I want to create a computer-based presentation for my daughter's 13th
bday.

I want it to be images (photos) displayed in sync with music.  No
video required.  The photos I will scan as standard graphics files.  I
have the CDs of the songs I want, and expect I will convert them to
MP3 for the presentation.  I don't need anything fancy, just something
that allows me to dislplay one or more photos on the screen at a
specific point in the music track, for specific and varying lengths of
time - like a slide show set to music.  Low price and ease of use are
key.

My development enviroment is Win98, or possibly Linux.  Playback will
be on her computer, which is some consumer Windows version like Win98.
 Playback needs to be simple, perhaps a self-executing exe file, or
something using standard or easily downloadable Windows software. 
Probably will deliver to her on CD.  Prefer open-source or shareware
development tool, and would like to avoid MS products.

I will develop the presentation myself - your task it to identify the
best 3 - 4 software tools to create it, with source, cost, and a few
pluses/minuses of each, so I can select one and proceed.  Thanks in
advance.

Hi infodoc-ga,

  As you probably know, there are *many*
  slideshow programs available on the
  internet.  The have a broad variety of
  features and range from free to full
  commercial products.

  Here are several of the best ones:

    - Mindex Musical SlideShow
http://www.mindexsoft.com/Indexer/Downloads/BugFixes.html
      - (+) full featured shareware,
      - (+) includes a free slideshow player,
      - (-) does not appear to make distribution
            via a cd super easy.

    - PhotoPulseTM Digital Photo Slide Show Software
http://www.photopulse.com/
      - (+) uses flash, so the slideshow can be
            put up on the web, which I think is great
      - (+) can also create a standalone executable
      - (-) not easy to synchronize music with the pictues
      - (-) has free trial but is $34.95 to buy

    - Pictures Presentation Maker v 1.6
http://www.pictures-soft.com/picturespresentationmaker.shtml
      - (+) can produce standalone executable of the slideshow
      - (+) great support for music, including Winamp playlists
      - (-) can time slides, but sychronizing with music might
            take a little trial and error
      - (-) has free trial but is $24.95 to buy

    - Beagle Software SlideShow
http://www.beaglesoft.com/slshhome.htm
      - (+) ZDNet Editor's Pick
      - (+) viewable from the web, which I think is nice
      - (-) each slide can have music associated with it.
            I actually think this could be nice because you
            could use an audio splitter program to divide
            up a song and then put each part to the slide.
      - (-) free to try and $29.95 to buy

    - Imagematics slideshow viewer
http://www.imagematics.com/
      - (+) full featured commercial software
      - (+) has *excellent* effects
      - (+) sychronization with music is easy
      - (+) looks like it will do *exactly* what you want
      - (-) has a free trial, and is $49.95 with coupon on the site

   So, that is more than 3 or 4, but I think they
   are the best ones at different price points
   and with different features.

   I hope that helps you make the slideshow.

             dogbite-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by infodoc-ga on 30 Apr 2003 05:51 PDT

Looks good - thanks very much.
Will assign a rating after checking out links provided.

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Clarification of Answer by dogbite-ga on 30 Apr 2003 06:31 PDT

Hi infodoc-ga,

  Okay great -- I look forward
  to reading your thoughts.

          dogbite-ga

Sorry for the delay in rating answer.
I now understand there are many slideshow programs.  The ones you note
are good.  However, my searching the product names you provided lead
to better programs and even a tutorial on evaluating pc-based
slideshows.