Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

roj reviewed v2.4.1601.7122 Beta on Jun 3, 2009

Given that some of this software doesn't support 64-bit and is mostly your typical Google semi-finished mess, I'll pass.

Oh, and read those EULAs, people!

THREE stars at best.

Tao2005 reviewed v2.1.810.31257 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

Hahaha... Google, I laugh at you.

wincement reviewed v2.1.810.31257 Beta on Apr 1, 2007

Don't rate a product low just because you're too dumb to understand it.

I, personally, would rate this about a 4, but I figured a 5 wou
ld help (at least a little) to offset your ignorance.

The point of this pack is that it downloads and installs all the software automatically (no clicking "next" or picking an installation location) and keeps it up to date - you guessed it - automatically.

It also has two exclusive programs now that you can't get for free anywhere else. Norton Security Scan (blech) and Spyware Doctor Standard Edition. Couldn't care less about the Norton crap, but Spyware Doctor is a great anti-spyware program.

Google has made all of this software free and (most importantly) easy for the average PC user to use.

Minus recommending Real Player and Norton, I think it's a great effort by Google to help the computer-illiterate.

AntiochMedia reviewed v2.1.810.31257 Beta on Mar 30, 2007

I also don't see the point of providing this 'pack.' Unlike SBC and AOL, Google is providing an optional download that users have to seek out, and there are many applications in here that are really not internet essentials.

I would rather that Google spotlight each of these programs as separate downloads on their site and if needed, package in Google Desktop and Toolbar as optional installs with each application, like it is with CCleaner and other Google sponsored applications.

Umapathy reviewed v2.1.810.31257 Beta on Mar 30, 2007

I don't see any real reason to download this googlepack. If you would like to download you can download them individually and probably you will be getting the latest version as well. For example there is Adobe Acrobat reader 8.0 can be downloaded from various sources why should some one download Adobe Acrobat reader 7.0 I personally think Active Virus Shield is offering free protection so it owuld be would be better than downloading a shareware i.e. Norton Antivirus 2005.

Bagobie reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Aug 31, 2006

Not that I don't agree, but how is Acrobat rubbish?

Mark Gillespie reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Jul 7, 2006

This started out REALLY good, then Google sold their soul to the devil, and started adding packages to Google pack, that have no right to be there, but are there because of licencing tie-ins.

Google Pack now has more bloatware packags, than useful stuff.

Download the good stuff seperatly, Google Earth, Picasa, SketchItUp etc. Avoid the rubbish like NortonAV, Acrobat and RealPlayer.

matt2971 reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Jul 6, 2006

A previous reviewer said "On one hand, it seems "thoughtful" of Google with this intermediate-protection pack.".

What they should have called it was a "proMOtion pack".

PS: notice how google have taken to using really loo.oo.ooo.ong version numbers? That's cos they wanna be as cool as Microsoft ;-)

Tehe.

Joco reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Jul 6, 2006

RealPlayer? Acrobat Reader 7? And (choking) Norton Antivirus 2005? Even optional, it is unresponsible to recommend those bloated softwares. Please replace with Foobar, Foxit PDF Reader and Avast Home. All these are freewares.

ghammer reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Jul 6, 2006

Google Talk (-1)
Norton (-2)
Real Player (-2)

Oops, down to zero and only got through 3 lousy components of this crap pack.

Don Juan reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Jul 6, 2006

Well I'll be sure to give a five to the individual components that are worthy of a good score on their own separate page. But that fact that they include those particular pieces of bloatware/garbageware (whatever you wanna call it) seriously makes me question their motives for this pack. If they really wanted a good helpful pack, they'd pack it with the freeware utilities which are far superior, instead of the garbage bloatware that they most likely get payed to distribute.

Avast is the best freeware AV, but that might change once ClamWin has an on-access real-time scanner.

tenebrusmke79 reviewed v1.2.544.18888 Beta on Jul 6, 2006

You guys know that the downloading of Norton, Adobe, and Real are what is known as OPTIONAL downloads? Meaning you are NOT required to get them?? If you have a problem with the pack and you downloaded Norton, Adobe, and Real, it's not the companies' faults, it's YOUR fault for knowingly downloading the software.

9i08 reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

On one hand, it seems "thoughtful" of Google with this intermediate-protection pack. On the other, Nortons reputation as the "world's most trusted" seems to be dwindling a little. If you want the features, glossy interfaces, large help index and solid protection use the Norton AV. If you want to conserve more memory and hate waiting more than five minutes for installation, don't.
As for the others, RealPlayer, Adobe Acrobat all seem reliable and work as stated however there are of course open-source alternatives, which work more or less the same, and are generally more watered down as far as "bloat" is to be concerned.

Had to put this on my Backup CD just in case :)

mjm01010101 reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

How is this "safe" software? Acrobat Reader, Norton, and Real constantly have security issues.

ModderXManiac reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

While I agree with those who say this should be filled with freeware apps such as K-lite, ClamWin, and Foxit as alternative to Norton, Real, and Adobe; you must realize that Google is quite greedy about the whole thing:they chose those apps because they're paid to, they would get little to no funding to have freeware/non-commercially produced apps, and that's crucial to Google.

The way I see it from Google's perspective is when you offer content like this, either it's all proprietary(self-produced), or it's all commercial where they can make some extra money from it.

I have no use for this pack.

horsecharles reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

Three real crappy options sully the whole pack:
Norton should be ClamWin or AntiVir
Adobe...Foxit
Real Player...KLite Mega Codec Pack & its included Media Player Classic, Real Alternative, et al.

Unfortunately, once the diapers are soiled they're useless, so a middling rating would not apply: better to include NO app in a particular category...

dalmiroy2k reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

Norton Antivirus it's as bad as having a virus!
Only freeware apps shuld be included.

ArabianNight reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

I love google but this move has me confused. Packaging realplayer, adobe, and norton products in the package is a bad idea. bad move google.

Don Juan reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

Can't believe it still includes Norton AV, which has proved time and again to be not only among the priciest anti-virus solutions, but also amongst the least effective. Not to mention the other pieces of bloat ware in the pack, Ad-Aware, Acrobat Reader, and Real Player.

alanpalmer reviewed v1.1.489.27609 Beta on May 22, 2006

A good idea. I haven't downloaded it because I've either downloaded the apps individually, like Firefox, Google Earth, etc, or don't want or need it, like GoogleTalk, Picasa, etc.

For someone starting with a PC with just Windows it would be very useful.

pumazig reviewed vBeta on Jan 21, 2006

hey knivez, you know it lets you pick which programs to download, right?

englishmen reviewed vBeta on Jan 17, 2006

Nice collection of software, but would have preferred it if they included some free non bloat alternatives. Avast, Foxit Reader etc.

lax-on-fax reviewed vBeta on Jan 15, 2006

Fantastic Freeware! No haters allowed!

photonboy reviewed vBeta on Jan 10, 2006

Hey, I think this is a great idea. There's a lot of useful and free programs in one spot. I may not use them all, but I love GoogleEarth, Acrobat Reader 7, Picasa, Ad-Aware SE and Firefox.

I'll probably use Googletalk once it's available for the average PC user.

I don't understand what "bloated" is supposed to mean. I can open AR7 pdf files in less than a second and I know that a 450MHz PC can do it in just a couple seconds. Just use the software and decide for yourself. If you can get a better program for the price then by all means switch. But I have found these to be very good, rock solid and fast. (the exception is Norton which some people love and some people hate.. However, I suspect that Google got a little cash to bundle Norton with the rest of this software.)

I'm very interested in where Google is headed. I even toyed with the idea that they might do a Google-linux thing to try and compete with Microsoft. I'd say that's a remote possibility. I'm beta-testing Microsoft's Vista and it is really amazing and has fixed or improved just about everything you can think of, and includes many apps that I would probably use instead of the ones listed here (especially the new Internet Explorer).

I think a version of Linux, Google software and Microsoft's Vista are going to clash a little in 2008. Vista will be released and driver and application support will be well on the way by then. Linux should also (finally) be getting close to being a free Windows replacement for some people and Google seems to have an agenda.. So 2008 is looking really interesting for software! New portable products with wireless connectivity and home theater products coupled with a bit of "friendly" software competition are going to produce some amazing things. MS Vista is going to dominate, but keep your eye on Google! (GoogleEarth is going to be THE TOOL of the next decade)

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx

WickedLester reviewed vBeta on Jan 9, 2006

They give you the option to pick and chose which apps you want. Just pick the ones that you want/use and deselect the ones you don't. It gives you the option to make the selections on the download page.

knivez reviewed vBeta on Jan 9, 2006

Google's got to be kidding with this release..
Let's see, Norton, realplayer, acrobat reader 7 all packed together? i can hardly imagine a worse compilation of bloatware.
All these programs hogs your pc with unnecessary startup services and have their own "updaters" making the google updater application/service redundant and pointless.

sinndy reviewed vBeta on Jan 8, 2006

Such hilarity over this release! First, the wonderful observation that a couple of programs are other company's. Ummm...at least Google admits that, instead of buying them and then acting like they wrote them. Duh!

Then there's gawd21's criticism of Google for, let me see, bundling some useful programs together and making them easy for grandma to obtain??? Oh the crime, the abuse, the carnage! Gimme a break! Then he says that Norton A/V costs $60.00??? First, this version is FREE for 6 mos. second, the regular version of Norton A/V costs, at most, about $35.00. Oh wait, we have to assume he's used and had problems with Norton A/V 2006. I'll bet the $60.00 he's just talkin' out his A$$!

If your going to bash freeware, which is pretty stupid anyway, at least get the facts straight!

gawd21 reviewed vBeta on Jan 8, 2006

Google Earth, Firefox, and Ad Aware SE Personal are the only programs there worth even commenting on. All are free and easy to find if you want them. I say BAH and it's only worth a 2 (one point for effort and one for including a spy/adware detection software). -1 for adding Norton that will cost the user around $60 USD. The Cost is to have someone recover the system for them after they tried to use Norton and it slowed down their system then crashed it.

KSzostek reviewed vBeta on Jan 8, 2006

Only a couple of these programs are worth having.
The rest are other companies crap!

pc.pain reviewed vBeta on Jan 8, 2006

I, too, agree with ugottabekidding. This is a great free giveaway from Google, a company that actually cares about their users. Of course they can't please each and every one of them.

I would like to know what Velocition thinks they want to "get away wit?" C'mon, tell us what's driving that paranoia!

KayNine reviewed vBeta on Jan 8, 2006

Great idea offering so much software at one place. And as stated below: just pick what you like and you're done. No reason to complain and giving low rates! ugottabkidding, I second your opinion!

Velocition reviewed vBeta on Jan 8, 2006

ugottabkidding works for google
shameless advertising i say

every1 vote this low because google thinks they can get away wit this

ugottabkidding reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Quoting the best review yet:

"Stupid reasons for rating this low:

1. Don't like the software selection.

Which part of "select only the software you want" do you people NOT understand? You don't like trillian...don't install it! Why is choice so hard to take? If Microsoft tried to shove this down your throats, you'd gladly eat it, right?!?! Accept choice where it's offered!

2. Same old RealPlayer whine you oldsters have been trotting out since '98.

Get over it, or don't install it!

3. Google is evil!

Yeah....yeah....yeah. And Bill Gates is an open source advocate!

4. The Norton A/V should be free longer.

LOL! Some people just can't ever get enough. The funniest one is the guy who says Norton will have to be more liberal in their pricing after Windows OneCare is released. Yeah, right! Windows OneCare has more holes than swiss cheese. Your computer would be a zombie kiddie porn provider in less than five minutes. Good luck with that one!!!

5. Waaaaahhhhh....they didn't let ME pick the programs!

Okay, wipe away the sniffles Sparky and go start your own billion-dollar software company. Then, and only then, you can pick the software you want to give away. Until then, shut the f**k up!

6. I'm a Microsoft Fanboy

Now, THAT I understand. Please see a psychiatrist for treatment of your Googlaphobia."

zzyyyx reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Good Times!

redskins_win reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Fifteen programs updated and ready to go, for free? Looks good to me!

nested_eagle reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Cool! One of the few screensavers I have ever seen that I like! Trillian is good, too. All this for free? I like!

proflamer reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Thanks Google! :o)

pickchevy reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Hey, it's good software at a great price. No complaints here!

pir2ed reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Free is good...no matter who gives it up!

thewinner reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Softies go home!

robmanic44 reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Whenever I see the name Norton I shudder. This all seems rather pointless to me. My personal favorite as a antivirus is F-Prot, fastest gun in the west.

ezh reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Norton sucks. Kaspersky Anti-Virus is the best anti-virus out there.

Trgiaol reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

The Google products are fantastic, nice to see them bundled. The other software is pretty weak though, but if you don't like it, don't install it!

Giving a 3 because of the pointless additions

fair_is_fair reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I agree with the last guy wholeheartedly. Realplayer, Adobe, and Norton antivirus stink.
Replacements should have been Klite codec & player pack lite, Foxit reader, and Avast.
Trillian is ok but Miranda or Gaim would have been better choices.
They should have used SeaMonkey in place of Firefox. SeaMonkey has an email client that works well with google mail.
I do love Picasa and Google talk is decent.

ZenoLabs reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Bloatware.

asellus reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

The idea is good, but choices that Google has presented is not good enough. With the likes of Norton AV and RealPlayer in the list, it is obvious that Google did not do their homework. The Google in-house media player for their video store is even worse, can only play Google Video Store files and nothing else. Heck, I think WMP 10 is better than this.

Get rid of RealPlayer and bundle Real ALternative.
Get rid of Norton AV and bundle avast/AVG.
Kick out the Google Video Player (worst ever media player I have seen in a while) and just get Media Player Classic or VLC. Or just bundle Windows Media Player 10 if you insist on DRM.

deedadee reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Stupid reasons for rating this low:

1. Don't like the software selection.

Which part of "select only the software you want" do you people NOT understand? You don't like trillian...don't install it! Why is choice so hard to take? If Microsoft tried to shove this down your throats, you'd gladly eat it, right?!?! Accept choice where it's offered!

2. Same old RealPlayer whine you oldsters have been trotting out since '98.

Get over it, or don't install it!

3. Google is evil!

Yeah....yeah....yeah. And Bill Gates is an open source advocate!

4. The Norton A/V should be free longer.

LOL! Some people just can't ever get enough. The funniest one is the guy who says Norton will have to be more liberal in their pricing after Windows OneCare is released. Yeah, right! Windows OneCare has more holes than swiss cheese. Your computer would be a zombie kiddie porn provider in less than five minutes. Good luck with that one!!!

5. Waaaaahhhhh....they didn't let ME pick the programs!

Okay, wipe away the sniffles Sparky and go start your own billion-dollar software company. Then, and only then, you can pick the software you want to give away. Until then, shut the f**k up!

6. I'm a Microsoft Fanboy

Now, THAT I understand. Please see a psychiatrist for treatment of your Googlaphobia.

dmainzman reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Usually I'm supportive of EVERYTHING Google does, but this is too much. If it were just the google products, like google earth, toolbar, talk, deskbar, etc, then I'd have given this a 5. They're all great products, and the ability to choose what you want is great...
But Google has started to wh*** themselves out to other companies... Adobe, Realplayer (the worst media player / media format out there, in my opinion), and trillian (worst messenger program ever.)
I just don't get it... Google used to have morals, and standards. Now they've just become the next AOL. *shudders*

Don Juan reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I'm giving it a three for three reasons. Ad Aware, Norton AV, and Trillian. All three of these have free counterparts that are far superior. I'd also like to give a dishonorable mention to Real Player and Acrobat Reader. They should include SpyDefense and SpywareBlaster, Avast AV Home, Gaim, and Foxit Reader.

softwaremaniac reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Nice selection of free software. You can choose what you want and update automatically. Good stuff!

gloverr reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

fail.

jamietomoron reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

What's the point of any software here? To download and review it, not trash it just cuz you're a jealous MS fan!

jamietomo reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Whats the point of this pack? I can download all the bits I need easily from the google website

Am not trashing any software here, I use some of it! I'd just rather download the bits I want separately. It's probably more suited to the less advanced users .

agildehaus reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

A necessary concept burdened by a horrible choice of a non-free antiviral solution. The inclusion of the Google toolbar for Firefox isn't exactly necessary (makes Firefox have two Google search boxes by default!), but meh.

Giving it a 3 until a free antivirus is included. I want something I can install on family computers that wont cost them a thing! Otherwise a good idea.

HurricaneGame reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

It's ok..Usfull for other programs.

get-real reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Use the pack before reviewing!!! I've never seen so many whiners complain because free software wasn't exactly what they wanted. And please, get over the Real Player thing that you haven't used since version 8!

Watch for the string of Microsofties trashing this in trembling fear!

foxtyke reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

In my opinion, the inclusion of Norton Antivirus was a poor choice on the part of Google. There are much better alternatives to Norton available not to mention much better free alternatives.

Personally, RealPlayer is also a poor choice due to the fact that RealPlayer makes so many unnecessary changes to a system's configuration. Other viable alternatives exist both proprietary and open source and Google would be better off utilizing one of those alternatives.

I was hoping Google would employ a lot more open source offerings in the Google Pack to be honest given the fact that open source is what made Google possible. I'm not saying the entire Pack be made up of open source however, just that more open source offerings should be available in the pack such as OpenOffice.org, AbiWord, Gaim and the like.

Overall, I rate the Google Pack a three out of a possible five.

spongy-poo reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

mjm must be stuck in 1999. Ignore the haters and get the software!

snooz.nooz reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Very nice!

meannevil reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

MS fanboys on the run!!! All others...enjoy!

mjm01010101 reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Real player? What happened do "do no evil?"

I pronounce CES 2006 the period of time that Google ignored that mantra.

Was fun while it lasted...

gamble_777 reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Ignore the scared softies trying to run it down, most of whom haven't even downloaded it. Download and judge for yourself.

twosheds reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

This is clearly the result of a marketing deal between Google and the likes of Adobe and Real Networks. Associating with types like that is going to erode Google's increasingly fragile 'good-guy' image. I agree with other reviewers that the free/spam-free alternatives would have been much better choices.

googlegod reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

The Best!!!

bouchonx reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Idem as bcerhart

sQin reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

absolutely TOP stuff

bcerhart reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Norton AV, Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition, Adobe Reader 7, RealPlayer, and Trillian? I'm a bit dissappointed in Google actually. I was hoping to see avast! Home Edition, Spybot - Search & Destroy, Foxit Reader, K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (Need to drop illegal registration code), and Gaim. I don't mind the inclusion of other programs if you get to select what you want to install, but most of them are bloated pieces of crap. Anyway, I'll give this a higher rating when they include the better, free alternatives.

huskers57 reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I personally like the idea of going to one applet to check for updates for multiple apps rather than checking each one separately.

GoodThings2Life reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

The Good:
--I like what they're trying to do with this... bundling the most common Net-services as a set so that less-knowledgeable users don't have to go hunting.
--Respectable selection of apps.

The Bad:
--I wish the Norton Antivirus had a full year subscription rather than 6 month. Symantec is going to have to be more reasonable on their subscription policies once Windows OneCare is released.

fadedangel reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

not too sure if i have the right to comment on this as i haven't downloaded the pack but have the majority of applications as seperate's.

personally i think the idea of a google beta pack of some type would be a great idea for mass application to secure up and make windows a little more native in the rocky world of file extension reading etc, however the choice of some of the apps is quite simply 'awful'.

two things though, 1) perhaps 'the man' got his hands round larry page's balls, who knows.

2) what's so special about this edition of norton? does it work...

tenebrusmke79 reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Just a comment, people should realize that you can deselect the programs you do not want.. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that. Some people are never satisfied until they complain about everything. It's childish.

ModderXManiac reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

They sponsor Norton antivirus and real?!

Commercial BS.

Why not the k-lite codec pack or avast/antivir!?
Foxit Reader instead of stupid Acrobat Reader...
They could have done better, google has dissapointed me this time...

I don't see this as anything special...Really...Most people that visit this site know enough to have no real use for this pack...

dalmiroy2k reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

It's ok but I would have chosen Clamwin instead of "Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition".
Same thing goes for Acrobat and Real player.

KriTenKs reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Its pick and mix! If you dont like real player or Symantec then dont pick it! Plus real player isnt even selected by default!

Ive given it a 4 because it doesnt bring anything new to the table.

benZin reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

i like Google, but it's too much this package.

hurzx reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I am not working for MS, I am not a "Google is evil" guy. Still, I don't understand this move. The choice of programs is very arguable. All of us already have much better progs than those proposed. I simply don't imagine who could be interested in such a below-average set. But if some are, good for them. And good luck...

eclipsingdivinity reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Who the hell would give this a 1 if Google offers you the option of removing certain programs from your pack download? 6 Months of Norton is a nice bonus to those who are cheap or poor. :-P

mfarmilo reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I like most of the google products included. Having said that I haven't yet found a meaningful reason for Google Desktop, or any of the other 'Desktop Search' thingies. I've got serious reservations though about some of the third-party bits.

1. Norton Antivirus. I've not seen this 'special edition' but if it's anything like the normal one I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. I fix PCs, and typical symptoms of Norton on a machine are a 1-2 minute delay after the desktop appearing before the user can do anything useful. The Norton icon is usually the last one to appear in the system tray, and even users will say until it does appear they may as well make a cup of tea. I always recommend removal of it if I find it, but obviously always respect the customers wishes if for some bizarre reason they want to keep it. There are better alternatives which will generally make a machine feel twice as fast. Plus after replacement with alternatives, I've often been astounded to find the machine was already infected anyway.

2. Realplayer. Again, quite bloated (but most media players are ridiculously so these days). My fondest recollections of Realplayer (and Quicktime) are endless battles for supremacy behind the scenes between the various media players, and hence never knowing which player will open if you click a media file. Real Alternative would have been a better choice here.

rakmup reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Very Nice. All the stuff I want to have on my machine, located in one central location and easily downloaded. Why would this upset anyone, unless they work at Microsoft?

edit: to fadedangel...yeah, don't comment 'til you download. this is a b eat NOT a nws article!

ogman reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Uh-oh.....here come all the "Google is Evil" wackos! Aluminum caps for all. LOL!

Excellent group of programs, download and enjoy.

lookwhatifound reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

eeeee...i hope they immidiately take all craps out as well as products from other vendors. well it would have been fine if it was a bundle of just google products like the g-talks, g-bars, g-desk search, g-earth search blah blah. but this is geting way too far.

aashay reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

What a shame Google!! Why do you have to resort to such things? Don't you realise most of us already have all these softwares running on our PC's? Anyways incase you're trying to match up to Microsoft, you shall get there in about a few light years. Dream On!

phuckeries reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Why download this rubbish? Save yourself the time and either get them yourself or better still, get the more open equivalents that are out there.

Shame on Google, do no harm eh?

Google are a pack of idiots and anyone who follows them now is a moron, like Mac fanbois.

Google are losers (and so are thier fanbois).

jm1234567890 reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

A very mainstream choice of software. Nothing overtly wrong with the choices, they will serve their purpose and people are familiar with them.

Convenient way to check for updates.

I see people suggesting foxit pdf reader. I disagree with this choice. Sure it is faster and slimmer than acrobat. But rendering quality is appalling for anything other than plain text.

Kramy reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

My ratings...

Google Earth 5/5
Picasa ?/5
Google Desktop 4/5
Google Toolbar for IE ?/5
Google Talk 5/5
Google Video Player ?/5
Google Screensaver ?/5
Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar ?/5
Ad Aware SE Personal 4/5
Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition 2.5/5
Adobe Reader 7 2/5
RealPlayer 2/5
GalleryPlayer HD Images ?/5
Trillian 5/5

My personal feeling...not all that much in this pack is useful for me, though I imagine this would be nice for people that can't find programs online. I always install everything separately to ensure my system is finely tuned. Quicktime/Real Alternative, Media Player Classic, Avast AV, Trillian, Google Earth, Portable Firefox, Foxit Reader.

Those would probably be the ones I would pick, since both Real and Quicktime like to dial out, though real does it for malicious reasons. :P

Kal-El reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

well its crap but they are open for suggestion:
http://www.google.com/support/pack/bin/request.py
http://www.google.com/su.../answer.py?answer=28079

horsecharles reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Symantec, Adobe, Real, Firefox: I'm real disappointed of those 4 monuments to resource-hogging(esp. relevant when combined with desktop search), 1 to privacy intrusion & 2 to bugginess.

How 'bout Clamwin, Foxit, Real Alternative, Opera instead-- monuments to tiny footprint(10-15 X smaller than counterparts), excellence, open standards, open source & respect for privacy?

Shame, Google!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xrayspex reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Google is taking over the world

GeorgeSantayana reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I retract my original snarky post.

Despite what I may think about some of the non-Google included software, the updater is quite slick, and I can see how this could be extended. It will make maintenance a lot easier for many users.

Dreimanis reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

can't get anything to install :(

ghammer reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

I guess this answers the question of who Google chose to provide AV for GMail.

Onsoku reviewed vBeta on Jan 7, 2006

Very slick Google! The only thing I don't like is Norton AV & the lack of a resident free antispyware prog like SpyDefense...

Google Software

Google Earth - 3D Earth browser - 10MB
Zoom from space to street level — tour the world
Find maps, driving directions, hotels, restaurants, and more

Google Desktop - Desktop companion - 726K
Find all your email, files, web history, and more
Get all your personalized info in one place with Sidebar

Picasa - Photo organizer - 3.3MB
Find, edit, and share your photos in seconds
Easily remove red eye and fix photos

Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer - Search toolbar - 550K
Search from any web page and autofill forms
Block annoying pop-ups

Google Pack Screensaver - Photo screensaver - 670K

Enjoy photos from your personal collection
View pictures full screen or as a collage

Google Talk - Voice and IM application - 819K

Call or send instant messages to your friends for free
Get a free account using your mobile phone -- learn how

Google Video Player - Video player - 2.6MB

Play videos purchased and downloaded through the Google Video website

Additional Software

Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar - Web browser - 4.8MB
Mozilla Foundation
Browse the web quickly and securely
Switch between pages quickly with tabbed browsing

Ad-Aware SE Personal - Antispyware utility - 2.9MB
Lavasoft
Safely detect and remove spyware
Protect your privacy with powerful features

Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition - Antivirus utility - 21.9MB
Symantec
Protect your PC from viruses, worms and Trojan horses
Includes 6-month subscription to protection updates

Adobe Reader 7 - PDF reader - 20MB
Adobe Systems
View, print, and search PDF files
Launches up to 50% faster than Reader 6.0

RealPlayer - Media player - 10.8MB
RealNetworks
Play popular media formats, organize music and videos
Transfer music to iPod and other portable media players

GalleryPlayer HD Images - Images - 10MB
GalleryPlayer
High-quality artwork and photos
Perfect for your screensaver or desktop

Trillian - Instant messenger - 9.2MB
Cerulean Studios
Chat with friends on AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo!
Supports audio chat and secure connections