Clickgarden Professional, Version 1.2.0.2

Clickgarden Professional, Version 1.2.0.2

I have both a Macintosh and a PC in my office. My firm runs on a Mac network, but my estate planning practice requires certain software written

only for the PC. I run Netscape Communicator on the Mac and Microsoft Internet Explorer on the PC. It’s interesting to see the differences between the two browsers and their associated e-mail programs. However, there are programs on the market that attempt to “bridge the gap.” One such program is Clickgarden Professional.

Touted as a desktop application software suite, the program lets you search, capture, store and secure electronic information gleaned from the Internet and elsewhere. The core of the program is an enhanced browser, which relies on Internet Explorer for page drawing. In the browser, you can establish multiple “start-up” home pages, setup tabs for different windows and simultaneously search as many as 12 search engines with a single inquiry.

Information captured from the Internet is organized into “collections” that can include entire Web pages, individual images, specific text, sound or any other part of a Web site.

A “thumbnail” function shows miniature views of each item. To secure the information captured, the program offers 448-bit encryption capability and the so-called ability to “shred” information rather than simply delete it. The program also has an “ad-blocker” feature that screens out most ads. There is also a “cookie filter” that distinguishes between “good” cookies (those that contain subscription and personalization information) and “bad” cookies (those used by the site owner to track your surfing habits).

The program also provides TWAIN supports for scanners and digital cameras. The program only works on top of Internet Explorer Version 4.01 and higher. So, Netscape Communicator diehards are out of luck.

Is Clickgarden for attorneys? If you use the Internet to send and retrieve e-mail and occasionally checkout a case, then Clickgarden is overkill. On the other hand, if you search a variety of Web sites on a regular basis and you need a way to retrieve, organize and store the information, then Clickgarden might be the program for you.

Clickgarden Inc.
(858) 456-4850
www.clickgarden.com

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or later and a e-mail, including Microsoft Outlook, Eudora, Yahoo Mail and others. The product operates under Windows 95/98/2000/NT.

Price: $169.95.

Reviewed by Arlin P. Neser, Attorney at Law, Gibson, Haglund & Paulsen, Irvine, Calif.

Aug/Sep '01 Issue

PROS
The ability to collect, organize and retrieve various types of electronic information onto a single interface.

CONS
Price. Also, this product may be overkill for many users.

VERDICT
If you breathe, eat and sleep the Internet, this product is for you.