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Gentlemen:

    I just received my first volume of Big Blue Disk.  I find your format and
concept interesting and enjoyable as a change from the more traditional
computer-oriented periodicals.  While not all of the programs are likely to be
useful, I have found these, as well as the ones on The Best of Big Blue Disk
intersting to explore.

    In using the current issue #28, I noted that when programs are run from
Disk #2, upon exiting the programs, the system will not reload the menu.  The
menu is apparently contained on Disk #1, and in accessing the menu when
exiting a program contained on Disk #2, the computer gives the DOS error
message of "Data error reading drive A".  This requires replacing Disk #2 with 
Disk #1 and executing the DOS command "Retry."  The result is a restart of the 
the Big Blue Disk menu from the beginning, rather than placing the user at the 
last menu selection chosen.

    It seems that the program exit sequence could be modified to hold the
position of the program while replacing the first disk, to allow the user to be
returned to the menu at the original point of departure, without cycling
through the DOS error message, and then a complete reboot of the menu from Disk.
An alternative might be to allow for the possibility of using both disk drives,
as it is likely that two disk drives will be available to most users.

    I am using a Fortis Turbo CP286B computer with Mitbushi floppy drives.  Any
comments you may have will be appreciated.

^RWilliam C. Vencill
^RDanville, CA

^1>  Actually, I believe you received a defective disk.  By the time you read 
^1>this column a replacement copy of BBD #28 should be in your hands.  Sorry for 
^1>the inconvenience.  We generally include the menu on both disks of an issue.  
^1>As you describe, the process of running Big Blue Disk is a little more involved 
^1>when we don't.  This month (BBD #31) just happens to represent one of those 
^1>rare occasions when we felt that a program we wanted to publish, Moraff's 
^1>Revenge, was good enough to justify the exclusion of the menu from disk #2.
^1>We hope you agree! 
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Dear Big Blue Disk,

     It is with a great deal of hesitation I finally sat down to write this 
letter, but I susposed that I would never be able in any other manner to convey 
to you my frustration at encountering an obstacle to my utilizing the thing 
about "Big Blue Disk" #28 I liked the most.  I could hardly wait to print out 
the new Print Shop graphics featuring the astronauts and other space related 
subjects.  Much to my surprise, when I tried to run your new offering, I found 
that having a computer with a monochrome monitor and a Hercules compatible 
graphics card prohibited me from doing so. 

     This computer set up worked (and still does) with my Original Print Shop 
program, and additionally, I have been able to import some 200 odd extra 
graphics from local Bulletin Boards.  Having just read from your letters file 
that you have available free, a utilities disk that enables color graphics to 
be viewed on monochrome monitors and be reproduced on a variety of printers, I 
would like to request "BBD'S VIDEO UTILITIES DISK". 

     I feel that utilities and applications programs are definitely worth the 
disk space, but too much is devoted to games.  Games are OK but definitely not 
my main interest. 

^RGarth F. Wilson
^RHouston, Tx 

^1>  I would be happy to send you the Video Utilities Disk.  The disk contains
^1>several utilities with complete instructions on how to use each.  Since you 
^1>will be using a monochrome monitor, you should type GO M at the DOS prompt to 
^1>start the Big Blue Disk menu system.  The "M" tells the menu program to select 
^1>a color scheme appropriate to your monochrome monitor.  Also, many of the 
^1>programs we publish provide similar "switches" to handle this type of problem.  
^1>The documentation for each program will list the available "switches" and how 
^1>to use them.
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Dear Big Blue Disk:

     Congratulations on another blockbuster issue, i.e. Number 27!  Being a big
user of Print Shop I really liked the new Utilities Too.  Printing out graphics 
on one page really cuts down on the amount of xeroxing, reducing, cutting, and
pasting that I must do to keep my graphics library up to date!  Unfortunately, 
one company that made graphic libraries for IBM versions of Print Shop has gone 
belly up.  BCI Software from New Jersey had several libraries available.  I am 
still looking to purchase Printer's Pal from ANYONE!  I tried to order it 
unsuccessfully from many sources.  If anyone has it and would be willing to 
sell it, PLEASE let me know. 
     Our son really likes the games found on BBD since we have subscribed(#14),
but my favorite is FRIGATE from BBD #22.  Hint: You can keep your ship going
by Saving your game before entering battle and then if you get sunk, RETRIEVE
game and learn from your mistakes before reengaging in battle!
     Since we recently added a 49 meg Hardcard to our system the FluShot Plus
looks like a goody, but we haven't installed it yet due to the Holidays.  The
batch files and House Plant Journal also look good and during Christmas
Vacation I hope to do more with them.  Keep up the great work!  It seems that
each issue keeps getting better than the one before it.  

^RDan Leighton
^RNarragansett, RI 

^1>  Thanks for the vote of confidence!  I haven't heard of that particular 
^1>piece of software but if any of you know where Dan can purchase a copy just let 
^1>me know and I will pass the information on.   
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Dear BBD:

   As a new subscriber to your Big Blue Disk, I would like to pass along some 
comments.  The Programs so for have been excellent and I have been very well 
pleased with them.  I have spent quite a bit of time working on the IMAGEPRINT 
program and registered my copy for the additional fonts. 
   On July 1, 1988, after practicing medicine for 50 years, I retired.  Not 
having too many hobbies and not being physically able to engage in other than 
spectator sports, I bought a Colt Commodore computer, with a Commodore 2002 
color monitor and an Okidata 180 printer.  After some trial and error I finally 
got it all put together and then in working order.  There I was stuck. I was a 
complete computer illiterate. I had two books that I found in the box; one 
titled MS-DOS and the other GW-BASIC.  I began studying them with high hopes 
and soon found out that they might as well have been in Greek or Chinese. 
Unfortunately, I did not know anyone to call upon for help.  The store where I 
purchased them being miles away.  So I read my books again, and again, and 
again and finally a little light soaked through the clouds.  After I figured 
out what "toggle" was, and a few other primer level words; read a few 
magazines; learned some software applications; learned how to make files; save 
them; get them printed - I began to feel as though I was above the third grade 
level at last.  There should be some basic computer books written in English 
for the rank and ignorant beginner. 
   That is why I think that your BBD is invaluable.  Not only does it have 
recreational programs, it also has some instruction on relating to and using 
the computer.  Keep up the good work.  I think that now I can get along with 
writing articles, papers, etc. that I have put off for years. 

^RPhilip J. Begley, M.D.
^RHarlan, Ky.

^1>  Congratulations on your retirement!  You couldn't have picked a better 
^1>hobby to start.  If you are looking for an additional source of information, 
^1>many colleges and universities require a computer literacy course of all their 
^1>graduates now.  The content may vary from school to school but the few I have 
^1>had the opportunity to witness seemed to provide good basic information for the 
^1>novice computer user.  You might try one of these courses.  Also, many cities 
^1>have a PC Users group.  You can generally find anyone from the hardcore hacker 
^1>to the complete "I just bought a computer today!" novice as a member.  Any of 
^1>these alternatives, along with Big Blue Disk, should provide you with the 
^1>information you seek.