By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times,
published December 3, 2001

Software can make easy gift-giving for the computer users on your holiday list. Choices are substantial, prices can be modest and the programs can mean hours of enjoyment.

But how do you wade through all the choices? Some favorites have been around a long time: the fictional Mavis Beacon is in her 12th edition of teaching typing, for example. And Civilization III, the newest offering in a long-running franchise, has moved quickly into the hot sellers list. Some current bestsellers have hogged the spotlight, such as the Windows XP operating system.

But there's always something new, something different. In our annual Holiday Software Guide, we look at several titles in different categories. But we can only begin to scratch the surface.

For more reviews, check Web sites such as C/Net (www.cnet.com), PC World magazine (www.pcworld.com) and Macworld magazine (www.macworld.com).

• Software makes digital photos a snap
  Digital cameras take some, but not all, of the mystery out of photos.
• Video games for under the tree
  There's plenty for gamers to cheer about this holiday season, with two new game systems and a number of revolutionary games available. We've wrapped our picks in a tidy little package. We've noted their prices and their ratings: E for Everyone, T for Teens and M for Mature audiences (17 and older).
• Top-selling software
  The holiday season is reflected in the most recent software sales figures compiled by market research firm NPD Intelect: Games dominate the overall category. Here are lists of top-selling software titles for the week ended Nov. 17.
• Games for kids
  Zoo Tycoon
• Grip your mouse firmly, then click for action
  Sure, it may be the season of pure gaming machines GameCube and Xbox for some, but entertainment software for personal computers still has plenty to offer for game fanatics.
• More software
  Reference

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright