Works Suite 2005
$99, from Microsoft
Upgrade
Windows 98SE and up
www.microsoft.com/works
Buck for buck the giant package of programs Microsoft calls its Works Suite remains the best software bargain going. The 2005 version continues the tradition, adding a number of desirable features, including a comprehensive dictionary and software to view Microsoft PowerPoint files.
The centerpiece of the collection of programs remains the business-strength Microsoft Word 2002 from the far more costly Microsoft Office suite. The integrated dictionary augments the Word spelling and grammar checks to give students and home users industrial-strength school report and small-business document tools. Templates for documents ranging from letterheads to custom calendars add to the polish.
The $99 deal is a rebate, but almost every computer buyer qualifies because the sole requirement is owning any of the word processing software bundled with PCs.
The Suite includes the full version of Microsoft Works 8, the productivity software in many computers that includes an Excel-compatible spreadsheet, a database and a superb calendar-tracker/address-keeper module.
Other goodies include Microsoft Money Standard, Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005, the Encarta 2005 encyclopedia and Picture It Premium, a surprisingly powerful yet simple photograph editor.
Streets & Trips offers detailed maps for the entire United States and software that computes best routes between any two addresses. With Streets & Trips on a laptop you get the help without needing a Web connection.
Picture It has useful features that include batch processing to restore large numbers of old photos in a single session. Tweaking tools permit custom cropping and the adding of text and other artwork like shape cutouts and simulated picture frames.
On the downside, users can expect to get pitched to buy upgrades like premium Encarta features, more robust Money versions and Microsoft’s huge collection of Web services like MSN and Hotmail.
LOGITECH
Here’s a mouse that can do it all
It’s a TV remote. No, it’s a mouse. No, it’s a music player.
OK, it’s mediamouse.
Logitech’s MediaPlay Cordless Mouse adds backlighted control buttons for playing music and viewing digital movies plus Web page scrolling. You lean back in your chair and play digital files or browse the Web from up to 10 feet away, 4 more than other cordless mice/keyboards typically deliver.
Priced at $49.95, batteries and wireless receiver are included. www.logitech.comLOGITECH
BOOKS
A new weapon in spam battle
“How to Do Everything to Fight Spam, Viruses, Pop-Ups & Spyware,” by Ken Feinstein, $24.99, McGraw Hill-Osborne Media (www.osborne.com).
Wow, here is a book with a CD full of anti-spam software and pop-up/spyware stoppers that will deliver blessed peace of mind to many Web-wasted wretches like this writer.
It’s comprehensive, it’s clearly written and illustrated, and, most of all, the advice is right on the money.
