Software Reviews

Mandriva Linux 2008 Spring review

Review The latest version of Mandriva is a competent and well-implemented desktop release with lots to commend it to those with some Linux know-how.

Windows 7 v Ubuntu 9.10: an illustrated guide

Tech Guide Is Windows 7 good enough to halt the move to desktop Linux in its tracks? We compare and contrast Microsoft's new OS with the latest version of Ubuntu.

15 Talkbacks

Lotus Symphony: a first look

Preview Although it's still in beta testing, IBM's Lotus Symphony offers strong alternatives to Word, PowerPoint and Excel with more features and nicer interfaces than most other free software.

2 Talkbacks

Browser benchmarks: IE, Firefox, Opera and Safari

Tech Guide Web 2.0, with its complex sites and rich Ajax applications, is an increasingly demanding platform for a browser. In this guide, we look at how the leading browsers measure up.

5 Talkbacks

Photos: Ubuntu 7.10

Photos Ubuntu 7.10 (a.k.a. 'Gutsy Gibbon') is released today (18 October). Here's a screenshot gallery showing the popular desktop Linux distribution in action.

2 Talkbacks

Screenshots: Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

Photos Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala is released on 29 October. New additions include the Ubuntu One service, a new boot sequence, and the Ext4 filesystem by default.

2 Talkbacks

Inside Mac OS X Leopard

Photos Leopard has a slicker, more reflective look than previous versions of OS X. Check out our screenshot gallery for the details.

Fourteen views of Mac OS 10.5 Leopard

Photos Here's a preview of what we know about the upcoming operating system release from Apple.

Safari 3.0 for Windows (Public Beta)

Preview Apple's Safari browser is now available for Windows. How is it likely to fare against Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera? We take a first look at the public beta version.

iWork '08 review

Review Although Microsoft Office 2007 offers deeper features, particularly for number-crunchers, Apple's iWork '08 is a strong Mac productivity package and a pleasure to use.

1 Member Review

Photos: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Photos A walkthrough of the new features in Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Photoshop CS3 Extended versions

Windows Mobile 6 review

Review There are no earth-shattering new features and the interface remains less than perfect, but Windows Mobile 6 brings enough noteworthy improvements to make mobile devices easier to use and equip mobile professionals with more robust productivity tools.

1 Member Review

What we know about Windows 7

Preview Microsoft is remaining tight-lipped about the next version of Windows, due in late 2009 or early 2010: ZDNet.com's Redmond-watcher Mary Jo Foley summarises what we do know.

Firefox 3 Beta 1: a first look

Preview Beta 1 of Firefox 3 is finally available for download. Here are our first impressions.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard review

Review The grace of Leopard's interface enhancements makes productivity more pleasurable with a Mac, as more than 300 functional and fun features top off this update.