228 products reviewed as of 7/11/00 (check main page for more/newer reviews) General & Business Applications Adobe Acrobat 4.0   Popular suite for creating PDF files gets better. Auction Action Tracker   Utility with huge potential works in sync with eBay to track your auctions. Audiofile & Internet Companion   Keep track of your music collection with this incredibly detailed database. Audion   MP3 player offers good functionality in an affordable package. Charts Pro   Creates stunning 3D bar graphs and pie charts from spreadsheet data. ClarisWorks 5.0   Word processing, spreadsheet, database, communications, and drawing suite. DebtWizard   Balance your budget and know how much and when to make monthly payments. DocMaker 4.8   Create stand-alone documents complete with embedded graphics and sound. EarSaver   Soothing ambionic soundscape player. Grammarian   Robust grammar checker for all your applications. Grolier '99 Deluxe Encyclopedia   In depth encyclopedia with an iMac colored interface. GrooveMaker   Easy to use, affordable music generator. MacAMP Lite 1.5   Small and excellent sound player, including mp3. MacInterface   Mac OS Tutorial CD is designed for a small niche of intermediate users. MacTicker   Place the stock market and track stocks on your desktop. MetaSynth 2.5   Powerful and revolutionary MIDI authoring for all levels. MP3 Encoders   Comparative review: AudioCatalyst 2.0.1 vs. N2MP3 PlayerPro 4.5.8   MIDI authoring application with plenty of features for the professional. Print Explosion   Well-designed, consumer publishing suite. SoundJam MP vs. MacAMP 1.0 Preview Edition     The current top mp3 players face off for your patronage. textSOAP 1.3   Clean up text from the internet and emails, remove unwanted characters, etc. UpdateAgent Online 3.0   Automatically update all your software with a single click. Unity DS-1   High-end MIDI authoring software with plenty of features. Virtual PC 2.0   Solid PC emulation in an affordable package. Vision DSP   Solid MIDI authoring applicaton for a novice or intermediate user. Education & Reference An Odyssey of Discovery   Teaches the fundamentals of science, great for elementary school students. Anne of Green Gables   Interactive, electronic version of the popular classic. North American Birds   The ultimate reference for the avid bird watcher. Entertainment 2K5   This Kombat-style game falls way short of its goal: being fun to play. Age of Empires   Microsoft's real-time-strategy game falls short. America's Arcade Hits 3D   4 classics get a 3D facelift, but lose some of their charm. America's Greatest Solitaire   Solid solitaire with nothing spectacular. Carmageddon   Action packed car racing, carnage, and destruction in one. Carmageddon 2   Sequel offers even more explosive action with better graphics and more levels. Cobra Gunship 1.3   Shareware helicoptor action game based on the classic "Armor Alley." CC: A Bridge Too Far   Sequel to Close Combat; one of the most realistic war/strategy games to date. Dark Vengeance   Despite some unique concepts, this first-person action game falls a shy short. Deer Hunter   A lackluster deer hunting simulation with poor gameplay and miserable graphics. Duke Nukem 3D   The classic first person shooter that helped revolutionize the entire genre. EV Override   Sequel to the popular Escape Velocity doesn't live up to its predecessor. Future Cop   Take control of the most advanced mech vechicle in this action-packed title. Flying Circus   This WW1 flight simulator has nice physics but is plagued by poor graphics. Food Chain   One of the most unique puzzle games in ages. Galapagos   This attempt at breeding artifical intelligence leaves out the fun factor. Gubble   Use power tools to help Gubble save his planet; a great puzzle game for all ages. Harry the Executive   A solid and orginial puzzle, action, and adventure game from Ambrosia. Jazz Jackrabbit 2   Fast paced, 2D action side-scroller with a sharp look. Klingon Honor Guard   Based on the Unreal engine, this first-person shooter is great fun. Lode Runner 2   A classic gets a modern look but keeps its unique feel. Madden 2000   Phenomenal football game offers everything a gamer could want. Mars Rising   Ambrosia recreates the scrolling shooter from the 80s. Myth II: Soulblighter   This awesome sequel to one of the greatest games of all time lives up to the hype. Netris   Play Tetris against opponents over the internet. Oddballz   Mildly amsuing virtual life sim. Postal: Special Delivery   Assume the role of a psychopath on a killing spree; not for the faint of heart. Quake   The revolutionary 3D, first-person action game offers amazing net play. Quake: X-Men   A total conversion for Quake changes the game completely. QuakeFinder 1.5   Find Quake servers to play on and all the information about them. RealPool   Great physics and graphics are still no substitute for the real thing. Remington Top Shot   An impressive shooting simulation, if you can pretend your mouse is a gun. Shadow Warrior   Duke Nukem goes to china, or something along those lines. Skittles 2   Truly excellent puzzle game; possible the best shareware game of 1999. Solitaire Antics Deluxe   Solitaire fans will love this offering with plenty of games and nice touches. Star Wars Episode I Racer   Excellent racing game, if a little repetitive. The X-Files Game   Find your way through 7 CDs of full motion video to save Mulder and Scully. Total Annihilation Gold   Real-time strategy game is enjoyable but brings nothing really new to the genre. Unreal   First person shooter with great graphics but mediocre gameplay. Yoot Tower   Sequel to SimTower represents the return of the addictive strategy simulation. Graphics & Design BBEdit 4.5   The king of all text-editors is the perfect tool for the adept web designer. Claris Home Page 3.0   A solid web page editor, but no substitue for coding HTML by hand. Dreamweaver   This next generation web page editor offers easy creation of advanced HTML. Dreamweaver 2 vs. CyberStudio 3.1.1 Pro     Two top professional web site authoring tools. Which is better? GoLive CyberStudio 3.0 Pro   Best attempt to date at creating a robust and easy to use web page editor. Fractal Domains 3.2.3   Create complex and impressive fractal images in seconds. HTML Turbo 2.0   Optimizes HTML, making your pages not only smaller but also load much faster. Kai's SuperGOO   Stretch and pinch your images like silly puty, or create your own wacky faces. Mizer   This utility aims to optimize HTML, but doesn't provide any noticeable benefits. Myrmidon 2.0   Convert any document into a web-ready fascmile, with one click. Page Inspector 1.5   Check your HTML with this, if your editor doesn't let you do so already. PhotoTools 2.0   Expensive suite of Photoshop filters doesn't live up to its price. QuarkXPress 4   The new standard in page layout, bar none. RayDream Studio 5   Affordable 3D graphics suite with professional features. Vertigo 3D HotTEXT   Create 3D text with textures from inside Photoshop. Web Graphics/Banner Creation   Comparative review: e-Picture vs. Headline Studo. Internet & Communications Analog Helper   Utility helps use Analog, a free and very fast a web analysis program. eMerge 1.5.3   A fast utility for sending out personalized bulk email (not spam!). Eudora Pro 4.0   Email client catches up to Claris Emailer, but doesn't offer any innovations. Hotline Client 1.2   Hotline represents a new wave in internet communication and file transfer. Internet Explorer 4.5   IE 4.5 blows past the competition, offering plenty of new and useful features. Outlook Express 4.5   Email client gets a major upgrade that might just make it the best out there. Surf Express Deluxe   Connectix utility will speed up web surfing and offers an alternative to Sherlock. www.SitePromoter   Severely flawed utility for increasing your web sites standing in search engines. Utilities ACTION Files 1.1   A must-have replacement for Apple's open/save boxes. ACTION GoMac   Unique utility adds a Start menu and some functionality to the Mac OS. ACTION Menus   Utility designed to make navigating and accessing items on your Mac easier. Adobe Type Manager Deluxe 4.5   Top utility for rendering Type 1 fonts; good font management. Aladdin Desktop Magician   Set up multiple user environments and restrict access on your Mac. Anti-Virus Utilities   Comparative review: Norton AntiVirus 6.0 vs. Virex 6.0. Conflict Catcher 8   Powerful System Folder manager. Disk Drive TuneUp 2.0.6   Utility claims to speed up Zip drives, but offers no improvement in performance. Disk Utilities   Norton Utilities 4.0 vs. TechTool Pro 2.1 vs. DiskWarrior vs. MacMedic Extension Overload 4.0   Database with details on over 1400 extensions and control panels. FileGuard 3.1   Protect your Mac and your sensitive files with this robust utility. FontGander Pro   Preview multiple fonts and create impressive font sample print outs. MacLinkPlus Deluxe 10   Convert files to and from virtually any PC and Mac format. MacMedic 1.5   More-than-solid disk utility offers plenty of features. MenuFonts 4.5   Solid WYSIWYG Font menu enhancement. Norton AntiVirus 5.0   Originally flawed, but now seems to function well. Norton Utilities 5.0   Popular utility suite gets a handful of small improvements.. PersonalBackup   Backup made simple, without complicated options or features. PlusMaker   Convert HFS disks to HFS+ in minutes. PlusOptimizer   Bare bones disk optimizer supports HFS+. RAM Charger 8.1   Optimize your RAM useage and dynamically allocate RAM as necessary. RAM Doubler 8   RAM double/tripling utility isn't as practical as it used to be. Retrospect 4.1   The most powerful back up software available on any platform. Snapz Pro 1.1   Take screenshots under any circumstance with plenty of additional features. SpaceMaker   Converts HFS disks to HFS+ disks, less expensive and better than PlusMaker. Speed Startup   Another utility that speeds up your Mac's startup process for $20. SpringCleaning vs. YankPro     Utilities aim to clean up your Mac, but neither is really worth it. Startup Doubler 2   Marginally speed up your Mac's startup process for $20. Stuffit Deluxe 5.0   Compression utility seems to take a step backward from version 4.5. Stuffit Deluxe 5.5   New version of popular compression utility doesn't add much. WYSIWYG Font Menu Utilities   Comparative review: ACTION WYSIWYG vs. MenuFonts. Hardware 56K USB Modems   Three USB modems that all share the same performance shortcomings. 3D Overdrive   Add-on module for the MacPicasso provides Voodoo 3D acceleration, at a price. ADS 4-Port USB Hub USB   A simple way to add more USB devices to your USB-based Mac. ADS 2-Port USB PCI card   Add two USB ports to your PCI-based PowerMac. Apolla Speakers USB   Good sound, attractive iMac-matching case in an affordable package. Ariston "Ares" Joystick USB   A solid and affordable USB joystick. Ariston "Hermes" Gamepad USB   A traditional 8-button USB gamepad. ARTEC 1236 USB Scanner USB   Solid, affordable scanner matches iMac case. Creation Station   Impressive drawing tablet and cordless mouse in one. Crescendo G3 PCI 400/1M   G3 upgrade offers top performance but no tweaking. Entrega 4 & 7-Port USB Hubs   Top-notch USB hubs come in small, attractive, iMac-matching case designs. Entrega 4-Port USB PCI Card   The only 4-port PCI card on the market. Entrega USB to Serial Converter   USB to Serial adapter works with many, but not all, devices. FireWire 2 Go   PC card adds a Firewire port to PowerBook G3s. Flash Memory Readers   Comparative: Ariston iRead and Addonics Pocket Memory Reader Deluxe. GameWizard for iMac   Add Voodoo2 acceleration to your Rev/A or Rev/B iMac. GrabPac   Handy iMac carrying case with room for accessories and a nice price. IceView 4-Port USB Hub   Top-notch USB hub from XLR8. iBook Bag   Well-designed bag compliments iBook. iMaccessories - USB Devices   Several USB devices from Mactell. Imation Superdisk USB   Add a floppy/superdisk drive to your iMac with this matching drive. Iomega Zip Drive 100MB USB   A classic Zip drive for your iMac (or new PowerMac G3). Keyspan 2-Port PCI USB card   Add two USB ports to your PCI-based PowerMac. Keyspan Digital Media Remote   Handy 15-button USB remote for controlling your Mac from afar. MacCoach   Automatically restarts crashed servers and programs. MacPicasso 540   Video card offers small speed gains, but features impressive modular design. Mac USB Dock   Hub-like device adds 2 USB, 1 SCSI, and 1 serial port in a small package. MM-700 Speaker System   High-quality flat panel speaker system at a reasonable price. MPlayer3   Mac-compatible mp3 player does the job; Diamond's Rio 500 is better. MultiScan 720 Display   Affordable 17" display from Apple. MyTV/fm USB   USB TV-tuner and FM receiver is nice but relatively expensive. PowerJolt G3/400 Upgrade   Our choice for a G3 upgrade offers top notch performance will many features. PCWorks Speaker System   Astounding sound in a small and affordable 3-piece speaker system. Power3D 3Dfx   Voodoo graphics for Mac. PowerBook G3 250/13.3"   A great choice for the mobile warrior. PowerPrint 4.5   Print from your Mac to over 1500 PC printers. Que! USB CD-RW drive USB   CD-RW for the iMac, but the USB technology needs improvement. Saitek Cyborg Joystick USB   Top notch joystick with plenty of features. Sonnet x100 G3 Upgrade   Turn a G1 PowerMac into a G3. Sonnet G3/500 PCI Upgrade   Top-of-the-line, plug-and-play G3 upgrade. Sonnet G3/500 ZIF Upgrade   Identical upgrade to the above, only for ZIF-based PowerMac G3s. Targus USB Mobile Mini-Hub   Miniature 4-port USB hub ideally suited for roadwarriors. Techworks PowerCDR   Internal CD-R for first-generation iMacs. Techworks PowerUSB   Excellent 4-port USB hub. uDrive USB   USB floppy drive does the job if you require the use of a floppy drive. - USB CameraMate USB   Top-notch Flash/Smart memory reader, plus MicroDrive. UniMouse USB   Contour Design has created a fabulous multi-button USB mouse. UniRiser USB   Raises your iMac about 4"; adds a shelf for storing peripherals neatly away. L2 G3 Upgrades   G3s upgrades for "non-upgradeable" PowerMacs. Video Wizard 4MB   Nicely priced multimedia video card with mediocre features. VST Firewire Drive USB   Super-slim external drive offers adequate performance at a high price. VST Floppy Drive USB   ATI's ideal video card for the multimedia and gaming enthusiast. VST SuperDisk for PB G3   SuperDisk technology for the PowerBook G3. Wacom Graphire USB   $99 graphics tablet/mouse offers a solid value for consumers. WOW Thing Box USB   Very-cool device noticeably enhances audio ouput quality. XClaim VR Pro   ATI's ideal video card for the multimedia and gaming enthusiast. XLR8 G3 233 MHz Upgrade   Affordable G3 card for PCI PowerMacs. XLR8 MACh Carrier G3   "Upgradeable upgrade" allows PCI-based PowerMacs to use ZIF-based processors. XLR8 MACh Carrier G3/500   Fastest G3 version of the above product. XLR8 USB Performance Package   2-port USB PCI card and 2-button scrolling mouse bundle. Previews, Visual Tours, and Other Reviews Visual Tour: Mac OS 8.5   We brought you the in-depth look at Mac OS 8.5 months before it was avalible; use it now as a reference and how-to guide. Visual Tour: Mac OS 9   Our annual OS Preview & Visual Guide returns. Preview: Alexa   Alexa represents part of the future of web browsing. Jot for PalmPilot   Improved hand recognition software for the PalmPilot. MacSecrets 5th Edt. [Book]   An awesome reference for all Mac users. Sam's Teach Yourself the iMac in 24 Hours [Book]   Excellent reference for the novice or intermediate iMac user.