Free Anti-Virus Software???

Here are some recommended free anti-virus software companies:

AVG Free Advisor: "Free basic anti-virus software for home and non-commercial use."
ClamWin: "ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and 2003."
Avast!: " Avast! Home Edition is now free of charge for HOME users for NON-COMMERCIAL use."
Avira: "Free virus protection for Windows 2000/XP/Vista 32Bit and 64Bit and for Linux/FreeBSD/Solaris."

I know what you are thinking, "You get what you pay for." I can't tell you if that is the case or not with these companies and their offerings. I have used McAfee anti virus software for ages (approx. 10yrs). I've never used anything fancy... always the basic entry-level offering and I've never had a reason to switch. Now I am thinking about ditching my subscription for one of the applications listed above. If you've used any of these before... let me know if it is worth what you paid for it.

Disenchanted with Maximum PC magazine Part II

Ok, it's been a few weeks and I figured that I would clarify the title and opening of my last entry. What am I disenchanted with the magazine that calls itself "Maximum PC"? Well I initially subscribed to the magazine because they reviewed and tested at all cutting edge hardware. In an effort to stay on top of what is new and hot I subscribed to the magazine. They have become nothing short of a Microsoft gaming magazine. They review and test hardware specifically for gaming and not much more (music and videos). I'm not a gamer and i am sick of reading about how to build the best machine for Microsoft products. They build their 'dream machine' and make it a dual boot box w/ XP and Vista (hold on while I throw up...). Maybe they should change the title of their publication to "Maximum Microsoft PCs". What about some real hardcore computing stuff? Unix? Linux? Where is the monthly Linux section? They run an article about once a year (if that) saying, "Yeah, there is also this OS called Linux." I'm not saying they should turn into a Linux computer mag but to just stop focusing on talking about how to build over-bloated XBOXs.

I would expect that most Maximum PC readers would be computer junkies like myself and have all kinds of equipment, pieces, parts, etc. what about all the projects out there? How to build a Beowolf cluster with a couple of PCs? And then go into what you can use it for. How about building a Asterisk PBX or a MythTV? No... they show you how to build a dual-core PC in a cardboard box (latest issue) and then call it basically junk because it won't run the latest Microsoft Game in DirectX whatever. How about how to build the best data center for under X dollars using parts from eBay and old computers from friends. What about WiFI projects? Just look at books called Linux Toys Vol. I & II. The magazine no longer contributes to my maximizing of my PC. I'll have to look for something else to satisfy my extreme PC needs.