Issue 7.6 December 2002 / January 2003

Contents


Multimedia/Graphics Reviews

Swift3D.v3 (MAC/WIN)
Swift3D.v3 is an exceptionally easy-to-use program for creating 3D animations in vector-based formats including Macromedia Flash (.swf). The interface consists of the elements necessary to work in an animated 3D space, namely an animation toolbar, rotation trackball, lighting trackball, viewports, and more. The viewports are the windows through which the 3D scene is viewed, both as it is constructed, and it is played back. The camera setting controls what view the user sees in the viewport. The objects that are placed in the viewport are controlled using properties that affect their placement and appearance (size, rotation, lighting, shading, etc.). The animation palette contains a number of predefined animation sequences that can be used to quickly apply an animation to a particular object. The animation toolbar is used to program animation movements over time, in a fashion similar to that used in Flash. Additional professional tools include the Extrusion Editor, for converting 2D drawings to 3D, and the Lathe Editor, to convert a simple path into a fully-formed three-dimensional object. Scenes can be rendered to vectors using the RAViX III engine, or rendered to raster using EMO. Impressive samples can be seen at http://www.swift3d.com/. $169

Contact: Electric Rain, Inc., 5171 Eldorado Springs Drive, Boulder, CO 80303-9642, 303 543-8233, http://www.erain.com, fax: 303 543-8225.



Digital Audio

ID3X (MAC)
ID3X is an easy-to-use editor for adding and editing data in the ID3 tags of MP3 music files. The tags identify such things as the name of the song, artist, album, track, year, genre, and comment. This information will be displayed in MP3 players that support ID3 tag data. $15

Contact: Three-2-One, Sudwall 22, 47798 Krefeld, Germany, ++49 2151 31945-0, http://three-2-one.com, e-mail: info@three-2-one.com, fax: ++49 2151 31945-09.



Hardware Reviews

USB2+FireWire Card (MAC/WIN)
USB2+FireWire Card is a single PCI card that provides both USB 2.0 and FireWire/1394 connectivity while occupying only one slot. USB and FireWire are essential technologies for modern computing, and the use of this card brings this functionality to computers that do not have it, or can increase the available ports for those that do. The card contains two external and one internal USB and two external and one internal FireWire ports. $99

Contact: Keyspan, a division of InnoSys, Inc., 3095 Richmond Parkway, Suite 207, Richmond, CA 94806, 510 222-0131, http://www.keyspan.com, e-mail: info@keyspan.com, fax: 510 222-0323.


PowerMate (MAC/WIN)
PowerMate is a programmable USB controller in the form of a large, solid, polished aluminum button. The function of the button can programmed by the user to execute a wide variety of things in almost any program. For example, it can be used as a Jog/Shuttle wheel in a video editing program, or to scroll long documents in a word processor, or as a convenient power-on button for the computer, or a volume control for audio. The base of the button contains a glowing blue light that pulses while the computer sleeps. $45

Contact: Griffin Technology, Inc., 1619 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, 615 399-7000, http://www.griffintechnology.com, e-mail: support@griffintechnology.com, fax: 615 399-8041.



Additions/Extensions Reviews

PM2Q5 (MAC/WIN)
PM2Q5 is an xtension for QuarkXPress 5.x that enables users to convert PageMaker documents into QuarkXPress documents. The xtension works intelligently to retain as much of the structure and content of the PageMaker document as possible. In addition to same platform conversions, the xtension can recognize and convert Windows PageMaker files on a Macintosh, and Macintosh PageMaker files on a PC. The conversions are easily executed with a single keystroke. The time and effort saved can pay for itself after its first use. $199

Contact: Markzware, 1805 E. Dyer Road, Suite #101, Santa Ana, CA 92705, 949 756-5100, 800-300-3532, http://www.markzware.com, email: info@markzware.com, fax: 949 756-5108.


Digital SHO (MAC/WIN)
Digital SHO is an impressive, powerful, and highly useful plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and other compatible host applications that produces automatic contrast and exposure optimatization on improperly exposed digital images. The plug-in can correct for poorly backlit subjects, uneven flash illumination, and partial shade. This highly productive software, which is based on proprietary algorithms, intelligently analyzes the gradations in the darker image areas to uncover latent details.

The software, which was originally available only in OEM scanning devices, provides both preview and zoom views, and slider control over both amount of exposure and vibrancy of color. The results are truly amazing. $49.95

Contact: Applied Science Fiction, 8920 Business Bark Drive, Austin, TX 78759, 512 651-6200, http://www.asf.com, fax: 512 651-6205.


Digital ROC (MAC/WIN)
Digital ROC, originally provided only as a component in OEM scanner packages, is a Photoshop compatible plug-in that automates the color restoration process that normally takes a skilled digital image technician to produce. The plug-in, which is based on proprietary algorithms, analyzes the color gradients in the image and generates the optimum tonal curve for each color channel. This serves to counter the effects of tungsten and fluorescent lighting, and more importantly, to remove the color cast from faded and poorly exposed images.

Readers should look at the sample images provided on the ASF site (http://www.asf.com/products/plugins/roc/pluginROC.asp) to see the image manipulation magic that this plug-in can perform. The plug-in can also be used effective on black-and-white images that have been scanned in RGB color mode. $49.95

Contact: Applied Science Fiction, 8920 Business Bark Drive, Austin, TX 78759, 512 651-6200, http://www.asf.com, fax: 512 651-6205.



Image Collection Reviews

The Big Box of Art 615,000 for Windows (WIN )
The Big Box of Art 615,000 for Windows contains a wide variety of images in vector, raster, Web graphics, and Hemera Photo-Object image formats. The collection is accessible using the exclusive Hermera GraphicsDesk, which is a plain-English search engine providing powerful search capabilities. The search engine not only locates the required images, but supports drag-and-drop and copy/paste to efficiently add the graphics to an open application.

Hermera Photo-Objects are digital photographs of real objects that have been cut from their backgrounds. Each object can be composited independently and used like clip art.

The actual contents consists of 10,100 Hemera Photo-Objects, 241,300 vector clip art images, 50,000 raster illustrations, 35,200 professional color photos, 15,000 professional black-and-white photos, 260,200 Web graphics, 2,000 textured photos, 500 animations, and 500 PhotoFont textures.

The package includes two bonus software applications: T-Shirt Creator and Greeting Card Creator, and the addition of 200 templates to support them. A third bonus, CD Designs Creator, is available as a free download. $69.95

Contact: Hemera Technologies, 490 St. Joseph Blvd., Hull, Quebec, Canada J8Y 3Y7, 819 772-8200, http://www.hemera.com, fax: 819 778-6252.


The Big Box of Art: Holidays & Events (WIN )
The Big Box of Art: Holidays & Events consists of over 30,000 images categorized to support a wide variety of holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Easter, Independence Day, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, Hanukkah, and more) and events (birthdays, weddings, graduation, anniversaries, mother's and father's day, baby showers, back to school, parties, picnics and barbeques, and more). The collection consists of 28,000 vector clip art images, 1,500 Hemera Photo-Objects images, and 500 color photographs, all royalty-free. Also included is a free copy of Greeting Card Creator. $29.99

Contact: Hemera Technologies, 490 St. Joseph Blvd., Hull, Quebec, Canada J8Y 3Y7, 819 772-8200, http://www.hemera.com, fax: 819 778-6252.


Photo Clip Art 100,000 (MAC/WIN)
Photo Clip Art 100,000 consists of photos that have been cut from their backgrounds, and which can be used like clip art. The images, all professionally produced, are grouped in over 100 themed categories, including agriculture, animals, applicances, awards, buildings, cars, children, family, gardening, home, maps, pets, safety, sports & leisure, tools, toys, and many more.

The Windows version includes Jigsaw Puzzler, which can be used to create a puzzle from any of the included images of those of the user. The Macintosh version includes Hemera's PhotoFont Maker that can be used to apply a photographic texture to any font using the images in the collection, or those belonging to the user.

Images are easily located using the provided search engine. The user selects a background color and then drags-and-drops the image into a project. The images are compatible with most applications (i.e. PhotoDeluxe, Photoshop, FrameMaker, InDesign, PageMaker, GoLive, FreeHand, etc.). $49.99

Contact: Hemera Technologies, 490 St. Joseph Blvd., Hull, Quebec, Canada J8Y 3Y7, 819 772-8200, http://www.hemera.com, fax: 819 778-6252.



Reference Source Reviews

PublishGuide 2.0 (MAC/WIN)
PublishGuide 2.0 is a software-based reference that contains up-to-date information on a wide variety of subjects consisting of: Quick reference charts, Document Repurposing, Offset Printing, Typography, Trapping, Color, File Formats, Photography, Desktop Video, Scanning, Multimedia, The Web, Storage options, Paper, Production Tips, and Design Tips. The software nature of the guide provides immediate access to any of its information content. The guide has been designed to be useful to graphic designers, printers, video producers, Web publishers, and others in the multimedia field. $59.95 on CD-ROM, $29.95 via download.

Contact: The MacGuy, 3560 Cephas Way, Lexington, KY 40503, 859 619-4579, http://www.cousinmichael.com, e-mail: mike@cousinmichael.com.



File Transfer/Processing Reviews

VFZoom (MAC/WIN)
VFZoom is a lossless image storage format that can achieve compression rates of about 60%. It retains resolution even when the image is enlarged. Rather than simply enlarging each pixel, as is common in most enlargement processes, VFZ maintains "the brightness change rate of each contiguous pixel as a function." VFZ can expand a file up to 1200% of its original size using vector expansion, with no degradation to the image quality.

The VFZ file structure holds six levels of quality in a single file. The levels range from proof, the lowest resolution, through levels 1-5. The proof level contains less than 10% of the original data. Level 3 is considered suitable for printing and normal use, including Web applications. Levels 4 and 5 are almost indistinguishable. Level 5 is used for master imaging, archiving, artwork, or medical use. At level 5 the image can be reversed to TIFF or BMP. This factor is important, since only one VFZ file need be stored to achieve a variety of outputs, including restoring the file to its original state. An original image that was 261KB, would be 19.8KB at the proof level (proofing quality), 42.3KB at Level 1 (proofing quality), 70.2KB at Level 2 (proofing quality), 101.1KB at Level 3 (on the screen lossless), 132.9KB at Level 4 (printable), and 164.8KB at Level 5 (lossless).

VFZ is efficient in its capability to enable the user to work with a low-resolution version of an image, and therefore save the time needed to transfer and manipulate a large image. For example, if only a small area was to be cropped, the image could be transferred at the proof level, cropped, and then only the cropped area would be increased to the required level.

Unlike TIFF, BMP, or JPEG, VFZ supports image information to be stored with the file, including title, author, date, genre, copyright, and comment. Security can be attached to each image by saving it in the PFZ (Protected VFZ) format. $119.95

Contact: Celartem Technology USA Inc., 41 East 11th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10003, 212 699-3775, http://www.celartem.com, fax: 212 331-1106.


Spector Professional Edition (WIN )
Spector Professional Edition is considered to be the most sophisticated Internet monitoring and surveillance software on the market. It is appropriate for businesses that need to monitor employee computer use, and for parents concerned about their children's safety while on-line. The program combines snapshot recording (as frequently as once per second), e-mail recording (e-mails viewed, sent, and received), chat recording, and keystroke recording.

In addition the Professional version utilizes intelligent monitoring so that instant notification can be sent to the administrator when specified kinds of content are identified. Everything that is done on the computer, including chat sessions, visited Web sites, and programs that are run, is recorded. $149.95

The regular version of the program, without the intelligent monitoring, is available for both Windows and Macintosh computers. $99.95

Contact: SpectorSoft, 333 17th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960, 888 598 2788, http://www.spectorsoft.com, fax: 772 770-3442.



Utility Reviews

OmniDiskSweeper 1.3.1 (MAC)
OmniDiskSweeper 1.3.1 is a Mac OS X utility that facilitates the identification of large files that the user may no longer be using. Deleting such files conserves disk space. The program shows files that are used by the system in order to protect them from accidental erasure. As unneeded files are deleted the free space on the disk is automatically updated as is the order of the folders and files. Files can be opened directly from the application so that the user can check its contents before deleting it. Although this function can be done partially through the Finder, this program provides a more productive interface. $14.92

Contact: Omni Development, Inc., 2707 NE Blakeley St., Seattle, WA 98105-3318, 800 315-OMNI, 206 523-4152, http://www.omnigroup.com, e-mail: info@omnigroup.com, fax: 206 523-5896.



Database Reviews

PatternStream (WIN )
PatternStream is a database utility that utilizes ODBC and SQL to pass data from a variety of ODBC-compliant databases into published forms. The program supports the automated publication of complex manuals, catalogs, and reports into Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe PostScript, HTML, XML, Microsoft Excel, and a variety of word processing formats. Pricing not announced.

Contact: Finite Matters Ltd., 3064 River Road West, Suite B, Goochland, Virginia 23063, 888 230-1365, 804 556-1180, e-mail: info@fml.com, fax: 804 556-1183.


SmartList To Go (MAC/WIN)
SmartList To Go is a list and database application for handheld computers that use the Palm OS 3.5 or higher. The software imports data from Excel, FileMaker Pro 5, Microsoft Access, and others. The software is very secure, supporting up to six levels of password protection. Up to 60,000 records per database can be supported, with up to 21 different field types. In addition to importing data from existing databases, the user can create databases directly in the application, and take advantage of the many templates that are provided. Data input in the handheld can be synched to the desktop when the user uses MS Access. This product was the winner of Handheld Computing's Best Product in 2000 and 2001. $49.95

Contact: Dataviz, 55 Corporate Dr., Trumbull, CT 06611, 203 268-0030, 800 733-0030, http://www.dataviz.com, e-mail: info@dataviz.com, fax: 203 268-4345.



Digital Video Reviews

PowerDirector Pro 2.5 (WIN )
PowerDirector Pro 2.5 combines in one package digital video capture and editing along with DVD and CD disc burning capabilities. In addition to producing video presentations for burning to disc, the program supports output to the Web. The Disc Wizard program provides an easy-to-follow interface for authoring and burning video and slide show presentations onto CD or DVD. Completed video presentations follow five steps: capture, edit, author, burn, and playback, all within the one software package.

The Capture function supports the direct input of video into the PC, from camcorders as well as most other video sources, including still images. The video sources include live capture, DV-AVI, DAT, MPET-1, and MPEG-2; the audio sources include MP3, WAV, and Audio CD; and the image sources include JPEG, TIFF, BMP, and GIF. The Edit function provides easy-to-use editing tools, a drag-and-drop interface, over 100 transitions, special video effects, picture-in-picture, titling effects, and more. Movies can be output in DV-AVI, Windows AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MWV, MOV, RM, DivX (with the use of an additional codec), and DVD/SVCD/VCD/MPEG Video. The Author function is supported with a step-by-step Disc Wizard that leads the user through the process of creating menus with associated chapters. The Burn function can be initiated on DVD, VCD, SVCD, or mini-DVD discs, and then playedback on the PC, or using a standard DVD player.

Other features include: scene detection technology; trim mode to remove unwanted video segments; color adjustment tools (color, brightness, hue, etc.); over 50 unique title effects, with up to nine titles applied on one video clip simultaneously; gridline and TV safe zone; slow/fast motion video effects; support for up to five audio tracks; Smart Video Rendering Technology (SVRT) to render MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and DV-AVI video faster than any other software on the market; and much more. $99.95

Contact: Cyberlink USA, 46728 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 95538, 510 668-0118, http://www.goCyberlink.com, fax: 510 668-0121.


After Effects 5.5 (MAC/WIN)
After Effects 5.5 is the standard application for adding motion graphics and special effects to digital video productions for film, video, multimedia, and the Web. The software provides a rich environment for manipulating text, graphics, video clips, and other elements using sophisticated controls and settings. The program uses a timeline interface with preview windows to apply, control, and view effects in realtime. The program integrates easily with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, taking advantage of layers, paths, and transparency. Up to 127 masks can be created per layer. The program also supports the importation of Adobe Premiere projects as compositions. This compatibility makes it possible to utilize the video and audio as layers.

The program includes more than 90 plug-ins for producing special effects, manipulating color, and tweaking the appearance of elements. Users can work in either the 2D or 3D image compositing environment. In addition to its visual controls, the program provides precise control over audio effects, and supports compressed audio and MP3 encoding. $699

Contact: Adobe Systems Inc., 345 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95110-2704, 408 536-6000, http://www.adobe.com, fax: 408 537-6000.


Sorenson Squeeze (MAC)
Sorenson Squeeze is a video compression codec for the QuickTime architecture. It is useful for compressing high-quality digital content for streaming, progressive downloads, and CD-ROM expression. Squeeze provides options for outputting video for delivery via modem, ISDN, broadband low, broadband, broadband high, LAN/CD, CD HQ, and custom. The easy-to-use interface makes it simple for virtually anyone to use. $299

Contact: Sorenson Vision, Inc., 2060 Walsh Ave., Suite 194, Santa Clara, CA 95050, 888 767-3676, 408 970-0696, http://www.sorensonvideo.com, http://www.s-vision.com, fax: 408 970-0906.



Productivity Reviews

OmniGraffle 2 (MAC)
OmniGraffle is a Mac OS X diagramming application that produces attractive organization charts, flow charts, diagrams, family trees, and other sorts of directed and non-directed graphs. The program can be used to mindmap practically any kind of project that involves boxes and lines, from planning a Web site to illustrating the potential spread of disease. The program provides 29 types of shapes, and lines that connect them stick, and move when the shape is repositioned. The finished chart can be exported as PNG, PDF, TIFF, JPEG, and GIF. $59.95

Contact: Omni Development, Inc., 2707 NE Blakeley St., Seattle, WA 98105-3318, 800 315-OMNI, 206 523-4152, http://www.omnigroup.com, e-mail: info@omnigroup.com, fax: 206 523-5896.


OmniOutliner 2.1.1 (MAC)
OmniOutliner 2.1.1 is a neat OS X application for listing and organizing thoughts and ideas. It supports the rapid input of content and the easy movement of items into any order and any hierarchy. Users can add columns for expanding on items or adding explanations. The program supports rich text editing for each item. $29.95

Contact: Omni Development, Inc., 2707 NE Blakeley St., Seattle, WA 98105-3318, 800 315-OMNI, 206 523-4152, http://www.omnigroup.com, e-mail: info@omnigroup.com, fax: 206 523-5896.



DTP Reviews

Font Reserve 3.1.1 for Mac OS X (MAC)
Font Reserve 3.1.1 for Mac OS X solves the problem of font management, overseeing the six different locations where fonts can be stored on a Macintosh. The program provides an ordered management system in which even large numbers of fonts can be controlled logically, and with ease, all from a single interface. It eliminates the need to manually add or remove fonts from Mac OS X font folders, and, in most cases fonts that are newly activated appear immediately in almost all applications, without restarting them. The program makes it easy to maintain a large collection of installed fonts, yet only activate those that are needed at any particular time.

Font Reserve maintains fonts in a database, which makes it easy to identify, search, and sort even the largest collection. Fonts can be maintained in a single secure location called the Font Reserve Vault, which can be hidden from view to prevent unintentional deletions. If users prefer they can maintain their fonts according to their current font organization, and alias the fonts. Font Reserve provides the option for users to move fonts out of OS X and Classic Fonts folders automatically, and place them into the Font Reserve environment. The program includes the ClassicActivator, an application that manages fonts for applications that run in the Classic environment.

The Font Reserve Browser presents an intuitive interface for activating and deactivating fonts, organizing them for specific jobs and clients, and viewing them by various identifying criteria, such as classification and foundry. The Preview function enables the user to see the entire font character complement on-screen, or print it out in a variety of professional specimen book layouts. The font book printing functions alone justify the cost of the software.

Font Reserve also helps to maintain a stable environment as it repairs corrupt fonts, on-the-fly, as they are added. It allows for the activation of font copies, rather than moving the original, which ensures the likelihood that future corruption will not occur. Font corruption can cause unexplained system crashes. In addition, the program manages font conflicts automatically, eliminating a problem that can plague a user of fonts from diverse origins.

Fonts are added to Font Reserve through a simple drag and drop process. Any media containing fonts can be dragged into Font Reserve, and the program will locate all of the font files and correctly add them to its database.

Digital publishers will appreciate that Font Reserve provides Font Sense plug-ins for the most popular professional publishing applications (Adobe InDesign 2, Adobe Illustrator 10, and QuarkXPress 5) so that fonts are accurately activated automatically. Font Reserve single user is also available for Windows. $99.95

Contact: Diamondsoft, Inc., 1050 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941, 415 381-3303, http://www.fontreserve.com, fax: 415 381-3503.



Internet Reviews

eBlaster (WIN )
eBlaster is a slealth application that sends to the administrator exact copies of all e-mails, chats, instant messages, keystrokes, and more that are generated on the PC on which the software is installed. The software is useful for monitoring certain employee and family member situations. eBlaster captures the information and sends it immediately so that the administrator sees exactly what the person at the target PC sees. The software also generates an hourly report of the latest chats, instant messages, keystrokes, and visited Web sites, in addition to a summary of all e-mails. The program can also be configured to react to keywords, and send an instant notification if one or more of them appear in an e-mail, a chat, an instant message, or are typed directly from the keyboard. The program can be installed in stealth mode so that it does not appear on the Desktop, System Tray, Task Manager, or elsewhere. $99.95

Contact: SpectorSoft, 333 17th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960, 888 598-2788, http://www.spectorsoft.com, fax: 772 770-3442.


OmniWeb 4 (MAC)
OmniWeb 4 is a new Web browser for Macintosh OS X which incorporates a slew of innovative features that both simplify and enhance the browsing experience. The application supports a long list of Internet protocols and technologies including JavaScript, Flash, Layers, QuickTime, SSL. CSS, and Java applets. Users maintain control over cookies, and can selectively block pop-ups and banner ads. The History feature is searchable, making it easy to locate sites that were visited previously, but were not bookmarked. Bookmarks auto-update and inform the user if a site has been modified, or if it is down for maintenance. The in-place HTML editor makes it possible to not only view HTML code, but to make changes and see the results instantly. The program also responds to voice commands so that the user can navigate by using normal speech. $29.95

Contact: Omni Development, Inc., 2707 NE Blakeley St., Seattle, WA 98105-3318, 800 315-OMNI, 206 523-4152, http://www.omnigroup.com, e-mail: info@omnigroup.com, fax: 206 523-5896.



Digital Imaging Reviews

Studio Artist 2.0 (MAC)
Studio Artist 2.0 is the latest version of this \"graphics synthesizer\" (see our reviews http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/v5n1.html#Studio%20Artist%20(MAC), and http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/v5n4.html#Studio%20Artist%201.5%20(MAC)). This version provides expanded creative control, with over 2000 editable Paint Tool Presets, and over 300 adjustable parameters. The paint effects surpass the wildest dreams of the most creative artist. Exploiting them has always been a challenge, given the broad and deep sophistication of the feature set. New to this version is eight hours of digital training videos which show, as well as tell, how to use and apply the powerful tools and settings. Digital publishers will find this program worthy of a close look. $379

Contact: Synthetik Software, Inc., 30 Sheridan St., San Francisco, CA 94103, 888 808-4188, 415 864-6582, http://www.synthetik.com, fax: 415 854-0433.



Book Reviews

Adobe Illustrator Virtual Classroom
Karlins, David

A combination book and CD-ROM that is organized to emulate an in-class experience by providing instructor-led instruction that complements and expands on the content that is presented in print. The book presents step-by-step information about essential Adobe Illustrator 10 operation, with tutorials on the disc.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0072223391

0072223391 290 pp. $39.99

Contact: Osborne McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St., Berkeley, CA 94710, 510 549-6600, fax: 510 549-6603.


Adobe Premiere 6.5 Classroom in a Book
Adobe Systems, Inc.

Like all books in the Classroom in a Book series, this one takes the reader step-by-step through the process of learning the fundamental operations of an Adobe software product, in this case, Adobe Premiere 6.5. Through a series of 12 lessons, the reader, with the use of the text, and the files on the accompanying cross-platform CD-ROM, follows each tutorial lesson to achieve a level of success. Major subject areas include a tour of the program's fundamental structure and layout, basics of the digital video editing process, basic editing procedures, the use of transitions, the addition of audio tracks, the creation of titles, superimposition, the addition of motion, adding special effects, and duplicate and virtual clips.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0321158857

0321158857 470 pp. $45

Contact: Adobe Press, Prentice Hall, 113 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632


Beyond HTML Goodies
Burns, Joe

The author, the architect of the popular www.htmlgoodies.com site, provides advanced lessons on Web site optimization and making a site more user-friendly. Lessons include the use of drop-down boxes and radio buttons in forms, improving downloading speeds, using server-side includes, and supporting a variety of browsers.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0789727803

0789727803 242 pp. $24.99

Contact: Que Corporation, 11711 North College Ave., Carmel, IN 46032, http://www.quecorp.com.


Database Administration
Mullins, Craig

The author describes the functions and responsibilities of a database administrator, giving specific examples of job tasks and performance objectives. The reader is exposed to the various kinds of database administrators and their related job tasks. Chapters are devoted to the spectrum of common responsibilities that are expected of virtually all database administrators.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0201741296

0201741296 703 pp. $44.99

Contact: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Jacob Way, Reading, MA 01867.


Guide to Creating Digital Video Like A Pro
Flynn, Deras

A complete guide to the process of planning and producing digital video productions. The author covers a comparison of analog and digital video, how to select and set-up the hardware, fundamentals of shooting video (with attention to lighting and sound), the editing process, special effects, and movie encoding and output.

The accompanying PC CD-ROM includes Web resources, utilities, and several trial versions of video-based applications, including DVD MovieFactory, Paint Shop Pro, and Adobe Premiere.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0789726564

0789726564 486 pp. $24.99

Contact: Que Corporation, 11711 North College Ave., Carmel, IN 46032, http://www.quecorp.com.


Inside the Publishing Revolution
Pfiffner, Pamela

This is the book that tells the story of modern publishing, and the people who created the tools to make it possible. Author Pfiffner, a witness to much of the development, tells a fascinating account of how Adobe founders John Warnock and Chuck Geschke created PostScript and changed the face of printing and publishing forevermore. The book is richly illustrated with rare photos and examples of the art and imagery made possible through the use of Adobe products. This book will be hard to put down for anyone who has a kinship with the graphic arts.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0321115643

0321115643 256 pp. $50

Contact: Adobe Press, Prentice Hall, 113 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632


Photoshop 7 Down & Dirty Tricks
Kelby, Scott

This is the book that any experienced Photoshop user can grab and instantly achieve success in producing a slew of professional effects. The highly graphic design, and step-by-step processes, can lead anyone familiar with Photoshop to learn and implement effects that they thought were reserved only for digital imaging experts. The author is himself an expert who has written several books and is he editor of Photoshop User magazine.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0735712379

0735712379 279 pp. $39.99

Contact: New Riders Publishing, 201 West 103rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46290.


Photoshop Color Correction
Kieran, Michael

The author, an expert in the field of color reproduction, takes the reader through the spectrum of methods and procedures that can be applied in Photoshop 6 or 7 to achieve high-quality color image reproduction. The content is well-constructed, beginning with Color Fundamentals, and continuing with Color Management, Photoshop Tools, Highlights and Shadows, Neutral Tones, Contrast, Sharpening, and Advanced Techniques. The accompanying cross-platform CD-ROM contains sample images from the book.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0321124014

0321124014 384 pp. $49.99

Contact: Peachpit Press, 1249 8th St., Berkeley, CA 94710, 800 283-9444, http://www.peachpit.com, fax: 510 524-2221.


QuarkXPress 5 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Weinmann, Elaine; Peter Lourekas

This Visual QuickStart Guide, a patented form of information display from Peachpit Press, presents the essential operating features of QuarkXPress 5. New to this edition is information on tables and tabs, export as a Web page or in XML, applying style sheets, and expanded coverage of version 5's scripting capabilities.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0201354918

0201354918 520 pp. $24.99

Contact: Peachpit Press, 1249 8th St., Berkeley, CA 94710, 800 283-9444, http://www.peachpit.com, fax: 510 524-2221.


QuarkXPress Power Shortcuts
Blatner, David

This book presents more than 400 keyboard shortcuts that are certain to make a QuarkXPress 4 or 5 user more productive. The shortcuts are sorted into sections dealing with such common operations as handling palettes and manipulating text and graphics. The book is short, to the point, and a handy reference tool.

Available for on-line ordering at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=thekleperreporto&path=ISBN%3D0789724332

0789724332 176 pp. $21.99

Contact: Peachpit Press, 1249 8th St., Berkeley, CA 94710, 800 283-9444, http://www.peachpit.com, fax: 510 524-2221.

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