Digeus Optimizer 8.2 feels like a good idea. You want it to be a good idea.
The preview version, used for this review, has all of the promise of a Leatherman multitool. All of the potential applications to fix something are wrapped up in this software package. The opportunities to optimize, secure, maintain, monitor, tweak, delete, edit, scan, fix, or just peer are astounding. The package promises power, security, happiness and self-satisfaction. And the adventure began with a 10-part optimization wizard.
But the differences between Digeus Optimizer 8.2 and any Leatherman is in the creators' focus. The designer of the physical multitool built it with a single, guiding purpose: Saving your ass with style and grace. The digital tool's creator? No such focus. Not so much saving. Not so much grace.
First, there is very little guidance. The user interface is unhelpful, the dialogs are merely prompts to advance to the next step. And a decent Help section is not apparent. If this software is meant as a simple solution, the lack of guidance misses the mark. Strike One.
The preview version, used for this review, has all of the promise of a Leatherman multitool. All of the potential applications to fix something are wrapped up in this software package. The opportunities to optimize, secure, maintain, monitor, tweak, delete, edit, scan, fix, or just peer are astounding. The package promises power, security, happiness and self-satisfaction. And the adventure began with a 10-part optimization wizard.
But the differences between Digeus Optimizer 8.2 and any Leatherman is in the creators' focus. The designer of the physical multitool built it with a single, guiding purpose: Saving your ass with style and grace. The digital tool's creator? No such focus. Not so much saving. Not so much grace.
First, there is very little guidance. The user interface is unhelpful, the dialogs are merely prompts to advance to the next step. And a decent Help section is not apparent. If this software is meant as a simple solution, the lack of guidance misses the mark. Strike One.
Second, the software is not trustworthy. My first time out with the seemingly friendly, introductory "wizard" resulted in a forced reboot because of an RPC violation. And why would that be disturbing? Well, the optimizer recommended killing the process - a legitimate process, triggering the reboot. The software didn't recognize the process, could not "validate" the process with its online databases, and so marked that process in red and recommended that I stop the process. Which was a really, really bad idea, but I was following expert advice, right? Strike Two.
Shocked, but determined, WE (because my family had joined me to point, laugh and mock,) executed the wizard again (after the laptop rebooted.) We skipped the first step of the optimization wizard this time, and plowed ahead through the other steps. Somewhere within the 10 steps, Digeus recommended "defragging" my registry and deleting 600 files that needed "cleaning." The most disheartening recommendation? A suggestion to delete a file under the Digeus directory itself. (Even the peanut gallery had fallen silent.) Strike Three.
One gets the feeling that Digeus intended its software to do for maintenance what Ninite has done for installations. Unfortunately, it is hard to move past the serious lapses in finesse and the highly questionable recommendations. Aspirations suggest Ninite. Execution suggests Nigerian email scammers.
Shocked, but determined, WE (because my family had joined me to point, laugh and mock,) executed the wizard again (after the laptop rebooted.) We skipped the first step of the optimization wizard this time, and plowed ahead through the other steps. Somewhere within the 10 steps, Digeus recommended "defragging" my registry and deleting 600 files that needed "cleaning." The most disheartening recommendation? A suggestion to delete a file under the Digeus directory itself. (Even the peanut gallery had fallen silent.) Strike Three.
One gets the feeling that Digeus intended its software to do for maintenance what Ninite has done for installations. Unfortunately, it is hard to move past the serious lapses in finesse and the highly questionable recommendations. Aspirations suggest Ninite. Execution suggests Nigerian email scammers.
(On this point, a quick search of Google.com reveals several solicitations to try the software and write a review. But where are the actual reviews?)
To summarize: if you want the tool that Digeus promises, then wait for the next full version and, please, take a pass on this version. There are lots of kinks in version 8.2, and they can be unforgiving. At least remember to create a Windows Restore Point before installing the software. I also recommend that you not use (or test) Digeus Optimizer 8.2. Unless, you have no other options, in which case it won't matter anyway.
TEST PC: Dell Inspiron ME051
PROCESSOR: Intel Celeron M @ 1.4 GHz
RAM: 2.0 GB
OS: Microsoft XP SP3
[Editor's Note: In full disclosure, ATBOM was approached by Digeus to take the time to review their product on our blog. In exchange for an unbiased review, we would recieve a copy of their product for free and a link to our review would be posted on their product page. I do doubt that our link will be posted on their product page, at this point. My research into the company prior to allowing this test seemed to show that Digeus is/was a reputable company. However, this attempt at a system optimizer has apparently fallen short. We also welcome Digeus to comment on this article if they wish to defend thier product.]
To summarize: if you want the tool that Digeus promises, then wait for the next full version and, please, take a pass on this version. There are lots of kinks in version 8.2, and they can be unforgiving. At least remember to create a Windows Restore Point before installing the software. I also recommend that you not use (or test) Digeus Optimizer 8.2. Unless, you have no other options, in which case it won't matter anyway.
TEST PC: Dell Inspiron ME051
PROCESSOR: Intel Celeron M @ 1.4 GHz
RAM: 2.0 GB
OS: Microsoft XP SP3
[Editor's Note: In full disclosure, ATBOM was approached by Digeus to take the time to review their product on our blog. In exchange for an unbiased review, we would recieve a copy of their product for free and a link to our review would be posted on their product page. I do doubt that our link will be posted on their product page, at this point. My research into the company prior to allowing this test seemed to show that Digeus is/was a reputable company. However, this attempt at a system optimizer has apparently fallen short. We also welcome Digeus to comment on this article if they wish to defend thier product.]
Comments
I want to thank you for informing me and I will be looking into ways to solve some problems I have now.
I do like your review/thoughts on the product and could feel like our opinions were one in the same.
Thank You, PR0DIGI0US J