I have fielded some questions concerning Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP. I am sure there are many more questions that have not been asked. Plus for windows has been around since Windows 95 and it always had some neat programs in it. For the most part I have always thought that Plus should have been included with the Windows program and that is no different with Windows XP. However the included programs in the XP version are less than what has been included with the other Windows Plus! programs.

The accessories come in four categories, themes, screensavers, games, and digital audio. The desktop themes are wallpaper, icons, mouse pointers and some other graphics. The screensavers are clever. I've heard that the Aquarium is quite realistic, so much so that it has fooled cats. These themes and screensavers are not any better than what you can download from the internet free. Actually you can download the free version of Aquarium screensaver from www.serenescreen.com. This version actually works on Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98 and 95 if your graphics card is powerful enough.

Plus! includes three games Hyper-Bowl, Labyrinth and Russian Squares. Hyper-Bowl is a takeoff of an arcade game with the same name, and is probably the most fun. The Labyrinth can be downloaded from Real Arcade Central. All of these games are restricted in an effort to get you to buy the commercial version.

The digital audio accessory includes MP3 Audio Converter, CD Label Maker, and Personal DJ. The converter turns MP3 files into Windows Media Audio (WMA). The CD Label Maker prints labels and jewel case inserts in color and black-and-white Free shareware exists for both of these accessories. Personal DJ leads you through a process of making a play list in Windows Media Player. Speaker Enhancement supposedly improves the quality of sound. Few people if any notice an improvement of the audio with Speaker Enhancement installed. Microsoft states that only certain speakers will benefit from this accessory. Voice Command is considered nearly worthless by most people who use it and what's really bad, it conflicts with the voice command that comes in Office XP.

Do I think it is worth the 30 to 40 bux that it will cost? Definitely not. CER