Adobe Systems Inc. Web graphics

The Bottom Line: Flash becomes friendlier and more fun to explore as CS4 introduces a faster approach to animation, making this a worthwhile upgrade for both beginners and seasoned programmers.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.1.2

The Bottom Line: Adobe has improved the speed of Flash and its integration with other CS3 apps, although flashy new features are few. Plus, Flash now works natively on Intel-based Macs.

Specs: Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, DVD-ROM, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5

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 10.3, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, 800 MHz, 600 MHz, 8, CD-ROM, 800 MHz, 600 MHz, MacOS, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.3, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, 600 MHz, 800 MHz, 8, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 600 MHz, 800 MHz, MacOS, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, MacOS

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, Windows, QuickTime 7.1.2

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, Windows

Specs: Media, 9, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, Windows

Specs: 1 processor, Complete package, SuSE Linux 7.3, Red Hat Linux 7.3, SunSoft Solaris 8, SunSoft Solaris 2.7, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a or later, Intel Pentium II or higher, CD-ROM, Intel Pentium II or higher, Linux, Solaris, Windows, J2EE 1.2, J2EE 1.3, Servlet 2.2, Servlet 2.3, Macromedia Flash MX, Macromedia Flash Player, Microsoft .NET Framework v1.0 SDK