Cheaper Software

Microsoft typically supplements its operating systems with a retail grab bag of utilities and entertainment-oriented applications called Microsoft Plus. For Windows XP, it has released not one but two such packages. The latest, Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition, sports nearly a dozen perks, toys and tools for those who use their PC as a multimedia companion. Though some will find the program packs its fair share of incidental "fluff", anyone into photos, video or music will undoubtedly find several components both useful and enjoyable.

Digital camera buffs will quickly take to Photo Story, wherein they can organize their favorite pictures in slideshow format, add narration, and create a dynamic sense of motion by manually or automatically zooming or panning across each shot. The end result is flowing and compelling and far less stagnant than a standard still presentation.<p> The program also has plenty of goodies for music fans, including Analog Recorder, a clever utility that transcribes audio in real time from traditional sources such as cassettes and 8-tracks (cables not included), organizes them into playlists, and efficiently removes pops and hiss via technology licensed from respected pro audio veteran Syntrillium Corp. Slightly less impressive is CD Label Maker, which offers a standard selection of CD labels and templates but unfortunately emblazons a Microsoft Plus logo onto each one. Party Mode stretches your Windows Media Player to fill the entire screen and displays customizable marquee announcements and animations, and the aptly named Audio Converter converts MP3 and WAV files to space-efficient WMA files.<p> Arguably Digital Media Edition’s most disposable feature is Plus Dancer, a selection of minuscule live action pop-up dancers who cavort on command across the desktop. Conversely, the practical Sync & Go allows users of pocket PCs to enjoy their favorite PC content on their portable. Microsoft rounds out this eclectic package with several tidbits and novelties, including a variable interval alarm clock, eight mediocre Windows Media Player skins, and fifty additional transitions and visual effects for Microsoft’s free downloadable video editor, Windows Movie Maker. <I>--Gord Goble

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Crown Money Map Financial Software (previously Money Matters Software) is designed to ease your financial burdens by doing a lot of the thinking for you. This software is also a recommended Destination 1 resource on the Crown Money Map as a Software-Based budgeting solution. Crown Money Map Financial Software will lead you through the process of examining all your income and expenses. Meet specific financial goals such as reducing and eliminating debt, build balanced budgets, manage investments, and more. And the unique feature is that the software will teach you how to create a reasonable spending and savings plan. New Product Enhancements for 2007-2008 Now compatible with Microsoft Vista More streamlined and flexible reporting and user preference options New Transaction Detail Report option Better visual indicators when your spending plan has been exceeded Live stock quote information can be retrieved immediately within the software And more! Current Crown Money Map Financial Software users - want the new version that is compatible with Microsoft Vista? Call us for special pricing. Prefer Online and Mobile budgeting options? Use Crown Mvelopes Personal, and click here to learn more. Included in Box: User Manual, Quick Start Guide, Software CD

Beginning with the release of Windows 95, Microsoft has made a habit of augmenting each new operating system with an add-on package of assorted enhancements and goodies. The latest such supplement to come to market is Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP, a collection of graphic and audio utilities, rudimentary games, screen savers, and desktop themes specifically designed for users of Microsoft's latest and most robust OS. But whereas the Windows 95 and Windows 98 Plus! editions blended several genuinely useful applications such as disk management tools and virus checkers with the usual stable of multimedia tweaks, Plus! for Windows XP offers more fluff than substance. Although newbies will undoubtedly find much of the collection quite compelling, veteran users may not be so impressed.

The program is divided into four distinct categories--Digital Media, Games, Screen Savers, and Themes--each of which may be accessed through a single, convenient graphical interface. Of these, the Digital Media component is clearly the deepest and most interesting. Its handy utilities include an MP3 audio converter for transforming disk-hogging WAV and MP3 files into space-efficient WMA format, a music playlist organizer known simply as Personal DJ, an exceedingly capable CD label maker, 20-plus Media Player skins, and three animated Media Player visualizations (including one culled from the Xbox game Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee).

Music and video fans in particular will immediately gravitate to the Voice Command for Windows Media Player module, which allows users to operate most Media Player functions by issuing verbal commands into their computer microphone. Even when faced with garbled enunciation and loud background music, Voice Command faithfully recognizes commands such as "Volume Up" and "Pause." Sadly, Microsoft's seemingly innovative Speaker Enhancement tool is ultimately little more than a glorified tone control that often hinders rather than improves the sound of your speakers.

Of the three games included in the package, the most intriguing is Russian Square, a deceptively addictive puzzle affair that plays like a one-dimensional offspring of Tetris and Rubik's Cube. Far less involving are the arcade bowling knock-off HyperBowl and the three-dimensional <i>Labyrinth, a virtual take on the real-life game that involves a tilting table, metal ball, and lots of ball-gobbling holes. Eight animated screen savers and four desktop themes complete the package, the most notable of which is the stunningly lifelike and absolutely gorgeous underwater screen saver called "Aquarium." Otherwise, the program's themes and screen savers are no better than those that can be downloaded free of charge from various Web sites.

With Plus! for Windows XP, Microsoft has assembled a multipronged mixture of useful and not-so-useful multimedia tools and lighthearted amenities into one easily accessible compilation. If you aren't the type to scout around the Internet for individual components and feel the need to spruce up your XP audio-video environment, it may be for you. --Gordon Goble

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My DataBase is a powerful, yet easy-to-use program that lets you quickly build in-depth databases with your company's most important information. You can easily import data from most software programs. Input directly into MyDataBase's ten (10) pre-installed record templates or customize your own data entry form. The output design window then lets you organize, sort, filter and print your data using over 70 high-impact report styles. You can even output your data as mailing labels, envelopes, Rolodex cards, Day-Timer pages and many other standard and custom formats.

Like a will, a living trust lets you safely transfer property to your loved ones upon your death. Yet a living trust has a huge advantage over a will: It lets you avoid probate. For years, people have paid lawyers thousands of dollars to set up these probate-avoiding living trusts. Now, with Living Trust Maker, you can avoid this costly expense. Living Trust Maker makes it easy to set up an individual or shared marital trust, as well as create subtrusts for property left to children or young adults. This powerful program also lets you transfer property to the trust and amend or revoke the trust at any time. With Living Trust Maker you'll have all the information you need to ensure that your trust reflects your needs.