ON DISK MONTHLY #67 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS Behind the Scenes - the whole Softdisk Publishing crew. Contents & User Guide - everything you need to know. Editor's Corner - notes by an On Disk Monthly staff member. Just for Fun - a monthly chuckle or fun activity. Mailbag - letters from people just like you. Marketplace - special offers you don't want to miss. PROGRAMS HOME REFINANCER - Have you been wondering if it would be "centsible" to take advantage of today's lower interest rates by refinancing your home? With Home Refinancer, you don't need to be a mathematics professor to look at a dollar and cents comparison. * Compare old and new loan data * Play "what if" with new loan info * Examine the "cost" of refinancing HOUSEHOLD - If you've never been burglarized or faced with some sort of property-destroying disaster, count your lucky stars. Then open HouseHold and inventory your worldly goods--for peace of mind and for your insurance agent. * Add, edit, browse and search entries in this full-featured database * Print checklists and summaries * Learn to file an insurance claim MEMORY MASTER - It's a memory test, a puzzle and a game all in one! You'll play it again and again as you try to best your opponent in our version of a popular matching game. * Animated playing cards * One-player, two-player and computer opponent modes * Supports all graphics modes POP-UP NOTEPAD - This is one of the most flexible and useful TSRs that you'll ever have the good fortune to run across. The list of subjects you'll cover in notes made with this utility is virtually endless. * Create, save, load and edit notes quickly and easily * Access it from DOS or while running any text-based program STRESS TEST - Feeling frustrated, overloaded and aggressive? How well are you equipped to deal with your stress? Is most of it mental or physical in nature? * Animated graphics that are based on your responses to questions in five different tests. * An interactive, game-like interface that's easy to use * Hints on ways to relieve stress TELECODES - Have you every scoured your home or office for a telephone book just because you need to know one area code? Have you ever hesitated to make an international call because you didn't know the time or country code there? * Puts all dialable area codes and the time there (compared to yours) at your fingertips * Retrieves data quickly and is easy to use WORD-UP! - A great vocabulary is a handy thing to have, and Word-Up! can help you increase or develop yours--whatever your lexicon level. Compare your score with a friend's or your spouse's, but be prepared to gloat or to "eat your words." * A challenging word list * A "cheat sentence" feature that works like a hint * A built-in mystery word puzzle HOW TO USE ON DISK MONTHLY GETTING STARTED * Hard Disk System - Boot MS-DOS from the hard disk. Insert On Disk Monthly in Drive A, then type "A:" and press Enter (return). Finally, type "GO" and press Enter (return). * Two Floppy Drive Systems only - Boot MS-DOS on Drive A, insert On Disk Monthly in Drive B, type "B:" and press Enter (return). Finally, type "GO" and press Enter (return). * One Drive System only - Boot MS-DOS, then remove your MS-DOS disk and insert On Disk Monthly. Type "GO" and press ENTER (return). IMPROVING THE DISPLAY ON SOME MONITORS On Disk Monthly senses the display adapter installed in your computer and adjusts its display accordingly. On some monitors, such as MCGA and LCD displays, the display may not be acceptable. If this applies to you, use the following start command(s) instead of "GO": * For some LCD or monochrome monitors, type "GO/M" * For some MCGA monitors, type "GO/C" Note for MCGA customers: On Disk Monthly is displayed in EGA mode. Since MCGA cards cannot support this resolution, MCGA users will view On Disk Monthly in CGA mode. MOVING AROUND ON THE MAIN SCREEN Use your mouse, tab or arrow keys to select Program Icons, Departments, Controls or Help--all on the left side of the screen. Double click on a Program Icon (or press Enter while it is selected) to run a program. Use the up/down arrow keys to select an item in the Departments or Controls pick list. A program or other item is selected when the text is highlighted. A pointer also will indicate which program is selected, if any. COPYING ON DISK MONTHLY To copy individual programs or the complete issue, select the Controls button and choose from the following controls: * Copy Single File (copies single program or text file) * Install to Hard Drive (copies entire issue to HD or floppy) * Information (shows sizes of all files and number of files per program) MAIN SCREEN OPTIONS A. Programs - Each program is visually represented by a small icon on the left side of the main screen. When an icon is selected (with the mouse, tab or arrow keys), a description of the program and its features will appear on the right side of the main screen. Double click on the icon or press Enter while it is selected, to run the program. B. Departments - The list of Departments will appear on the right side of the main screen when you select the Departments button on the bottom left side of the main screen. Use the mouse or up/down arrow keys and Enter to open any of the Departments listed there. C. Controls - A list of Copy choices will appear on the right side of the main screen when you select the Controls button on the bottom left side of the main screen. Use the mouse or up/down arrow keys and Enter to choose any of the Copy choices listed there. D. Help - A brief Help file will appear when you select the Help button on the bottom left side of the main screen.