Money 2001 Financial Suite & FREE Wheel Mouse

Just balancing a cheque book is complicated--add a few investments and a budget, and you could start tearing your hair out. Microsoft Money 2001 Financial Suite, largely redesigned for easier navigation and customisation, is a step above its predecessors and miles beyond the old ledger and portfolio. With new features, such as user-set priorities, frequent-flier manager, and Web browsing from within Money, it sets new standards for financial management software.

Installation is simple and stress-free. The file transfers are transparent, and entering financial information can be done in 5 or 10 minutes. Keep track of all of your investments, including ready cash, stocks, retirement funds, home equity, and more--all in a well-designed Web-page format that integrates smoothly with other Web-based content. The home page is a pleasure, but the easily distracted should move the cash-flow charts and investment watch elsewhere, lest they be tempted to update them every few minutes. Pulling financial information off the Internet is usually easy (depending on your choice of financial service providers, of course) and you can port your personal data to a secure Web site for remote retrieval if you like.

There are a couple of minor drawbacks. For one, they have chosen to use their leverage to shill for MSN and other Microsoft-related services throughout Money. Also, users shouldn't rely exclusively on online statements, as download errors often, though certainly not always, result in interminable customer service calls. Other than that (and its large size--greater than 200 MB), it's hard to complain much. Families expanding their investments from checking and savings will love it, as will Internet traders and young adults who need a little coaching but can't afford a financial advisor. Money 2001 Financial Suite will save you money in the long run, and save you time and frustrat ion almost as soon as it's up and running. --Rob Lightner, Amazon.com

Wheel Mouse

How do you improve upon two of technology's biggest breakthroughs, the wheel and the computer mouse? Put them to gether. They're a perfect pair, and they make the Microsoft Wheel Mouse a welcome addition to any PC.

Plug the Wheel M ouse into a serial or PS/2 port, and it's ready to use right out of the box as a comfortable, two-button mouse. Then, to take advantage of the scroll wheel that's between the left and right buttons, install the included IntelliPoint software (a simple process that takes just a couple of minutes). Now simply roll the wheel forward or backward with your index finger to scroll through Web pages or documents in Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT applications. Or, hold down the Ctrl key while scrolling through Office 97 documents to zoom in and examine details.

The IntelliPoint software also l ets you customise the performance of your mouse and the appearance of pointing icons on the screen. SmartSpeed, for exam ple, lets you set the pointer so that it slows down over icons and buttons, making point-and-click operations easier tha n ever. SnapTo automatically moves your pointer to a default button when you open a dialogue box. And an odometer keeps track of the total distance you've dragged your mouse--in feet and miles.

And when you're ready for something complete ly different, you can change the appearance of your pointer to a seashell, a corn cob, or our favourite--a tap-dancing h oofer in tails and a top hat. Technology never stands still!

Pros:

• Simple to use, scroll wheel simplifies navigation.
• Great software, adjustable for left or right-handed use.

Cons:

• Provides less hand support than Microsoft IntelliMouse Pro.