Microsoft improves its image software. Bloomberg Boot Camp, a report on today's technology. When it comes to image editing software, Microsoft has lagged behind some of its rivals like Adobe and ULead Systems. The latest version of its Digital Image Suite….which carries the year 2006 instead of a version number…is an improvement. Among the upgrades….when your cursor travels over a thumbnail photo in the library…it automatically pops up a larger, easier to see photo, along with information about the picture. And, says marketing manager AnnMarie Thomas….the package also includes an update to Microsoft's impressive program for creating slide shows…Photo Story 3.1….

"We've added a number of things to the Photo Story feature. I think the biggest one that I've taken advantage of a lot is the ability to edit pictures once you get them into the Photo Story. So you're not editing the original, you're editing what will make sense in that particular setting. And then we've added the ability for you to become not only your own director of your pictures, but a composer. So you can create music."

Which is a plus…because digital rights management issues prevent you from using music you've purchased online…in Photo Story creations. Photo Story by the way is one feature that's available for free on Microsoft's Web site. Digital Image Suite 2006 sells for about a hundred dollars…about the same price as Adobe's Photoshop Elements. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.