http://reviews.cnet.com/Software/2001-3513_7-0.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software CNET Software Reviews are the most comprehensive resource for unbiased personal technology advice. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:59:21 PDT http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/cobd/cnet/cnet_88x31.gif http://reviews.cnet.com/2001-1_7-0.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software 88 31 http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Creative_Suite_4_Design_Standard/4505-3513_7-33255258.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Adobe CS4 Design Standard serves designers who edit digital images and layouts for print, but many will find Design Premium a better deal for bundling the interactive potential of Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks for $400 more. Software Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:57:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Norton_AntiVirus_2009/4505-3667_7-33246574.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Norton AntiVirus 2009 hits all the right security notes, and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some, technical support may continue to frustrate. Internet security and firewall Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:53:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Windows_Vista_Home_Premium/4505-3672_7-32013237.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Windows Vista Home Premium is essentially warmed-over Windows XP Home Edition. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista Home Premium is stable enough for everyday use. Windows Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:06:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Trend_Micro_Internet_Security_2010/4505-3688_7-33769501.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but its questionable efficacy and middling performance make it a program we're not recommending. Security and encryption Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:06:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Roxio_Toast_Titanium_8_for_Mac/4505-6445_7-32309513.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Roxio continues to improve a strong suite and keep Toast current with the release of version 8. If the Mac OS and Apple's bundled apps don't meet your disc-creation needs, pick up Toast at once. CD/DVD authoring Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:47:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Kaspersky_Internet_Security_6/4505-3513_7-31884380.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Kaspersky Internet Security 6 provides thorough protection against online threats, but ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6 remains a better buy. Software Tue, 16 May 2006 09:54:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Trend_Micro_Internet_Security_2009/4505-3667_7-33303136.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software You can't beat the price. For a good, basic Internet Security suite, we recommend Trend Micro Internet Security 2009. Internet security and firewall Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:45:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Premiere_6_0/4505-3670_7-4175894.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Premiere 6.0 is easily the best, all-around midrange editing program for Windows. For complex Mac projects, however, choose Apple Final Cut Pro 2.0 instead. Video editors Mon, 30 Apr 2001 05:00:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Norton_360/4505-3667_7-32330411.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software For home and student use, we think Norton 360 represents the best value for ease of use, tools offered, and overall system performance. We recommend it over McAfee Total Protection and Microsoft Windows Live OneCare. Internet security and firewall Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:01:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/QuickBooks_2008_Pro/4505-6405_7-32631884.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software QuickBooks Premier 2008 remains the top small-business accounting program. Its guidance for novices is top-notch, and it comes in a variety of editions tailored for specific industries. Version 2008 isn't an essential upgrade for QuickBooks 2007 users, but it's a good buy for users of earlier versions, and for anyone new to accounting software. Accounting and finance Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:43:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Photoshop_CS3/4505-3634_7-32378942.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software With its streamlined tools, enhanced nondestructive editing capabilities, and better performance, Adobe Photoshop CS3 will look very attractive to almost any user. Image editing Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:54:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Kaspersky_Internet_Security_2009/4505-3680_7-33366468.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 provides adequate protection, but the program itself could use some work in telling the user what's going on. System utilities Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:29:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Acrobat_8_1_Professional_for_Windows/4505-3628_7-32135300.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software For composing long PDF packages at an office that requires security and wants to use the new digital forms, Acrobat's got the goods, but it's overkill if you only seek to make short PDF files. Desktop publishing Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:18:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/McAfee_VirusScan_Professional_8_0/4505-3681_7-30521353.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software VirusScan Professional 8.0 sports a trimmer profile, a simpler interface, fast performance, and two user licenses, but support is more of a hassle than before. Antivirus and filtering Wed, 15 Oct 2003 11:50:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Norton_Internet_Security_2009/4505-3667_7-33246586.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Norton Internet Security 2009 hits all the right security notes and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some technical support may continue to frustrate Internet security and firewall Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:57:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Creative_Suite_4_Web_Premium/4505-3513_7-33255259.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Adobe CS4 Web Premium is a good deal for interactive designers who don't need tools for video editing and sophisticated print layouts. Software Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:10:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Trend_Micro_AntiVirus_plus_AntiSpyware_2010/4505-3681_7-33769503.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Going by older detection and removal numbers, Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware offers competent if basic security protection. However, so do many free competitors. This year, we recommend giving Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 a pass. Antivirus and filtering Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:05:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Creative_Suite_4_Design_Premium/4505-3513_7-33255257.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Adobe CS4 Design Premium contains nearly every tool for editing digital images and layouts for print and the Web, as well as for crafting interactive animation and desktop apps. If you don't need video editing, pick this over the Master Collection and save $700. Software Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:13:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Illustrator_CS4/4505-3633_7-33255264.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software While Adobe Illustrator CS4's most compelling new feature--pseudo-multipage support--can be frustrating to use, overall it makes CS4 a worthwhile upgrade for current users. Illustration Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:23:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Apple_MobileMe/4505-3626_7-33140384.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software If Apple irons out the kinks, MobileMe could be worthwhile for iLife and iPhone users who want to keep data on their Macs, handset, iPod Touch, as well as Outlook mail and calendars on the same page. Graphics and publishing Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:15:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Adobe_Photoshop_CS4_Extended/4505-3634_7-33255263.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software If you work with 3D, Photoshop Extended is a must-have upgrade; ditto if you think you'd use more of Standard's tools if the interface were less opaque, if you need to upgrade other suite applications, or if you qualify for an academic discount. All things considered, while Adobe Photoshop CS4 makes some improvements over CS3, it might be worth skipping this generation and waiting for the next. Image editing Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:30:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Quicken_Deluxe_2010/4505-6405_7-33775958.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Quicken 2010 is a solid finance package, especially for novices, but offers little that's substantively new. Accounting and finance Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:56:00 PDT http://reviews.cnet.com/Norton_360_2_0/4505-3667_7-32878997.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software A near-perfect all-in-one solution for brand new PCs, Norton 360 v2 may be hard to install and run on legacy machines. However, don't count on Symantec's time-consuming and expensive technical support for help. Internet security and firewall Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:36:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Microsoft_Office_Outlook_2007/4505-6405_7-32327610.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software If you work with Microsoft Outlook on a daily basis, this upgrade can make scheduling simpler and e-mailing more interesting. Still, we wish Instant Search and e-mail rendering were better. Accounting and finance Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:17:00 PST http://reviews.cnet.com/Final_Cut_Express_complete_package/4505-3670_7-30363966.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MP_Software Most video enthusiasts won't miss what Apple omitted from this pared-down, affordable incarnation of Final Cut Pro. Video editors Wed, 30 Apr 2003 03:41:00 PDT