All Graphics and publishing

The Bottom Line: If you want to clean up noisy audio files or improve rough sounding camcorder footage, Bias SoundSoap 2.0 fits the bill.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.2, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 400 MHz, 600 MHz, 2, CD-ROM, 400 MHz, 600 MHz, MacOS, Windows, QuickTime 6.5

The Bottom Line: If you're interested in digital artistry, you need Painter, though you'll pay a lot for this upgrade.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 500 MHz, MacOS, Windows

The Bottom Line: Despite some stability problems, Pinnacle Studio 9.0 is a remarkably powerful video editor and authoring app for both home and professional use.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 800 MHz, 9, CD-ROM, Sound card, Graphics card, 800 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 250 MB, Intel Pentium 233 MHz, 128 MB, SVGA monitor, Intel Pentium, 233 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Upgrade if you're a legacy QuarkXPress user and want Mac OS X support; otherwise, try Adobe InDesign.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Intel Pentium, 6.5, CD-ROM, Intel Pentium, Windows

The Bottom Line: If you or your employees must regularly update a Web site but can't comprehend most Web-creation tools, consider Contribute.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 40 MB, Pentium II 300 MHz, 64 MB, CD-ROM, Pentium II, 300 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.1, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 128 MB, 250 MB, 11, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, MacOS, Windows

The Bottom Line: Businesses that publish plenty and want a quick way to turn paper docs into PDF files or assemble catalogs from databases should turn to PageMaker.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP5 or later, 175 MB, Intel Pentium, 32 MB, 7.0, CD-ROM, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Intel Multi-core, 1.6 GHz, 8, DVD-ROM, 1024 x 576 monitor resolution, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel Multi-core, 1.6 GHz, Windows

Specs: Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 2 GHz, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 2 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.x, Internet Explorer 6.0