Microsoft Windows XP
Windows XP Plus
Beginning with the release of Windows 95,
Microsoft has made a habit of augmenting each new
operating system with an add-on package of assorted
enhancements and goodies. The latest such supplement to
come to market is Microsoft
Plus
for Windows XP, a collection of graphic and audio
utilities, rudimentary games, screen savers, and desktop
themes specifically designed for users of Microsoft's
latest and most robust OS.
But whereas the Windows 95
and Windows 98 Plus! editions blended several genuinely
useful applications such as disk management tools and
virus checkers with the usual stable of multimedia
tweaks, Plus! for Windows XP offers more fluff than
substance. Although newbies will undoubtedly find much
of the collection quite compelling, veteran users may
not be so impressed.
The program is divided into four distinct
categories--Digital Media, Games, Screen Savers, and
Themes--each of which may be accessed through a single,
convenient graphical interface. Of these, the Digital
Media component is clearly the deepest and most
interesting. Its handy utilities include an MP3 audio
converter for transforming disk-hogging WAV and MP3
files into space-efficient WMA format, a music play list
organizer known simply as Personal DJ, an exceedingly
capable CD label maker, 20-plus Media Player skins, and
three animated Media Player visualizations (including
one culled from the Xbox game Oddworld: Munch's Odyssey).
Music and video fans in particular will immediately
gravitate to the Voice Command for Windows Media Player
module, which allows users to operate most Media Player
functions by issuing verbal commands into their computer
microphone. Even when faced with garbled enunciation and
loud background music, Voice Command faithfully
recognizes commands such as "Volume Up" and
"Pause." Sadly, Microsoft's seemingly
innovative Speaker Enhancement tool is ultimately little
more than a glorified tone control that often hinders
rather than improves the sound of your speakers.
Of the three games included in the package, the most
intriguing is Russian Square, a deceptively addictive
puzzle affair that plays like a one-dimensional
offspring of Tetris and Rubik's Cube. Far less involving
are the arcade bowling knock-off HyperBowl and the
three-dimensional Labyrinth, a virtual take on the
real-life game that involves a tilting table, metal
ball, and lots of ball-gobbling holes. Eight animated
screen savers and four desktop themes complete the
package, the most notable of which is the stunningly
lifelike and absolutely gorgeous underwater screen saver
called "Aquarium." Otherwise, the program's
themes and screen savers are no better than those that
can be downloaded free of charge from various Web sites.
With Plus! for Windows XP, Microsoft has assembled a
multipronged mixture of useful and not-so-useful
multimedia tools and lighthearted amenities into one
easily accessible compilation. If you aren't the type to
scout around the Internet for individual components and
feel the need to spruce up your XP audio-video
environment, it may be for you.
With Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP, you can personalize
your computer experience like never before. Built
exclusively to take advantage of the power of Windows
XP, Microsoft Plus! delivers exciting new features for
digital music, gaming, photos, and more. Tailor your
digital audio and video to your own tastes, challenge
yourself with a variety of fun and exciting games, and
customize the look and feel of your desktop with
amazingly lifelike screen savers and images.
Features:
- Enjoy digital audio and video like never before
- New arcade-style games featuring stunning 3-D graphics
- Use your voice to control Windows Media Player
- Create and print custom CD covers, labels, and inserts
- Display your photos in new ways