We want you to make an informed decision about your purchase. Each product listed contains information about the publisher, product description and system requirements. Read the information carefully to determine if a particular product will work on your system. Following is a description of the terminology used in this web site and what it all means.

Add Item:
This button is located on of each product description page. Click on this button to purchase the program you are currently viewing. The product will be added to your order form and your itemized invoice will be updated. Add all the titles that interest you. You will have the option to modify the final list prior to completing your order.

Check Out:
This button is located in the left-hand column of each page. Click this button to complete your order. Enter your personal information and choose the payment option you prefer.

Description:
This is the fun part. We try to provide a general overview and a list of key program features. Sometimes, for new versions of a program, we'll also include a list of new features.

Part No:
This is a unique number assigned to each item in our inventory to assure that your order is handled correctly. Be sure that you include the "Part No" for each product on your order.

Price:
This is the low price for the product(s). This will always be in U.S. Dollars. All payments must be in U.S. dollars.

Packaging:
Products comes in a variety of package types, the same packaging you see in Retail Stores. Some of our titles come in a Retail Box or DVD Style Box and may or may not include manuals and/or a registration card. Many of our titles are packaged in Jewel Cases (similar to CD Music). Software packaged in Jewel Cases typically does not include printed manuals.

Many programs come in Jewel Case packaging. These are the same programs as the Retail Box version, but without all the extra packaging. This allows us to sell the same great software you see on store shelves, but at a much lower cost. Most programs include documentation in program "Help" files so there is plenty of information on how to use the programs right on the CD. Some Jewel Case programs include a printed manual. We will always indicate the type of packaging included so you know exactly what you are getting. Following are the packaging terms you will encounter:

• Jewel Case: CD comes in a Jewel Case. Usually results in significant cost savings.
• Retail Box: Just like you see in the store.
• mini Retail Box: The current trend is toward replacing the standard Retail Box package with DVD Size Boxes and small Retail Boxes. Software rarely comes with manuals anymore, so the conventionally Retail Box has little purpose.
• DVD Style Box: This packaging is becoming more popular for DVD's and CD's -- for CD Software, PC Games, and DVD Music.

Platform:
This is the type of operating system required to support the product. With software, this could be DOS, Windows 3.X, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT or MAC. Note that some programs will run on more than one operating system. Many of our kids titles, for example, can run on Windows and Macintosh.

Publisher:
This is the company that publishes the title. Almost every publisher has a web site with detailed information about their titles. You can get contact information for most publishers:  List of Publishers. This is a good source for additional information about the program you are interested in.

Return Authorization number (RA#):
To avoid mishandling of Returns, we use an "RA#" control system. It assures efficient handling of returned products and hopefully a satisfactory resolution for you. The Customer. If you want to return product and you meet the conditions stated in "Returning Products" section, you must obtain an "RA#" prior to returning the product.   More details:  Return Policies

System Requirements (CD-ROM Software):
This is one of the MOST important pieces of information in our product listing. Because of the multitude of hardware configurations available, we cannot guarantee program compatibility with your system. You need to know what type of system you have in order to determine if your system meets the minimum requirements. Following is an explanation of the information this section covers:

• 3-D Hardware Cards: Can greatly improve the overall gaming experience. Programs run smoother, Detail is better – Downright Awesome!! In addition, you can also usually get by with a lower-end system, since much of the computing burden is handled by the 3-D Hardware Card. Remember though, that the program must be written to support a 3-D Hardware Card. Just because you have a 3-D card in your system, does not mean every program will run faster.

  The downside of 3-D Hardware Cards is the lack of standardization throughout the industry. Program publishers generally write their program to take advantage of particular types of cards (Voodo II, ATI Rage, etc.). Do some research and buy a name brand card to make sure it will be compatible with the largest number of programs available. When you buy a name brand card you have the added benefit of being able to continuously update the drives from the companies web site.

• CD-ROM Drive: Since all the software we carry comes on CD-ROM, you'll need a CD-ROM drive to at least install it onto you system. A 2x (double speed) CD-ROM drive is fine in this case. Some programs, especially games, can be very large and will require the CD installed to run. In this case a faster CD-ROM drive will make the program run better and play faster.

• Display: The program may require special display requirements. This may be the number of colors: example, "this program runs best when display is set to 256-colors." To change your windows colors setting, you'll need to access the control settings on your system. In Windows 95/98 for example, this is done by right clicking the mouse on the Windows desktop in a open area of the screen. Select the Properties items and then the Settings tab. You'll see settings for Colors and Screen area that can be changed.

• Hard Drive: This is the minimum amount of free Hard Drive space your system needs to load the program.

• Memory: This is the minimum amount of RAM memory your system needs to run the program.

• Mouse: This usually goes without saying. Most systems these days come with a mouse.

• MultiPlayer Capability: Some game programs let you play against or in cooperation with other players. This can be two computer hooked together with a serial cable or over a modem. In addition programs can support many players simultaneously through a local area network or through the Internet. In fact, some new games are only playable over the Internet. For Internet play you may need to register with a 3rd party web site that serves as a hosting location for certain games.

• Printer: Some of the graphic programs we carry may have special printer requirements and they may support an unusual printer configuration. Generally, as long as you can print from windows you can print from within a program.

• Processor: This is the heart of your system … the CPU. This will include older type processors (386's & 486's) all the way up to the latest Pentium III speed demons! We also indicate compatible CPU's for Mac software.

• Sound Card: The sound card could be a separate card or it could be built right into your motherboard. Soundblaster is the most common type of soundcard made and most programs & computer systems support this level of compatibility.

Title:
Name of the product.