It was a mistake for me to get this software, not that it’s bad, but because I knew that I didn’t have time really get into it. I did anyway. I am an old hand a Photoshop but needed a competent illustration program. Corel Draw is certainly that. Out of the whole package, that’s the one I routinely use. Corel Paint is competent, but feature wise is a couple of versions behind Photoshop, at least in the features I use.

Bento is not a pro’s database. If you expect the features of Filemaker or Access you’ll be disappointed. But the last time I looked those programs were more than 4 times as expensive and targeted to an entirely different audience. For what it is and what it costs, Bento is pretty (expletive deleted) good. It’s easy to use, easy to learn and well integrated with Address Book and iCal. With that integration it can quickly be massaged into a capable project management database.

The filter set is fun to use. It offers many easy to use effects and the ability to customize those effects. I got a review copy of the stand alone software and spent a few hours playing DFX. It’s a pretty good product. It works fine on my Mac. An older version of the program was slow as molasses, but it looks like Tiffen has solved the speed problems. The number of filters offered is large.

While the Instant Immersion people compare their product to Rosetta Stone, this is in a different class and can’t really be compared head-to-head. However, it is so much less expensive that it’s a fantastic bargain. It does cover the basics and if you’re going on a trip in the next few months, this is the program I’d use. It has multiple ways to learn, including puzzles and games. The production quality is high, and there’s a lot of material.

This is a nice if unspectacular upgrade. All three programs have been improved. It isn’t the have-to-have change that iWork 08 was, but I’m happy with it. All three programs include more of Apple’s slick templates, integrate with each other better and sport useful new features. The biggest changes are in Numbers, which makes sense as it’s the newest member of the suite. Apple claims 90 new functions. No longer being a power spreadsheet user I don’t need all of them but the much improved charting is appreciated.

This is a nice if unspectacular upgrade. All three programs have been improved. It isn’t the have-to-have change that iWork 08 was, but I’m happy with it. All three programs include more of Apple’s slick templates, integrate with each other better and sport useful new features. The biggest changes are in Numbers, which makes sense as it’s the newest member of the suite. Apple claims 90 new functions. No longer being a power spreadsheet user I don’t need all of them but the much improved charting is appreciated.

I have my Macbook set up to run Windows through VMware’s Fusion. There are three programs that I use that don’t work as well on a Mac as they do on Windows. Since I’ve retired, I really don’t have a need for Quickbooks or Microsoft Office anymore. There are simpler Mac apps that will handle my personal needs just fine. The final holdout is Dragon Naturally Speaking. When Dragon bought the existing Mac dictation program and incorporated its voice recognition into it I was thrilled and went out and bought the first Dragon Dictate.

I have my Macbook set up to run Windows through VMware’s Fusion. There are three programs that I use that don’t work as well on a Mac as they do on Windows. Since I’ve retired, I really don’t have a need for Quickbooks or Microsoft Office anymore. There are simpler Mac apps that will handle my personal needs just fine. The final holdout is Dragon Naturally Speaking. When Dragon bought the existing Mac dictation program and incorporated its voice recognition into it I was thrilled and went out and bought the first Dragon Dictate.

Bento is not a pro’s database. If you expect the features of Filemaker or Access you’ll be disappointed. But the last time I looked those programs were more than 4 times as expensive and targeted to an entirely different audience. For what it is and what it costs, Bento is pretty (expletive deleted) good. It’s easy to use, easy to learn and well integrated with Address Book and iCal. With that integration it can quickly be massaged into a capable project management database.

I know, you can get directions for free to get from point A to point B from any number of web sites. But Streets and Trips 2011 will take that multi-stop road trip that you want to take (I’m thinking the North Central US with stops at the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Custer Battlefield and more) and plan the route for you to be as direct (as in fuel saving) or as picturesque (can you say native prairies?