* * * MAILBAG * * * ON BOARD FOR THE FUTURE I, too, like some of the other subscribers, would like to see some of the disk space devoted to some programming and how-to information. Sometimes there may not be a complete disk full just for me, but isn't that the same with any magazine you subscribe to? I don't get upset with the idea that ODM isn't published just for me and even give the areas I'm not that interested in a good looking over. Who knows? Maybe I'll find something there that I can use. You are making advancements that are necessary to keep up with today's ever-changing technology and I'm sorry if some subscribers just can't keep up or won't. you have taken my system just about to its limits but so have a lot of the programs and utilities I use, and I have planned on upgrading in the spring. You just keep up the good work, and if you do get ahead of me I'll catch up when I can. I'm on board for the ride to the future and will be expecting ODM to help take me there. John D. Porter Wellsville, OH WOULD LIKE MORE USEFUL PROGRAMS I know I don't have much experience in the computer field, yet as a subscriber for the past four years I think that I can be a judge of your software. For the last six issues, since you changed from being Big Blue Disk to On Disk Monthly, the quality of the graphics used is nothing less than fantastic, but the quality of your programs has declined. I am not saying the information is not as good; I am saying that the subject material is not as good as it used to be. They also don't seem as useful in many of today's areas. Many of the programs that you had in past issues, I use most every day, and they provide me with useful ways to use them. Jeffrey Bertsch West Babylon, NY Editor's Note: It's true that for a short while On Disk Monthly veered off in an unplanned and unconscious tangent that wasn't popular with everyone. On Disk Monthly is now back on track and is full of useful, entertaining and addictive programs that should be "just what the doctor ordered." Please take time to write us. If you don't like some of our programs, we want to know, but also be sure to tell us what kinds of programs you would prefer instead. READER SUGGESTIONS I am offering an idea to you for something you might want to get into. It turns out my sister has a lawyer son living in California and she lives in New Jersey. On certain occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries, etc., he has composed some very nice poetry to fit the situations. She has thought so much of some of these works that she had them done up by a calligrapher, framed and hung about her home. Why not come out with software intended for calligraphy? Your recent ad in December's "Compute" magazine prompted me to suggest this. [Also,] the scroll at the top of the ad shows some very beautiful fonts. ...A good variety of fonts, especially the kind where the letters connect, as in handwriting, would be most worthwhile. George A. Zimmerman Lansford, PA Because I do not reply each month with a rating does not mean negativity. There are naturally programs on each disk that I will never use because of the lack of a hard disk and modern hardware. You assured me on the last disk that you are not going to forget about us "old timers," so for that reason I am renewing my subscription. The programs I do use--educational, games, puzzles, etc.--are used frequently and are very enjoyable. The one most used and appreciated is "Enhanced Family Tree." You mentioned doing an update at one time. Is this still being planned, and if so, I would suggest listing alphabetically by surname for indexing purposes. Dora H. McArthur Editor's Note: The "beautiful fonts" Mr. Zimmerman described were no doubt Macintosh fonts. Unlike the Mac fonts, graphic PC fonts can only be used in Windows applications or in our own graphic programs, such as Certificate Creator. For this reason, it is basically impractical for us to include them on our disks. Your idea for a calligraphy program-- especially if it is orienting toward teaching our subscribers how to do calligraphy--is very interesting. Mrs. McArthur mentioned something we've kicked around a few times and maybe it's time to do it. Though not formally stated for an issue, we do expect to develop a bigger, better family tree program sometime in the near future. WANTS .PCX UTILITY I recently purchased Creative Calendar 4.0, which is another very good calendar and events organizer, and it also has several graphics but they are in the .PCX format. I would appreciate a utility that does the same as Print Shop Utilities 4 (issue #56), so that I can print the graphics to a page, organize the graphics by category, etc. Is this possible? James J. Raynor British Columbia, Canada Editor's Note: No such utility is available, nor do we plan to create one in the future. You may, however, use any commercially available paint program, such as PC Paintbrush or even Windows' Paintbrush, to organize your .PCX images onto printable pages of clip art. WANTS PRINTABLE CONTENTS PAGE Prior to issue #61 I would print the table of contents, followed by the department entries and the program write-ups. Now I haven't determined how to print the table of contents. Is it possible? Louis J. Glasnapp Fond Du Lac, WI Editor's Note: It was not possible to print a table of contents from the interface (shell) on issues #61-#66, however a table of contents (User's Guide) was shipped with each disk. Now that we've decided to save trees by not printing so many things on paper (including the User's Guide) and we've created a better interface, you'll be able to print a User's Guide from each disk once again. You'll find it listed as "User's Guide" in the Departments pick list. LOVED ISSUE I just received ODM #64 and I couldn't be more pleased! you really did a wonderful job this time. ODM Indexer would have been fine, even if it only could catalog your back issues. I think it will be really helpful for me since I have no hard disk. I also know that Point and Shoot and Tidbits will be helpful. My kids were ready for a new game, too. All your card games are MY favorites, since I don't have the reflexes that my sons do. They like ZZT City. I especially enjoy Hearts, Klondike, and Pyramid Solitaire. Thanks for the tip about the high score file on the latter. I filled it up right away before I thought to make a copy! In case you're interested, 1,965 points, and I won on the second game! As a new PrintShop owner, more recently, a New PrintShop Companion owner, I appreciate your PrintShop graphics. The Companion has a graphics importer so I can use even the .PCX graphics. I only have CGA graphics, but by importing the .PCX files to the Companion, they are visible and usable in both the New PrintShop and the New PrintShop Companion. (You tech support department clued me in--Thanks! If I had one negative comment about this issue, it would be your negative comment about Tandy 1000s. I am not a power user, but I have found only one program (a Shareware game) that will not run on my 1000TX. As others have mentioned, I have limited funds to spend on my computer, which is, after all, a luxury. We all have fun with it. I do my son's school papers and my personal letters with a word processor, and I am fascinated with the New PrintShop. This computer is all we really need. (I would probably buy an IBM compatible next time though. Mainly because of the price of upgrade parts.) My local Radio Shack has been SUPER to us, even though we bought this machine second-hand. Again, thanks for an outstanding issue. The best I've seen. Mary Cooper Freeport, OH MET TYPING ATTACK CHALLENGE I took your dare on Typing Attack, which you made in Issue #65, and after only three tries, I exceeded your staff's high score by 410 points...and it's a great game, too! I am a computer autodidact of 63 and so take great pleasure in having won out over the formally educated (one assumes) and digitally dexterous, though now defeated, nerds in your office. I can only hope that they are abject at the news. Regarding the other games I have enjoyed from On Disk Monthly, I am a regular player of Klondike and Pyramid Solitaire, as well as Draw Poker. I have attained top scores of 273 in Klondike, 2030 in Pyramid, and have earned $1340 in Draw Poker, as well as a full house as high hand. I misspent some of my youth in a pool hall, and now it seems that I am misspending some of my elder years playing computer games, which keeps me from completing my autobiography and threatens the safety of my marriage. Where will it all end? Richard D. Curtis San Diego, CA Editor's Note: Keep those "war stories" coming. We want to know how you feel about our programs and what they give you in return--even if they're just giving you the kind of absorbing entertainment that prohibits you from completing your autobiography! Send your comments to: On Disk Monthly Mailbag Softdisk Publishing P.O. Box 30008 Shreveport, LA 71130-0008