general

I was impressed by the fancy graphics and menu effects, and the novel user interface of Kai's Power Show. But I was very disappointed with the functionality in a number of areas:

1. There is no built in Help, so one cannot search for the answer to a question, no FAQ list, no index. One must use trial and error to find out what the capabilities are and are not.

2. The product advertises compatibility with MS PowerPoint, but I did not find out until after purchase that the newest version it is compatible with is PowerPoint 97, now over 7 years old!

3. The product will not display the show full screen except on very low resolution monitors (640 x 480). Most displays and projectors are much higher resolution these days, and Power Show provides no way to up the resolution/size. It is a product that will not grow with your hardware.

4. While it will play some video formats, it omits MPEG, probably the most popular of all, and also WMV.

I have tried almost every slide show program on the market but this is by far the best. I have constructed large and complex shows using this software, fighting all the way against the deficiencies that I have perceived. The major problem in my opinion is the inability to use music and sound in a format other tham WAV files. Raised to a reasonable quality level these files become enormous. It would make a lot of sense if other formats could be used, such as MP3. Despite this handicap I heartily endorse the program and hope that the Kai people include different sound formats in any subsequent release.

I use Kai's as an add on to my wedding photography services. Brides and Grooms love the effects and it presents itself as a top notch multimedia slide show. As far as user friendly, well that is another story. I give it a 2.