Slide shows are an extremely popular way to share digital photos because they replicate the old-time experience of gathering 'round a 35mm slide projector and gazing at images on a portable screen--only now you can watch your slides while sitting in front of your television or computer display. Microsoft's Windows XP operating system comes with all the tools a person needs to create, play, and save a serviceable (though admittedly somewhat pedestrian) slide show.

If Windows' meager tools leave you longing for more bells and whistles to tinker with, however, we'll show you how to put together a pull-out-all-the-stops slide show--one that includes transitions, captions, sound tracks, and other effects--using Roxio's $75 Easy Media Creator 7, a program you may already use for burning CDs.