CNET has launched COMPUTERS.COM, a computer product directory -- PCs, servers, modems, digital cameras, etc. -- with reviews, comparison articles, and links to retailers. . [CNET Dispatch, 04Dec97.]

ZDNet offers info from over 20 Ziff Davis computing magazines and newspapers, including hardware reviews and software downloads. . [Scout Report, 25Oct96.]

TechShopper now offers product news and search, one of the Web's largest software stores, and an auction site for bulk purchases. [CMPnet, 02Dec97.]

TechCompanies offers news, product reviews, financial profiles, and contact info for more than 45K technology companies. . [CMPnet, 02Dec97.]

Microsoft Home Essentials is a 4-CD set containing the full business-strength Word 97, an upgrade of Works 4.0, a multimedia Encarta encyclopedia, and the Greetings Workshop from Hallmark -- all for $109. It's a loss leader designed to get Internet-capable product versions into use. Although it's sold as an upgrade (for legal reasons), just about anyone using a word processor, spreadsheet, or game can qualify. Requires Windows 95 on a 90MHz Pentium. , (800) 426-9400. [Jim Coates, Chicago Tribune. SJM, 16Nov97, 5F.]

Microsoft's new Age of Empires game is "one of the best of the year in any genre." Wonderful graphics, sound, and single or multiplayer game play. Requires Windows 95/NT on a Pentium 90 with 16MB-24MB, 80MB of disk space, and (optionally) Internet Explorer over a 28.8Kbps modem. [Malcolm X. Abram, Cox News Service. SJM, 16Nov97, 5F.]