Best productivity apps
Plenty of software cuts through the clutter and helps you work efficiently. These are our favorite small-business and personal productivity software applications.
Microsoft Office Standard 2007
7.8 Very good (reviewed 1/29/07)
Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.
Read review of the Microsoft Office Standard 2007
Apple iWork '08
7.3 Very good (reviewed 8/22/07)
Although Microsoft Office 2007 offers deeper features, particularly for number crunchers, Apple iWork '08 is a strong Mac productivity package and a pleasure to use.
Read review of the Apple iWork '08
Google Docs & Spreadsheets
7.3 Very good (reviewed 10/18/06)
Google Docs & Spreadsheets beta gracefully merges word processing, spreadsheets and basic presentations within an online service that lets you collaborate with other users.
Read review of the Google Docs & Spreadsheets
Corel WordPerfect X4
7.0 Very good (reviewed 4/16/08)
The Corel WordPerfect Office X4 suite best fits those who prefer traditional interfaces for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. We found the features rich, but the execution sometimes clumsy.
Read review of the Corel WordPerfect X4
Mozilla Thunderbird 2
7.3 Very good (reviewed 3/27/08)
Mozilla Thunderbird 2 is a fine, free, extensible e-mail client and a solid alternative to pricey Microsoft Outlook 2007 or the free Windows Live Mail.
Read review of the Mozilla Thunderbird 2
FeedDemon 2
8.0 Excellent (reviewed 10/10/06)
FeedDemon is a terrific RSS reader that can handle hundreds of subscriptions faster and better than the many free Web-based readers available.
Read review of the FeedDemon 2