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The fact that someone thinks the world could use a program like this tells us something about modern day communication. There was a time when your mum would phone you to hear your voice but now, via email, she can enjoy voice, visual and literary contact too. Email Voicelink+, best described as one big software wizard, attempts to make this process easy.
Email Voicelink+ offers a step-by-step process that guides you through adding graphics, sound and words to your email. First there is Whiteboard, where you are encouraged to "compose your rich media message".
Then there is a modest selection of wallpaper, graphics and clipart from which to choose but most of it is poor quality. Some are not even relevant to the choices available in the 'occasions' section. And since the rest of the artwork and animated GIF files are of a similar standard, importing your own images is a good idea.
Sound can be added from a choice of equally disappointing synthesised shorts. Adding MP3 or WAV files is easy, so is recording a message using the included headset and microphone. Sadly, it lacks the advanced controls needed to ensure good audio quality.
Completed greetings can be sent as part of an email message or as an attachment for the recipient to detach and open. In the likely event the recipient does not have Voicelink installed, a small player program must also be sent so it can be viewed. If you intend sending say, holiday snaps accompanied by a running commentary, it'll add up to a sizeable file.
The program could do with a better-looking interface. Furthermore, the decorative graphic and sound files are limited and users will need a store of multimedia resources to create impressive emails.
The state in which it arrives out of the box hardly justifies the price tag and even a great deal of effort does not produce great looking emails.
Online email services offer more attractive greetings for free, which is a pity, as this is in essence a good idea.
Contact: Guildsoft
01752 895100
www.guildsoft.co.uk
ALSO CONSIDER: E-GREETINGS.COM
Offers a wide selection of multimedia virtual cards of manageable size for all Occasions - and it's free.
See also:
A neat piece of software for cleaning up your old vinyl music collection and transferring it to the digital domain. 09 Mar 2001
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