TrueSpace has always led the pack in terms of features as far as Windows 3D animation packages under $2,000 are concerned. Recently, however, the market has become rather crowded, with a powerful upgrade to Ray Dream (reviewed issue 9, p100) and the cut-down version of LightWave 3D (Inspire 3D) both challenging it on features and price.

It sets out to create photo-realistic 3D models from 2D photos and illustrations, with the barest of tool sets and minimum user input.

It's a sign of the times when Compaq's Aero 8000 runs Windows CE in a box bigger than a Sharp PC-A250 (reviewed issue 23, p86) running Windows 98. So what's the big idea? Windows CE uses no moving parts, while software in ROM means immediate start-up times, high reliability, and long battery life all highly desirable qualities in a portable.

Our pick of the low-cost office suites has had a much-needed overhaul, and now battles Microsoft in terms of features, not just price.

When Macromedia released the first Dreamweaver almost three years ago it was welcomed with open arms by professional Web developers.

It turns out that Microsoft [I]is[/I] bringing out Windows XP Media Center Edition in Australia, but until such time as it materialises -- and Microsoft Australia is being very sketchy on the dates -- those of us looking to integrate our PC media files with our televisions and hi-fi systems have to turn to bridging solutions.

Homer Simpson’s home town of Springfield’s motto is: A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man. There must be a glut of noble spirit at Sony

Hitachi VM-D965LE Video

Recognising that the Linux desktop market is only going to grow, and that there's money to made in the corporate arena, Sun's Java Desktop 2003 is squarely aimed at companies looking for a cheap, easy, and compatible alternative to Microsoft's (often expensive) dominance.

The Quark-killer has finally landed. For the last year, the hype about Adobe's replacement for the worthy but old-fashioned PageMaker (reviewed issue 22, p108) has been building to fever pitch.

A seemingly new entrant to the PDA market, the Siemens SX45 is a Pocket PC PDA that may appear familiar to users or owners of the Cassiopeia range. That's because the SX45 is based on the Cassiopeia e-125 PDA.

If were to believe the hyperbole, this technology will do for digital technology what the invention of the parachute did for skydiving.

Director 8 Shockwave Studio is now the platform of choice for those sites determined to provide the richest possible Web experience

Web Easy promises that anyone can use it to create Web sites and even a complete novice can create and publish a page in less than an hour. With only a few qualifiers this is absolutely true.

nVidia GeForce 256

The digital still camera is a treat to use.

Smart, clever and capable. A couple of imperfections keep it off the top spot, and we might be tempted by the camera-less S70, but it's a fine choice

MACROMEDIA E-LEARNING STUDIO

At this stage you can get modules for games, memory expansion and backup, a digital camera, an MP3 player, a GPS and a mobile phone module