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I didn't much like Microsoft's original Plus for Windows XP , but the new Plus Digital Media Edition--geared toward digital-photo, music, and movie lovers--is an improvement. You may not really need anything in it, but it can be a charming distraction.

Of the eight media applications that make up the $20 Plus Digital Media Edition download, Photo Story will no doubt possess the most appeal. By means of a simple drag-and-drop process, you use a series of still images to create a movie, complete with dissolves and zooms that give the impression of motion; you can add audio, as well.

Party Mode for Windows XP Media Player lets guests play music on your PC while preventing access to your files. Other features let you assign digital music to alarm-clock notifications; create digital audio files from analog sources such as vinyl records or cassette tapes; create CD labels; and easily sync digital media content between a Pocket PC and your desktop.

Perhaps my favorite feature of this shipping version is Dancer--it summons any of a dozen lifelike figures (shrunk to about 2 inches or shorter) to twirl, gyrate, or otherwise romp across a bit of your desktop. Though processor and memory intensive, it's much, much cooler than Clippy.

SUMMARY

Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition for Windows XP Cute--but not mandatory--XP add-on for digital media buffs. Street: $20