I haven't found any software that requires the same kind of activation that's in TurboTax except for Windows XP. Even the Microsoft Office Suites require only a registration, and so far as I can tell don't download monitoring software to your machine without your knowledge.

I don't know anything about newer versions of Quicken, since my past experience forces me to prohibit any new Intuit programs on my 6 machines. Actually, I might have no real objection to such an activation on a program that I chose and intended to use as a significant part of my software setup - but the gratuitous and secretive imposition of this kind of bilge for a program that most people will use for at most a couple of weeks once is simply not acceptable.

Without knowing details of your firewall, I would doubt that it would be difficult for Intuit to collect any information they want without violating - or triggering notice from - it. Any such "information exchanges" would most likely be made during your normal "hookup," and most likely only if and when you connect to their site. It is still unauthorized "snooping" that I find offensive. (Does your firewall warn about "doubleclick" transmissions?)

The presence of Windows Management Console files that I did not install and for which I have no source from which I could install them (and which can't be removed without a complete reformat and reinstallation of Windows), after loading Intuit TurboTax last year strongly suggests to me that they are not being honest about the content or extent of their program(s).

I have recently looked at Money as a replacement for an old Quicken used by one of my associates; and frankly, I can't figure out how to get out of the "advertising" for "network services" to set up an account to put anything into. I suspect that the newer Quicken versions are pretty similar. There is nothing in either of these programs that is useful to me.

I haven't looked at Peachtree recently, simply because it's too expensive to be justified by my needs. Past versions were very much an accountants' program, and required some knowledge of formal accounting procedures and database management to be very useful. The program, when last I looked, was an honest accounting program, but I supposed they've also added some useless "salesmanship" and "internet services" by now.

I keep my own accounts in Excel, using my own setup. I communicate with my banks by direct connection to their individual secure web sites - or in person. I have a trusted investment advisor with whom I consult frequently, by telephone, by direct secure email, or by snail mail. I do not e-file tax returns (it costs too much extra).

The ONLY use I have for a tax prep program is the ability to print directly to forms acceptable to the IRS. Reduction in local services by the IRS has made it rather difficult to get proper forms, especially on short notice when you find you need "one more," and I can't find a new ribbon to fit my rather obsolete typewriter.

John