Best time saving software of '98
This was easy for me the excellent ACTION FILES package is just 'time saving' made easy.Your save and open dialogue boxes take on a new look and greater access.
Your most used files can be made in to 'favourites' and all recent documents are easily displayed without dipping into the find command or rummaging through the folders.

From my point of view I'm always opening graphics files and text files while editing the ezine, with ACTION FILES installed I'm saving time from the first mouse click!

If you've got work to do on your Mac and just want to get things done so you can go play that game you got for Christmas, get ACTION FILES first you'll wonder how you worked on your Mac without it.
<www.actionutilities.com>

Most improved software of '98
Ok slate me if you dare I honestly believe the Mac OS should come out on top. Mac OS8.1 and 8.5 are absolutely great improvements on the 7.6 format. Yes I know there have been great software releases this year and also Office'98 BUT what could you run them on without the OS, it's software too you know.

8.5 and most importantly Sherlock are the advanced improvements in the general GUI and functional aspects file finding most of the pro users and beginners alike have been dreaming of. The most fundamental improvement with 8.5 were two things; SPEED and STABILITY. These two have been high on my wish list since OS 7 first appeared. 

On a PPC things run a little smoother, less crashes and freezes. But when you jump to G3's you really 'see' the difference and you feel more confidant that your machine and work are in the comforting surroundings of none other than a Mac OS. 

I'd also give a mention to Adobes PhotoShop version 5 for finally giving me the chance to UNDO all the cock-ups I make when pressing the wrong short cut or apply the wrong filters. The improved action and history functions still need tweaking but hey at least I can work faster and apply effects to a piece of artwork with a little more confidence.

Improvements in the Web Design market in 1998 was VERY noticeable. The in word is still the INTERNET. 

CyberStudio PRO 3.1 is my own choice, fast and easy to learn. Good features. If you're a DTP worker the step into CyberStudio is an easy one you should to take. Some of Cybers more powerful features depend on Internet users using IE4 and Netscape 4. As more people upgrade their browsers CyberStudio becomes a better choice.

But as with everything needs to keep the upgrades coming to keep up with tight competitors such as NetObjects Fusion and Macromedia's DreamWeaver & Flash software in hot pursuit.

...and I'll always give a mention to Graphic Converter for being a great tool. 

Most improved hardware of '98
Can you guess what the most improved hardware is? 
Come on it's easy…..yup the Mac. The new G3 laptops are fast and fun . The iMac needs more peripherals though but it's getting there pulling back the market share and getting people interested in Apple once again. 

I mean when you consider the company one year ago, no one wanted to invest nor design a new machine. I really did think it was curtains for the Mac back in 1997. I could see no way out with all the internal and financial problems on the table.

It is not fair to the employees of Apple to just praise up Steve Jobs. The people working for Apple have pulled off an excellent year, guided once again at the helm by the guy that Apple pushed out. The old Apple is there once again, for how long I don't know. In the volatile corporate world CEO's come and go regularly and product lines dip, I'll not be the prophet of doom and gloom nor the over praising writer, we'll all just have to wait and see what '99 brings us.
Darren Edwards
<darren@1984-online.com>