The disk contains 84 images and 90 backgrounds. The images are really 28 distinct images, each displayed on three different background colors for a total of 84 image/color combinations. The 90 backgrounds are tastefully simple, consisting mostly of banners along the top, side or bottom of each slide. Of course, a presenter wants this kind of simple background when displaying text information.

The scanned images include old tombstones, sailing ships, cowboys, old houses, eyeglasses, naturalization certificates, and a variety of people dressed in the fashions of a century ago. These are cute images to "dress up" your PowerPoint slides. The CD-ROM also includes a viewer program that you can use to easily browse through the various backgrounds on the disk, choose the ones you like, and then easily import them into PowerPoint.

The images are all "softened." That is, they are not razor-sharp pictures. Instead, they are designed to appear as soft background images and will never "overpower" your presentation materials. If you give talks about genealogy and if you use PowerPoint slides, I suspect you will want this CD-ROM. If you want to see some of these backgrounds in use, drop in on any of my future presentations. I probably will be using some of these backgrounds in my PowerPoint slides.

The "PowerPoint Backgrounds for Family History" CD-ROM is produced by 123genealogy.com, the same company that produces the genealogy training videotapes that I have reviewed in recent months. The CD-ROM disk label says, "PowerPoint Backgrounds for Family History—Volume 1" hinting that there will be more volumes to come.

The "PowerPoint Backgrounds for Family History" CD-ROM sells for $14.95 plus shipping and taxes. For further information, or to order it online via 123genealogy.com's secure Web site, look at: www.123genealogy.com.

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