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Over the years a PC might become slower and less reliable than it once was. This can be due to invalid registry entries, lots of background apps, malware, a fragmented and full hard disk and more besides. Although Windows already includes numerous system maintenance tools to keep things ticking smoothly, there are loads of PC optimization programs that can boost system performance at least a little with their hard disk and registry cleaners, disk defrag, RAM optimizers and startup tools.

The best PC optimization software includes a wide variety of system maintenance tools and options, and these are a few freeware programs you can supercharge Windows with.

System Mechanic is one of the most highly rated PC optimization programs for Windows. This has a freeware and Pro version that includes some more advanced modules with anti-virus, internet connection tweaker, Windows customization and search and recovery tools. Nevertheless, the freeware version still has the more essential maintenance tools to give Windows a genuine boost. Press the Start Download button on this web page to save System Mechanics installer to your hard disk.

System Mechanic has an intuitive and appealing UI design that includes most of the softwares tools and options within a left sidebar. It gives you a system status overview (shown in the snapshot above) that highlights things that need fixing, such as registry issues, junk files or fragmented hard drive. System Mechanic Free retains several of the most essential tools from the full package. It has a junk file cleanup tool that does a system-wide scan to erase obsolete files.

It includes a registry tuner with which you can fix invalid registry entries, and that also comes with backup and restore options. With the softwares startup manager users can remove startup bottlenecks to speed up boot times. In addition, you can also speed up Windows with System Mechanics RAM optimizer that defrags RAM. On top of that, this utility has tools to fix invalid shortcuts, repair internet connections and defrag hard disks; and users can run multiple tools at once with its wizards.

Glary Utilities 5 is a cut-down version of the Pro package. However, there isnt that much difference between the freeware and Pro version aside from Glary Utilities 5 Pros automatic updates, free technical support and extra scheduling options. Theres also a free portable version of the software you can run from external drives. Click the Download Now button on this website page to add the freeware version to Windows.

Glary Utilities 5 is packed with more than 20 system tools to optimize Windows with. It includes all the more standard tools such as disk cleaner, registry cleaner, startup manager, uninstall manager and disk defrag. On top of that, this program also has less standard tools for removing malware, fixing invalid shortcuts, deleting empty folders, erasing duplicate files, splitting and joining files and even file recovery. Glary Utilities 5 enables users to run a custom 1-click Maintenance scan that incorporates a number of its tools, which can come in handy.

The programs RAM optimizer enables you to select a more specific amount of RAM to free up with a slider bar. Glary Utilities 5 also integrates with File Explorer so that you can select some of Glarys file management options directly from context menus. Overall, Glary Utilities 5 has almost all the tools youll need for PC optimization.

CCleaner is award-winning PC optimization software with an extensive user base eclipsing two billion downloads. It has fairly thorough cleanup tools that dont erase any more essential system files, and you can use this software to free up hundreds of megabytes of disk space, remove software, manage startup items and repair possible errors.

The freeware version of CCleaner might lack some of the scheduling, file recovery and disk defragmentation tools included the Professional Plus package; but it still has a few handy options for system optimization. Press the DownloadFree Versionbutton on the softwares home page to add the freeware CCleaner to Windows.

CCleaners primary tools are its hard disk and registry cleaners. It has flexible hard disk and registry cleaners that you can configure to delete a variety of more specific file and registry items. The software also has extra settings that enable users to select specific folders or files to either delete or exclude from system scans. Another advantage of CCleaners hard disk cleaner is that it also enables you to clean up third-party software file items.

For various PC problems, we recommend to use this tool.

This tool will repair most computer errors, protect you from file loss, malware, hardware failure and optimize your PC for maximum performance. Quickly fix PC issues and prevent others from happening with this software:

Beyond the HDD and registry cleaners, CCleaners tools might seem a little limited compared to some alternative optimization software. The freeware version doesnt include any disk defrag, RAM optimizer, shortcut fixer, one-click maintenance option or much in the way of file management tools. However, it still has a good startup manager with which you can not only remove startup items, but also delete scheduled tasks and third-party software context menu entries.

CCleaners handy Browser Plugins tool enables users to quickly activate or deactivate browser extensions, apps and plug-ins. You can can also search for and erase duplicate files with the Duplicate Finder tool. So even if CCleaner doesnt have the most extensive number of utilities, its still a handy Windows optimization program. Check out this Windows Report article for the full lowdown on CCleaner.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free is a stripped down version of WinOptimizer 14, which is retailing at $49.99. WinOptimizer 14 might have more extensive file management and system maintenance tools, but there are still plenty of options and settings to explore in the freeware version. You can add WinOptimizer Free to 32 and 64-bit Windows platforms from XP up by pressing the Download button on this web page.

WinOptimizer Free has Drive Cleaner, Registry Optimizer and Internet Cleaner tools for system maintenance. Its One-Click-Optimizer provides a handy shortcut to run those tools simultaneously. The Drive Cleaner is flexible as users can create exclusion lists, add file filters and configure it to delete items to the Recycle Bin. WinOptimizers Startup-Tuner is another more essential system maintenance tool with which you can disable Windows services and edit startup items. The program comes with a Task Scheduler for you to schedule optimization runs, and it also saves the most frequently used modules in Favorites for quicker access.

However, WinOptimizer isnt just system maintenance software. It also includes handy Windows customization and file management tools. For example, the software has a Context Manager you can customize Windows context menus with. The Icon Saver enables users to save Windows desktop icon arrangements. In addition, you can split up, encrypt and recover files with WinOptimizers File Splitter, File Encrypter and Undeleter tools. So WinOptimizer offers more tools than most optimization suites.

WinUtilities Free is another all-in-one PC optimizer with a freeware and Pro edition, which has a $29.95 one-year subscription. The publisher reveals relatively little about the differences between the freeware and Pro editions of WinUtilities. The UI design of both editions is almost identical, but the File Undelete, Task Scheduler and Duplicate Files Finder only work in the Pro version, which also has free technical support. WinUtilities Pro also boasts a more effective registry scan engine and disk cleaner. Open this page and press the Download Now button there to save the WinUtilities Free installer to Windows.

WinUtilities Free has an impressive 25 modules that consist of PC optimization, clean up and repair, files & folders, registry and other system tools. In the optimization category, users can select Registry Defrag, Disk Defrag, Startup Cleaner, RAM optimizer and BHO (Browser Helper Objects) Remover tools. The software includes a Disk Cleaner to remove junk data, Registry Cleaner to fix invalid registry entries, Shortcut Fixerand Uninstall Manager.

The softwares 1-Click Maintenance option incorporates most of the clean up and defrag tools. WinUtilities Free has some useful file and folder and registry tools to split and merge files, analyze disk space, back up the registry and remove and restore context menu options and settings with. The publisher has also packed all those tools within a clean and intuitive UI.

So those are five great utility software you can optimize Windows with. They provide RAM optimizers, disk and registry cleaners, startup managers, shortcut fixers, uninstall managers, duplicate file finders and disk defrag tools; and some of them also include additional Windows customization and file options. The best thing is that theyre all freeware software!

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The best 5 free PC optimization software to supercharge your computer - Windows Report

With the tax season coming to a close many people are looking for quick and free options to ensure they get not only the biggest refund possible, but also to ensure the IRS has no reason to come knocking. Here, we take a look at some of the IRSs recommended programs to complete your tax filings in 2017 for free. Do keep in mind that while most people will find some, if not all of these options free, each tax and thus payment system is different. With that in mind, lets look at the best free tax software in 2017.

Now, if youre filing and in a hurry, TaxAct may be your best free option. Of course, that does come with some caveats. For the free version, you do need to file only a 1040A or a 1040EZ, but in many cases this would be all that you would have needed in the first place. If you do instead need to itemize or file a different form (say, a 1099) then it will offer you inexpensive ways to do your taxes. The interface itself is simple and easy to use, and the guidance through the process is quite well done. If you do end up having questions regarding your taxes, TaxAct also has a great online help section, and protections available if you are audited by the IRS. If youre more curious about TaxAct, check out our full review here.

For some, the added features of tax programs nowadays can be seen as a little too involved, a bit too much hand holding. For these people, who still want a free program, Liberty Tax Service may be a good fit. Allowing for form selection for those that know what they need to file and an easy to use. As a bonus, there are multiple physical Liberty Tax Service locations available nationwide, which allow for support if needed. While not always free (as conditions do vary) many will find it cheap and easy to do your taxes through LTS if youve paid attention in previous years. While there is no option to pay any potential fees with a cut of your refund, there is a refund advance program, though do keep in mind potential interest and loan details, and that this can only be done in office.

One of the smaller names in the tax preparation game, TaxSlayer still has plenty to offer for customers, including free filings if you are below 52 years old and make less than $63,000 a year if you live in certain states. While not tax software in the most traditional sense (it being a website), Taxslayer does offer most of the features that would classify it as such and is an IRS supported option along all listed here. On the off chance you dont qualify for truly free, TaxSlayer also allows you to file your taxes to be filed and your return be charged as opposed to upfront fees, which may fit the tighter budgets or interesting situations. While not quite as chock full of features as some of the big names, TaxSlayer is good if you want to get in, get out, and get refunded in a hurry.

A big name in the tax industry, H&R Block is also pretty big when it comes to savings. With a layout that is extremely user friendly, people can feel like tax experts by time they have finished their first years filings. In terms of cost, there are plenty of savings to be had. Around 6 in 10 people who file with H&R Block will be able to do so for free, with both state and federal tax filings. This also includes Schedule A itemized deductions, which includes medical expenses, charitable donations, losses due to theft and job expenses. As if this could be any better, you can import your W-2 via a smartphone picture, and import last years tax data from nearly anywhere for free, making H&R Block a solid choice for those looking for free tax software.

By far one of the most popular tax programs this year has been TubroTax by Intuit software. Though often on the quite pricey side, for those that can qualify for the free version (1040EZ and 1040A filers) will get some of the best features available in the tax software industry. Similar to H&R Block mentioned above, importation of your W-2 through a snapshot is a breeze, and TurboTax lets you know exactly how each entry affects your returns. Turbotax also has a very handy ExplainWhy function, which gives you the rationale of how each entry affects your tax refund, allowing you to learn as you go instead of merely entering data and getting a return. As a final bonus, E-filing is free with Turbotax, meaning that instead of waiting on a check, direct deposit can be selected which may be of great benefit, considering the possible refund delays this tax season.

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The Best Free Tax Software in 2017 - Gazette Review

Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting announced on Wednesday a new agreement with the U.S. military to provide TaxWise Online 2016 software, pro bono, to volunteer tax preparers at various military bases around the world.

The military's tax programs are overseen by the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, via the Armed Forces Tax Council, and provides free assistance to members of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as their families.

This announcement is a strong testament to the commitment Wolters Kluwer makes to working with non-profit and volunteer professional tax preparers, who collectively provide an invaluable service to millions of American taxpayers annually, stated Julie Peck, executive vice president and general manager, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, US Small Firm Division.

TaxWise Online 2016 represents a secure, cloud-based tax prep platform that offers a number of features including a library of individual and business return forms (both in English and Spanish), return statuses, reports, and client letters, to help preparers best serve their clients.

I would like to thank the Internal Revenue Service and Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting for providing military tax centers with free tax preparation software to facilitate the efficient preparation of military tax returns," said Samuel Kan, executive director of the Armed Forces Tax Council, per a statement. "Our military members and their families will be able to save a considerable amount of money by visiting our free military VITA tax centers across the world, rather than paying for tax preparation services that could easily cost hundreds of dollars per tax return."

For more on TaxWise Online 2016 and Wolters Kluwer, head to the company's site here.

Sean McCabe is a senior editor with Accounting Today.

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Wolters Kluwer donates free tax software to US military - Accounting Today

Mobile IRS Free File software available

The Internal Revenue Service announced that taxpayers now may use their smartphones or tablets to electronically prepare and file their federal and state tax returns through IRS Free File. The IRS and its private-sector partners who offer their brand-name software products for free now support a new design that allows for the use of desktops, laptops, mobile phones and tablets.

Access the products using mobile devices in two ways: (1) Use the IRS app, IRS2Go, which has a link to the Free File Software Lookup Tool or (2) Use the devices browser to go to http://www.IRS.gov/freefile and select the Free File Software Lookup Tool or Start Free File Now to find a software product. The IRS2Go app is available for Android and iOS devices.

Taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $64,000 or less will find one or more free software options. The Free File software allows for free electronic tax preparation and filing and direct deposit of refunds. Some taxpayers may need their 2015 adjusted gross income, if they filed a return, to validate their identities and complete the electronic filing process.

Klos Guitars launches second Kickstarter

Klos Guitars, a Provo business specializing in carbon fiber travel guitars, successfully launched its newest product last week on Kickstarter. Within just five hours of launching their Klos Carbon Fiber Acoustic Electric guitar Friday, the campaign already hit $25,000, more than its original $10,000 goal. By Tuesday, it surpassed $117,000.

Its pretty surreal, said Adam Klosowiak, co-founder with his brother Ian, of Klos Guitars.

The brothers successfully launched their original acoustic carbon fiber guitar last year, but knew they wanted an electric option.

Adam said this second guitar has all of the benefits of the acoustic model, and then some. This version has a pickup. With the pickup, he explained, players can plug the guitar into an amp for concert performing or recording.

So plugged in it has the full versatility of a full-size guitar, but, when unplugged, the guitar is still great for traveling and playing acoustically, he said.

The Klos Acoustic Electric guitar campaign still has 25 days more to go, and the potential to raise close to $200,000.

DigiCert launches certificates for IoT

DigiCert, a Lehi company specializing in scalable authentication and encryption solutions, unveiled DigiCert Auto-Provisioning, powered by Device Authority, the first weekend of February at the DigiCert Security Summit.

Device authentication and encryption are critical to securing connected devices and the information they share, but many software implementations lack standard protocols for provisioning devices, said DigiCert CTO Dan Timpson. DigiCert Auto-Provisioning, powered by Device Authority, helps companies get certificates on a much wider range of IoT devices in a scalable, secure and automated way.

As the number of connected devices rises toward an estimated 50 billion by 2020, security continues to lag behind. IoT devices often lack the computer power required for strong encryption and do not have the ability to securely generate and store keys required for strong device security. Similarly, when credentials need to be revoked or rotated because of device authorization changes, the process is typically manual, time-consuming and vulnerable to human error.

DigiCert Auto-Provisioning combines certificate issuance with automated provisioning to simplify large-volume device enrollment and credentialing. It also provides secure key generation and storage to prevent the use of stolen credentials and unauthorized devices.

Karissa Neely reports on Business & North County events, and can be reached at (801) 344-2537 orkneely@heraldextra.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DHKarissaNeely

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KLOS Guitars second Kickstarter successful; DigiCert launches new product; IRS Free File goes mobile - Daily Herald

By Carsten Bange. Updated January 24, 2017.

What Is a Data Product?

Data analysis aims to retrieve information from data to support or enable decisions. Relevant pieces of information are identified and delivered via business intelligence tools or applications on computers and mobile devices. Which pieces of information are relevant depends on the business process that is being supported. That is where domain knowledge comes in.

Data analysis can be carried out using business intelligence tools for ad-hoc reporting or Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), or advanced analytical methods can be employed. Providing for reporting and data analysis services on a defined set of data in a software product, we get a simple data product. Generally speaking, data products are a new category of services powered by analytics, business domain knowledge, and scalable IT architectures.

There are several categories of data products. A simple one is reports, where data is descriptively displayed and made transparent to the user. A typical example would be reports for telephone or credit card bills that are provided to customers and create a value-add by providing more timely information and additional analysis possibilities. A good example is benchmarking, another type of data product. Here, a particular behavior or key performance indicator (KPI) is compared across industries or users. Social networking websites such as ResearchGate and LinkedIn create engagement with users by displaying information about how they score compared to other users in terms of visibility and popularity.

Data products become even more interesting when advanced analytics comes into play, which is the case with recommendations and forecasts. Examples of recommendations would be a social network suggesting you connect with other people or an e-commerce site making product suggestions. At Airbnb, hosts can even use an intelligent price-setting feature that adjusts the price of their property according to current market demand. This provides customers with a more efficient way of using the Airbnb platform, and Airbnb benefits from more business through better pricing. Also, forecasts provide valuable information to act upon, enhancing existing (physical and data) products. Predictive maintenance is a good example of how data powers a value-added service for service organizations, e.g. automotive or aerospace companies. Another example is AmTrust, a business insurance company, which embeds weather forecasts in its products to improve the crop insurance it provides.

Consulting and managed services can also be offered around data products. A good example of additional services would be data management services, such as data integration, data quality management, and data storage to help companies integrate and manage the data they need for analysis.

Challenges in Implementing Data Products

Data products allow organizations to capitalize on data in new ways. However, not many companies have established business models based on data products yet. There are some important topics to consider when setting up data products:

1. Business model

Data products require a business model to determine how users will benefit from the service provided and how the value from data products and services will be appropriated. There are many models to capitalize on the value of data and the services based on data. Which one is best depends on the type of service provided, whether it is related to a platform or a product, and how the customer benefits. Examples are the freemium model, where users are offered part of a service for free but are charged for upgrading to the full service, or charging a premium for additional data services with an existing product.

2. Marketing and sales

There is also a marketing and sales aspect to consider since new -- and maybe even disruptive -- services need to be promoted, positioned, priced, and sold. Challenges to be tackled arise from new competitors and also perhaps a lack of internal know-how and experience about how to market and sell such solutions and services.

3. Delivery of data products

Delivering data products as a service means to provide them on-demand, permanently, scalably, and securely. A user interface is often realized via an app or a web interface, and the whole service is often based on a cloud-based infrastructure, platforms, and applications. Organizations that are typically not in the software industry need to act like software companies when delivering data products. The software development lifecycle, support, and operationalization of data products need to be managed and provided to the customers of the service.

4. Data management

A key capability when providing data products is handling data consistently and securely. This requires data governance concepts with specific attention to data security and privacy. Complying with constantly changing and heterogeneous data privacy legislation in different countries is one of the biggest concerns for companies that are successfully using data services and products. Special care needs to be taken when handling customers personal data (e.g., by anonymizing it).

Establishing data products is certainly a very innovative way to use and monetize data, but also a complex one. It requires organizations to become truly digital -- in both their products and their business models.

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