just been part of Windows Explorer in the
first place. Then again, I suppose that Explorer was just that (an
explorer)
and this is more of a manager, or a managing director. Like any good
program, there is some learning curve to the finer details. But, it was
intuitive and usable right out of the box for everything Explorer does and
much more. The more I poke at it though, the more I find that it can do.
So it is immediately useful but holds some mysteries to keep your interest
up. Plenty of great 'wows' as you dig into it.
Reviewer 3: There are many.
PowerDesk is touted as a Windows Explorer replacement, but that really
does sell it short. This app does more then replaces the Windows Explorer,
it expands it with features that Windows should have had in the first
place. It's a bit heavy on "Plug-ins" but they are not forced on you. The
interface is rather intuitive and, like the Windows one it replaces, is
customizable. You can add shortcuts into it that are not easily added, if
at all possible, in Windows Explorer: everything from links to the
registry editor, and the run command to the FTP and built-in digital
camera applets. This does not even touch the extras that you get from
PowerDesk.
The application has its own built in updater (as do all VCOM products) and
a file find and synchronizer (invaluable for back ups between laptop and
desktop computers). The FTP is great for simple use, and allows for
setting up multiple sites with secure logins on any port. This is great
for those who don't need to schedule up/downloads.
The built-in Zip control (as well as other formats) is something Windows
still does not do as part of its normal interface. PowerDesk does it, and
does it well, with the exception of a few file types, it works great.
Reviewer 4: Outstanding, cleanly designed, intuitive user interface
provides functions that are visible, handy, and presented compactly.
Having all Drives visible horizontally on a separate toolbar I find
considerably more convenient than Internet Explorer's vertical orientation
which requires repeated scrolling. Substantially increased functionality
compared to Windows Explorer: Pane Viewer, FTP, ZIP, File-Finder, Size
Manager, and Add Notes to Files. Documentation is thorough & complete,
although not included on the CDROM. I've experienced flawless operation
over the past six months of use.
WEAK POINTS?
Reviewer 1: I get an occasional "glitch" when I try to send files to my
CDRW. Nothing drastic, and it may be that it doesn't like the Aopen brand.
(Many programs have issues with them, I'm finding) I may have to try more
than once, but it still works...and it doesn't happen every time. Not a
big issue.
Reviewer 2: As with Explorer, I wish that making a new directory were
easier. I have a little utility that I snagged somewhere that allows me to
right click on any folder and make a sub-directory under it without losing
your place where you're working. That's what I was hoping to see right off
(and what kept me digging at it as well.)
Reviewer 3: In my opinion, some of the add-ins, such as the Size Manager
wizard, And the Toolbar wizard is useless. While the toolbar wizard is
simple and straightforward (a big improvement from older versions) it's
really not a great application. The Windows toolbar, or even the Office
one, is good enough for most, and not worth the effort.
Reviewer 4: Support/enhancement: PowerDeskPro was acquired by VCOM
Products 2H02, and both its level of support and future enhancements (if
any) appear uncertain. No Manual included; 212 pages to be downloaded and
printed is a chore!
V Communications responds: We can assure you that this product will have a
Version 6, hopefully, by the end of this year. As to the manual, this
product is only sold via the Internet in the U.S., and on products under
$40 these days, we normally do not include a hard copy manual, but a full
PDF.
OTHER COMMENTS?
Reviewer 1: For a "power user", it's a great help! For the 'average Joe',
they may not see the advantages to it.
However, I do see a good market for this program, and the price isn't out
of line.
Reviewer 2: It's a great tool that will be more and more useful as I use
it. The obstacle to using it all the time is simply 'human nature.' That
is, I'm so used to Explorer that I need to keep reminding myself that this
is available, and more useful. Time will fix that, no doubt. For people
who have and use large file systems, this tool is a must have and well
worth the price.
V Communications responds: There is a setting in PowerDesk Pro 5.0 that,
when checked, will launch PDP5 instead of Explorer or My Computer.
Reviewer 3: There is a Play List editor, but this is niche software at its
best. Those who need it have better and more advanced editors.
Reviewer 4: Price of $39.95($19.95 upgrade) is somewhat high, but
reasonable; I think This is a great program, one that I think everyone
should have and would benefit from, and one I'd certainly have on all my
systems and recommend same to customers. PowerDeskPro v5 is a part of my
standard system setup for Win98, Win2K and WinXP systems, where I have
used it in production-mode, not just evaluation-mode, regularly over the
past six months and am highly pleased with the program.
WILL YOU CONTINUE TO USE IT?
Reviewer 1: Yes. It's a time saver, and I need all of that I can get!
Reviewer 2: Absolutely, on my tower and laptop as well, as often as I can
until I forget about Windows Explorer altogether. (I had the same trouble
with using Windows Explorer when I started using Windows95; I made a
shortcut to, and kept using File Manager for quite a while. Something
about old dogs and new tricks I expect!
Reviewer 3: I will admit this app has a lot going for it. It is well
rounded, versatile, and powerful. But, it's not so useful that I would pay
for it, or even bother committing the additional CPU or memory overhead in
using it. I like it, it'll remain on my hard drive, but for most of my
needs, Windows Explorer will suffice.
Reviewer 4: Yes, definitely!
Download free trial at:
http://www.v-com.com/product/pd_ind.html
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