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Workers Comp Apps Extinct + Five Good Free Laptop Software Packages

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Reader –  Why Are Workers Comp Apps Extinct and Good Free Laptop Software

Why are Workers Comp apps extinct?  I used to cover any workers comp apps that I had seen in the past year.  My previous IT degree enabled me to analyze the apps fully.

The reasons that I quit covering them are:

  1. The pool of apps dried up quickly over the last five years;
  2. The attorney ads were dominant;
  3. As one reader commented and then called me – the apps are more website based.  The apps are going to refer you to a website now that smartphones can handle the web.

 

I still think there are uses for apps in workers’ comp.  The financial incentive is not there, though, for creating and maintaining a workers’ comp standalone app.   The answer to the reader’s question is “there is no money” in that venture any longer.

I have seen many apps that just forward the user to a website receive 2 stars or lower for not having a standalone app.

pic of wooly mammoth workers comp apps extinct
Public Use License – Flying Puffin

 

Free Software To Use on Laptops

The reader that asked why are workers comp apps extinct also later sent another email with this request. Over the years, I have used and purchased a lot of software.   Please note the websites did not pay me for these recommendations.

Make sure that you are on your personal laptops or desktops.  Do not make your IT department mad at you.  I do not receive any compensation for recommending the below software.

The free ones that I recommend are:  (with links for the downloads)

  • Glary Utilities – get the junk out of your computer quickly and safely.  This will speed up your computer tremendously.  Watch for which one you choose.  The Pro version has a 14-day trial period then you have to shut it off or pay a reasonable yearly fee. Make sure you are downloading and updating the free version.  The Glary wipe function is great but please use it wisely.
  • Ccleaner – this has the same functionality as the Glary software above.  Ccleaner cleans out different areas of your computer than Glary.  Make sure you download and use the free version.   The Pro version lasts for a few weeks and then it shuts off if you do not pay a yearly fee.
  • Apache Open Office – a decent alternative to the Microsoft Office packages.  Volunteers wrote and maintained the software for many years.   A donation to the cause is not required by Apache.   When I used their software, I would donate each year.
  • Microsoft Windows Defender and Antivirus – this package comes loaded into all Windows 10 and 11 installations.  If you have no antivirus, Windows will bug you to set up the Windows Defender and Firewall to protect your computer.   Defender does not have all the bells and whistles, but it is free and already on your laptop.
  • Agent Ransack – Windows search can be frustrating.  Agent Ransack has been around for many years.  I bought the Pro version as it allows me to search inside Zip (archived) files.  This software package has saved me more than a few times when I could not find a file that I was searching for frantically.

I have a list of more software packages that I recommend heavily.  I will save those for another time.   If there is any software that you recommend, workers comp or otherwise, please comment below.

My apologies to the 13% of computer users that use Macs.

Thanks to the reader that asked – why are workers comp apps extinct?  You awakened my muse.

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Related...

James J Moore - Workers Comp Expert

Raleigh, NC, United States

About The Author...

James founded a Workers’ Compensation consulting firm, J&L Risk Management Consultants, Inc. in 1996. J&L’s mission is to reduce our clients’ Workers Compensation premiums by using time-tested techniques. J&L’s claims, premium, reserve and Experience Mod reviews have saved employers over $9.8 million in earned premiums over the last three years. J&L has saved numerous companies from bankruptcy proceedings as a result of insurance overpayments.

James has over 27 years of experience in insurance claims, audit, and underwriting, specializing in Workers’ Compensation. He has supervised, and managed the administration of Workers’ Compensation claims, and underwriting in over 45 states. His professional experience includes being the Director of Risk Management for the North Carolina School Boards Association. He created a very successful Workers’ Compensation Injury Rehabilitation Unit for school personnel.

James’s educational background, which centered on computer technology, culminated in earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA); an Associate in Claims designation (AIC); and an Associate in Risk Management designation (ARM). He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a licensed financial advisor. The NC Department of Insurance has certified him as an insurance instructor. He also possesses a Bachelors’ Degree in Actuarial Science.

LexisNexis has twice recognized his blog as one of the Top 25 Blogs on Workers’ Compensation. J&L has been listed in AM Best’s Preferred Providers Directory for Insurance Experts – Workers Compensation for over eight years. He recently won the prestigious Baucom Shine Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer contributions to the area of risk management and safety. James was recently named as an instructor for the prestigious Insurance Academy.

James is on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the North Carolina Mid-State Safety Council. He has published two manuals on Workers’ Compensation and three different claims processing manuals. He has also written and has been quoted in numerous articles on reducing Workers’ Compensation costs for public and private employers. James publishes a weekly newsletter with 7,000 readers.

He currently possess press credentials and am invited to various national Workers Compensation conferences as a reporter.

James’s articles or interviews on Workers’ Compensation have appeared in the following publications or websites:

  • Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
  • Entrepreneur Magazine
  • Bloomberg Business News
  • WorkCompCentral.com
  • Claims Magazine
  • Risk & Insurance Magazine
  • Insurance Journal
  • Workers Compensation.com
  • LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites
  • Various trade publications

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