But this is where Avast is different. It isn't a lesser product.
Wow; that is one of the oddest things I've read today. Assuming that were true, then why would anyone purchase the paid version?
The free version uses the same engine to protect you as the paid product.
Which is irrelevant to the free version of the software being, "less-capable" (the phrase I used and that you quoted); otherwise the comparason chart among the free and various paid versions wouldn't be necessary. The engine is only part of the software, the free version is indeed "less-capable" (as demonstrated by the linked chart), making Avast no different than the software of yore I referenced (except for the in-your-face advertising push, of course), and conveniently ignoring this by focusing on only one part of the software is disingenuous at best, and intentionally misleading at worst.
(*shrug*) I believe it is a mistake for me to become so emotionally attached to any software that I can't argue its merits and demerits rationally. Truthfully, I am routinely suspect of anything I put into my computer (even if I've written it!) and prepared to dump it at a moment's notice when something better or less offensive comes along, and doubly-so software I recommend to those non-business, non-computer-literate folks I counsel. But I am the only person I hold to that philosophy.
Anyway, I am quit with this, since it's pretty clear this has devolved into a quasi-religions argument instead of one based on reason and observation. That leaves those of us with no belief structure when it comes to anti-virus software (wow...I'm a software agnostic!) at a distinct disadvantage, and reasoned discussion impossible.
Thanks Charlie for so passionately challenging us all to become less emotionally attached, to embrace rationality, and to be routinely suspect.
Enthusiastic Bob may be, even overly so at times. But Quasi-religious?
The Epistle of Bob to the Avastians"But this is where Avast is different. It isn't a lesser product."
"The free version uses the same engine to protect you as the paid product."
Take it from me, Bob is definitely not the Messiah!
"Why would anyone purchase the paid version?"
Easy. Because I use it commercially.
You're right. Anyone without a belief structure (if that were possible)
must be at a distinct disadvantage.