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Grand Theft Auto IV

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Rockstar Games

December 02, 2008

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Fallout Collection (Fallout, Fallout Tactics, Fallout A Post Nuclear RPG)

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Bethesda

August 04, 2008
Tactics is still the best computer based video game out there. It's coming up on 10 years old, but still complely immerses the player in the post-nuclear world. The real time option is the way to go. Customize and control your squad in this immense game. I am not a fan of turn based games. I never saw the point of taking turns in a firefight. You wouldn't do that it real life would you? Keep your squad moving, finding cover, charging in with guns blazing, it's up to you. Tough guy mode rewards the lack of mid level saving ability with extra points to customize your character's abilities. I love the time in the bunkers almost as much as the missions. Steal everybody blind, go sell the stuff you steal, and buy more cool stuff for your ... Read More:

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Acronis True Image Home 2009

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Acronis

September 12, 2008
(I've adapted this review from an earlier discussion post because those posts don't affect the product's star ratings.)

I've been looking for a drive imaging program for protection in case my HD fails at some point. I'd tried ShadowProtect, but it wouldn't run, and the publisher's tech service people were unable to find the cause. So now I've done a complete image backup with True Image 2009 to an external hard drive, and I've restored individual files from the backup without any problems. I'll also mention that this program was very easy to use, and the user manual is clear.

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Windows Live OneCare 2.0 (Up to 3 Users)

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Microsoft Software

November 15, 2007
I thought this would be worth a try since it came included with Qwest DSL service, and reviews here seemed generally positive. It did not work well on my 7-year old system, though. After a couple weeks struggling with it, I finally was able to uninstall it.

First of all, this requires a lot of RAM. My system was doing OK, but getting a bit low on RAM at 384 MB until I installed this. With Windows Live OneCare installed it wanted around 500 MB just to boot up--even while not running anything. So it was using Virtual Memory and paging like crazy, with the CPU pegged at 100%, even after I let it sit for hours, thinking it just needed to run an initial scan. Well, RAM is cheap and it was time, so I went ahead and upgraded to 1 GB (as ... Read More:

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The Sims 3

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Electronic Arts

February 16, 2009
I thought this would be worth a try since it came included with Qwest DSL service, and reviews here seemed generally positive. It did not work well on my 7-year old system, though. After a couple weeks struggling with it, I finally was able to uninstall it.

First of all, this requires a lot of RAM. My system was doing OK, but getting a bit low on RAM at 384 MB until I installed this. With Windows Live OneCare installed it wanted around 500 MB just to boot up--even while not running anything. So it was using Virtual Memory and paging like crazy, with the CPU pegged at 100%, even after I let it sit for hours, thinking it just needed to run an initial scan. Well, RAM is cheap and it was time, so I went ahead and upgraded to 1 GB (as ... Read More:

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Upgrade

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Adobe

August 15, 2008
The equipment I use is a Professional SLR with several prime lenses. I shoot citiscapes,landscapes,wildlife. So I don't need complex laying tools to interchange faces and bodies as are provided in full photshop CS4. The spotting/redeye/cropping/hue/saturation/tone curve/brush/graduated filter tools in LR2 are more than enough. In LR2 these are presented as easy to use sliders on the same screen with your raw camera image, so you can quickly make any adjustments and get on with showing them. All adjustments are stored as 'orders to do later' with your raw image, and they are not applied until you export from LR to print, DVD, HDTV. They remain in the LR2 library as well and you can go back anytime, reset a former adjustment, and do it over ... Read More:

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Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Her Interactive

July 08, 2008
This is another great Nancy Drew game and if you are a fan you will not be disappointed. My daughters and I play them together and love them. This one was a little shorter, but still fun with great clues, puzzles, graphics and effects.

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Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Logitech


Doesnt matter how good this keyboard is, if the parts start to wear out in less than 2months.... its useless.

My shift button now squeaks bad when I press it, with FPS games. Its getting worse. So much for being a gaming keyboard. My crappy generic keyboard outlasted this by 5 years.

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Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Kaspersky Lab

August 13, 2008
I highly recommend Kaspersky over McAfee and Norton. I've used all three products and Kaspersky is the only one that has not slowed down my computer and still be effective. However, I did have an issue with the program in August 2008. The product completely stopped working and my PC Tools Spyware Doctor program caught the virus before it spread, but it originate from Kaspersky. THe product works but customer service needs some major work.

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Rosetta Stone Version 3: Spanish (Latin America) Level 1 with Audio Companion

Childrens Toy Shop > Software > Software
from: Rosetta Stone

June 16, 2008
While my experience with the CD glued to the sleeve was the same as the other review, I found that denatured alcohol would remove the glue quite well. Rosetta really should look into this.
Beyond this small problem I have found this product to be exactly as promised. It is the easiest, fastest, and in my experience the most successful method of learning a new language in the shortest amount of time. Rosetta conveys vast amounts of well thought out information in a manner that is really quite revolutionary to the field of language learning. By simply going thru the exercises your will develope the numerous skills required to know and use a new language. You are simultaneously learning the vocabulary and grammar as well as learning to hear and speak ... Read More: