USB-ToolBox 1.0

USB-ToolBox is a suite of applications created with the purpose of being installed and run from USB pen drives. The entire suite has an installed size of 3.03 Mb and hosts several applications, from address book, browser, file archivers to games. The program can be set to auto-start whenever the pen drive is connected to a computer. Password protection is also available in order to secure the safety of your data.

You can find in the suite an address book, a Web browser which uses the Internet Explorer engine and settings, Favorites, shortcuts, file encryption and file shredder, an offline explorer, Zip/Rar archivers, a text editor, a basic spread-sheet editor, a backup tool, etc.

Most of the tools have only the basic features and the interface is quite poorly designed, reminding me of Windows 98 programs.

Pluses: The good part is the fact that this suite allows you to be mobile and carry your documents, favorites, etc, anywhere you travel without having to carry your entire laptop.

Drawbacks / flaws: There are lots of useful applications, but unfortunately some wont work. For example, the file splitter/joiner splits your files into two pieces no matter what size you choose for the pieces. Obviously, when I tried to join them back, the result came out as a file way different from the original. This might be due to trial limitations, but I couldn't find a 'Help' file or anything similar to enlighten me. I really missed a password manager with auto form filler, which I believe is an excellent mobile tool to have.

In conclusion: Lots of applications under one roof, but a quite sloppy program in all, compared to others alike.

version reviewed: 2