Dear CNET members,

Happy Friday! Before we get into this week's topic, I just wanted to invite you all to join us at 9:30 a.m. PT Tuesday for the first of a three-part series of a CNET Ask the Editors live event, covering tablet computers. The first one is called "Why should I buy a tablet?" So if you are in the market for a tablet or just want to find out more about them, get your questions ready, join in on the day of the event, and submit your questions for our editors, Donald Bell and Scott Stein, to answer. Can't make it? No worries, there will be others, so go here to check out upcoming and past events.

Now let's get going on the topic on system-cleaning utilities, or, as they're often called, system optimizers and Registry cleaners. With a plethora of these type of utilities out on the market, you'd be crazy to try to figure out which one is doing a better job of cleaning and why there are some discrepancies if you were to use different utilities. Some clean out more and some clean out less, and it's probably fair to say that not all system cleaners are built the same. As member stringboy states, "The reason they find different problems is that their algorithms for detecting problems are different, and some of the problems each one face are more akin to dusting than a deep cleaning." So there really is no wrong or right way, just different methods to the madness.

In the answers to this topic, many members offered up their opinions on system optimizers and the ones they use. Some swear by how great they are, yet other are a bit skeptical about them, suggesting alternative methods for keeping your system clean--all-in-all good information to dig into. And if you have your opinions about these utilities or have additional recommendations on how to keep your system running smooth, chime in to this discussion. We'd all like to hear about it and learn. Thanks everyone, and have a great weekend!

Cheers!
- Lee

Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com

Featured member solutions
for last week's question:

 "Purpose matters "
-- Submitted by: stringboy

 "PC System Cleaners "
-- Submitted by: petelw

 "The 7 P's "
-- Submitted by: High Desert Charlie

 Read all member contributions

 Thanks to all who contributed!