Category — Computers

Scholastic

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Usborne’s Animated First Thousand Words is the CD-ROM version of the popular book, The Usborne First Thousand Words. Children learning to read for the first time will see and hear 100 words come alive in over 35 scenes from everyday life. Fully functional in English and Spanish, the First Thousand Words CD-ROM can be used to introduce young learners to either a first or a second language. In each of 35 places, your child will find six word games designed to address a variety of learning styles. Children will hear words read aloud, practice saying new words by recording them, color scenes by fitting pictures into place, match words to pictures, and sort words and their pictures into groups. ISBN 0-590-18466-0. UPC 078073184668. “System Requirements: Windows; * 66MHz or faster processor * 16 MB available RAM * 256 color 640 X 480 display * Double-speed CD-ROM drive * Windows-compatible sound card * Microsoft Windows 3.1x or Windows 95 * Recommended: Microphone and printer, Micintosh; * 68040 or faster processor * 12 MB total RAM (6144 KB free) * 256 color 640 X 480 display * Double-speed CD-ROM drive * 3 MB free hard disk space * System 7.1 or higher * Recommended: Microphone and printer (from booklet)

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Apple Computer

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Motion 2 delivers the powerful one-two punch of advanced animation and instant gratification. With its breakthrough functionality and seamless workflow, it offers an asy way for artists and editors to animate text, movies and graphics for film, video or DVD menus. Create professional motion graphics for broadcast graphics, corporate presentations, feature film titles and so much more. Over 50 new particle effects, plus acceleration curve for the Motion Path behavior Enhanced Keyframe recording and Keyframe editor

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Roxio

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

The days of the simple CD-burning utility are seemingly over, and in the case of Roxio’s Toast 5 Titanium, it’s a good thing. Lately we’ve been seeing CD-burning software that attempts to do everything but clean the kitchen sink, with varying levels of success. In the case of Toast 5, the proverbial sink is spotless. Plenty of useful features like CD labeling, audio extraction, and data storage provide meat-and-potatoes satiation. The ability to remove hiss and crackle from old LPs, and Toast’s new OS X-influenced interface, is like the cherry on top of the dessert. And, of course, the bread-and-butter feature is Toast’s delicious burning options.

Roxio has kept the functionality of its drag-and-drop window intact from the previous version, only now the design is reminiscent of a funky ’50s diner jukebox. The window is resizable, with simple buttons specifying the type of CD you wish to burn. Click audio, data, copy, or other, and the button turns blue. Pop a blank CD-R into your drive, drag your files into the window, hit that big red glowing record button in the corner, and you’re cooking. Toast 5 continues to support all major CD formats (like the previous version), and additional formats including MP3, Mac/ISO hybrid, and VideoCD (playable on many DVD players). If that was all there is to this package, we’d be done right here, satisfied, and ready for a nap.

But, as we’ve mentioned, Roxio has loaded plenty of goodies onto the Toast 5 CD-ROM, some of them frivolous and fattening, (isn’t that what goodies are for?) some of them extremely useful sides. We particularly like iView Multimedia, which lets you catalog all your images, building a thumbnail library for easy organization and retrieval. Also cool is CD Spin Doctor. Although we love our vinyl here at Amazon.com, we’ve yet to see a device that will play records in the car. CD Spin Doctor is a simple application that will digitize and create a waveform of your old LPs and cassettes, then let you add simple filters to improve the audio. Remove hiss, clicks, and pops, and then burn the result to audio CD.

There’s plenty more on the table. Magic Mouse Discus is a basic labeling kit for your CDs. Or you can export included templates to Freehand 9, AppleWorks, or Quark for more complex graphic design for your labels. New in Toast 5 is the useful background burning capability, allowing you to work in other applications while Toast is cooking up your discs. Make sure you have plenty of RAM for this function. You even get folders filled with excellent digital photographs and free music from popular groups and musicians.

We could go on listing savory features, yet will contain ourselves and simply admonish the Macintosh users among you: There’s no reason not to buy Toast 5 Titanium. It’s a well-balanced, nutritious software program that will slake your ravenous hunger. –John Bosch

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Avanquest

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Britannica Classics - Read articles from Britannica’s most famous contributors?from Sigmund Freud to Harry Houdini, Marie Curie to Orville Wright Homework Helpdesk - Browse through a collection of useful homework resources including a video subject browse, online learning games and activities, and how-to documents on topics such as writing a book review. Daily Content - Learn something new each day as you are presented with interesting, date-specific facts with This Day In History. Rich Multimedia - View vivid illustrations with over 16,000 images, video, and audio that bring fascinating topics to life. Additional Videos, Web Links, and Magazines Online - Link to 166,000 sites you can trust?selected by Britannica editors?plus links to thousands of videos and magazines for a wealth of additional information.

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Adobe

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Upgrade only; Previous installation required Multiple layer control for selecting, moving, grouping and transforming objects intuitievly Advanced noise reduction for high-ISO shooting plus JPEG artifact reduction 32-bit High Dynamic Range (HDR) support - create Customizable workspaces and menus for easier access to task-based presets and custom menus Spot Healing Brush retouches in a single click One-click red-eye correction lets you set pupil size and darkening level

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Fluenz

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Fluenz is a software company founded by a group of passionate language learners who felt there had to be a better way. We believe in the power of one-on-one tutoring, so our technology is geared towards bringing real life instruction to the computer. In our Spanish application, language tutor Sonia Gil guides you throughout the program, blending full motion video explanations in English with a series of highly engaging workouts, helping you to understand and speak relevant Spanish. The Fluenz system follows three clear principles: 1) We learn best when we have a teacher. It’s often difficult to motivate yourself to learn on your own. By bringing a tutor to the computer, we explain all concepts in a sensible way and you don’t have to tackle Spanish all by yourself. 2) It’s easier to learn Spanish by starting out in English. Contrary to what you might think, Spanish is a tough langauge to learn and we are able to progress much faster by leveraging our knowledge of English to help us learn Spanish. In fact, modern linguistics tells us that as adults, we need to use the tools of the language we already know and apply them to learning a new language. With Fluenz, you learn first in English and relate basic Spanish grammar and syntax to that of English, rather than trying to understand Spanish grammar with Spanish logic. 3) It’s best to learn the most relevant words in Spanish right away. You need to start learning the words and structures that will allow you to communicate the most in the least amount of time, taking into consideration which words are easier to remember for English speakers, which expressions make the most logical sense to us, and which are most useful–”cell phone” instead of “red apple.” Being able to communicate right away in simple ways requires relevant learning. And, with 13 types of workouts covering verbal expression and comprehension, as well as reading and writing, you practice and internalize what you learn in the video lessons.

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Xrite

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Eye-One Display is the next generation for monitor profiling. This easy-to use, powerful solution provides the best monitor profiling and calibration for your images. Why do photographs sometimes not appear onscreen with the vibrancy of the original shot? The fact is, all monitors (yes, both new and old) display color differently. But with Eye-One Display LT, you can achieve accurate onscreen color just like the pros — without having to become a pro. Eye-One Display LT calibrates your monitor and adjusts the color onscreen, so your images remain true. Simply attach to both LCD and CRT monitors with built-in counterweight and suction cups, and enjoy perfect color every time. Ideal for photographers, creative directors, publishers and designers working in ad agencies and corporations. Easily attaches multiple workstations, with no additional licensing fee Compact colorimeter for emissive color measurements offer same sleek lightweight design as the original Eye-One Display New Enhanced sensor provides; Highest repeatability for consistent calibration and profiling results, fastest measurements for quick profiling, highest sensitivity in dark areas for better control in shadow detail and more neutral gray scale Easily attaches to both LCD and CRT monitors with built-in counterweight and suction cups Profile Summary report provides post-calibration analysis Profiler reminder to ensure true and reliable color over time USB powered Compatible with Mac OS X, and Windows 98, 2000, Me, XP

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Xrite

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Eye-One Display is the next generation for monitor profiling. This easy-to use, powerful solution provides the best monitor profiling and calibration for your images. Why do photographs sometimes not appear onscreen with the vibrancy of the original shot? The fact is, all monitors (yes, both new and old) display color differently. But with Eye-One Display LT, you can achieve accurate onscreen color just like the pros — without having to become a pro. Eye-One Display LT calibrates your monitor and adjusts the color onscreen, so your images remain true. Simply attach to both LCD and CRT monitors with built-in counterweight and suction cups, and enjoy perfect color every time. Ideal for photographers, creative directors, publishers and designers working in ad agencies and corporations. Easily attaches multiple workstations, with no additional licensing fee Compact colorimeter for emissive color measurements offer same sleek lightweight design as the original Eye-One Display New Enhanced sensor provides; Highest repeatability for consistent calibration and profiling results, fastest measurements for quick profiling, highest sensitivity in dark areas for better control in shadow detail and more neutral gray scale Easily attaches to both LCD and CRT monitors with built-in counterweight and suction cups Profile Summary report provides post-calibration analysis Profiler reminder to ensure true and reliable color over time USB powered Compatible with Mac OS X, and Windows 98, 2000, Me, XP

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Mindscape

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

See Why Millions Type Faster and Better! Product Information Whether you need typing skills to run a small business, chat on the Internet, or make school projects look more professional, Mavis guarantees satisfaction. Mavis Beacon has taught millions of people how to type or improve their typing. Students have ranged in age and experience from beginners to people with years of experience working at a keyboard. On entering the virtual classroom, you are placed in the right lesson for your age group and skill level. From then on, your progress is monitored and encouraged every step of the way. Mavis makes learning to type fun and easy. That’s why Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing has been #1 in the world for years. Includes Enhanced Adaptive Response Technology Customizes the program to your typing strengths, weaknesses, and skill level. Age-Appropriate Content and Lessons Optimize your learning with interesting materials designed especially for kids, teens, and adults. 8 Games Build your typing speed, accuracy, and rhythm with a variety of fun-filled games including the Creature Lab. On-Screen Guide Hands Watch the on-screen hands to learn the correct finger positions as you type. Custom Lessons Create lessons for use in the classroom or selected games. Use Mavis’s content or import text files from outside the program. Live Action Videos View 25 minutes of ergonomic tips and exercises to develop safer and more comfortable keyboarding habits. Educational Features Navigate through the Classroom to the lesson area, media center, and game hallway. Exciting road race game tests speed and accuracy. Onscreen guide hands type along with you, demonstrating correct form with every keystroke. Use the Interactive Media Center to download new typing content from the Internet or create custom lessons. Learn proper office ergon

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Mindscape

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

See Why Millions Type Faster and Better! Product Information Whether you need typing skills to run a small business, chat on the Internet, or make school projects look more professional, Mavis guarantees satisfaction. Mavis Beacon has taught millions of people how to type or improve their typing. Students have ranged in age and experience from beginners to people with years of experience working at a keyboard. On entering the virtual classroom, you are placed in the right lesson for your age group and skill level. From then on, your progress is monitored and encouraged every step of the way. Mavis makes learning to type fun and easy. That’s why Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing has been #1 in the world for years. Includes Enhanced Adaptive Response Technology Customizes the program to your typing strengths, weaknesses, and skill level. Age-Appropriate Content and Lessons Optimize your learning with interesting materials designed especially for kids, teens, and adults. 8 Games Build your typing speed, accuracy, and rhythm with a variety of fun-filled games including the Creature Lab. On-Screen Guide Hands Watch the on-screen hands to learn the correct finger positions as you type. Custom Lessons Create lessons for use in the classroom or selected games. Use Mavis’s content or import text files from outside the program. Live Action Videos View 25 minutes of ergonomic tips and exercises to develop safer and more comfortable keyboarding habits. Educational Features Navigate through the Classroom to the lesson area, media center, and game hallway. Exciting road race game tests speed and accuracy. Onscreen guide hands type along with you, demonstrating correct form with every keystroke. Use the Interactive Media Center to download new typing content from the Internet or create custom lessons. Learn proper office ergon

View More about Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 9.0