PowerPoint has been around for quite a while, so it might not be surprising that Microsoft didn't add much in the way of new features to this version. No program is ever finished, but PowerPoint already has most of the features you'd expect from a dedicated presentation program, as well as an interface that's relatively easy to use.

The most notable new feature in PowerPoint 2003 is Package for CD, which lets you create a CD of your presentation. Package for CD copies all of the necessary files for your presentation, including linked and supporting files, to a CD, along with Microsoft's PowerPoint Viewer. The viewer allows the presentation to run on any Windows-based computer, even if PowerPoint isn't installed.

Package for CD offers an additional benefit: You can specify a folder as the destination and create archives of your presentations. You can then copy the completed folder to the archive media of your choice.

Animation support has been beefed up to add a little punch to presentations. You can define paths for objects to move along and move multiple objects at the same time. Another new feature is the ability to play video files full-screen. You can also place video playback controls within a slide show for easier control during a presentation.

Like most presentation programs, PowerPoint includes a number of templates and pre-packaged presentations that you can use as a starting point. Additional templates are available for downloading from the Microsoft Office Online Web site (http://office.microsoft.com).

If you have presentation experience under your belt, or you just prefer to do things your own way, you can skip the templates and design your presentation from the ground up. PowerPoint supports many multimedia file types, from simple graphics to video and audio to full streaming multimedia. PowerPoint also includes a collection of clip art. Additional images are available from Microsoft Office Online.

Pros: Easy to use. Includes a collection of templates and packaged presentations that you can use as a jumping-off point, with additional templates and images available from the Microsoft Web site.
Cons: Unless you need the Package to CD feature, there aren't enough new features to justify the cost of the upgrade