Computing returns the feel-good way

Article Abstract:

Intuit's Turbotax for Windows and Macintax for Macintosh, along with Block Financial's Taxcut for either OS, are strikingly similar, user-friendly tax preparation software programs that emphasize stress reduction. All of the products feature three comfort levels consisting of a gentle full interview for novices; a faster-track interview that allows more experienced taxpayers to bypass unnecessary sections; and a forms mode for seasoned users. Users handling moderately complicated returns encounter similar refunds, similar notifications of potential IRS queries and similar advice on making changes next year to avoid withholding too much. Missing forms and bugs, especially in the Taxcut version for Macintosh, require Internet access to download form updates and bug fixes. Intuit's programs, meanwhile, can generate unnecessary forms when users enter a zero in some fields rather than leaving them blank. The software offerings range from $20 to $50, depending on the version, which represents a fraction of a paid preparer's fee.

Software Publishers, Financial, Acctg Software Pkgs (Micro), Evaluation, Software, Product/Service Evaluation, Product information, Financial software, Taxation, Software multiproduct review, Intuit Inc., INTU, Tax preparation software, Kiplinger's TaxCut (Tax preparation software), TurboTax for Windows (Tax preparation software), Block Financial Software Inc., MacInTax for Macintosh (Tax preparation software)

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You are not alone: trial by CD-ROM

Article Abstract:

Users who own Windows-based PCs report they continually run into configuration and setup problems when they try to install new CD-ROM games on their systems. The primary problem users have experienced center around the ability of their video cards to work properly with the software. Users also report that software vendors, many not providing toll-free support telephone numbers, are also often unable to solve users' problems. Moreover, users typically wait for 20 minutes to talk to customer service technicians who are rude. The users who are having problems are not PC novices, but individuals with extensive technical backgrounds in computer software and hardware fields. Some users also work with Macintosh computers either at work or at home and report they do not experience any problems when they install a new CD-ROM title.

Applications Software, Product defects and recalls, Customer service, CD-ROM, CD-ROM disks, User need, End users, Compatibility, User-Friendliness

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A new language may ease Web use

Article Abstract:

XML or extensible markup languages is gaining currency as the successor to HTML. Derived from a subset of SGML, or standard generalized markup language, it promises quicker, more accurate search results across the Web, by virture of its tags. Presently, HTML tags describe the text format. In XML, tags such as will describe the data they enclose. Part of the challenge is for developers to agree on a standard set of tags among user groups, such as medicine. Some see adoption of the new language among businesses and researchers preceding general dissemination across the Web. XML also offers a sort of 'timeless' document standard, where a user wouldn't need a particular version of word processor to view last year's sales report, for example.

Product standards, safety, & recalls, World, Standards, Usage, XML (Document markup language), XML, XML (Extensible markup language), Portable document software, World Wide Web, Internet/Web technology

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