Rating: 
Summary: Not bad if you have money to throw around
Review: I bought this on...rebate- so it was free. Wouldn't pay money for it. I rated it four stars because it was exactly as promised with no problems- but price value is the issue.
The sound converter and label maker came with Plus! for Windows XP, so those are just repeats. The dancer is pretty cool, but not useful. (Same thing with party mode, pretty much). The alarm clock serves no real purpose unless if your computer is next to your bed, or if you want to have to get up to turn it off. It can be set to play music on a timer if you like to listen as you fall asleep which is pretty cool.
The sync and go for pocket pc is nice if you have a pocket pc, but you can always drag and drop files.
Overall, nice features and little add ons. If something strikes you as a nice utility or something, probably worth it- but if you just want to buy it for the heck of it, you may want to save the $...
Rating: 
Summary: More Plus! Fluff
Review: OK, my major complaint with the last version of Plus! was that it gave you little to nothing; mostly demo and watered-down programs. Well, although this version seems to be heading in the right direction, it still offers little in the way of usable add-ons. First, I'll address Picture Story, since it seems to be the fan favorite. While I love it's ease of use, the truth of the matter is, you don't need it. Windows Movie Maker, (included in XP and ME), does the exact same thing and offers greater customization and more special effects options. Best of all, it's FREE, and offers ME users the opportunity to create "picture stories" as well (Plus! is now only available for XP). Plus! DME does offer some additional Movie Maker content, however it's only compatible with version 2 (another XP exclusive). Other than Picture Story, there is really very little of value here. The analog recorder seems like a good idea for cleaning up old LP's, however I haven't owned a turntable since the late 80's, so I really can't comment on it. The CD label maker is OK; comparable to the versions supplied with your average burner software. It's a good solution for those who opt to use Windows XP as their default CD-R/RW burning software. The media player add-ons are OK, mostly new skins and a few security features to keep others from listening to your music, (although the only use I can immediately think of is maybe keeping the children from listening to anything you might have containing questionable lyrics). I don't plan to convert my MP3's to WMA, so the converter is useless to me. The dancers and alarm clock lose their novelty after the first 5 minutes. I own a Pocket PC, so the synchronization tools are welcome. It makes converting media files easier and allows you to download media content from the web (although I haven't yet felt the need to do so). All in all, it's "ok". It's nowhere near a "must-have" item. I would only suggest it if you catch it on sale. P.S., like all MS products, it also requires activation and is limited to one computer. Just thought that was important enough to add.
Rating: 
Summary: I dont have it, but sounds good.
Review: This program sounds cool with all the themes and the microphone tool, if you like this program i reccomend windowblinds (www.stardock.com) and Style XP (www.tgtsoft.com).
Rating:
Summary: Save your money!
Review: As always, Microsoft has been releasing a Plus! extension for Windows. Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP does have new cool themes, screen savers and much more, but the reality is that for the price they are charging is better to save it for something else. It only comes with four themes (Aquarium, Space, Nature and da Vinci). Each theme has 2 screensavers (the aquarium screensaver is the most realistic 3D screensaver I have seen). Only three games which aren't that much fun. Some features like the CD Label Maker or MP3 Audio Converter are interesting, but everything else...you can find it over the Internet for free.My advice is, don't spend the money!! If you really are a fanatic of Microsoft and want to have Microsoft Plus!, then it's your choice, but for the rest of consumers out there, save your money...I really mean it!! Buy something that is worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: not really a must...
Review: Although many of its stuff are pretty fun to use and creative, but after all, it is not really a "must" have item. and though its only 18 bucks, still seems a bit expensive for its actual usage.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Not Worth It's Weight in Plastic
Review: Well, I picked it up, and it's split into four parts: Digital Media, Games, Themes, and Screen Savers. I am only using it for the games. There are a lot of WiMP enhancements in the package such as voice commands, mp3 to wma converter, visualizations, etc. However, I use Winamp for music, and
WiMP 6.4 for video, so the WiMP 8 add-ons are of no use to me. If you like screensavers, then you'll probably like the ones included with Plus! They're 3d, but unfortunately not OpenGL because Microsoft made Direct3d, and they have to stick with its slow rendering and poor, fake looks. If you're not a big fan of themes like the ones in previous Plus! versions that
change your cursors, colors, etc., then you won't be surprised with these themes. The games are fun, but are only non-nag shareware versions of the full games that are all made by 3d parties. The same goes for the SereneScreen.com aquarium screensaver-- it comes with 3 fish, and if you want more, you have to fish out (sic) more money. [...]
Rating:
Summary: Want more themes?
Review: If you want lots of themes you can try TGT softs Style XP.
Style XP gave me lots of themes and can be found at http://www.tgtsoft.com/
Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: It's hard to get used with "plain" Windows XP after you use it with Plus. Besides the obvious stuff that you might expect in Plus, like nice screen savers and desktop themes, this Plus comes with games, and a bunch of digital media programs. One of these days, I had my hard drive completely bloated with MP3 files. After I installed Plus, I ran the "Audio Converter" and converted the MP3 files for WMA, and now I have plenty of space on disk for more music. Then I created CDs with my music, and used the "Label Maker" to create a nice cover. After that, I created a playlist with Personal DJ and played with Media Player. The nice thing: I actually was *speaking* to Media Player! Plus comes with a feature that allows us to give spoken commands to Media Player. And it understood all of my commands: Play, Stop, Next. I just say "Media Player Play Artist Pixies" and voilá, it plays! I also did enjoy the games, especially "Russian Squares". I got really addicted to this very simple game, the graphics are really well thought and the music is superb.
Rating:
Summary: Non functional without downloads, Not worth the hassle
Review: Just bought it not worth the hassle Its not very functional without tonnes of MS downloads so dont buy it if you have a 56kb modem like me. I dont want to have to download a tonne of updates, I want functional out of the box. Product Activation should not be on products this cheap, its a waste of my time. I have no problem with activation on Windows and Office because theyre high value products and at least you get to try them out before activating... This though is a hassle. The digital music converion program only converts to WMA, I expect at least one alternative format such as WAV or MP3. Bad software in a pretty box.
Rating:
Summary: Great program
Review: I don't really use most of the programs in this package...except Photo Story. Photo Story is incredible! I have done video CDs for my parents' wedding anniversary, seniors graduating from high school (we have two seniors in our private school and will use the stories at graduation), a teacher appreciation banquet, etc. Just hook your DVD player to a projector, and voila! You're ready to go. The ability to add music really makes the stories moving. My only complaint is that you are limited to one music track, so if the story is long, the song just repeats itself over and over. Hopefully, with the next upgrade, they'll add the ability to use more than one music track. That's the only improvement I see that it needs. Great for creating memories for your family and friends!
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