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

Intuit Quicken 2005 Premier Home & Business - Financial Management - PCQuicken 2005 Premier Home & Business includes exclusive features to help you manage your business finances, plus everything in Quicken 2005 Premier. See how your business is doing, track multiple jobs, send out customized invoices, track your taxes, and generate business reports. Over 100 customer-driven improvements make it easier than ever to get what you need out of your Quicken software! Nice electronics is your source for everyday low prices on theIntuit 283652 - QUICKEN 2005 PREMIER HOME & BUSINESS and all other Intuit Software - Misc ... Read more

Features

• Includes all features in Quicken 2005 Premier
• Powerful tool for managing business and personal finances
• Create customizable estimates and invoices
• Generate business reports and graphs, including Schedule C
• Track accounts receivable and payable

Reviews (26)

Not so bad
Having read all the bad reviews and forced to upgrade from Q2002, I had to take the leap in order to continue with my porfolio dounloads and mgt.I knew I didn't want MS Money from an earlier try about 2 yrs ago.Anyway, I use it for checkbook entries/family expense management and investments/portfolio management.It converted everything from Q2002 without a hitch and I haven't had any problems.Unlike some other problem areas, I do not use the bill pay portion of Quicken.I can't download my bank transactions since they still use QIF, but I knew this ahead of time from all the Amazon reviews.In order to get the same functions as Q2002 deluxe, I had to get the Premier Home and Business.One of the other reviewers hit the nail on the head regarding the underhanded way Intuit tries to get our money.I just wish there was another competitor other than MS Money.....maybe there will be soon.

Massive feature creep AND buggy online banking
Like many of the other reviewers, I've been using Quicken for quite some time. I was perfectly happy with Q2002, but Intuit wanted more of my money and started turning off all my online access unless I upgraded.

Q2005 has added any number of useless new "features" and you cannot seem to turn them off. Further, they insist on displaying a number of these "features" on the main register screens, cluttering up the display. I can no longer have my banking browser window open along with Quicken because the Quicken screen has all this extra junk around the register.

Add features fine. But let me ignore them, please. Don't clutter the screen with buttons and panes that I don't want to use. The technical term for this is "feature creep" where a good program is ruined by too many features. This program is becoming as unwieldy and impossible as Microsoft Word.

***One glaring bug***

When I schedule an online payment (using my bank's online banking), the scheduled payment appears in the register's "Num" column WITH A CHECK NUMBER. In my case, this check number happens to be a duplicate of previous check numbers (it's about 200 less than my current check number). Since I write many more online checks than paper ones, it will eventually march through my paper check numbers, creating all sorts of confusion. To fix this, one has to manually change the "Num" field (and can do so only after the payment is sent) to EFT or whatever you usually use to indicate an online (numberless) payment.What a royal pain!!!

Good update, no problems here

The bad reviews given to this product almost made me decide against upgrading from my older version (2002). But I decided to do it anyway, and I'm glad I did.

I encountered no problems and everything works pretty much the way it always did. I don't see any great improvements, and I don't like change, so I wish I hadn't been forced into upgrading (they discontinued support for the old version, including updating).

As in any program upgrade, there appear to be many things they changed for change sake, rather than for improved performance, but these were minor and just take a bit of getting used to.

Perhaps I just don't use the functions that caused problems for everyone else, but I use the portfolio, invoicing, scheduled payments, etc., plus the retirement and savings modules, etc. I do not sych to the Quicken website and use the update feature only to update prices on my portfolio.

Since everyone uses and needs different functions, the problems that other people encounter may not affect you at all. Like me, you may find it a perfectly satisfactory upgrade.

I actually like Quicken 2005....
Ok, I see a ton of bad reviews for Quicken 2005 PH&B, but I actually like it.I think the big difference between me and a lot of other people here is that I have never used Quicken before (or any other Quicken-type software).So I never had to go through an upgrade process or deal with anything like that.If you are starting fresh, I'd have to recommend Quicken 2005 to you.Now, I understand that Quicken is using the new OFX format.My credit cards are using this format, but my banks are not.So I have to enter some stuff in on my own.That's fine with me.Most of my stuff comes through the credit cards anyways.

I've never experienced any bugs or incorrect calculations.The first thing I did after installing the software was update it to Release 3 so maybe that's why.I'd suggest that everybody does the same.

Quicken 2005 is very powerful and very organized and I enjoy using it.

More glitches from Intuit
I'd already purchased Quicken 2005 when I read these reviews, so I put it on my laptop so that it wouldn't mess up my previous versions on the desktop machine.It synced perfectly with my bank--once.Now it says "invalid PIN" for my bank, although the PIN is not invalid; it's still the same one with which I can access the account otherwise.

Chalk up another glitch for this program, and beware: it may work once, but it won't work again.Sigh. ... Read more

Product Description

The Choice of Hollywood Professionals Are you a Hollywood professional or a first-time writer? Makes no difference: Movie Magic Screenwriter 2000 has virtually every feature invented to improve your writing process! Within minutes of opening the box, you’ll experience the magic of a writing tool with stunningly intelligent design. What Does a Script Formatter Do? Writing scripts for film, television, and theater has traditionally been a time-consuming task. There are many elements in a script (i.e. scene headings, character names, dialogue, scene breaks, etc.) that must be correctly placed in your script. Following these conventions is essential in making sure your script is receiving proper attention from agents, producers and contests. That’s where a script formatting program comes in. Screenwriter 2000 works by your side, automatically formatting action, character name, dialog and other elements as you write your script. Even better, there are no function keys or special command keys to memorize-your fingers stay on the keyboard, always ready for creative thoughts to flow onto the page! Why Screenwriter 2000? All writing tools are not created equal. Naturally, Screenwriter uses a simple TAB-ENTER system to quickly get your creative thoughts flowing into the computer. Screenwriter has index cards, script notes, simple entry of character names, spell-checking, and of course, smart margin changing. The comparison ends here. Screenwriter alone has a full suite of internet features, such as real-time internet collaboration, online script registration, and export to Adobe Acrobat & PDF format; superior production features, such as built-in script breakdown and detailed export to Movie Magic Scheduling; Script Analysis features; and the finest import and export facilities in the world of screenwriting. ... Read more

Features

• PC: 486DX minimum (Pentium 1 or higher recommended), Windows 95/98/Me/2000 or NT, 16 MB RAM (32 MB recommended), 25 MB free hard drive space
• CD-ROM drive, iPartner requires Internet Connection, FirstUse registration feature requires Internet connection. MAC PPC or better
• OS 8.5 or later, OSX compatible in Classic mode, 16 MB RAM (32 MB recommended), 15 MB free hard drive space, CD-ROM drive, iPartner requires Internet connection, Speak script function requires Macintosh Speech extensions
• Write Brothers, Inc
• MAC, PC

Reviews (8)

The best screenwriting software available
Having used Final Draft 5 and 6 succesfully, I was horrified by the mess that is Final Draft 7.If you do use Final Draft, I would recommend sticking with those two previous versions.I switched to Movie Magic and found it to be much more stable, and full of great features.Writing just seems more intuitive as formatting is the program's job and not yours.The tech support was free and the gentleman who assisted me was very patient with a techno cavemen like myself.I believe that Movie Magic (along with Dramatica) will take my writing to the next level.

Sorry... Final Draft is better... NOT Buggy
I tried this and Final Draft side by side while evaluating what to buy.Final Draft is just less buggy and more professional.

Movie Magic pops the cursor around the screen after an operation. It also has these windows 3.1 looking interface windows.The speech system is too dependent on windows and not self contained like Final Draft.

True, there is more customization with Movie Magic... but I like Final Draft MUCH better.Run them next to each other and u will see.

Mike

Professional's tool
I am both a working screenwriter and script supervisor. I use Movie Magic Screenwriter for both those jobs. Its an excellent, straight-forward, and cleanly built program for formating and writing professionally styled scripts.

Compared to Final Draft Movie Magic's formatting simply looks cleaner - with more accurate and useful spacing, sluglines, and transitions - and is far easier to use. Now this doesn't mean it will teach you how to write or what to write, but it does mean what you do write will at least look good.

Minor problems I've had and things that could change for the better...Screenwriter is a tad unstable with Windows XP and occasionally crashes at start-up (although I have yet to lose a file because of that). Some of the production tools - like scene numbering and CONTINUEDs - are buried deep in the program and not the least bit easy to get to. Also they still have annoying and non-standard formatting in there sluglines and transitions. For instance you can select Continuous and Moments Later for a time portion of your slugline. Any oen that works in production knows that there is no Continuous or Moments Later. Simply either DAY or NIGHT. For transitions they still have CUT TO which is no longer used.

Aside from those minor things Movie Magic is an excellent script writing program.

not as easy as they make it sound!
I am just getting started using the program so I can not yet judge the overall product.I can tell you that the product description said: just load the software and you will be writing scripts in minutes regardless if you are a first timer or a pro.

That is a stretch.I had to get a tech guy to load the program and then it really is not walking me through the "how to" part of script writing.

Just be prepared to spend some time at the beginning.

Good script writing software.
For years, I used to use Microsoft Word to develop all of my scripts in.While it could be done, it wasn't the best nor the easiest way to do it.I had always put off buying specialized software to do something that but the problem is that I spent more time formatting and paginating my scripts than I did writing.

Finally, I decided to break down and buy scripting software.But before deciding on which one to buy I did a little research on the titles that were currently available.I wanted to make sure I got the best product for the right price.What ultimatly sold me on Movie Magic Screenwriter 2000 was that both the Writers' Guild of America and Project Greenlight both recommend this software.

One of the claims made by the software company is the ability to get up and running right out of the box.I found this to be--for the most part--true.Upon receiving my copy, I was entering my first script in about 30 minutes (including installation time).There are some things that you may need to know, but the software company was intuitive enough to add booklets that contain this information in it so that you didn't have to hunt through the manual.

There are also a nice collection of templates included with the software that allows you to write for both movie and television (like I do).The templates for the TV shows comes in many different flavors (Sci-fi, sit-coms, dramas, etc.) and are even set up in the format used by several different shows.

What I especially appreciated was the fact that Screenwriter 2000 kept track of the names of my characters.I used to have to do this on scratch pads and Post-It notes or I would have to read back in the script to find a name.In Screenwriter 2000, I can call up a list of names to find the one I'm looking for.I'm able to do the same thing with scene heading, so I can keep my scenes in a consistant format.

Since I post some of my work on Zoetrope.com for review by other writers, the fact that I can create an Adobe file (.pdf format) was also of importance to me.While I could use a translation program to turn my Word document into an Adobe file, such translators have their problem and don't always retain the format that you created.With Screenwriter 2000, my Adobe documents come out looking the same as the original file.But this feature wasn't as intuitive as I had thought it would be.I was expecting this feature to be a part of the file exporting system.Instead, it's part of the print function.(You "print" a .pdf file.)

While there are a lot of pros about the software, there were also several cons, which is why I only rated it four stars.One is that this software is set up to installed on both the Mac and the PC from the same box.Becuase of that, they designed the user manual to address both opperating systems by printing it as a flip book.(One side has the instructions for the PC--flip the book over--the other side has the instructions for the Mac.)This means that the index is in the center.If you use an index as often as I do, plan on placing a bookmark there.

Another problem is that not all of the features available to the PC user is available to the Mac user.As of this review, only one feature--the Storyboard Linking--was not available on the Mac.However, this should be of little consiquence to the average user (unless you're a professional writer in Hollywood with a Mac).

Finally, one feature that was touted to me time and again was the voice readback capability.By using a Text-to-Speech engine, you can have your script read back to you, even to the point of assigning different voices to the different characters.It took a little effort to get this feature working on my PC, and when I did it sounded like a room full of Stephen Hawkings reading my screenplay.

Still, as softwares goes, this is possibly the best product out on the market. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Learn a new language with the award-winning method used by the U.S. State Department to train diplomats. Proven effective by NASA astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, and millions of students worldwide, the Rosetta Stone Language Library teaches new languages faster and easier than ever before.

We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency.

This comprehensive program provides up to 550 hours of mastery instruction in listening comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking. Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists or drills. Previews, exercises, and tests accompany every lesson, and there are automated tutorials throughout the program. Graphical speech recognition displays your voiceprint and compares it with the native speaker to help improve your pronunciation. (Ages 6 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good vocabulary builder and refresher, not for serious study
I am actually reviewing the online version from Rosetta Stone Online, which makes the full Level I and II versions available by subscription.

Each section consists of a series of Listening, Reading/Listening, Speaking, and Reading exercises. The full version of this software consists of 19 units of 10-12 sections each.

In each exercise, you are given a series of activities consisting of a choice of four pictures and/or pieces of text and/or spoken dialogues (depending on which type of activity it is), and you must choose the correct picture/text/dialogue from the cues.

The exercises are very simple, suitable for children or for quick reviews. If you are new to Arabic, or refreshing your skills after a long period of disuse, the repetition will be useful in building your vocabulary (back) up. You are fed bits of grammar incrementally with each new unit. You start with simply identifying various people and objects, and then add a few adjectives, and then add a few verbs so you are recognizing simple sentences such as "The boy drinks some milk" or "The bird flies" or "This car is not red, it is white," etc. Each unit adds more pieces of grammar and more vocabulary, building up to more complex sentences, different verb tenses, and so on.

However, that is as far as it can take you. Diligently practicing all the exercises should expand your vocabulary and give you basic grammatical skills in Arabic. It will not bring you to the point of being able to carry on a meaningful conversation (unless your conversations are confined to describing objects and pointing at various people and animals and stating what they are doing), nor will it enable you to, say, read a newspaper.

For self-study, this software makes a good supplement to more robust texts and tapes. Don't expect it to bring you up to full proficiency. If you want to do more than recognize simple sentences and learn a lot of "everyday vocabulary," Rosetta Stone is insufficient. However, I do recommend it for the crucial repetition and "training your ear" that every language student needs, especially those doing self-study, if you are at a low to moderate proficiency level.

It is important to note that the text is entirely in Arabic script. You must be able to read Arabic before you can practice anything but the listening exercises. (Get a good book on Arabic script and learn it -- it's not that difficult, a serious student should be able to read the script fairly proficiently within a week.) Also, there are no English translations at all. This is not a bad thing -- the way the information is presented, you are expected to pick up the meaning as you go along, and if you practice the exercises seriously, you will. Just be aware that this software is based on the Audio-Lingual method, so you will find no glossaries or explanations of grammar.

Liked it but it needs a lot of patience and head scratching.
I bought the Rosetta Stone Explorer Arabic course and got through it with some difficulty (but it was fun for the most part).

I have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and have studied the language and writing so I knew a little bit already.I found that several times it was difficult to determine the gender or ages of the people in the pictures.I also found that the small display (at least half the size of my laptop screen made it more difficult to see the pictures especially if the arabic script is on top of it.It would be helpful also if the Arabic script were larger. I would have liked to see a translation of the Arabic words into English as a way to clear up any confusion that does arise often.It would have been ok to rely primarily on the method that Rosetta Stone uses as long as you can look up the words in question. It would have been really super to be able to point and click on the Arabic script or on the specific images in the picture to get a translation.

It takes a lot of concentration to look at the pictures and try to associate the spoken or printed arabic words to just what is meant to be conveyed in the pictures.Often you have to go back and forth between two or more different pictures to see what is common to the Arabic words being spoken/written.The words are written only in Arabic script and unless you know that Arabic is written from right to left and know what the characters represent you can forget about associating the printed word to any meaning.

Finally, despite the relatively high price for the more advanced Level 1 and Level 2 courses I did enjoy the "Explorers" course and will probably buy them anyway.But first, I want to buy the Transparent Language Arabic course which is considerably cheaper.I also bought the Transparent Languages "101 Languages of the World" course which is the inexpensive intoduction to Transparent Languages more expensive and more in depth course which is much cheaper than Rosetta Stone.It also has immediate translations and a lot of other teaching methods that I find very good.

Good with other resources, but can't stand on its own
I've been using a number of different language software programs as research for a thesis.I've enjoyed using the Rosetta Stone software to study German, Arabic and Japanese.I have lived in Japan and I had studied Japanese for a number of years before I came across this software.It was my first time studying German and Arabic.

My biggest problem with Rosetta Stone software comes from the complete lack of any explanation of the basics of the target language.The theory here is that you will learn the language as a child does by seeing pictures, hearing the words and making the connection.This idea in practice can be a lot of fun and you should be able to pick up some vocabulary and sentence structures in a very short time (as long as the language uses an English alphabet).However, without a few basic pointers on the writing systems of languages like Japanese and Arabic, good luck figuring anything out.For example, if you did not know that Arabic is written and read from right to left with the letters joined together as in cursive English, you stand little hope of ever being able to break words and phrases down into the 28 Arabic alphabet's characters.It wasn't until I went to another source outside the Rosetta Stone software that I realised my massive error in trying to decipher the most basic script.This could have easily been avoided had the software offered a few pages of explanation, or even just the alphabet itself spelled out with English letter approximate equivalents and an arrow pointing from right to left.And Japanese?The same problem times 3 (the number of written character styles in Japanese) and just as confusing.

Final review then?The Rosetta Stone software by itself can be quite useful as long as you are after listening and speaking skills only AND you don't think you'll ever need to see and read the word as you hear it.However, if you were hoping to learn reading and writing in a target language that uses a writing system other than the English alphabet, be prepared to go hunting for additional resources as a primer before you start banging your head against this Stone.After an hour or so of basic tutorial from an Arabic alphabet website, I got back on track with Rosetta, but I was quite annoyed that I ever had to make that extra journey in the first place.A company should not try to claim that its software is an all encompassing program if it falls so far short of just that from the get go. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Learn a new language with the award-winning method used by the U.S. State Department to train diplomats. Proven effective by NASA astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, and millions of students worldwide, the Rosetta Stone Language Library teaches new languages faster and easier than ever before.

We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency.

This comprehensive program provides up to 550 hours of mastery instruction in listening comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking. Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists or drills. Previews, exercises, and tests accompany every lesson, and there are automated tutorials throughout the program. Graphical speech recognition displays your voiceprint and compares it with the native speaker to help improve your pronunciation. (Ages 6 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good if you already know some Japanese
I love this software, because it has helped me understand a lot more Japanese than the tapes from my textbook. The language is very natural, and the fact that you can see pictures and read the sentence being spoken at the same time helps significantly. You can repeat the lessons as many times as you want to help you master the content, without the exercises becoming boring or excessive. I practice almost two hours a day, and after a week I started to notice improvements. Now when I want to say something in Japanese I don't do any translating in my head first, I can feel the Japanese words coming together. However, I already knew some Japanese before I bought this software, so for a true beginner this program might be a bit advanced. In addition, the immersion method this software follows might not be for everyone. Finally, you do need to have the discipline to study regularly, preferably one hour every day. Ganbatte kudasai!!

Awesome but there are some problems.
This is a great program for a few reasons.One is that you have plenty of time for listening and taking in the language before you actually speak it (great for pronunciation and comprehension--my comprehension sucks, so I was really happy with this).Two, there's no explicit grammar instruction, which makes it easier to speak the language in the beginning--you're not sitting around silently trying to think of the correct grammar structure instead of just speaking and getting your point across, regardless of grammar troubles (you'll want to work on grammar with a book or some other program when you reach high-beginner/intermediate levels).Three, it's fun.And you're learning the same way you learn your first language, association of words, phrases and visuals.The price is worth the product.

One problem is that what you learn is not immediately useful in actual conversation.My experience was that I needed to get to about level 4 of the first unit before I could actually start "talking" Japanese.If you want straight-up conversational Japanese in a few short months, I'd suggest Pimsluer, which is overpriced, but will get you to where's-the-bathroom-and-what-time-is-it land in a jiff.Another problem is that there is no actual writing practice.You place the characters in the right spot with your mouse to form correct sentences, which helps with character recognition, but not hand writing.Finally, the voice recognition is innacurate.I had a native Japanese speaker listen to my speech.In several instances, I was told by the program that I couldn't be understood, but my Japanese friend said there was no problem in understanding me.

You can make up for the lack of grammar instrcution and hand writing practice by getting a book called "Japanese for Everyone" for grammar work after you half way through the first RS cd, and picking up "Remembering the Kana" for learning to write Hiragana and Katakana in a pretty painless fashion.

Four stars BUT....
A high quality, effective interactive learning system.Two complaints:

1)No obvious explanation of grammar.It took me forever to figure out what various particples and other "connectors" meant.If figured this out in an hour at a Japanese class and I am much the better for it.

2) Romaji (spelling Japanese words phonetically with roman/english letters) is a waste.There are differing opinions on this.But my suggestion is to go through the comphrehension and speaking exercises, skip the word recognition and spelling exercises, and supplement the writing with a good book on Kanji and the Kana.Think about it, would a Chinese try to learn German by first trying to spell out all the German words with Kanji?Well, duh...

Fairfield Technologies will send out OS X disks
I had initially reviewed this software more negatively because of the software being shipped with disks for the old Mac system.However, now Fairfield Technologies will replace the disks with new OS X disks, for free, even internationally.

Good product, and amazing service.

Great product (as long as you like the immersion approach)
This software is designed around the immersion approach to learning languages. A drill will show you a picture of an apple, and you'll see the word spelled out while a narrator gives the pronunciation. At various points in the drills, you will have the chance to read the Japanese word for apple, use your logic and language skills to pick the picture for apple after hearing the word in Japanese, and more. Its target audience is the self-motivated learner who's serious about learning and mastering basic Japanese over a 1-2 year period. Anyone looking for a quick and useful phrases for a short visit to Japan should use the Rosetta Stone Explorer or Traveller programs instead of this set. That said, using the Rosetta Stone is a lot cheaper than a plane ticket to Japan, or the tuition fees at intense summer Japanese courses at various universities around the US. If you master all the drills and vocabulary in the program, you will be well equipped to go to Japan, and to continue learning the language in an immersion environment.

The student who has headphones and microphone attached to his or her PC will be able to take advantage of all the listening, reading, speaking and writing drills in the program. Users can switch back and forth between the romanized, hiragana and kanji scripts.

Your Japanese teacher may not have the time (or patience) to give you individualized, repetitive drills. That's not a problem with this program - you can practice all you like and the program will never get tired of you! As such, the program is a good supplement for people formally enrolled in a class.

For the student who dislikes the immersion approach and prefers to learn Japanese scripts and grammar before tackling any listening or reading, I recommend the Power Japanese and Kanji Moments programs from Bayware software.

Once you have completed the Rosetta Stone programs, you will still need some formal study of grammar, but this program covers basic principles like the subject-object-verb order characteristic of Japanese, and basic verb forms.

I used the online version of RS Japanese, and was extremely happy with it, but only because I have very high-speed internet access. Once my use license expired, I could no longer access the programs. If I had the CDs, I'd always be able to refer to the program later. Take your pick based on your own personal convenience.

I liked my RS Japanese experience so much, that I took the plunge and bought the Level 1 Korean edition on CD. ... Read more

Product Description

Superior protection for your PC and home networkTrend Micro™ PC-cillin™ Internet Security 2005 protects your PC and home network against all types of viruses, worms, Trojans, and blended threatsincluding network viruses, like MYDOOM and SASSER. It also blocks hackers, detects and removes spyware, guards against phishing attacks, filters unwanted content, and minimizes spam. New features include Home Network Control and Wi-Fi Intrusion Detectionextending desktop security to your home and wireless networks.

Features:

• Comprehensive Virus Security
• Enhanced Spyware Detection and Removal
• Anti-Phishing Home Network Control
• Wi-Fi Intrusion Detection
• Improved Spam Filtering
• Personal Firewall

Features

• Comprehensive virus security and integrated protection; easy to use
• PC and home-network protection against viruses and blended threats
• Personal firewall; privacy protection; W-Fi intrusion detection
• New anti-phishing, home-network control, and vulnerability assessment
• Improved spam filtering; enhanced spyware detection and removal

Reviews (6)

Great Product
This is a great product that surpases anything else that's on the market.It's a powerful yet easy program to use.

Best in Class
Contrary to what has been written in the previous 2 reviews this
product is the best of its' kind. I have been using it, and ONLY
it, for the past 6 months, in a new installation of XP/SP2, and it
co-exists flawlessly. Previous to this I have used both McAfee and
Norton products, and while they are also good there is no question
in my mind that this is the superior product. I no longer use any
other spyware removal tools [Spybot, Adware, etc], as PC-cillin
has been very effective in catching these nasty devils in realtime.
I must also point out that it is 'perfectly' integrated into
SP2's Security Center.

It is the best in class.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS ONE!!!
Unfortunately I couldn't rate this product as ZERO. From the time I installed this software on my computer, it started acting strangely: computer freezes, crashes, etc. To top this off it directed me to a bogus Microsoft Update site. Eventually, I couldn't even access my ISP. Needless to say, I uninstalled this crap from my computer right away. But who's to say that I won't continue to have problems in the near future. This is what happens when you install products from shady characters. Pay no attention to the positive feedback on this product, but if you are a gambler and can afford to destroy your computer of sacrifice your security, then go on ahead and install this on your system. Be forewarned, however, that your risk will be high.

Poor support.Beware - on weekends you're on your own!
PC-Cillen has worked well for me for the past couple of years, however, this weekend it put me through sheer hell.On Saturday morning (April 23, 2005)I booted up my computer and when I clicked on icons nothing would happen.After rebooting several times, I called Trend Micro and they were closed.So I went into safe mode and tried to run PC-Cillen, but their screen wouldn't appear.So I ran Ad Aware and Spy Sweeper.That didn't help.I ran system restore and that didn't help.I rebooted the computer to Windows XP and tried to run PC-Cillen.It took about 20 minutes for their screen to appear.After waiting several hours as PC-Cillen scanned my hard drives, the software froze up before it finished.I tried to defrag but my computer didn't need it, so I ran error-checking and still couldn't find anything wrong.All this time being wasted when I so desperately needed my computer to do work for my business.Saturday evening I went out and bought a new hard drive. Then I began the long task of backing up everything on my computer.By 5 AM Sunday morning, I finally went to bed.At noon Sunday I got up and began formatting the new internal hard drive.When I ran into problems installing my PC-Cillen Internet Security 2005, I tried to call Trend Micro again.Once more I got the message that they were closed.So I gave up and waited until Monday morning.When I called Trend Micro I was told that they had sent a pattern file for a worm they were designing to my computer and that it hogged all of my system resources.They are supposed to be guarding my computer against this type of problem.That is what I pay them for and yet they created the problem and SENT IT TO ME to screw up my PC!Sweet!It's as if my insurance agent came out to my house and tossed a match onto a pile of newspapers in my living room to see if they would burn my house down! Trend Micro representatives claim they were open all weekend for this emergency and all I needed to do was go into safe mode and delete the file!

Great Anti-Virus; Passed Port Scan
I really like how few system resources this software uses.I am using it on both an ancient system running Win98 and on a 3Ghz system running XP.Works like a charm on both and loads quickly. The anti-virus portion of the software is particularly good.Another plus is the wi-fi detection.Good stuff that's right on top of things.The virus checking on the e-mail works fine, too.The not so good?I would get a free spyware checker, such as Ad-Aware SE instead of using the confusing and "undoable" spyware checker included in this package.You make a mistake on what you remove and you might be very sorry.The anti-spam portion of the software is also quite weak.I had read some online reviews which seemed to question the effectiveness of the firewall, but it passed several free online scans with reports of all ports being not merely stealthed, but blocked.I am not much of a techie and don't know how much outbound filtering the firewall provides; however, the suite does prevent virus-like outbound emailing activity if you want it to.Overall, the feature set and pricing can't be beat.Definitely worth considering, especially if you are tired of some of the bloatware that's out there. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Highly recommended
My kids (6 and 8) were somewhat resistant to the idea of learning chess until I purchased this software.They loved the computer game, and now they love playing chess. They have learned the basic rules and are now learning strategy.The game is entertaining enough that, even when they were not winning, they continued to play.Now, they win some and are thrilled.I bought a second copy for the second grade classroom in the hopes that other kids would be similarly inspired.

There are so many completely mindless computer games out there -- this one is not!

Better then playing X-Box
My 6 year old son learned to play chess so well using this game that he is challenging me. He says it is more fun than playing a video game on X-Box. This CD uses "games" to teach how each of the pieces move. The kids don't even realize they are learning to play chess! There is a grading system, and when the kids are ready, they can play a real game against the computer using the "characters" they just learned to move. You can adjust the skill level so anyone from beginner to advanced will enjoy it. I even like playing it!

A Fabulous Chess Teaching Tool! Highest Recommendations!
Chess in not an easy game to teach, to learn or to play well. But it is a terrific game for children because it is fun, and it teaches logic and reasoning. My cousin's seven year-old recently expressed an interest in chess, and was fascinated as I introduced the pieces to him, explained their functions and took him through some basic moves. I was so enthused by his enthusiasm, that I bought the "Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster" software, by Viva Media, which came highly recommended. His mother has been complaining ever since, that she cannot drag him away from the PC. He is addicted and I cannot figure out if this is a plus or a minus. Anyway, I have been challenged to a game next weekend, and I had better brush up.

This is excellent software for true beginners. The player, (or two), is engaged from the outset with an animated adventure storyline and simple, but entertaining, arcade games which introduce chess basics before moving on to a more advanced level. The plot features the wise King White and his Queen, who go to the seashore for a brief holiday. Their son, Prince Fritz, and his cousin Bianca, stand-in for the monarchs. Evil King Black seizes this opportunity to challenge the boy to a duel while his parents are away. Children put Fritz and Bianca through their paces at the Intelligym while they train their brains for the upcoming confrontation.

First, however, six training games must be mastered. These games teach the move concepts for all of the chess pieces. After basic training, the player goes through three additional levels of chess activities using each of the pieces. When mastery of these levels is achieved, the player can move on to simulated games.

Individual players are able to continue at their own pace. It is possible to move back, practice activities and brush-up on skills, although you cannot move forward without successfully completing each level.

All games, even serious ones like chess, should be fun. The powerful "brain" behind all this entertainment is the well known Fritz chess engine, used by grandmasters to train for tournaments. Winner of the 2003 Bologna New Media Prize, the program is very easy to install and navigate and is perfect for all ages, especially age 7 and up, (depending on the child).
The software program comes with free access to the (...) Website, where players can participate in games for one year.

This has been a most rewarding purchase. Not only is a little boy I love learning to play an extraordinary game, but I have gained another chess partner.
JANA

GREAT way to learn Chess, even for LITTLE ones...
Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster is an effective way for kids to learn to play Chess. Our 7-year-old learned to play via this game. Our 4-year-old saw his brother's interest in this computer game and became instantly mesmerized with the animated Chess pieces and learned as well! Our little guy was playing Chess with friends within a couple of weeks, teaching other children his age how to play! He doesn't have a long attention span, but the way this software introduces the different moves of each piece in simpler mini-games designed to teach just one particular move at a time helped him focus long enough to learn the rules. Very much worth the money, and then some! HIGHLY recommended!

Buy this NOW!
This software ROCKS!My 7 year-old son LOVES it!It's taught him a lot about chess and helped get (and keep) him interested in the game.Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description

Offers advanced tools for businesses that want to manage their finances more effectively and efficiently. Includes tools that help boost productivity and give you more control of your spending, your data and your business forms and much more! ... Read more

Features

• Customize reports, prices and more
• Automatically track information for taxes and reporting
• Financial management system for businesses
• Import data from popular office software
• Easily manage accounts payable and receivable

Reviews (50)

Pocket Quickbook
Quickbook is really a fanastic product although there is much disapprovment on the review site. Quickbook is great, just that Quickbook is trying too hard to squeeze evey cents from the existing customer with their distractive advert. Whatever, Quickbook is one of the best buget accounting software in the market. If you use it enough, you may find something missing in Quickbook. Its usefulness is limited to the office. Now you can extend your Quickbook to PDA such as PocketPC.

If you are in a retail business, Pocket Quickbook enables you enter bill and receive your inventory. You no longer confined to your desktop to use Quickbook. You have the convenience to scan a product and know immediate how many you have sold last night, last week or even last month. And you then make a purchase order. Easy? You can be as information productive as 7 Eleven even if you own only 1 outlet!

If you are in a service business, Pocket Quickbook enables you to issue invoices to customer away from the desktop. Be it at your showroom, your customer site or your favourite Starbuck! Get instant information on your customer payment, balance and contact out in the field.

Visit http://www.doitech.com/member.htm to download the trial version now! It is free. If you like most customer who beg for a similar accounting software but without the "hazard" of Intuit, then write an email to sales@doitech.com They have a accounting software that could import most of Quickbook data. You can tell them what you use most often on your Quickbook. What are the necessary functions that you need. Your input determine the new accounting software that uses your old Quickbook data without all the advert service and priced at only US$49/-. Importantly it make Quickbook PDA convenience...

Thank you...

Improved over 2002 version
For the most part, there has been some negative sentiment and reviewsfrom users regarding their purchases of Quickbooks Pro 2004. It was enough to concern me to think whether I should purchase the program or not. Those reviews were not regarding installation problems or conflicts on their computers. They were complaints regarding Intuit designing the newer programs with traps in the program that would require you to purchase additional services. It is true that there are fees for running payroll annually but I don't use it so no $$$ lost. Actually there are two problems I have come across. The first: when making payments, an icon appears right alongside your payment that wants you to order checks from Intuit. You cannot eliminate this option but have to dig through help and look in a very hidden location to place a proposed check number when you want to be reminded again. I put in 9999 so I probably won't hear from it for a long time. Of course many may find this reminder helpful. I suppose I will, but personally I become offended when I can't turn on or off the preferences. The second problem is inemailing forms and reports. This is another option my 2002 version did not have. The problem is that when you click on emailing the report, a quickbooks browser opens and takes you to an intuit site where you have to login and before things got worse, I disconnected. They should allow you to simply attach to outlook express if anything. What is a plus with this update version is that reports can be saved in pdf format (adobe acrobat) and you can manually email these attachments yourself. I like and have used this option!

This program is a very helpful tool in our real estate business where I can keep track and make reports of all properties. For those not familiar with the software, when you desire to enter an expense, a screen will appear that looks like a check. This check can either be printed on the intuit or third party checks or you can unclick "print" and write out your own check and just use this area to enter the expenses. You enter the payee, $$$, date and information in the lower section of the amount(s) from that same check that you want to enter into one or more categories or across many classes. For example, if I want to pay John the handiman $500 for work on properties, I can allocate $200 to "accounts" for electrical, $100 for painting and $200 for roofing, any accounts which you can personally set up. Further, if a portion of the payment is for another property address, I simply click on the appropriate property I have originally entered way back under "class" and separate the $$$ proportionately. Another column is available for entering the "job" so I can keep track of a specific project. Virtually every conceivable option is available for keeping proper track of expenses. When I deposit rent checks, I simply click on "make deposits" and enter the click on the tenant's name in the dropdown list and allocate the payment to the "class" or property. Again easy to keep complete track of expense and income. At the end of the year, I email the backup program to our accountant and he finshes the tax forms. Bank account balances can be kept and basis for properties for the long term.

Of course, if you are using this program for the first time, you enter a lot of information on various introductory screens to customize the program for your type of business.

As far as installation, I already had Quickbooks Pro 2002 installed. The instructions say to install right over top of the old program so the old information can be converted over. Screens appear that comfortable tell you what is going to happen. I would recommend backing everything up prior to upgrading. All went well.

I am very satisfied with the program. I was reluctant to try Peachtree since they say you can't keep more than 2 years of information readily open to see or modify prior to archiving (there seems to be no limit here unless your backup file gets too big- I'm at 600kb and climbing right now). I will give this rating 4 stars since I am satisfied with the program. If there would be more useful and exciting changes, I would have given it a perfect rating. Feel comfortable in purchasing this program.

Quickbooks 2004 Pro
QuickBooks 2004 Pro is modest improvement over the incredibly lame version that QB2000 was. The problem with the preceding statement is that Intuit is finally, albeit very slowly, brining QuickBooks up to the level of functionality that most professional grade software has had 3-4 years earlier. Given the price they charge for the package one would assume a very polished, professional level package which in my opinion is not the case.

Moreover the requirement of having to integrate with Internet Explorer and the corresponding reduced security settings makes it a significant security issue particularly in professional and business settings. As a professional IT consultant I need a basic package to track my business and have adopted QuickBooks by default early on believing it to be a good package given the popularity. A condition that has proved largely false unfortunately. The best I can say is that the package does get the basics I need done and given at the moment I don't have the time to review and test other alternatives I'm stuck with using this.


Lastly, as others have indicated, I really don't care for the constant self promotion Intuit has integrated into the package. I wouldn't object to something perhaps in the help area that lets on see other offerings etc. by choice. The inclusion of self promoting links within the package that appear as possible links to help areas is both annoying and modestly deceptive.
Intuit has garnered a large market share in the lower end accounting arena. They would do a good service to their longer term prospects and to their clients by making significant improvements in the package and COMPLETELY ELIMINATING the need to integrate with Internet Explorer.

Rebate Info--Don't Be Fooled
Note that the $100Rebate is for UPGRADES only.It is a bit deceiving when you purchase your QuickBooks, it is for those who had previous versionsof QuickBooks only.

Run! Run!! Run for your life!!!
I used this product back when it was in its 1.0 for DOS days. Back then, it was a great application. Designed to make double-entry accounting accessible to those of us who don't really know a credit from a debit, it did everything I needed it to do, simply.

It is now mostly an advertisement for add-on products. It still comes with the basic features, although many are no longer so simple, but so many of the feature buttons just take you to a web-based, "You can buy this add-on here now!" type site.

It's no longer intuitive either. The design is such that many common features (i.e. Receive Payment) are not available on the myriad buttons all over the screen. (Those are reserved for add-on products.) You have to navigate around things to find the simple functions you need.

Finally, gone are the days when you could get some level of decent free support for the software. I'm not talking about, telephone support, or significant hand-holding. I'm talking about things like Newsgroups. Places where people can ask questions and get ideas from other people. Microsoft has that. Intuit doesn't. Instead, if you want to ask anything beyond, "how do I install this?", you have to pay for a freakin' service plan! And it's not just a one-time $100+ fee either. After that, you have to pay them a monthly too!

I'm not sure what I'm going to switch to, but this product just bites. I'm getting out. In short, my advice is stay faaaaar away from these guys. ... Read more

Features

• Designed for rental property owners; ideal for fewer than 10 rental properties
• Easily organize rental income and expenses in one place
• Two-step set up; simply install and enter basic property information
• Details property performance; instant answers to questions about profitability
• Schedule E category list shows what's deductible.

Reviews (1)

User Unfriendly
Poor program.It is not compatable with any other quicken software, and does not allow for any bank/ccard downloads.You need to enter each item individually, making it very time consuming.This is no better than a simple excel spreadsheet. ... Read more

Features

• 12 activities in each of 210 lessons; for ages 6 and older
• Program selected by U.S. State Department, Peace Corps, NASA
• 8000+ real-life color pictures and phrases spoken by native speakers
• Develops listening comprehension, reading, speaking, writing
• Previews, tests, and automated tutorials for extra help where needed

Reviews (1)

Good for the Technically Challenged
What I like about this software is that it does not come with too many "gadgets." At my age, I am "technically challenged." So this software worked out fine for me with my limited computer skills. I also like the fact that this software covers Castilian Spanish. It is probably the only course available that exclusively covers Castilian Spanish in such depth since Pimsleur and Learning Like Crazy only offer Latin American Spanish courses.
The downside of this software is that you will not learn much Spanish grammar with it. If you want to learn the rules and mechanisms required to combine words and form sentences in Spanish, you will have to buy a good Spanish grammar book. For that I strongly recommend Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners by Avigail Azoulay, Arie Vicente. It is more expensive than other Spanish grammar books but it is well worth the money.

... Read more

Product Description

Intuit Quickbooks POS 4.0 Pro Retailer Hardware and Software .QuickBooks Point of Sale Retail Management Software is affordable, easy to use software for managing retail inventory, sales and customer information. Designed to be completely user-installable, it runs on your Windows PC and provides essential features you need to make smarter decisions about running your retail business - complete information you'll never get from a cash register. ... Read more

Product Description

Nice electronics is your source for everyday low prices on theQuark 119701 - PROMO QUARKXPRESS 6.0/6.1 WIN SINGLE FULL NO RETURNS and all other Quark Software - Office ... Read more

Features

• Improvements to output features, including As Is Color Space and DeviceN
• Page layout utility
• Output PDF files directly from QuarkXPress without buying third-party software
• Layout spaces with synchronized text
• Improved, interactive tools for Web page design

Reviews (9)

question
is there a chance of taking mirror print (whole page) with more than 1 colon edit in any versions
if printer is not postscript

A Design Resume Absolutely Must Have Quark
I learned how to effectively use Quark in the first 2 weeks of my college Prepress class, and anybody in the design world knows that if you can't use it you're a novice. It's itelligent, straight forward and an essential program for any graphic designer to master. All the complaints about this program are the result of non professionals who are either unwilling or unable to learn how to use it properly. "In Design" - what a joke. I love Adobe products, but let's get serious. If you can't use Quark, you might as well start applying for a job designing the Church Newsletter, because you can't get a top level design position without knowing this program. If you are studying to be a designer - trust me... learn it, know it, love it!

QuarkXpress 6.0 is a joke
I am actually writting this review while on the phone with their tech support group in India. I can barely understand the person and the can you believe that you have to call them to reactivate the software every time we go from Daylight Savings Time to Daylight Time. That is twice per year. There is a bug in their authentication/serial number system, which by design includes the DST flag for the local computer in the activation routine.

This is crazy...After paying full price for two copies, why do I have to spend 30 minutes per machine twice per year to reactivate their product to help them control piracy, of which I am not a part of.

Sounds like class action suit time...We should all sue for the time lost just in reactivating their products.

I used to be happy with version 3.x and 4.x.

Stress Is Not Worth It
This is the most poorly designed software yet from Quark.First, installing it can prove to be a terror if you have to ever reinstall it.Quark has set up a monstrous procedure where you must call them or attempt at their website to activate the software, which can force you to wait 2 to 3 days before you can use it.The orginal from the factory is actually their demo.Not just that, but the length of the activation code is 47 numbers and even though you get them right, they won't work on their website application/registration/activation page.

Now, let's assume you get that far.Once into the working Quark you'll find you spent a lot of money for nothing more than what Quark 4.1 offers except for a "clear vision" extension and some minor bells and whistles.They advertise that you can "build web pages" using Quark, clearly deceiving you to believe you can "translate existing Quark documents" to web pages.Forget it.You have to redo or build from scratch.It's also very old technology and is not the kind of page you want to post against the newer W3C rules. You'll play with the deveil in the end.

Best to use the older version if you still have it. If you've never used Quark and are tempted to buy it to try it...go to Adobe's Indesign first or pick up an older copy of Adobe's Pagemaker.

Finally, Quark's support service is AWFUL. They just aren't there for you when you need them, unless you pay them a lot of money for a "service agreement."If you do get hold of someone, they are in a foreign country and barely understandable and worse, they are reading something or blaming you for their product not working correctly.Quark has changed from its original service company to the newer modern insult-the-customer business style.

Thumbs down on this one.

InDesign Is a better choice
I've been using QuarkXpress for 8 years and was a dedicated Xpress user until the release of Quark 6.0 (which I purchased). The pdf feature and the high resolution preview of eps files and OSX compatibility as well as it's familiarity made me give it a try. I've been using Xpress 6 for about a month now and I'm not impressed. Customer support is weak at best and it is almost impossible to register because users have to enter a serial number and a registration number and a one hundred digit activation code (I'm not kidding 100 numbers and letters). Quark claims it's software will activate automatically on-line. It doesn't if you have a firewall. Many of the new features Quark claims to have added are extensions that must be installed separately (high res preview for eps images being one of them). Quark 4.11 users will be upset to learn that 6.0 will only save down to version 5.0 and there isn't a plug-in to fix this oversight as Quark claims. The icing on the cake is that if you change computers or if your system has trouble and you need to re-install QuarkXpress 6 you'll have to call Quark and get a new activation code. Be prepared to wait a week or two. Now if you've wasted enough of your valuable time you've probably been like me and bought a copy of InDesign. Yeah I have to learn a few things to be as fast as I was in Quark ..but it'll be worth it .The best part of InDesign is that I registered Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive and InDesign with one serial number and I was up and running (at half the price of QuarkXpress). ... Read more

Product Description

Microsoft Money 2005 Premium.Microsoft Money Premium is the most complete financial package from Microsoft. This software will help you to optimize your financial future with all the personal finance tools needed to quickly and easily organize and manage your money.Microsoft Money 2005 Premium contains all the features of the Microsoft Money Deluxe edition. Balance your checkbook, pay bills online, download financial statements, create monthly reports and more. There are also tools to help you optimize your investments, maximize tax savings, track your portfolio and more. Also included are free financial services, such as credit reporting from Experian, a capital gains optimizer from GainsKeeper, online tax preparation and e-filing from HR Block and a one-year subscription to Money Magazine.FeaturesBalance your checkbook, pay bills online, download financial statements and more Maximize your tax savings Track and optimize your investments Easy-to-use tools help you achieve your financial goals Access all of your information in one place Bonus financial services include Experian credit reporting, a capital gains tax optimizer from GainsKeeper, online tax preparation from HR Block and a one-year subscription to Money Magazine ... Read more

Features

• Simplify taxes, maximize savings; achieve financial goals
• Personal finance software with award-winning Portfolio Manager
• Automatically consolidates online financial information
• Provides essential tools for planning financial future
• Integrated GainsKeeper for tax-smart investment choices

Reviews (42)

Best value for non-professionals
As a practicing tax attorney, I'm frequently asked to recommend a software package for home users.This is without doubt the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy-to-use software for the layman.If you use a CPA or tax attorney, this program helps track and print all the needed documents.If you file by yourself (good luck), it is equally effective in tracking your overall assets.Recommended.

Not bad but buy a reference book for it.
This is my frist try with personal finace software and so far its not bad.I would however recommened getting like a dummies guide to book of some sort with this software.It takes a lot of frustration out of setting it up.The users guide that comes with ths software isnt really a users guide, more like a book of advertisments for other products.The only other guide is in with the software through help and I found that equally as usless.So if you are willing to spend 50 - 70 bucks for this software go out and spend another 20 and get a book.It really helps.Other than that, that is my only complaint.

Not much of an upgrade
My bank is one of the largest in my region, and this thing still cannot synchronize with a simple checking account.I'm glad I tried it out on my friend's computer before I purchased it.MS Money 2004 Premium isn't any better, but at least it's less money.

Terrible product
We bought this software, but could not get it to load with the .NET account or access any of our online bank accounts. Basically useless, the help on microsoft website is tantamount to reloading all your other software to 'migrate' to a new admin account to get it to work. Software is not supposed to this hard.
I wasted a day on this, please don't do the same.

Incredibly Disappointing "Upgrade"
First, let me say that I have been an avid fan, user, and recommender of the Microsoft Money products since I first became acquainted with them after the 1998 version release of the product.

Words cannot express how greatly disappointed I am with the product itself and Microsoft as a company for unleashing this grossly inept, buggy, and endlessly frustrating piece of trash upon its previously contended users.

I have spent countless hours trying to fix problems that Money 2005 has created in my personal financial records, and even more hours with their support people communicating with them via e-mail (a journey in frustration itself - you have to format your messages a certain way for it to even get to them).

I am, as of today, sending a request to Microsoft for a refund of my purchase price and am going to try one of the Quicken products. I've never even used ANY of the Quicken products before, and am already convinced that they are surely head and shoulders above this latest version of Money.

Shame on Microsoft for thinking that nobody would be willing to jump ship and take their business elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description

Quark Quark xPress 6.5 for MAC (With Free Update to 6.5 at Quark.com).QuarkXPress 6 software brought projects and layers, synchronized text, multiple undo, tables, and more. QuarkXPress 6.5 augments some of these features and provides even more enhancements that help you increase productivity, save time, and take advantage of the newest technologies.Note: The version sent is 6.0, QuarkXPress 6.1 is required to upd to QuarkXPress 6.5. If you are using QuarkXPress 6.0, please upd your copy to QuarkXPress 6.1, then continue with the upd to QuarkXPress 6.5.Download QuarkXPress 6.5 for FREE by clicking here. *Note: Quark requests your previous serial number for activation. Please provide the serial number in the #34Special Instructions#34 when placing the order, or call our Customer Service department at 1.888.322.4250 and a representative will be happy to assist you. There will be no returns or exchanges accepted on this product. ... Read more

Features

• Improvements to output features, including As Is Color Space and DeviceN
• Powerful layout software with an intuitive, versatile interface
• Combine writing, editing, and typography with color and pictures
• Output PDF files directly from QuarkXPress without buying 3rd-party software
• Improved, interactive tools for Web page design; layout spaces with synchronized text

Reviews (9)

Arrogant, unpractical, stiff software
Quark Xpress has always been a so-so software for design in general. If you are into editorial and publishing design, well you have no choice but to buy and get used to the software, because unfortunetly, it is the standard. But if you are into other fields of designs, say packaging, Quark is a mega pain in the a**. Macromedia Freehand is still the best overall design tool for the way it treatsobject manipulation and drawing features. For instance, object allignment, text can be converted to paths, images can be replaced from one image format to another, these features cannot be done in Quark. Adobe Illustrator is still the best for, well, illustation. Photoshop is the king for photoediting.I don't think editing Photoshop files in Quark is a very good idea, in the end, you'll always go back to Photoshop to do it right. But the worst is the ridiculous pricing of Quark products. Say you live in Latin America and you have to buy the passport version, Why pay more than 1000 usd if you only need it in spanish?. Should'nt some international versions be cheaper since they are going to be used in countries that have aweaker economy then the US, This leads directly to one thing, software piracy. So I hope one day Quark reconsiders and makes its products more accesible.

REASONS I HATE QUARK.
Quark USED TO BE the industry standard for layout.They had it cornered.But in the last few years, they've managed to jack it all up.Version 5 barely improved on 4 at all, and then there was a long, long wait for the hallowed version 6, and in the meantime Adobe was sneaking up behind them with InDesign.And a lot of us started using InDesign, and maybe we got a little spoiled.When Quark 6 FINALLY came out, it was already too late for me.I'm a total InDesign convert.We have Quark at work, and I still use it regularly as projects require.But for anything I do on my own, ifhave a choice, it's an incredibly easy one.

I can run through the usual Xmas list of problems associated with Quark 6 - the problems exporting to PDF, the OpenType font issues, the need for additional Xtensions to do things that InDesign does all by its lonesome, the OSX glitches, the problems collecting all your links, the lack of a functional hi-res preview, the inexplicable crashes...and I really have to say something about that idiot who said Mac is obsolete and Quark can't be bothered to cater to Mac users, and that Quark's font issues are actually Mac's fault!What a total crackhead!Mac IS the design industry!Not only that, he criticizes people for criticizing the fact that you can't use transparency, Photoshop layered files, etc in Quark, on the basis that it often doesn't print properly in Indesign and that you can use layered TIFFs instead of Photoshop in Quark.To that I say that if you have a service provider who actually knows what he's doing, InDesign transparency issues can usually be resolved, and why shouldn't you use a program that supports Photoshop AND layered TIFFs?But anybody in the design industrywho refers to "the obsolete Mac system" clearly has his head so far up his own rectal that he's quite beyond hope of redemption.

There's also the fact that Quark's decided to be total Nazis about their licensing - with 6 you originally just got the single licence for one machine.How many people DON'T work on the road on a notebook these days?More evidence that they just aren't keeping up with designers' needs.Eventually they realized they were being stupid and relaxed this a bit - you can now have it on 2 machines - but of course you have to call and wait on hold for 30 minutes before somebody in India reads you a license number longer than the Magna Carta.They just can't afford to be like this anymore!But it's nice for Adobe that they've thought of so many ways to alienate their base.

QUARK is obsolete.If they hadn't waited so long to step up to OSX, people might not have caught on to the fact that InDesign was so much better - but we have now.So Quark and Mr. Brown are going the way of the beta VCR.Don't let the door hit ya!

A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!! ONLY A FOOL WOULD PREFER THIS!!
This program is a complete joke. Quark has basically re-issued Quark 4 (and 5 for that matter) with almost NOTHING new worth mention.
* The very first thing you'll notice is this ridiculous validation scheme. Think you're going to buy software and install it and go to work? Wrong!! You have to be validated first which, if something goes wrong, can take DAYS!
* The multiple undo's would have been a great feature for 1998, even now not everything is undo-able.
* Quark has this wonderful new system of "Projects" and documents. If you ever pick-up an old document to make some changes and then re-save as a new one, the old file name remains with the file because Quark assumes you're just adding a new document to the project...A MAJOR ANNOYANCE! If you do use the project thing as intended (multiple documents and sizes wrapped up into a single file) you still have to collect each individual document seperately! HELLO?! HOW BOUT "COLLECT ALL"??
* The "Export to PDF" feature so rarely works, I don't even bother with it. I still have to "print" to a PDF.
* The "full resolution preview" isn't and frequently causes crashes when trying to change the preview res on a picture.
* All the old stupid annoying things about Quark are faithfully preserved in version 6...
* Still no "update all" feature in the links menu.
* Still no way to select a graphic and tell Quark to re-link to something different.
* Still no key commands to select tools on the tool palette.
* Still limited to 48x48" layouts.
* Still no support forOpenType. If you use OpenType fonts, expect lots of very strange letter spacings, etc.
* Lots of people still use Quark 4. If you need to save down, you must save from Q6 to Q5, then Q5 to Q4. If you're upgrading from 4 to 6, YOU'RE SCREWED! Quark 6 WILL NOT save down to Quark 4!
* Quark brags about all these new features that NOBODY will have a use for. Web pages?! PLEASE! Not even even a half-a** hack web designer would try to create a website in Quark! I tried just for the experience and believe me, it's a joke! 3 words... NO CODE VIEW!! How bout 4 more? NO MEASUREMENT IN PIXELS. These things alone makes Quark a web program not to be taken seriously.
If you're DYING to waste nearly $900, keep your antique Quark 4 or 5 and take that money to Vegas. Better yet, download a free trial of InDesign and see what a REAL page layout program should look like in the year 2004!

QuarkXPress 6 for Mac
As a reporter for a small town newspaper one summer, I found myself laying out pages of the weekly newspaper in my first week.The software was Quark, on OS 9.I had no training, no introduction, just three pages to layout before deadline.After the production manager opened the software and the page template, and left, I was using Quark, albeit not as efficiently or creatively as I was by the end of the summer, but the powerful software was relatively user friendly.

That little newspaper and other publishing shops I know have stayed with OS 9 long after the writers had switched to OS X.The publishers stayed with OS 9 because of Quark.There was no Quark for OS X.In fact, Adobe's InDesign became attractive to Mac-based designers and publishers because of its availability for OS X.QuarkXPress 6 now must compete with InDesign CS, InDesign alone or bundled in Adobe's Creative Suite with Photoshop and other design software. XPress originally came out in 1987, InDesign in 1999.For the publishers who waited for Quark to catch up to OS X, the wait was worth it, but now there is a worthy competitor too.

QuarkXPress 6 uses the familiar interface of earlier versions.Version 6 requires OS 10.2 or higher.This software provides many layout options for creating style sheets, building master pages, importing images, using layers to develop different versions of a layout, including print and web versions and pages of various sizes.The software enables the user to automatically generate indexes, manage color, export layouts to PDF, and design web pages.Cascading menus is a new web capability introduced with XPress 6.Synchronized text is a nice feature as the same text used in multiple places can be revised in one place and automatically changed in the other places.Undo is a more powerful tool in 6 than in earlier version, and images can be viewed in full resolution in 6.Most of the tasks are easy to perform.

Changing printers and exporting to PDF involve some confusion as the Quark Print Dialog Box and the OS X Print Dialog Box are both necessary to accomplish these tasks. XPress 6 lacks the range of fonts available with InDesign. Improvements in the form of extensions are available for download from the Quark website, like the new image-editing QuarkVista Xtension. Extensions for earlier versions need to be replaced with ones specifically for OS X - QuarkXPress 6.

The XPress 6.1 tested for this review will not open with Dvorak keyboard activated.When I click to open, a message appears on screen: "This version of QuarkXPress cannot be used with this keyboard."Since Dvorak was designed in the 1930s as an efficient alternative the standard QWERTY (designed in the 1870s to slow typists down so they would not jam the keys on manual typewriters), since the American National Standards Institute approved Dvorak as the alternate national standard in 1982, since Macs and Windows come with Dvorak as an optional keyboard layout, and since I have been using Dvorak for more than a decade, I was disappointed.I quickly discovered that I could switch to Dvorak with QuarkXPress open.I could use Dvorak keyboard commands and use Dvorak to type, but I remain in fear that some Dvorak keystrokes might not work and may mess up my product at some point. Why else that message?I tried opening XPress using a foreign-language keyboard, Spanish, and that worked, so the Dvorak-prompted message is not simply a "language" restriction, though Quark does sell XPress Passport to expand capabilities in 11 foreign languages.

I have no immediate interest in website design, so I checked other reviews for as assessment of the software's capabilities.David Weiss on the MacDevCenter.com site reported on taking a Project file (called a Document in earlier versions)and duplicating the file using the Layout menu and Duplicate command, selecting Web as the Layout type.He used the File menu, Export command, and HTML destination.He found exporting a multi-page document to HTML provided a challenge in regards to paginating the web document.Using XPress, he preferred creating the HMTL document from scratch, but that is not a practical approach for newspapers and magazines that go online as well as in print.

Reviewer Gene Gable at CreativePro.com identified a big problem for the single-license user:"No way to run XPress on both your work and home machines, even if you never run them concurrently."The reason was Quark's new product activation system that limited the software to one computer, not one at a time.Quark offered for sale a Mobile License to allow the single user to use more than a single computer.Quark heard complaints, like Gable's, and responded.In July 2004 Quark revised its single-user licenses so that users can install XPress on two computers for non-concurrent use of the software.Previous purchasers of the Quark Mobile License can request a credit toward future purchases of Quark products.

Quark provides support online, including a printable 20-page Keyboard Command Guide that lists menu, dialog box, palette, document, item, text, and picture commands.Ericka Kendra's QuarkXPress: Creating Digital Documents, is the text used by Against the Clock to prepare the test for the QuarkXPress Certified Expert Program, and the text is recommended for XPress users from beginning to experienced users.I have not yet seen it.

Prices vary for QuarkXPress 6.Suggested retail price is $1045.The Apple Store (store.apple.com) lists XPress 6 at $799.95.PriceGrabber.com has vendors selling the software from a low of $789.99 to a high of $1050.00.JourneyEd.com is one of many educational vendors offering lower prices for students and faculty; in JourneyEd.com's case the price is $199.98.

As a writer, I want to know which software the publisher of my next book will be using.As a self-employed user, I have to look at InDesign given its price advantage.But I like Quark.XPress 6 is a good product, and it has good competition.

Cannot support their differential pricing
While quark recommended price is $1045 (and Amazon sells it for $799), Amazon appears to be prohibited from selling it at that price outside America.
In other countries such as Europe and Africa, one has to pay EUR 1770 or $2130!
So while it is definitely an excellent product, I cannot support such differential pricing of a product!
... Read more

Product Description

OmniPage Pro 14 is a powerful productivity tool that delivers the most accurate and precise document conversion available today. Quickly turn PDF files and stacks of paper - letters, contracts, tables, manuals - into easily editable word processing and spreadsheet documents. Ideal for individuals and home office use, OmniPage Pro 14 delivers everything you need to efficiently convert, edit, process, and share your paper and PDF documents.

Features:

• Instantly convert paper into useable Microsoft&reg; Office documents
• Turn PDF files into editable documents while retaining their layout
• Create unlimited searchable PDF files for electronic archives
• Automatically process images from MFPs and scanners
• Scan and convert Documents into PDF, TIFF and more
• Share documents using e-mail and Web

Features

• Turn text documents into audio books; add digital signatures to your e-documents
• Save time and money with this powerful document conversion application
• Eliminating retyping; turn documents into e-files you can edit, search, and share
• Precision OCR technology, advanced layout analysis, and powerful editing tools
• Turn paper and PDF files into editable e-documents that match the original

Reviews (13)

Works fine on simple text, not so on complex format.
Text recognition is very good on a simple, typewrited page but, hey, there are sharewares that do this for free. I tested Omnipage mainly on complex textbook pages with headers, 2 columns, figures with legends. I chose 240 dpi as a compromise between size and accuracy. The result:
1. When converting a 2-column page to PDF, the text flows ACROSS the columns instead of down then right. Useless for cut & paste. Also, word search is not sequential. Omnipage support never answered my questions on this issue (nor on any other).
2. Figures with small objects on a contrasting background (e.g. birds flying in the sky) are interpreted as text, with laughable result. In general, the recognition of image fields was bad.
5. Figure legends were systematically included with the text around them instead of being assigned to a separate text box.
4. This beast needs A LOT of CPU. I ran it on a 2.8GHz P4 and it was crawling through the pages.
5. Not an Omnipage issue, but as an aside: Omnipage offers to save the text as a MS Word file. Note that MS Word will not open a file larger than 32 Mb. I did not know this. Did you?
Final word: mediocre, too expensive. Try sharewares first.

NEED HELP WITH OMNI PAGE PRO 10
I have been using Omni Page Pro 10 here at my work. However, in the last few months, when I scan it takes forever for it to scan -- recognizing goes faster tho.

I have removed all unnecesary programs from my computer thinking that I was using all my RAM. I am on a network.

However, this hasn't solved my problem. I am now running Win XP and have ServicePack 2 installed. Could this be my problem? Can anyone help?

Would like to get some input from others who have used Omni Page Pro 10 to get some ideas of what to try before I turn this over to our IT Department.

Like ya'll, I really do like Omni Page Pro 10 -- but with the problem that I am having was wondering if I needed to upgrade Omni Page Pro 14 -- but considering what ya'll have said -- upgrading would give me a bigger nightmare.

Please help if you can!!!

Like a demolition derby-- crashes galore
It's bad enough that Omnipage Pro 14 Office crashes when you try to process a PDF file; bad enough that it crashes when you try to download an update from within the program (the only way ScanSoft allows you to do it)-- if there are solutions for these serious problems in their product, ScanSoft will not tell you about them unless you pay $9.95 per incident for e-mail support, $19.95 to actually speak to someone. What a lousy policy. What a crummy product!

Layout Retention is poor at best, hard to use
This is not a planted review.I'm just a home user.I have been using OmniPage for years.The last version I used prior to OmniPage Pro 14 was OmniPage Pro 10.

This version does the worst job of layout retention I have seen in any OCR software period.Version 10, the version I was using prior to upgrading worked much better.

Its hard to use, menus and features appear easy but in fact don'twork very well at all. The system of "workflows" is flawed at best.

If you just want to take a simple text document with images and scan it into say word be prepared for a nightmare once in word.The result of your scan will retain very little of the layout of your original document.

ScanSoft makes some very fine products that I use.Oddly their "flayship" software OmniPage is difficult to use and performs poorly.Do yourself a favor and look at other OCR software before buying this.

Works great until you have a problem
OmniPage 14 worked great at first.Then I needed a patch to fix some problems I'm having with the Batch Manager.Their update function under help is broken.(Look at other recent posts by other users.)I tried calling yesterday ($20) and couldn't get through.

I'm well versed in fixing broken apps.After uninstalling/reinstalling, uninstalling/manually removing files and registry entries/reinstalling, I'm still having the same problems that are making it totally unusable.After searching Scansoft's website, and posting twice to their "user forums", I started looking for alternative solutions.I found more posts here than I did on Scansoft's site. ... Read more

Features

• For Ages 4 and Up
• Designed with extensive input from teachers and students
• Ability to control which graphics libraries are active for a project
• Bilingual - English/Spanish Support
• A 17% larger workspace, visible menu bar, tool tips, and help movies make Kid Pix Deluxe 4 for Kids easier to use

Reviews (5)

Kid Pix Deluxe 4
I love it! It's so easy & fun to use, and it works with windows XP!

This is a fantastic product
This is a fantastic product - the fact that it doesn't work on a particular OShas nothing to do with the functionality of the actual product.Highly recommend it for kids 5 and above.

Attention Mac Users
As soon as I returned from a trip, in May 2003, my husband surprised my son and me with the Apple Mac PowerBook G4.I worked in education for thirteen years and loved Kid Pix® for students' use and my own.My husband bought a Kid Pix version which said on its back, "Mac compatible for versions 9 and higher."That piece of information cost me a visit to our Apple Store.The software was not compatible with Mac OS X.Tough.My spanking new Mac's logic board got fried.
So, as George Harrison said in "Help!" the second Richard Lester film, "Thanks for the trip, sailor!"The posted information provided by Mac users who bought the wrong Kid Pix Deluxe 4 version has been very useful and I want to reinforce their alert to other Mac users.

I will have to go now.I want to run to the Apple Store to get ahold of a Kid Pix.I have been deprived of my favorite drawing software since 2003.Who would ever think the leading computer brand in the world in the education and designing, Le Royal Mac, is not supported by the leading kiddie designing software, Kid Pix.Pretty disappointing, folks.

Total Dissapointment if you have a Mac
When I saw the announcement I got excited, and purchased it right away because I had been using the excellent Kid Pix 3X developed by MacKiev, and I thought this will be even better. Once I installed it, I was terribly dissapointed with the quality of the graphics, cursors and other user interface elements. I did some research and found out that Broderbund licenses the Kidpix title to two different companies one the maker of this version Riverdeep and the other Mackiev. Mackiev has spent quite a bit of resources developing their version and it shows in the quality of their work. If you have Mac OSX you should buy KidPix 3X available at the Mac Store. It is more expensive but in this case you definetely get what you pay for. KidPix 3X not only runs onOSX but it is integrated with the ILife applications among many other incredible features. They won a best of show award on the MacWorld 2004 for their application.

Don't buy this if you have a mac
I bought this because it is finally OS X native.Installed KPD4 in my account, but when my daughter opens KPD4 in her account, it will not save, no permission.Broderbund will not support, they redirect to encoreusa. Encoreusa has no support on their site for this product. Not covered in their knowledgebase, or forums.And they will not support by phone.No reponse to e-mails except form letters with no followup.There are permissions problems generated by this product, and they are unresolved.

Just don't buy KPD4 until it is supported. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Learn a new language with the award-winning method used by the U.S. State Department to train diplomats. Proven effective by NASA astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, and millions of students worldwide, the Rosetta Stone Language Library teaches new languages faster and easier than ever before.

We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency.

The Rosetta Stone Level I program offers a comprehensive course of study for beginning learners, leading to intermediate proficiency. The program contains over 3,500 real-life images and phrases in 92 lessons and more than 250 hours of mastery instruction in listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing. Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. There are reviews, exercises, and tests for every lesson with automated tutorials throughout the program. (Ages 6 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Buy this right now!
I was interested in learning Latin, and my high school only offers Spanish and French.I resolved to learn it on my own, and this product was invaluable. It was amazing how fast I picked up Latin! Within a couple of weeks of study, the language seemed to flow off my tongue. Buying this product is the single most important step you can take to learning Latin. My only criticism is that there isn't a Latin II product to continue my studies. ... Read more

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 (17)

Know what's going on in the financial world
Know what's going on in the financial world and also get overwhelmed with lots of useless statistics that you don't really care about.I read the WSJ all the time now, I filter through the articles and only read what I think is really useful, since there is really so much information in this paper.

The pricing model is rather like a fast food value pricing model.Pay more but understand that you are getting more than you need.At times you will probably find yourself just looking at the headlines and throwing the thing out at the end of the day because at the end of the day, the news has suddenly become old news.

If you want to get the WSJ, get it for a briefer on the news that is interesting to you, the analysis and the opinions.For these things, it might be worth it.Obviously it helps if you have a morning commute on public transportation with nothing to read (those in cities who have bus and subways will enjoy intellectual reading material), this kills the time quickly.Once you're done reading most of the paper, you'll be at your destination.

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.

Slow & Overloaded Website, cannot cancel
Website is slow and overloaded.Sometimes takes minutes to get into site or to get an article to load up (this on a high-speed connection).WSJ always claims that it's a problem on my end, even though all other sites I go to load up in 2 seconds or less.

Also, they go up on charges without warning.My original subscription was $29.Now it's $79, but they never warned that the charge was going to $79; they just charged my credit card. ... Read more

Product Description

The QuickLink-Pen Elite is the latest version of the very popular and successful QuickLink-Pen, providing users with new and improved electronic note-taking capabilities: reads notes and definitions aloud; beams to Smartphones, as well as to PDAs and PCs; includes English dictionary definitions; USB connection to PC.Used just like a yellow highlighter, the QuickLink-Pen Elite allows the user to collect, electronically, notes from any printed text - anytime, anywhere!The QuickLink-Pen Elite is ideal for students, doctors, business people, or researchers who need the ability to quickly and easily take notes whenever and wherever they might be - in a library, on a plane, or in a business meeting. ... Read more

Features

• USB and IrDA infra red ports, PC compatible
• Stores up to 1,000 pages of text; text-to-speech software
• Supports English, German, Swedish, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and French
• Exports data to Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet Explorer
• 97% OCR accuracy, recognizes 6-22 point font sizes

Reviews (4)

Doesn't work with OS X
I want to like this thing, but I can't, for it does not work at all with OS X.

So, if, like me, you run Apples, just pass on by this page because the thing will not work for you.

Not as good as the C-Pen 800C
I'm measuring, first and foremost, ease and precision of scanning. Speed of scanning and ease of installation on the computer are, in my mind, about the same for both this, the Wizcom QuickLink Elite, and the C-Pen 800C. They differ sufficiently, however, in the primary question of ease and quality of scanning. For the record, I bought both at the same time, with the intent of keeping the better of the two. You can just go ahead and buy the C-Pen 800C.
I have had one horrible experience with a pen scanner by Siemens, the "Pocket Reader." It was truly useless. It scanned so poorly that I just put it aside. By the time I though to return it, Siemens was no longer making it, and I couldn't get customer service here in the U.S.
The Wizcom QuickLink Elite is not so bad. It's serviceable. I don't think it lives up to its 95% accuracy guarantee, but perhaps meets a 90% threshold, measured impressionistically. It's interface is also reasonable and satisfactory.
However, the C-Pen 800C is even more precise, truly approaching 95%. Moreover, if you discount errors in spacing from this accuracy percentage, its precision is even higher. Whereas the Wizcom is just as likely to make a content error, misread letters, etc., the 800C's errors are more likely to be the absence of a space when there should be one. A rare missed space doesn't make you puzzle over the text when you come back to it two months later.
C-Pen is also lighter, and it's rechargeable, so while it's more expensive, in the long run, you'll save on batteries.
Both have comparable single-language dictionaries, though Wizcom has more built in or for free (C-Pen allows you one free dictionary, including bilingual ones). Wizcom is a only a bit slower on the uptake, but significantly more likely to warn you "Scan too fast." I've never had that from C-Pen, and again, the precision at any speed is appreciably better with C-Pen.
Both have comparable PC and PDA compatibility capacity.

Too much capability can be a bad thing....
I chose this device over the competitor products based on (1) ergonomics, (2) local device controls, and (3) independent operation from the PC.Unfortunately, the device software has fallen prey to the age-old issues of any device that tries to perform "smart" syncing operations.It gets confused...

My goal was to use the pen as a remote scanning device and then be able to upload the scanned text to either my home PC or my laptop.I installed the desktop application on both machines with no apparent problems.However, after successfully syncing with one machine, a subsequent attempt to sync with the second machine failed miserably.One such failure caused me to permanently lose 2 hours worth of scanned input.I was horrified.

I need a scanning pen that is exactly just that.A scanner.I don't need a smart device that wants to 'remember' what I've done or what I want to do.I don't get this type of behavior with my digital camera or my flatbed scanner, so I don't expect it from a pen.When you perform an alleged upload operation, the software tries to write information back into the pen.If I'm "uploading" then I don't want anything to be "downloaded" into the pen... period.This is the bane of my tests and the failures.

There are certainly other factors that affected decision to return the equipment to the manufacturer for refund, such as sluggish processing times between scans, and extremely poor ability to read Times New Roman (note: all their samples are in Arial, but find a textbook that isn't TNR!).I could still have lived with these ideosyncracies if it weren't for the high risk of data loss.This was intended to be a time saver, but it simply wasn't.

My rating here is based on the hardware.This device could be vastly improved with a change in software philosophy.Just upload the data and don't second-guess the operator.

Portable, useful, and easy to use
I received QuickLink Elite pen today and have been testing it for the past 6 hours. Now I am finished, I would like to share my thought about this device with you. The box came with the content as described by Amazon. My surprise was that the 135 page color manual, I thought those were extinct! That is in addition to the PDF one in the CD.

Installation on Windows XP Pro. SP2 (Tablet edition) went smoothly, the instructions on the self run CD were easy to follow. You basically install the driver for the cable [serial at the device connector to USB (II in my case) at the PC end], then you install the desktop application which is a very basic utility that lists the files on your pen, and allows you to communicate, change settings, transfer data, and add software to your pen. Once you install the software, you will be asked to connect the device to the computer to start the communication. Initially I had a problem connecting to the device because it conflicted with Bluetooth serial ports. So I disabled the Bluetooth serial ports and removed some extra unused serial COM ports from the computer device manager. I reinstalled the pen drive from the CD, restarted the computer but before I connect again I did one more IMPORTANT step that is not mentioned anywhere. You Baud rate on the pen (go to settings, communications, baud rate) must be the same as your computer COM port (go to device manager, right click on the new COM port), choose a rate, in my case 57600 worked best. After that I managed to exchange files, install software to the pen. In addition, It tried the IrDA with my laptop, the text file was transferred instantly. PDA (iPAQ) recognize the device but transfer of files needed third-party software (Peacmaker $15). In their website, they say there will be an upgrade where third party will not be needed.

After that scanning the text went smoothly, I also scanned small image ( max 8 mm wide), installed the tables software on the pen, scanned directly on the PC ... all went very well. I scanned a type font 10 textbook, out of the total 543,24 were mis-recognized (some missing one letter, some had capital letter in the middle, while others were just a mess). That is about 95.5% accuracy, not bad, considering that I get about 85% with a flatbed scanner. It takes me about 5 to 6 seconds per line (about 5 minutes per page), so this is truly for text snippets rather than a whole page scanning. Image scanning is useful for signatures, Greek letters, etc. Quality is just OK, you can also scan tables, business cards (to outlook), URLs (get sent to favorites) with the included add-ins on the CD, and bar codes (additional downloads from the wizcom website). All in all I will recommend this device for students, researchers, & people who type slow or rather collect different set of texts from books, journals, etc. It fits 1000 pages internal memory, besides scanning directly to your word processor. It has built in English dictionary, good for language students. It also read aloud any text that is scanned (I do not see the use of this one) but the pen comes with earphone with volume controls.
All in all, this pen turn out as it was described and I think it is a keeper. Thanks for reading this long review and I hope it helped someone.
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Product Description

Intuit QuickBooks 2005 Premier Retail Edition - Complete Product - Financial Management - 1 User(s) Complete Product - Standard - PCQuickBooks Premier Retail Edition 2005 is designed specifically to help you manage your retail business more effectively. Use it alone, or pair it with QuickBooks Point of Sale software to transfer sales, inventory and customer information to your books in one quick step. Nice electronics is your source for everyday low prices on theIntuit 284228 - QUICKBOOKS PREMIER RETAIL 2005 WIN and all other Intuit Software - Misc ... Read more

Features

• Track work orders; offer Direct Deposit of paychecks
• See snapshots of any customer or vendor and recent account activity
• Management software for running retail businesses more effectively
• View daily sales easily; calculate sales tax liability automatically
• Process overpayments, underpayments, credits, and refunds