Dear all, After SUMo , KCleaner and Zer0, i'm coming with a brand new free software called BATExpert BATExpert gives you a crystal-clear vision of your laptop battery health status. It then recommends upgrade if appropriate. Shows manufacturer name, serial number, chemistry, temperature (if available), status (charging / discharging, real time power consumption, wear level. Screenshot : http://www.kcsoftwares.com/images/BATExpert_screen.png Web page : http://www.kcsoftwares.com/?batexpert Change Log / Bug report : http://www.kcsoftwares.com/bugs Download link : http://www.kcsoftwares.com/files/batexpert.exe
Looks good. I was actually looking for something like this. When will lite installer be available? How much resource does it consume as it would run constantly in the background? Would there be ways to opt out of RK and Somoto in the only available Regular Installer? This is the first time I would be using any of kcsoftware.
Looks like something I would not mind having as a Desktop "gadget". I know gadgets are now frowned upon by MS, but I still use them in W7 notebook. Internationalization? That normally means it comes under international "control". Did you mean "multi-language" support?
Hmmm, I don't like your install routine. I realize and accept that programmers need to eat and feed their families too, but if a user is not very careful, he will install all sorts of - dare I say, "junk" you want to "foist" on us - things we don't need and probably don't want. One and only one prompt to accept or decline foisted extras is enough with free programs. But you are attempting to foist Showpass (which in my opinion, no one needs), Outfox.TV which has been categorized by Sophos as adware, and then PC Speed Maximizer, an expensive Registry cleaner that has NOT received the best reviews (as seen here and here) - not to mention the use of Registry cleaners is not universally accepted among experts - especially cleaners like PC Speed Maximizer that report all sorts of problems to scare users and be compelled to shell out $40 to fix those so called problems. Finally, the final small-print "agreement" is deceiving. I find it very disappointing, and frankly, a security concern. On the other foist pages, at least you provide a "Skip" option. But with this page, your options of accept, decline and cancel do not make it clear what will happen. Worse, if the user does not read and, as most users, just clicks on next, he or she will grant permission to have their online browsing and purchasing behavior monitored, collected, aggregated and used to generate market reports and "special offers" (AKA: spam). According to that agreement, the information they collect on users includes, Internet usage Basic demographic information Hardware information Computer configuration Application usage Your Name!!!! Your address!!!!! In my book, that's "spyware". ************** This is the first of your programs you have posted about here at Wilder's that I have tried - therefore it is the first I have seen of all these foisting and "spyware" installation attempts. I fear now your motivation for posting here is not to help users, but strictly "personal profit". That is not a personal criticism, but an observation as I note this site is dedicated to "free" support - not personal financial gains. To all reading - it is normal practice, especially for free programs, to include in the install packages, extra programs. Free-program developers need to feed and shelter their families too, so I don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is not making it absolutely crystal clear to users how to "opt out" of ANY foisting attempt. For example, if the options are "Skip, "Next" and "Cancel", it should be made clear ON EACH PAGE what each option does. I also have a problem that users have to VERY CAREFULLY read through four installation pages of foisting attempts to install this program. It should be one "foist-page", one set of prompts. ******** FTR - I am not affiliated in any way with Wilders, I don't work for anyone, but me, and I don't speak for anyone but myself. I just come here to provide "free" help where I am able and to post my opinions when I think they are appropriate, or necessary.
"Lite" Installer is availaboe, with NO SPONSOR, as stated on our download page : http://www.kcsoftwares.com By "Internationalization support", i mean that translation for 10+ languages will soon be available.
@Kyle Katarn I've downloaded the zip file twice. But couldn't extract either of them. Not normally nor with 7-zip.
BATExpert - 1.1 (Released 2014-01-16) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com/?batexpert
BATExpert - 1.2 (Released 2014-04-26) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com
Does it have charge complete notification ? I used to use batterybar but it needs .NET framework 2.0, so I ditched it. Need some comments from users using this one. Perhaps few more screenshots.
Just 2 reviews at Betanews - not favorable. Download3k had nothing particularly flattering to say about it, but sure had some cons worth noting: I note even on the program's own screenshot it shows N/A for Temp and Charge cycles! IMO, the "costs" to install and run this program are way too great for the very basic service it provides.
Thanks. I don't care about the bundled softwares, as long as they have the light version. They don't bundle anything in light version. I use SUMo software updater which is from the same company and its really great. I want something that will monitor my battery in background, with tray icon notifications for battery low and charging complete. These are the only two requirements I look for.
Then this program definitely is not for you. It does not minimize to tray. Doesn't the monitoring program that came with your notebook do that? My Toshiba came with very simple animated icon of a battery that sits in the System tray. It shows at a glance when fully charged, charging, or various stages of discharge. If I hover over the battery, a simple text bubble appears telling me the estimated number of hours and minutes left, and the percent of charge remaining. I see no reason to install another program, that does less, and so much more than I asked for. Having "optional sponsors" install foistware on my system WITHOUT the "opt-out" option posted clearly and IN MY FACE is unacceptable. And stating that as a disclaimer may clear their conscious', but in my book, they are counting on users missing opt-out options. If a product is that good and useful why use deceptive practices to force users to download it? FTR, I just downloaded the "lite" version again to see if anything has changed since I tried it in January. Before the installation even begins, my options are Next or Cancel and if I select yes, I agree to letting them foist "a small piece of software" onto my system that is used "to verify your acceptance of our partner's disclosures". Yes, it says that software will be deleted next time I reboot, but that's too late!!! Nor does that comment suggest the install package is really "lite".
The default battery icon with windows is too basic. I have to hover over it all the time to see the battery status. Try batterybar pro, and you will see what I want truly from a battery monitoring program. When I said that I only look for those two requirements, ah not exactly. It wouldn't hurt to have features like battery wear, charge cycle etc., which I think is already there in this program. But I would give it a try if it had the realtime monitoring features. Until then I'm not going to use this. And thanks for your comments and saving me the time to test the program.
Well, sorry, but now, as you noted, you are contradicting yourself. You said above all you need is "battery low and charging complete. These are the only two requirements I look for." Now you want much more. There are certainly many options to choose from. Since I am happy with the status I get with the default monitor on my Toshiba, I have not done any looking for alternatives. But I would say since BatteryBar Pro does what you want, and it only cost $8 for a "lifetime" license, then I recommend going with that as little harm is done if you end up not liking it. My only concern with BatteryBar Pro is that it seems to minimize to a "Toolbar" and not the System Tray - at least as I see it in their screenshots.
Yes that's what batterybar pro does. It shows a battery icon in the taskbar and I own a license too. But then I realized it needs .NET 2.0 which I'm not willing to install. Anyways thank you. I don't want to discuss further about a different product in BatExpert thread. But I wish BatExpert adds the features which I mentioned. I will give it a try once they add these features.
BATExpert - 1.3.0 (Released 2014-11-11) ======================================= http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.4 (Released 2014-11-23) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.5 (Released 2015-01-02) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.6 (Released 2015-03-06) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.7 (Released 2015-05-23) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.7.1 (Released 2015-09-20) ======================================= http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.7.2 (Released 2015-12-05) ======================================= http://www.kcsoftwares.com
BATExpert - 1.8 (Released 2016-08-04) ===================================== http://www.kcsoftwares.com
