The only permanent aspect in the world of computers is change. If a software application is released with a "1.0" after its name, version "2.0" is inevitable. Unfortunately, it has become commonplace for whole number version updates, i.e. 2 to 3, to not be deserving of the new version number as the new version often only includes fixes to the previous version and few, if any, really useful additional features.

Ulead's DVD Workshop 2.0 is an application that truly deserves it new moniker. While many users will find DVD Workshop 2.0 worthy of its "2.0" designation just for its new Subtitling Module, ability to use up to 8 Audio Tracks, CSS copy protection, Region Control, Motion Buttons, and Playlist control, I have come to admire some of the smaller improvements incorporated into DVD Workshop 2.0 since they enhance the creative process. No matter how technically "correct" a DVD menu may be, a great menu is not only functional, but also an artistic statement.

One of the less flamboyant improvements is the addition of real time previews for Motion Menus and Motion Buttons, which makes fiddling with these features a worthwhile endeavor since there is no waiting while DVD Workshop renders the preview. Now, you can apply a Motion Background and immediately see if it works with the Menu. Another huge timesaver is the ability to make Object boundaries visible, thus making it easy to spot and correct overlapping Objects. DVD Workshop 2.0 is a huge upgrade, encompassing a multitude of...