This section contains information about, and samples of, Software we have reviewed. Our reviews are rated on a 5 Star system.

The chance to work with the latest software from SPC/Serif, namely Harvard Graphics 98, came while testing a new hardware device. Just how do you go about improving on what was already the best of the presentation software, Harvard Graphics 4? Well, improve they did, without losing the great core features. What follows is only part of the story because in my care package from SPC/Serif was several other software packages. In the not too distant future we will review them as well.

If Harvard Graphics 98 is the best presentation software you can buy, why did I only give it just 4 stars? That is a very good question. Even when you are the best, it doesn't mean that a company like ours that uses HG98 software every day doesn't want it to be better. Are there areas of HG98 that we want to see improved and fleshed out, yes. But its nearest competitor, MS Power Point isn't even a close second in abilities, features or ease of use.

Harvard Graphics has been my choice for presentations, both projected images and Video screen displays since 1987. In the late 80's and early 90's 95% of all presentations were imaged to 35mm film and projected by conventional slide projectors. Much to my surprise many presentations are still done that way today. Why, reliability and ease of transport. True to form HG98 is still the best if you want 35mm output for your presentations. A limitation here with HG98 is one of the reasons that the rating is only 4 stars (we will get into that later). Many presenters today use computers (laptops) in concert with either a direct image projector or a modified overhead projector to make the thousands of business and educational presentations made every day, all around the world. HG98 excels at this type of presentation.

HG98 is extremely versatile, it can produce more different types of charts, graphs, tables, bullets and text pages than any other presentation program. Each of the type of charts (pie, line, bar, area to name just a few) is fully and easily customizable. Tables and database imports are a snap and then fully adjustable too. Presentations can be viewed as a whole or by individual slides and be displayed and worked on as graphics or text (you can jump back and forth at the touch of a button. It can be used in a conference (sort of an online real-time review process) mode over a network. Your computer-based presentations can run unattended or be prompted by the presenter. If the presentation is configured right it can even branch to respond to viewer questions or input.

In our business of preparing presentations for customers we support several different programs that are used by different individuals. In supporting them we get to use these different presentation programs and know the limitations, weakness and strengths of each... for us ... there is no comparison between HG98 and the also rans. For ease of use and flexibility we urge our customers to switch to Harvard Graphics. Those that do are always happy that they have made the change.

Why four stars? Number one is an ongoing set-up difference that I have never understood. For Harvard to select an output size (say 7.33X11 the default for a 35mm slide) HG must find an output device of that size attached (or at least the drivers). None of our customers have a film recorder (that's why they come to us). This means that on each show (presentation) we first have to convert each slide form say 8.5X11 to the correct size for the film recorder. Now, other programs don't have this limitation, so we don't understand why HG98 still does. Second, and this gets a little nit picky... The supplied sample files and backgrounds haven't changed over the last 2 (3) versions and are beginning to look out dated and more than a little stogy. Since we never use them it doesn't matter to us, but, for the regular customer an update in this area is sorely needed.

Having picked on HG98 just a little bit I don't want to leave you with anything less than a glowing recommendation... if you make presentations, you need this program... Buy it! ... What follows is the official list of features.

The Easiest Way to Create Professional Presentations!
No more stress when you need to outshine the rest. Whether you present your ideas with charts, slides, or multimedia presentations, you'll look your absolute best with Harvard Graphics 98 - the #1 rated presentation software.

Stop worrying about the competition;
There you are, sailing along with your proposal, The best team, the best research, the best ideas, And then comes news about the competition: They gave a slick presentation, says the boss, multimedia, and all. Can you do better by tomorrow? Everyone else looks worried, but all you say is "SURE"... Because with Harvard Graphics 98, you know you'll create a professional presentation, fast; Here's how;

The Features that made Harvard Graphics the #1 rated Presentation Package

Quick Presentations - Pre-designed presentations covering everything from business plans to problem resolution; Add your own titles, company logo and content and you're done!

Quick Advice - Want advice? It's there; the award winning Harvard Graphics Advisor gives step-by-step guidance to the best results, whatever The task. Quick Advice delivers professional design guidance at a click of the mouse.

Design Checker - How often have you wished an expert could check your work? It's ready and waiting. Award-winning Design Checker not only identifies style and design problems its Fixer Mode helps you correct them automatically.

Sophisticated Data Charting - It's easy. Just open an application from your task bar, highlight the data you want and drag & drop it into your presentation. No clunky wizards to go through!

Multimedia Support - Add sound and animation in seconds. Ready-made animation gives you a wide variety of attention-grabbing themes that are perfect for highlighting important points.

Organized Access to Art Images - You got it. Harvard Montage Lite offers drag and drop access to clip art images and the ability to do the same with images in other applications.

New Features for 98

Updated For Full Compatibility and Optimization

Redesigned to work with:

• Microsoft Windows 95,
• Microsoft Windows 98,
• Windows NT 4.0

Now no matter what platform you're running on Harvard Graphics 98 works for you.

Year 2000 Compliant - No need to worry about whether Harvard Graphics 98 can support your requirements for the millennia. All data fields handle proper formatting of prior and post 1999-year formats.

Internet/Intranet Presentation - With Harvard 98 you can publish your presentations to the Web or Corporate Intranet using built-in Harvard Webshow Publisher. Publishing to the web is a simple wizard driven process. No struggling with complex and confusing HTML programming. No special conversions. Just point, click and publish to a company-wide or worldwide audience. Your audience can view your presentation online via their browser using built-in ActiveX controls for Internet Explorer or a plug-in for Netscape.

Updated Import Capabilities - Harvard Graphics 98 now supports import of data from Excel spreadsheet versions 95/97.

Additional Content - Over 15,000 pieces of graphical content included with Harvard Graphics 98. Photos, clipart and stock images are all available to enhance the graphical experience of your presentation (a value of $30).

Technical Specifications

Harvard Graphics 98 System Requirements
Harvard Graphics 98 requires, at minimum, an IBM compatible 486 PC or higher, running Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (with Service Pack 3). 8 MB of RAM (see Microsoft's memory requirements for Windows 98 or NT); 20 MB to 50 MB of hard disk space; Microsoft compatible mouse; SVGA display; CD player for CD version. For optimal performance, a Pentium with 16 megabytes of memory, and a SVGA (800 X 600 resolution) display is recommended.

Import/Export Filters

• Users can directly read and write Harvard Graphics for Windows version 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.
• Import capabilities include PCC, PCD, WMF, TIF, PCT, PCX, GIF, DRW, CGM, CDR, BMP, TP3, SH3, and CH3 files.
• Export capabilities include BMP, CGM, GIF, PCX, PCT, TIF, WMF, WPG, CGM, PCS, WMF, WPG, PCT, GIF, and BMP files.
• Export capabilities include GCM for Harvard Graphics, Lotus Freelance and Applause II.

Contact Information
To learn more about SPC/Serif programs, or for information on purchasing Harvard Graphics, please contact the Sales Group at 650-369-9382. Or visit the Harvard Graphics web page at http://www.harvardgraphics.com, or call the Sales Department line at 800-557-3743. Information on other fine products from SPC can be found on the web at http://www.spco.com.