The Best Software You're Not Using

Editor's Pick

Word Processing--Real Simple

Photograph: Rick Rizner

Yeah, Write, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love you because you are a word processor that's easy to use and full of great features. I love your colorful interface (no white spaces when you start a new document). I love your file-drawer organization that lets me customize each folder with a different printer configuration--say, for letters, labels, and documents. I love the fact that your $29 price includes a spelling checker and thesaurus, and that I can import Word files when they are saved in RTF format. And I love how your maker, Word Place, still offers a free version that works well even without the extra frills. $29 (free version)

A Friendly and Flexible Database

Photograph: Rick Rizner

Having my own databases is like being able to Google my own life. What projects are due to the copy desk next week? In our survey results, how many Sony camera owners said they had called technical support? All I need are two quick queries to my FileMaker Pro 6 databases, and I've got the answers. FileMaker makes creating a database intuitive, and once I've entered my data, I can slice and dice the information--and decide how to present it--in lots of useful ways. $300

Slide Shows in a Snap

Photograph: Rick Rizner

ProShow Gold turns my collection of digital images into a fun slide show for my PC or TV. Photodex's program lets me create screen savers, slide shows ready for e-mailing, and video CDs or DVDs for playing back on TV. I can also make CDs containing self-executable files that will launch snazzy slide shows, for instance, on any PC--no special software is needed. Plus, I can easily synchronize background music to the number of slides I have. And I love being able to choose from 170 slide transition effects--even the drabbest set of images comes to life with ProShow Gold. What's missing? A tool to post slide shows on Web pages. $60