930430  AMBOOTX.RVW
 
                               Comparison Review
 
Company and product:
 
Peter Stuer
Kauwlei 21
B-2550 Kontich
Belgium
Peter.Stuer@p7.f603.n292.z2.FidoNet.Org
BootX 5.23
 
Summary: Scanner and disinfector with some operation restriction
                              
 
Cost                          
 
Rating (1-4, 1 = poor, 4 = very good)
      "Friendliness"
            Installation      
            Ease of use       
            Help systems      
      Compatibility           
      Company
            Stability         
            Support           
      Documentation           
      Hardware required       
      Performance             
      Availability            
      Local Support           
 
General Description:
 
 
 
                  Comparison of features and specifications
 
 
 
User Friendliness
 
Installation
 
Both automated and manual installation is provided.
 
Ease of use
 
BootX can be run from either the CLI or the Workbench.  Once invoked it can be
made the "foreground task" by a "hot key" call.  The program is menu driven,
with a comprehensive range of actions.
 
Help systems
 
Can use the AmigaGuide.library function if available.
 
Compatibility
 
Unknown but unlikely to cause problems.  Some problems are noted with Enforcer. 
Will work with certain compression programs to check compressed executables.
 
Company Stability
 
Unknown, but this is currently one of the major recommended Amiga antivirals. 
The program is distributed as freeware.
 
Company Support
 
The author's mail and email addresses are given, as well as contact info for
"Safe Hex International".
 
Documentation
 
Simple but straightforward directions on the installation and running of the
program.  There is little general discussion of viral programs and operation,
but some is mentioned in conjunction with certain features of the program. 
Unusually for a shareware/freeware package there is an extensive glossary which
may provide some background.  (I learned, for instance, that a "linkvirus" is
the term for what is more generally known as a program or file infecting
virus.)
 
System Requirements
 
512K RAM or higher and at least one disk drive.  KickStart v2.04 and
ReqTools.library v38 or higher.  Workbench v2.1 or higher to use the language
independence utility and v3.0 or higher to use the AmigaGuide.library help
feature.  Various decompression programs may be needed to check compressed
executables.
 
Performance
 
Unknown at this time due to lack of a test suite.  Currently one of the most
highly recommended Amiga antivirals.
 
Local Support
 
The author is reachable via Fidonet and Internet mail.
 
Support Requirements
 
Users experienced with using shareware should have no problems.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   930430   AMBOOTX.RVW

======================
DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" (Sept. '94) Springer-Verlag