While guns, girls and gadgets have remained immutable to the world of the secret agent, instant box office success has sometimes been elusive.

BBC: The many faces of Bond

But given a master's touch, even a commercial for instant noodles or a box of tissues can become art.

CNN: JAPAN'S HIDDEN PERSUADERS

The Internet also helps Dell provide better and cheaper technical support with technology that allows buyers to log on to a Web site for instant answers and software fixes (see box, opposite).

FORBES: PCs for the masses