Does Office 2008 deliver the goods?

Microsoft's popular word processor follows the trend forged by Apple's Pages.

The best database gets better.

Vastly improved installer. Java admin. Database upload via admin. PHP. Universal binary.

None significant.

. We found FileMaker 9 to be the most compelling update in years. The new features are thoughtful additions and well executed. The ability to interact with SQL data sources is unprecedented. Best of all, the file format hasn't changed since version 7, so...

Escape the linear nature of note taking by creating mind maps and ask yourself, "Is this your brain on Mac?"

Enhanced export choices. View filtering. Lower price than version 6. Universal binary.

Some interface quirks. Confusing default save locations.

. On balance, we liked MindManager 7 more than its predecessor. We also liked the price cut. At $129, MindManager 7 for the Mac is now competitive with NovaMind Pro ($149) and on par with its Windows sibling, MindManager Lite.

It's been a long time since the Mac has seen Premiere - how does it look now that it's all grown up?

Chock-full of pro features. Tight integration with other Adobe apps saves time. Competitive price. Includes excellent DVD-authoring software. A true alternative to Final Cut Pro for many projects

Doesn't work with PowerPC Macs. Doesn't work with some video formats. Dynamic Link only works if you buy Premiere as part of a CS3 suite.

. Premiere will miss out on many pro-level video projects until it accepts more video formats. Still, it has plenty of great stuff to offer, and it really sings for anyone who works a lot in other Adobe software.

The video effects powerhouse, reviewed.

Enhanced performance on multiprocessor and Intel Macs. Excellent new creative features. Tighter integration with the rest of the CS3 suite. Universal binary.

Background rendering still not built in.

. After Effects has always been the go-to motion graphics tool of choice, even in the face of a number of potential competitors, but it's fair to say that this version cements its status as King of the Moving Hill. We couldn't live without this app, and i...

With Contribute, you don't have to be a Web developer to quickly and easily update blogs or other content.

Easy, intuitive interface. Simple to learn. Provides blog and Web content updates. Uses Dreamweaver templates. Allows users to make simple updates themselves. Universal binary. Some Microsoft Office support is PC only.

Some Microsoft Office support is PC only.

. Contribute is a worthwhile timesaver for quickly updating professional websites. Having multiple contributors updating the site can be a real boon for creating dynamic content.

The interface has been redone, but this Flashy makeover isn't just for looks - read on to find out what's changed under the hood.

Improved interface. Prebuilt components for beginners. Debugging tool for fixing code. Good Photoshop and Illustrator integration. Better drawing tools. Universal binary. No real video improvements.

No real video improvements.

. At $699, Flash CS3 is a little pricey for new users, but the $199 upgrade is a bargain. If multimedia is your thing, Flash CS3 is the way to go.

The world's greatest image-editing app goes Universal and gets a makeover - and the new version firmly holds onto its title.

Same great functionality as Photoshop CS3 Standard, with additional tools for 3D and video artists. Universal binary.

Extended features need work. Some ImageReady functionality now missing.

. The additional Extended functionality has a definite 1.0 air, and it will likely undergo serious refinement over the next few versions. Currently, we find it difficult for the average Photoshop user to justify paying more for the Extended version.

Adobe's powerful - and increasingly popular - page designer adds practical features in its latest incarnation.

Additional Photoshop effects, table, and cell styles. Ability to import InDesign files. Variable text. Customizable interface. Universal binary. Lacks dazzling new design and typographic features. Some features (text variables, GREP searches, nested styl...

Lacks dazzling new design and typographic features. Some features (text variables, GREP searches, nested style looping) are hard to use.

. Although InDesign CS3 lacks the glamour of previous updates, it makes up for it with the addition of a broad range of useful features that will make users more productive - if not ecstatic. We can understand why Adobe is reluctant to cannibalize its oth...