Amazon.com Review

It's a newspaper, it's a Web site--it's all of the information thatcomes rolled up in every edition of The Wall Street Journal and much more,available online. Anyone who wants to stay on top of U.S. and internationalnews, especially economic and technology-oriented stories, will find The WallStreet Journal Online to be a valuable asset. Forbes has called it "simply thebest business news site on the Web."

The interactive Journal delivers stock quotes on demand, continually updatednews, a customized news- and portfolio-tracking service, access to extensivearchives, and "briefing books" for 22,000 companies and more than 7,000 U.S.mutual funds.

Readers who are familiar with the print edition will not be surprised by theinteractive Journal's personality: it looks a lot like the paper version, andit's just as staid as its paper counterpart. Navigation is intuitive and ease ofuse is... easy.

Unlike the print journal, this version follows you to work and around the world.All you need is your password and laptop to carry this invaluable businesspartner to any meeting, anywhere. --Stefanie Durbin ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Powerful Business Tool
As a WSJ journal addict who is traveling a great deal, I found it better to eliminate my paper subscription and go electronic. At first, I had both the print and online versions, but I found the paper version wasteful as it still contains stock quotes and large print ads on stock offerings.

While I have no way of knowing if other reviewers have a different online WSJ with pop-up advertisements, which I doubt, there are none on mine. In fact, the online WSJ is vastly more streamlined than Forbes, Fortune, CNN, etc. The clutter-free layout allows for easy navigation.

The content of the WSJ is unparalleled. What makes the online version so powerful for business research, lead generation and job hunting is the search capability. My major complaint is that free search only goes back for thirty days. For those who want to pay [$] per article, you can use the advanced search page and access Factiva/Dow Jones, which covers hundreds of publication both large and small. Dow Jones argues that they have to compensate the content owners. Yet, they don't even offer WSJ articles that are already owned.

If you are looking for business ideas or contacts, the WSJ is an excellent publication. The online WSJ makes gathering this information less consuming than the print version.

Can't stop charges
You can only order the e-version by credit card. I gave them a credit card that would expire prior to my next renewal and surprise the WSJ managed to put thru a charge anyway. As stated in the other reviews there is nothing in the site labeled cancel subscription. So once they have your number- watch out, unless you are willing to spend a LONG LONG time on the PHONE (i.e. not computer) trying to get your charges reversed. I personally believe both items are purposeful, only taking a charge card and then offering no on line method to cancel the subscription. Customer service is a JOKE!!!!

this is supposed to be a review of wsj online not amazon!
this is the only subscription I would pay for. Easiest to activate, just use the supplied password and then you can change it later.

Can't "ship" it overseas
I tried to buy this package but in the ordering process was told that since I'm in New Zealand, the item cannot be "shipped" to my destination. Any system that maladroit deserves to choke on its own emissions -- and while it's probably more a reflection on Amazon than the Journal, someone at the paper should be more awake to these sorts of issues.

Minus 1 star for customer service
Customer service sucks, but i put up with it because you just can't beat the content. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Microsoft Office XP's empowering document design tools, integration of voice recognition functionality, and impressive network- and Web-based sourcing capabilities should be enough to convince those interested in saving time and consolidating effort to take the leap. In keeping with Microsoft's much-ballyhooed .NET strategy, Office XP introduces several features that utilize the vast infosphere inhabited by the 21st-century desk jockey. Smart tags beckon underneath recognized objects like misspellings or symbols, offering a stock quote here, a synonym there, or "Would anyone care to configure my auto-correction list?" The task pane looks similar to Microsoft Internet Explorer's Explorer Bar, and acts like an open tool chest pulled up alongside each application in the suite, providing readily configured searches for information or multimedia files. Putting up a team Web site that tracks projects and serves as an information hub requires only the use of one of the included templates, ready to be customized and uploaded to the server.

The Send for Review feature further streamlines the collaborative process by allowing the sender to view revisions made by multiple parties within the framework of the original document. Outlook now features a color-coded calendar and easier meeting management, along with instant messaging and variable e-mail account access. All user system errors can be tracked globally, and network security settings then modified remotely while antivirus and debugging IT resources are diverted accordingly.

After firing up Microsoft Word, typing "Dear Somebody," and hitting the Enter key, we made a startling discovery. Up popped Clippy, Microsoft's publicly pink-slipped office assistant. Clippy might have aptly announced, "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated," but instead predictably observed, "It looks like you're writing a letter." Once the groans of disbelief had subsided, we quickly right-clicked and banished Clippy to the silicon ether, presumably forever. --Dominic Johnson

This version is only available for students and teachers and will not be able to be upgraded in the future. ... Read more

Reviews (100)

Over the top, but some great benefits and improvements
First, count me among the people pleased with the fact that Microsoft Office - and, in particular, Word - has become the de facto standard for document creation. Does anyone remember what life was like before...when we all wasted copius amounts of time sending and re-sending each other incompatible documents? Why anyone would yearn for those days is beyond me.

Feature-wise, I agree that the programs that comprise Office suffer by trying to be all things to all people. In the excellent book 'Microsoft Secrets,' I recall reading that extensive user testing revealed that the typical user of Word only made use of around 10% of its capabilities. So, in general, you're paying for a lot of bloat that you'll never access and never care about.

The problem with being Microsoft, of course, is that you've got to appeal to a *very* broad audience. That's because the 10% I use may be completely different than someone else's 10%. So, with that in mind, let me tell you about two great things in XP version of Word that I make use of on a continuous basis that you ought to know about.

First, there's the 'Track Changes' capabilities. Yes, this has always been present to some degree, but it got a major overhaul in XP. Now, when you turn the 'Track Changes' mechanisms on, Word shrinks the size of the entire text of the document (temporarily) and reflects all add, change and delete activity in an extensive right-hand margin. What this does for you is that you get all your tracking, while maintaining the flow and readability of the proposed new version of the overall document. You really have to see this in action to appreciate just how much this improves the process.

The other feature to point out is the sheer power and scope of Word XP's multi-language capabilities. I write many documents in Spanish and I am frankly blown-away by my ability to set the 'Language' spellcheck option to any a number of regional Spanish settings (e.g., Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, to name just a few of the many options). Then, as I'm writing, Word catches every little nuance for me - it checks all the many verb forms, even when attaching direct and/or indirect pronouns. Every skipped or misplaced accent is flagged for my attention. In short, using Word XP can dramatically improve your secondary language skills.

I'll talk about PowerPoint briefly - over the years, Microsoft has made it easier to manipulate and put together compelling presentations. In earlier versions, I always felt like I was locked into not much more than bulletized lists. Now, working in combination with Microsoft's built-in Design Gallery Live (and aided immeasurably by Google's Image search), you can piece together compelling visual scenarios *exactly* as you envision them, with no encumbrance from PowerPoint.

One final point is that you should always pair any Office product with a copy of Adobe Acrobat (the PDF *writer*, not just the reader). With Acrobat, you can remove any hint of incompatibility with anyone in the world, regardless of desktop platform, version, etc. Just convert any of your Word, PowerPoint or Excel files into a PDF and you've guaranteed yourself unfettered readability throughout the planet.

Great software.
This is great software but the price is too high when you consider there is software available for free that will acomplish the same or simaler things. www.openoffice.org

This software can be moved to a different PC
this software can be moved to a different PC, all you have to do is call Microsoft and tell them you want to move the software to a different PC and they will give you a code to enter which will allow you to do this

A Good Bargain, But Not Without Faults
I own a new Sony Vaio, which, unfortunately did not come with MS Office. I had PowerPoint as a standalone product, and Word (which came preloaded), but what I really needed was Excel. I am aware that this can only be loaded on one machine, and that the activation is a hassle, but this package is cheaper than any of the MS standalone products.

The bottom line for me was that, in exchange for a little loss in flexibility, I have a complete office suite for a very reasonable price. I had no problem registering or activating it, but understand that others have. I likewise understand that I can't move it to a new machine. My other qualm is that there is essentially no operating information, so if you have a problem in a program, you have no documentation to refer to, which meant for me, that I needed to buy the program information books at additional expense. It's a tradeoff, but for most personal or student users, it is still a bargain.

Mostly the Same Software, Mostly a Better Value
If you're looking to buy any of the programs in Microsoft Office and also happen to be a student or teacher, this package is a great way to get them.

Before you buy this package, make sure your school doesn't have a special deal on it (or its sibling packages)! Large universities are especially likely to have an arrangment where students and teachers may purchase all sorts of Microsoft software through them, at a fraction of even the "... for Students and Teachers" price.

Even though you can't upgrade this package, it's still great for people with slim pocketbooks. Students may wind up having to buy a full version of Office someday, but in all probability there will be a new version of it out by then. Teachers face a rosier future - instead of upgrading, just buy the new academic package. It'll cost the same, or less, and you won't have to deal with the potential instability of upgrading if you don't want to.

As far as the software itself goes, it's the standard by which other productivity packages are judged. It's the latest version of Word, Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint... there's not much else to say. I certainly don't need Access, and I've found that the majority of my peers don't use it either.

Microsoft's activation schemes are irritating, but you probably already knew that.

Don't forget to consider all the options, though! There are several free Windows-compatible productivity suites out there - notably OpenOffice.org - that can do some things as well or better than Microsoft Office. Consider giving them a try before you purchase Office; most people don't stand to lose anything except an investment in software they don't end up needing.

Ultimately, this package is a good choice for academics who need the funcionality, support, or generally "safe" feeling of the latest Microsoft Office package. I've had a good (if uneventful) experience with this software, and I don't feel any qualms about recommending it to those who are eligible to use it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Project 2000 allows users to create a database of easilysortable information about a group undertaking. It's become an invaluable application, and the 2000 edition provides a level of Web interactivity users have been clamoring for. A strong product with a great series of tools, Project 2000 should quickly become a standard product in the business person's library.

Technically, there weren't too many surprises. While we did have to restart more than once in order to make it through the full installation, in the end, it wasn't too problematic. (In typical heavy-handed fashion, though, the installation resulted in having Internet Explorer reinstalled as a desktopshortcut.) The interface is the same as any product in the MicrosoftOffice suite--a boon to new users. As an added plus, the accompanyinguser's guide is topnotch, presenting beginning- to advanced-level documentation on how to get the most from this product (and in turn, become a truly skilled project manager).

For those unfamiliar with Project, here's the general course of events in using the application: in working with the software, you--as the user--have to thoroughly think through the consequences of your priorities. This can have myriad benefits to the people working under you, as you're asked to quantify resources, deadlines, tasks, and costs. At a critical juncture--if, for example, the project just won'tbe finished according to schedule--Project 2000 will provide resourcesand data to decide between tradeoffs: Do you limit the scope? Add moreresources? Push the timeline back? Most importantly, you can cutthrough the veil of darkness surrounding some projects by publicizingyour progress on company intranet space. You can even create circles ofe-mail correspondence with the help of the brand-new Microsoft ProjectCentral.

More advanced users will appreciate the options that allow you to consolidate multiple projects easily (and link resources or tasks). But Project 2000 can really be used by just about everyone. Styled tobe used by professional managers, this tool will make a variety ofbusiness people--or even someone managing something like a homerenovation!--more efficient. A way to keep track of the big picture byseeing all the details within it, Project 2000 is highly recommended. --Jennifer Buckendorff ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Getting STRONGER with each release.
With the inclusion of 'multiple projecting and internet viewing' MS has made some mojor advances. Two other needs are "Backward Pass and Multiple Resource Calendars". With these included MS Project will have achieved a "strong contender" status with some of the strongest and most expensive project management systems at a very affordable price structure.

An Improved Communications Aid
Everything the other reviewers have stated about this software is probably true. It is complex, it provides no planning phase shortcuts and you do need to activate it. Personally, I believe authors are entitled to piracy protection - and Microsoft is no exception.

Project management is inherently complex; this software reflects that fact. In practice Project Management is part science, part practice, part communication and part art form. I am convinced the pre-project planning saves countless hours of frustration during the project specification and production phases. No software will ever help with those negotiations.

However, once the project is underway, Microsoft Project proves its mettle. One of my biggest struggles with on-going projects is communication - with team members, sponsors and management. Here Microsoft Project 2000 is invaluable. It offers Project Central, a Web-based portal, which empowers team members to input their daily work time on each task, and have it automatically update Project. In the past the project manager was required to input this data.

There is a module for Earned Value calculations, which can be used to provide sponsors and management an early warning of project slippage.

My only complaint is that it is difficult to roll a sub-project up into a master-project. If anyone has a solution to this problem that carries all the data with it, e-mail it to me. I will be forever indebted to you.

Needs Patching
Helps get projects moving, a great piece of software until around the 50th time you run it when it shuts down. I cant find any patches to repair this problem.

Microsoft Licensing Problem
It's a shame Microsoft doesn't trust it's customers. This product requires one to eMail, call, or connect to Microsoft through the Internet to register. If you don't, you can't use the product after starting it 49 more times. If that's not bad enough, I wasn't able to register this product because the software key was outside the range Microsoft had in their database and because "I purchased it through an Internet store" (I purchased it from Amazon), they refused to assist me in any way. This is a new directive from Microsoft I confirmed after escillation. Apparently Microsoft doesn't trust any internet store as well as it's customers.

Hard to set up, but...
I have to agree with the other review about the difficulties to install Project 2000. In fact at my office we've yet to have it completely set up to my entire satisfaction.

However I would not give it two stars. I'd rate it three starts, because of the following:
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE:
-It allows for a very nice way to keep track of projects on a distributed environment, such as we have back at the office, where two developers (for example) work from their homes in distant cities. Project Central, the feature Project 2000 includes, which allows for a web-based project management interface is definitely the largest plus it comes bundled with.

ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE:
-The way to update the original Project files by means of the web-based update is very convoluted for the project manager: it generates one individual update per project where the person reporting back is working on, which can be very cumbersome if the person works in several (3-4) activities at the same time.
-There is no way to make comments about the progress of each of the specific activities, in the form of a log, or something similar. So, an update from a person working on a project has to be coupled with a status report, which is not exactly what you'd call one of the best implemented features of Project.

However, overall, I HAVE to acknowledge that it has helped me as Project Manager to have a better tracking of projects occurring left and right. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Policies Now is an uncomplicated, no-frills application containing all the basic information any employer might need to create an employee handbook. Installation is somewhat lengthy, but also very straightforward. Policies Now is simple enough for the most novice user. Its navigation, menus, and word processing functions will seem familiar to the everyday user, and can be mastered with very little research and training.

Policies Now walks you through the process of setting up and creating your employee handbook. Start out by entering the vital stats of your company, such the organization's name, address, Web page, logo, etc. After completing this stage choose from several different kinds of handbook styles, then move on to choosing the content for your handbook. You can select from lists of policies in such employee handbook categories as Introduction, Employment, Employment Status & Records, Employee Benefit Programs, Timekeeping/Payroll, and others. You can also customize categories based on any material Policies Now might not include.

It is important to note that Policies Now content is written based on California state laws. While most other state laws are similar, it can't be guaranteed that they're the same. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that their final policies comply with their states laws.

Overall, Policies Now is a straightforward, easy-to-use program that saves employers precious time and money. --Kendra Hayden ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Easy and fast.
I used this software to create a handbook for the company where I am employed. I'm always pressed for time, and Policies Now was simple and quick. I created an entire handbook in no time. I receive email updates on changing HR laws from Knowlegde Point, which is helpful.

The software also allows you to create your own inclusions that apply specifically to your own business. The user can create the handbook as HTML, text, or a Word document, which is great.

Overall, I was very satisfied.

Over 100 policies written in 2 hours
I wrote an entire company policy manual in less than 2 hours. It is about 100 policies and is very professional. This is a super product. I wish we knew about it at my former company. ... Read more

Features

• Scanning and document management application for Microsoft Windows
• Quickly turn paper into digital content; save Web pages as PDF documents
• Create and annotate PDF files; convert static form into fillable electronic form
• Thumbnail management for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files
• Download photos from digital camera; easily organize, edit, and find images

Features

• Extension of the advanced cell-phone data transfer suite, DataPilot
• Transfer contacts from 1 cell phone to the next in seconds
• Supports the most popular handsets on the market
• Includes 2 PC connectors and 9 different phone connectors
• Perfect solution for multiple-phone users or a family

Reviews (2)

Well worth the price!
I found this kit well worth the price. It supports most newer model phones. However, the features offered in the product depend on the model of your phone, so find out if your phone support the all the features.
Even though the product doesn't come with a detailed manual, you can always print it out online. I was able to transfer images and ringtones to my phone without any problems even without detailed instructions because the screens are pretty self explanatory.

Useful tool, but not quite universal
This kit supports most newer phones. It comes with two USB half-cords, and several phone half-cords. One USB cord is actually a serial converter, the other one is passive. The software is an all-in-one package, offering phonebook/ringtone/image/calendar sync and internet dialer, unlike FutureDial's Snap products. The software is well laid-out, however, not all phones support all sync functions. Also, some phones don't support two-way communication - you may be able to upload images, but you can't retrieve them. I gave the product only 3 stars for two reasons. First, the website doesn't mention that some information cannot be pulled from the phone - it can only be pushed to the phone. Second, the package I received had a defective serial converter USB cable - and after having to sit through three customer service reps, who may or may not know what they are doing, on a line that was busy for most of the day, I had to spend more money sending the cable in for exchange. The price is right for all the cables that you get, but there's free bitpim software out there that does the same, and more. ... Read more

Product Description

Adobe InDesign CS2.Design professional page layouts using unparalleled support for native Adobe file formats, sophisticated typographical controls, and rich creative options, including transparency effects, flexible table creation, object and text styles, and more. Achieve greater efficiency through tight integration with the Adobe applications you use every day, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, GoLive, and InCopy software. Preview and adjust separations, overprinting, and transparency flattener settings. Then reliably output pages to print or as Adobe PDF files using professional controls, including comprehensive printing options, trapping support, color management controls, and print and Adobe PDF export presets.Browse, organize, label, and preview graphics and InDesign documents, templates, and snippets in Adobe Bridge. Drag and drop assets from Adobe Bridge into layouts easily and efficiently. Search for files using metadata, such as keywords, colors, and image resolution. Apply and globally upd object-level formatting more efficiently using object styles. Save a wide range of graphic, text, and frame-level attributes as object styles to create more consistent designs and speed up production tasks.Adobe Photoshop and Adobe PDF layer support. Selectively display layers and layer comps in Photoshop files, and layers in Adobe PDF files, to experiment with different design options or use multiple variations of a file in your layout, all while linking to a single file. ... Read more

Features

• Imports MIDI's; microphone headset included
• 20-lesson singing tutorial with real-time pitch recognition technology
• Automatically adjusts songs to specific vocal range; sheet music view
• Edit songs or compose new songs with compose mode
• Learn to sing with proper breathing and posture; measure performance

Reviews (6)

Awesome product!!!
I bought this product for my daughter who has wanted to improve her singing skills. She wants to be an actress. It has helped not only her singing skills but also her confidence when it comes to singing. In addition to be very educational it was also alot of fun.

Singing for joy!
I'm very enthusiastic about this product. Not only has Singing Coach Unlimited improve my awful singing, but it's just such a fun product to use. Since I bought it, me and my friends gather at least once a week (we call it our karaoke night)and just have such an awesome time competing for the best scores. Soon I will be entering a talent show at my high school, thanks to Singing Coach I feel confident that my performance will get lots of cheers!

Band player that couldn't sing
Singing Coach Unlimited is a great product, and I give it two thumbs up. I have always grown up with music in my family and I can play my Tuba great, but when it comes to singing my wife would say I'm no Elvis. I purchased this product to improve my singing secretly so that I could impress my wife at our anniversary. After practicing and practicing I felt and heard a dramatic change in my voice. And when I sung, "When a man loves a woman" to my wife I actually saw tears of joy as she had heard my newfound voice. When she asked me if I had hired a vocal coach I said no honey, I purchased singing coach unlimited and now we are both hooked on the software.

Software needs improvement
The concept of this program is excellent, however there are some serious shortcomings in the software.Once you enter a song in the compose mode and then go into the sing mode and sing with it you can no longer go back to the compose mode to edit the song with out changing it's title.Also if you enter a song in a given key, save it, there is no option to allow you to open it up in the original key - the program automatically changes the key to fit your voice and if that's not where you want it, the onus is on you to remember the key in which you entered it if you want to reset it back to that key.An extensive tutorial would be a welcome improvement.

Singing Coach
Singing Coach Unlimited is a great product.My girlfriend tends to make fun of my singing in the car and claims I've ruined many songs for her.Well since I bought the product, she thinks my singing has improved and I'm no longer ruining songs for her.I enjoy the easy format that the software enables and the ability to download songs from the online store.My little sister likes the cartoon characters and finds them very entertaining.Although I've only had the product for a few weeks, I think my singing has improved greatly.I would recommend this program for the singer in us all. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for Adults
The middle school version of this program has been criticized as being overly childish in its presentation of the material. Let me assure you that this criticism does not apply to the high school version. This intelligently organized software is an excellent way for any adult to review high school mathematics from basic math and algebra to elementary calculus. If you weren't exactly paying attention in your high school algebra class this software is an excellent way to get ready for that first pre-calculus class in college.

Great Math Learning Software!
This math learning software is great for any kind of student! I purchased this software looking for some brush ups, however, they have brush up material plus! First of all, you can start all the way back at pre-algrebra. (If you don't have an understanding of basic Math, I do not suggest that you purchase this software right away) I didn't personally need pre-algebra software for my use, but I did have to use the algebra software. I am able to stay ahead of my class with it by simply reading and listening to the chapters inside the software. Every chapter you look at has step by step information on how to solve the problem.

If you are looking for more advanced mathematics help, I still suggest this software. The Algebra 2/Advanced Algebra software starts off with a nice review of Algebra 1. It covers factoring, etc. It's the same software as the Algebra 1 software, so you will still recieve all of the information that is needed to understand how to solve the problem. This goes for the Geometry as well.

I have yet to try the trigonometry software yet, but I would say that, from seeing the other cd's, it's just as good.

If you are looking for in depth info on Calculus, I would highly suggest that you look for pre-calculus help first. The calculus software skips when the instructor is talking, but he doesn't miss words. It does get annoying, however, when you can't listen to a steady voice without a skip in the middle of every other sentence.

I give this software five stars because it give you a great understanding of pre-algebra, algebra, algebra 2, and geometry. I am still unsure about trigonometry at this time, and the calculus software needs to be fixed. If you are looking for a home study course, advancement, or you want to brush up, this is the perfect software for you!

Invaluable software....
To master math you need to master the rudiments of arithmetic, fortunate for you this set of 6CD's is one of your best chance to understand numbers and their relationships. The first CD starts with the basic(addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals etc..) like all of the CD's it has definitions of terms which is crucial to understanding arithmetic because we reason with numbers and if you don't know the meaning of terms.. how are you going to reason? which that's one of the prominent reasons why many people don't understand arithmetic. Another essential feature's like definition it has "rules" and "formulas" which rules gives you the principles to solving a specific problem and formulas gives you a visual look at the different formulas so you can distinguish them apart so you can apply the rules! by overtime you will get the hang of it and EVENTUALLY, EVENTUALLY you'll understand everything and it will open the doors to many things(physics, chemistry, etc..) this software has some step-by-step procedure on certain problems to enhance your understanding to make things lucid. Overall I put it through rigorous testing... trying it at different mood modes from dead tired to wide awake... if your crying for help on arithmetic then this has your name on it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional software allows business, creative, and engineering professionals who work with graphically complex documents to exchange business-critical documents accurately and efficiently. Convert any document to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), and with one click from Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Project, as well as from Microsoft Visio and AutoCAD, preserve document layers.

Combine multiple documents—including large-format technical drawings and page layouts—into one compact Adobe PDF file in a single step. Automatically initiate and manage document reviews using intuitive electronic tools. Create forms that can be exchanged with colleagues and customers, and archive your project files as searchable Adobe PDF files.

View, navigate, and comment on large-format documents with tools that eliminate the need for paper-based reviews, making it faster and easier to meet critical deadlines. Streamline proofing cycles with robust tools that let you automatically track, manage, and incorporate electronic feedback. View detailed artwork or large-format documents with intuitive navigation tools. Output PDF/X-compliant files, and help eliminate surprises at the printer by preflighting files and previewing and printing color separations. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Great Software
This software Create PDF files from almost any word processing or html programs with very effective compression ratio almost 1/10 the original size. You can also convert post script ps files into PDF files. You can extract pictures, text from any already created PDF files as well.
With this version you can also create an interactive electronic forms similar to the tax forms. This upgrade version will only install on your system if you have Adobe acrobat 4 or 5 installed. This version only works with windows XP, 2000, NT with latest service package.
The difference between the acrobat 6.0 and the acrobat 5.0 is not so big. The new version is optimized for intel P4 systems and it's slightly faster than the old version.

Upgrade is no help for Real Estate
As a Realtor who is pushing the envelope, attempting to move to digital file keeping, digital recording, digital faxing, and digital signing, the concept of Adobe Acrobat is extremely helpful. I've been using Adobe Acrobat since version 4. Version 5 was a very useful upgrade, worth every cent. Version 6 was a grand waste of money and has turned into a waste of time. Files take longer to save in Adobe Acrobat 6, but they do end up being smaller, so maybe there is a more advanced compression algorithm at work. Nevertheless, files do take about twice as long to save in the new version.

Furthermore, at least for my line of work, I see no useful additions to the software. The interface looks a little fancier, and a little more advanced with more curved lines and a splash screen with transparency...(everybody together now, "Oooooh, aaaaaaah"). But, at least for my line of work, I have not seen any productivity or security upgrades which make the investment worthwhile. Save yourself the money and stay with version 5.0.

Unfortunately, it seems that the other reviewers' negative comments are right on the money.

Waste of time and money.
I bought the 6.0 upgrade without reading the reviews. Woe to the foolish. It slowed WORD to a crawl, brought DtSearch to it's knees, and twice locked my system up so tightly I couldn't get the task manager open.

I didn't waste any additional time seeing how slow it was at its own tasks. I'll take everyone's word for it.

Less than one day on the machine. I've gone back to 5.0.

Lasted 1 day on my PC
I downloaded an evaluation copy of Acrobat 6 before I read the reviews here. I can confirm what others are saying: unlike the upgrade from 4.0 to 5.0, 6.0 doesn't offer the average user additional usefulness over 5.0.

It's also much slower to load and takes twice as long to creat .pdf files. The interface is completely different, so there will be a steep learning curve for users upgrading from previous editions. Sometimes, software developers just screw one up, and this one is such an upgrade.

Pay close attention to the features you need: If you just want to print files to .pdf, you don't need all the stuff 6.0 offers. You'll never use 80% of the features they've added.

After one day, I got frustrated, realized I didn't have the time to learn an entirely new piece of software so that I could simply continue to make .pdf files, and uninstalled it.

Lesson learned: Check for reviews FIRST.

Here is the Skinny on the Deal
By the time I was done reading the reviews for Adobe Acrobat 6.0 I was depressed. Not only do I not have Windows XP, or Windows 2000, or NT installed in my machine (The only operating systems that will work with 6) I also couldn't muster up the confidence in the product after so many people were giving it the thumbs down. I want to create an eBook, and Adobe Reader is the most popular reader out there, with some 400 million, to a half a billion users with it installed. What a dilemma. I kept coming back to read some more. Finally I found the answer. I bought a new Adobe Acrobat 5.0 here at Amazon from one of their vendors, and it works great with my Windows 98SE. I planned on buying the 6.0 upgrade after they got the bugs out, and or I got a new computer with XP. Then I found out that 5.0 was the only version before, and that was the professional version. 6.0 Standard is a geared down version of 5. Ok, so it has some additional features, but it is missing even more of them.
So what's the skinny on the deal? For what I paid for a new 5 that is the full program, unregistered, and upgradeable, plus what I would have to pay here at Amazon for the 6 Professional Upgrade, I saved 80 bucks, and wound up with both versions 5 and 6 pro. Which as I mentioned are both professional versions. If I bought 5 and upgraded to 6 standard, I would only spend a little more for both versions. (About 4 percent more for standard, and about 20 percent less for professional) That way if 6 standard turned out to be as bad as many were saying it is, I would have 5 also.
In the final analysis, I am using 5 and am super excited about the new capabilities that Adobe Acrobat gives you. I'm hoping that by the time I get a new machine with XP on it, Adobe will come out with 6.something, or a second edition of 6 etc. with the fixes built in.
I'm not the only one to come to this conclusion. I noticed in the sales rank at the time I bought it and wrote this review, that 5 was outselling 6. Also I noticed that in the "Those who bought 5 also bought this" section, it had a special note that said, 47% of the people who bought 5 also bought the 6 upgrade. If your running XP, 2000, or NT, get them both. That way all the bases are covered.
Check out the reviews on 5 you'll be surprised how everybody raves about it. To be perfectly honest with you, if I had an XP machine, I would have ordered the 6 upgrade at the same time. Hope this helps. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

FileMaker Pro 6.0 makes data management for individuals and small groups engaging and almost fun. Installation and setup are both surprisingly quick and easy, and the templates and wizards will have most users frolicking with their new or imported databases in just a couple of hours. The interface and design tools are comfortable for Windows users of all levels of experience. The software is not designed for the lowest common denominator, though--advanced users will find FileMaker Pro's scripting language for queries and other tasks handy, if not all-powerful.

Data entry couldn't be easier. For some formats, it's as simple as dragging and dropping folder contents, so multimedia management, for example, becomes almost trivial. FileMaker Pro's data manipulation tools are more powerful than before, which means administrators would do well to limit users or train them carefully. Searches, the meat of the package, are simple enough for beginners but offer enough complexity to keep power users happy. One new timesaving search feature is the extend/constrain function: if a search returns too few or too many results, it takes just one step to expand or contract search parameters.

Web-style integration in FileMaker Pro 6.0 has taken a huge step forward from version 5.5; the look and feel of the desktop is almost seamlessly translated to intranet application. However, those with more than 10 potential FileMaker users should pick up the unlimited-use version of the software. FileMaker can import and export XML, so data can be manipulated and then easily shared with non-users via a Web browser.

While there might be more powerful data management packages available, for a wide range of uses and users, FileMaker Pro 6.0 is tough to beat. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Filemaker Pro 6 is great!
This versatile program is easy to use and yet makes the tech types happy. For the price there is no comparison!

Tanya Milligan

Fantastically Versatile Program!
To even compare FileMaker Pro with Access is absurd.

While FileMaker is not on the order of MySQL or Oracle in terms of speed and power, it is far more flexible and far less expensive than anything else available in this workgroup class of applications for any Windows or Mac environment.

You can start small, with just one or two computers and grow your solution into a fully server-based and remotely managed application. And if you should happen to need to migrate to a "big iron" type Database someday, such as MySql, conversion tools are available that will automate large parts of such a migration - including scripting. There are also a large number of third-party plugins should any other functionality be required down the road.

Importing and exporting data is a snap in just about any format. As for sharing data, FileMaker is unmatched and even includes a small-scale web server function in addition to the "instant web publishing" function.

It's an absolutely wonderful tool for any serious IT person that isn't threatened by a program that most non-IT people can understand.

Outstanding. More than most people need.
I have worked with very large databses (greater than 500 tables in Oracle and SyBase) and very small ones. If you are looking for a db implementation for less than $50,000, your first product to evaluate should be Filemaker. It will probably do all (and more) than you need. Anyone who says that MS Access is easier or more reliable than Filemaker either works for Microsoft or has some other unhelpful bias. Ask users and/or developers to show you databases built in the two products and you will see an enormous difference. The Access ones are likely to be crude and require frequent redevelopment work. The Filemaker ones are likely to be clean, reliable and flexible.

If you don't need the huge power of the big guns (Oracle, SyBase, IBM), ignore Filemaker at your own risk.

Outstanding product that empowers users and designers alike!
Greetings Amazon reviewers..

Now that you've read the Microsoft commercial below from:
"Reviewer: A software user from Stratford, CT USA"
Who probably, "needs a kick in the pants!"

Here's the truth, this product has the capabilities for implementing a client / server database network easier than anything currently on the market! And the client / server capabilities are built in! And it doesn't matter if it's based on the PC OR the MAC. Further, once designed and implemented, will work seamlessly with both platforms on the network. Additionally, after extensive research for an insurance client that I just completed designing a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) for, it was BY FAR the least expensive alternative, ESPECIALLY relative to Microsoft. In addition, it has the lowest overhead (computing hardware/software requirements) relative to anything of its capabilities on the market. You can reference these system requirements (along with features) at their web site that really gives a good deal of information. Note these minimum requirements below that most systems/owners can easily handle these days:
(compare these minimum requirements to the latest version of Microsoft's Access or any other database for that matter)

PC
· Intel Compatible 90 MHz Pentium or higher
· 32 MB of RAM (or more)
· Windows 98, Me, NT4 (SP6), 2000, XP

Mac
· Power Mac or higher
· 32 MB of RAM
· OS 8.6 - 9.22

Mac OS X
· Apple G3 or higher
· 128 MB of RAM
· OS X 10.1

The client I was designing for had older PCs using Windows 98SE. Obviously, I used the PC version of the software, which is very similar to the Mac version. If I had decided to implement a Microsoft "solution" it would have involved upgrading not only the hardware but the operating systems too. Then, the cost of the Access copies (licenses) certainly doesn't come cheap either if you haven't compared lately. FoxPro didn't fair any better, SQL Server worse. Especially in a client <==> server design paradigm!

Bottom line, a fully customized relational database designed, developed and deployed on a network in record time with minimal cost to the owner (no new hardware or operating systems) and working from initial installation to this day with minimal database administration. FULLY compatible with either PC or MACs on the network and future operating system upgrades on either platform. Personally, I'm pleased and I know a business that is extremely happy. Win-win situation..

One thing I found rather nice is you can download a 30-day free trial of the basic Filemaker Pro software at their web site to see if it meets your needs - certainly a nice gesture. (filemaker.com)

Filemaker for productivity
We happen to develop Filemaker database systems for our customers. This product focuses on the productivity and you can in fact have a system working for you benefit in a couple of days. if you have a clear understanding of your bussines no matter what it is , Filemaker gives you the power to gather your data and transform it easily in information. You will soon be making better decisions and at the same time getting yourself in the process of improving your database. Only filemaker allows this. Another point is that Filemaker Customers are happy customers. They are in charge of their Bussineses informations system without having to rely in external , costly "access" consultants..... ... Read more

Product Description

Adobe InDesign CS2 Upgrade for Mac .Design professional page layouts using unparalleled support for native Adobe file formats, sophisticated typographical controls, and rich creative options, including transparency effects, flexible table creation, object and text styles, and more. Achieve greater efficiency through tight integration with the Adobe applications you use every day, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, GoLive, and InCopy software. Preview and adjust separations, overprinting, and transparency flattener settings. Then reliably output pages to print or as Adobe PDF files using professional controls, including comprehensive printing options, trapping support, color management controls, and print and Adobe PDF export presets.Browse, organize, label, and preview graphics and InDesign documents, templates, and snippets in Adobe Bridge. Drag and drop assets from Adobe Bridge into layouts easily and efficiently. Search for files using metadata, such as keywords, colors, and image resolution. Apply and globally upd object-level formatting more efficiently using object styles. Save a wide range of graphic, text, and frame-level attributes as object styles to create more consistent designs and speed up production tasks.Adobe Photoshop and Adobe PDF layer support. Selectively display layers and layer comps in Photoshop files, and layers in Adobe PDF files, to experiment with different design options or use multiple variations of a file in your layout, all while linking to a single file. ... Read more

Features

• Personal finance software with award-winning Portfolio Manager
• Automatically consolidates online financial information
• Essential tools for improving credit and organizing taxes
• Stay up-to-date on accounts and transactions
• Get help with credit and debt; simplify taxes

Amazon.com Product Description

QuickBooks Pro 2003 includes everything found in QuickBooks Basic, plus advanced tools for managing your business finances. QuickBooks Pro 2003 includes estimating, time tracking, and integration with over 100 business applications. It's also multi-user capable so up to five people can work on the same file at the same time.

Choose from over 100 ready-to-use, professionally designed invoice, estimate, statement, and other form templates conveniently available on your QuickBooks CD-ROM. Now you can add color text, shaded boxes, multiple text comments, logos, and images, anywhere and in a variety of sizes. You can automatically create your budget using actual income and expense data, and enjoy greater flexibility and confidence when backing up your data.

With improved customer statements, you can now print the statements you need with the information you want.

Be sure to visit our QuickBooks Software Add-Ons Storefor software products that have been developed by members of the Intuit Developer Network. QuickBooks software add-on s are applications that integrate with this and other packages of QuickBooks financial software to save you time and increaseyour productivity.

Reviews (54)

Time consuming to install and negligible improvement.
The installation is tedious and non-obvious. Moreover there is no succinct description in the documentation as to how to migrate files from version 2001. The default installation script for Windows XP did not function without some modification. And Norton Personal firewall must be turned off, while down loading all the patches and up-dates of which there are many. The only reason to buy this product is because Intuit's 2001 version will not function with contemporary versions of Internet Explorer, therefore if you use a current version of Explorer, and are doing a re-install of the product, you are forced into the up-grade, which for my business, offers no, as not any, value added, features.

QuickBooks Pro 2002
Well, I have just spent 2 hours reading reviews on various Quick Books products,and was very supprised at the number of negative reviews. I have used Intuit products for years. I was using tax software back in the days of Mac-in-tax (before Intuit owned it). I do income tax preparation and keep my business records on Quick Books 2002 for windows. I don't know how I could survive with out their products. I also use Pro Series for income tax preparation, as well as Turbo tax for all the "freebes" I do for family and friends. (All of which are Intuit products). I can not recall ever having any of them crash.

In another life when I was Controller for a large Corporation, we had to buy new software to solve the Y2K problem. The company purchased the Great Plains Dynamics package. The up front cost with trainning and set up was $50,000! That's right, 50 THOUSAND, and I was never able to get a financial report from it. I had to "run" the general ledger, then pick the data out and enter it in Excel to get a financial statement. Then, I discovered Quick Books when I started my own business. I was amazed that for a few hundred dollars I had a very compent accounting program that gave me INSTANT financial reports in almost any configuration I could think of. I will admit there is a learning curve to using the software, but you have that with any new software. I was able to teach myself how to use the software,(no calls to tech support though there were times when I really wanted to). With a little work, I was soon very proficient with it. The information is availible in the documentation. However, that route is not for the faint of heart. I would recommend that new users who can afford it get some tranning before striking out on your own.

All in all I must say that all of Intuit products, or at least the ones I have used are excellent,and very inexpensive when compaired to many alternatives. But that is only my personal opinion, but one that comes from experience, and I don't even own the stock, but that is another story.

Avoid QuickBooks if possible
My experience with the company has been extremely negative. Buy this software only if you are comfortable with the lease concept of paying for software, and if you're willing to work with a company that does not really care about its customers.

This product forces customers to purchase expensive "tax table updates" every year and then, when Intuit needs an extra jolt of income, to purchase an update of the entire product - hence QuickBooks 2003. Once you're in their software, it becomes difficult to change, so Intuit is able to arbitrarily set its price for the "updated tax tables" and product updates, and it does, relentlessly, in its favor. If the company would explain the concept up front, it would be ok - simply say that the software is leased every year for a certain fee. But it isn't sold that way. Beware - their method of automatically charging customers' credit cards every year for the update is aggressive - when you work with Intuit, you definitely need to read the fine print.

QuickBooks - quickly unsupported
Support even for the add-ons that require a monthly fee stops after 3 years. Do not think of this as a purchase, think of it as a 3-year lease.

Quick Rip-Off Books
I'm a tax professional and have recommended QB to over 100 business clients over the years. Last year I upgraded my own QB to 2003 so that I could continue to review clients bookkeeping in my office. BOY WHAT A MISTAKE! The worst part is the payroll interface which is a complete rip-off. I downloaded my "free" tax table which was included in my 299.99 price but now I can't run my year end payroll reports without subscribing to NEXT years tax table! Tax tables are FREE to the public in PUB 15 from the IRS and are only updated ONCE a year. Most states only update once a year if at all so the line about constant change is bogus. The only constant is Intuit's need to collect money. They added insult to injury by telling me that they could bypass the need for tax table update if I would pay $75 and up to speak with a techie! That borders on extortion. I am switching to Peachtree (located in Atlanta with support 'MADE IN THE USA')and am suggesting that my clients do the same as I will no longer review any accounting prepared using Quickbooks! ... Read more

Features

• Brain-building games teach problem-solving, reading, and logic
• 39 riddles; 2 fast-paced games; 7 unique ghosts to create
• 3 different ways out of the house, each filled with spooky surprises
• Fun learning includes a secret room to discover
• For kids ages 6 to 10

Features

• Create professional Help systems and documentation
• Work with built-in or popular HTML editor or Microsoft Word
• Create Help systems that run on any browser or platform
• Easy to use; automated wizards and project templates
• For desktop and Web-based applications

Reviews (3)

Don't listen to the naysayers
For those of us who were three versions behind, RoboHelp X5 makes my job a lot easier. You can purchase just what you need but I recommend getting this version or you may regret getting "just" this or "just" that & may end up having to get the whole enchilada anyway. Makes no sense. Older versions of RoboHelp, for me, caused topics to get overwritten. Also, this version has conditional text built in. Thanks for those of you who wrote reviews & provided tips, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I highly suggest the RoboHelp author forum at http://www.helpcommunity.ehelp.com/forums/wbpx.dll/~robohelp.

I also like the Flash Help feature very much. You can easily go to Project Manager and set your preference for the type of Help output you want. Flash Help makes the Help for our product look very slick. My coworkers agree. I highly suggest that you upgrade if you haven't already.

Another reason you should purchase this product (and no, I don't work for Macromedia) is that eHelp no longer "owns" the product. Macromedia supports it. Sure, you may not get a break on the price but guess what? Unless you're a registered user, you won't be able to access free skins online anymore. Macromedia has made the product more proprietary than ever. So, with improvements formerly via eHelp Corp. comes disappointments. They want you to upgrade, yes. You will have to pay, yes. Pirated software? If we all did that, you'd probably be paying an even bigger price for the prized software.

Good luck, & if you want to create your own Help project by hand, then don't buy the product. RoboHelp X5 literally saves weeks of work and if it has a few bugs, what software product doesn't? I personally would not want to be slaving over Help files all weekend doing them manually.

That's MY six hundred or so bucks' worth...but I got my company to pay for my version. So what are you griping about? Cut a purchase order and get reimbursed or use your company's credit card!

Overpriced and very disappointing.
There is very little that is "robo" (i.e., automated) about RoboHelp. Sure, it will auto-generate things when you ask it to, but its output is so erratic and incomplete you might as well do it all by hand.

As a manual Help creation tool, it's got a nice complement of features, but let me tell you about a couple of little quirks or bugs...

You're supposed to be able to switch the type of output you get from RoboHelp at any point in your project. We started out with the goal of producing WebHelp, then switched to MS HTML help. Well, the part where you define what's available in your final output (Window definitions) did not come along for the switch. It took some time to realize that we had to delete the window definitions and define new ones in order for RoboHelp to actually produce the output we wanted.

Another little quirk is that when you add a hyperlink to existing text in a bulleted list, RoboHelp throws in a bunch of space characters (from 3 to 10) between the bullet and the text. And the WYSIWYG editor is not really WYSIWYG, not that that's any surprise, but it won't allow you to do everything you want to do. There is a TrueCode editor to let you get around that, if you know your way around HTML.

A new quirk that I've been wrestling with this morning is that any edit to an existing topic changes the style for that topic, and RoboHelp will not allow me to change it back, even when I edit the HTML directly!

Workarounds, more workarounds, and living with things you can't work around--expect to spend a lot of time developing your project's Help file with RoboHelp.

Highway Robbery
This is nothing more than the basic RoboHelp with many more bells and whistles. It's not worth a grand; not now, not ever.

Reminds me of automobiles: they're all the same, four wheels and a horn. They all do the same thing. But start adding features and the price starts climbing.

I think it's the height of arrogance to charge a grand for this software. Just so long as this type of arrogance marks the software industry, then just so long will I in my secret heart cheer on the software pirates. ... Read more