Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP Software

Average Rating:

First off lets start the Digital Media collection. Nothing here really to speak of that's worth anything. A voice recognition system for the media player? It's not worth fighting with to run just a media player. The label maker, speaker enhancement and personal DJ? They don't do anything that really matters (or other software doesn't do without spending the extra cash). Media Player skins and Visualizations? You can download those for free from a number of sites - and again without paying for it. As for the MP3 audio converter, yes the new files are smaller but the only player you can use is the Microsoft one and the sound quality is not as good as an MP3.

The games - there are only three and only one is a full version. The other two require downloads and additional purchases. The Bowling game is difficult to control and well, boring. The Labyrinth game isn't too bad but it's very difficult. The winner is Russian Square which is actually fun and addictive.

As for the themes and screen savers - most aren't anything that special or noteworthy. The one exception is the aquarium screensaver which really is something to look at. But again, if you want the full version of the program you have to pay an additional cost. The rest aren't anything that really merits the cost of the program.

Overall I'm really disappointed in the entire package - the cost is far too high for what you get and I can't help shaking the feeling the entire package is just a cheesy gimmick to sell you even more software. "Look at the great things in Microsoft Plus! XP" then when you buy it you find out you have to pay even more for the rest of the programs.

Help me amanzon......

BUT DO NOT expect a rebate. This is my second time dealing with a 'NO REBATE' rebate from these folks. You use their customer service to email them and all they ever say is 'it was never recieved' they have been reported to the better business bureau.