Hi Culpeper,
Well I must make it clear here that a lot of posters on this forum have always been highly critical of avast. Being on the avast webforum does not mean that you are an avast fanboy perse. I always presented the avast story "plus". Always told that avast on its own could not secure your computer, it is a vital part of it 'though, but you need additional anti-malware protection, you need as secure a browser as is possible. Automatic updates of software, preventing infections, file system, using the appropriate rights (user rights versus admin's rights), know what is on your machine (process manager) etc. etc. I published on these subjects many many times, where browser security has my special interest (in browser scanning, script security measures etc., secure browser code, malware blocking script).
I also strongly advise to add additional non-resident scanning to give the avast anti-virus scanner a broader spectrum (a-squared, ewido, COMODO BoClean, DrWeb's CureIt, ClamWinFree Antivirus (because of its different background and philosophy). So the best forum members are those that come here holding avast's pulse all the time, and alert when they honestly think something is not right, but on the other hand if avast deserves it tell about the unique qualities of the product. I agree with you that only one av program and one fw application cannot keep your computer fully secure. But flaming does not bring a thing, helping to make avast webforum the best support forum there is, will. And you, Culpeper, can be part of that. We need all the know-how and expertise to do this. Anyway that is the opinion of..
polonus