PC-Xware Suite Complete package

Advantages: Very similar to Windows XP
Disadvantages: Very different from Mac OS 9

...I use an Mac for work purposes and a PC at home. On the Mac, time is of great importance and every feature that saves time saves money and there are quite a few great time saving features on Mac OS X that do just that! If you are a PC user and currently use Windows XP then the new operating for the Apple Mac will be very appealing to you. It is very similar in many ways to that of Windows XP. One of the main differences that Mac OS X has which is one of my favourite features is that it has what is called a dock. This is a bar that can sit either at the bottom of the screen or on either side and you can use it to add in short cuts to all your software. Also if you have folders that you access alot and you don't want to keep trying to find them all the time then you can add them to the dock. All you then have to do is go to the dock... Read review

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Advantages: Ease of use, Fantastic AutoFormats & Increased Features
Disadvantages: Experienced users will find it hard at the start to find known features

...General Opinion As an IT Trainer I have used and taught the Microsoft Office suite for 9 years and this is the most exciting change to hit our PCs in years. It is not just an upgrade on an old idea but a complete overhaul of the system. Gone are the old menus and toolbars and in their place is a new feature called the Ribbon. Where once you could turn toolbars on and off accidentally never to be seen again this version allows its users to play around with all the features without the fear of losing any functionality. For new users it is more intuative with the features being grouped together and being more visual. There are many Automatic Formatting features which give your documents a much more professional look in a much shorter time. More Visible Features Some examples of the earlier hidden... Read review

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Advantages: Ease of use, SmartSound, improved audio and titling
Disadvantages: No background rendering, some new features a bit fiddly.

...and convert them to a different format in one hit. Nice to see is the support for MPEG4 (DIVX) and AC3 Dolby Digital audio as well as 16:9 footage. Note though that the first two options require plug-ins at additional cost (£13.78 each). Ulead have done their best to ensure you have as much at your disposal as possible when it comes to creating your video masterpieces. One things still sorely lacking though is background rendering. Until you prepare your final output either to tape or DVD/CD, no rendering is done. Pinnacle's Studio 9 does this in the background as you work and it's a great time saver when filters and effects have been used. Conclusion Whilst I felt some of the newer features could have been more intuitive in use, they all added to what was already an impressive package. I wasn't much impressed by the Movie Wizard but that... Read review

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