Welcome to On Disk Monthly! On Disk Monthly has been publishing monthly software for nearly seven years. In those early days we had another name (Big Blue Disk) and our programs didn't utilize a lot of graphics, but we gave our subscribers quality software at a fraction of the typical commercial price...just like now. Our software is in use by thousands of people on thousands of computers world wide. In age, our subscribers range from six-year-old elementary school students to 70-something retirees, and their wide variety of interests are well matched by our six categories of content (see below for details). Where do you fit in? Right where you are...in front of your computer, running the latest issue of On Disk Monthly! We not only want you to enjoy ODM, we want you to participate in it. If you have comments, please make them. If you have suggestions, we can't wait to hear them. And if you have questions, we want to answer them. That's why we've tackled some of the most common new subscriber questions by listing them and our answers below. If you have questions that this section (or our User Guide) doesn't address, please call our toll free technical support hotline at 1-800-831-2694. * * * WHAT COMPUTER SYSTEMS DOES MY ODM SOFTWARE SUPPORT? ODM software is designed to run on any IBM PC or 100 percent compatible that has at least 640K of RAM and CGA or better graphics capabilities. Our software does not support Hercules and monochrome (text only) systems. WHAT GRAPHICS MODES DOES ODM SOFTWARE SUPPORT? All graphic software published by On Disk Monthly currently includes at least two sets of graphics: one for CGA (four-colors) and another for EGA (16-colors). When you run an ODM program, the program's graphic detection routines determine which set of graphics to display--choosing the highest level that your computer will support. For example, if you have a computer with a VGA graphics card, our programs will display in EGA graphics mode. If your monitor is an EGA, VGA or SVGA monitor, our software will run as expected. A problem can occur, however, when a computer's internal graphics card is higher than its display ability (monitor). For example, if our software detects a VGA card, it will attempt to display EGA graphics--even if you've got a CGA or monochrome monitor hooked to your computer that can't display EGA graphics. We've built several "command line" switches into our software to allow you to run our programs at your highest level if you have a system like this. Instead of just typing "GO" at the DOS prompt, type: GO /C - to force our software to run in CGA mode GO /M - to force our software to run in monochrome mode GO /E - to force our software to run in EGA mode GO /V - to force our software to run in VGA mode NOTE: These same "switches" also are active when launching individual programs. To run the Print Shop Viewer in CGA mode, for example, you would type "PSVIEW /C" at the DOS prompt. Be sure to put a space between the program name and the "switch." For a complete list of the switches available for any program, type the program name, followed by a space and "/?". HOW DO I COPY THE ENTIRE ISSUE OR A SINGLE PROGRAM? At the main menu (the screen with all the program icons), use your mouse or the arrow keys/Enter to select the COPY button at the bottom left. A copy "dialog" box will appear on the screen. A dialog box is an overlay that requires a response from you before it will "go away." You must decide: 1) what drive you want to copy to--generally "C" is your hard drive, while "A" and "B" are your floppy drives; 2) what "path" or subdirectory you will copy to; and 3) what to copy (the entire issue or a single program). Use your mouse or press Tab to move between these three sections. Click or press Enter when you've made your choices. NOTE: ODM will NOT allow you to copy an issue to your root directory (C:\) (without naming a subdirectory). If you do not specify a subdirectory, ODM will supply one (the default directory showing when you begin this procedure) and the items you copy will copy into that subdirectory. ODM also will not allow you to copy to the drive you are using to run the issue. For example, if you are running your original disk in drive "B," you cannot copy to drive "B." This protects your original disk from accidentally being overwritten during its own copy process. We strongly suggest that you copy each issue to your hard drive, then run the copy instead of your original disk. This accomplishes two goals: A) you'll enjoy the maximum performance of each program; and B) you'll preserve the integrity of your original disk, which generally has very little free space for data entry, etc. WHAT TYPE OF CONTENT CAN I EXPECT EVERY MONTH? Each issue of ODM contains programs/features that fit the following categories: FEATURE OF THE MONTH - Our showcase program may be a commercial-quality program that is jam-packed with features...or a task-specific program that we think is really useful. ARTWARE - ODM's ArtWare alternates between .PCX format clip art and Print Shop images. If you don't like Print Shop or don't own one of the Print Shop programs by Broderbund, don't worry...you'll get great .PCX graphics on every other issue. .PCX graphics are compatible with most paint programs, many word processors and most desktop publishing programs. CUSTOMWARE - One of our favorite categories, this one will give you cool "stuff" that will customize your computer. Shouldn't it do what you need and want it to do? GAMEWARE - You'll receive an exciting new game on every issue. ODM games range from strategy games to card games and even to arcade-style games. HOMEWARE - This category gives you programs that you can use at home on your home computer. Sometimes these programs will work equally well in an office setting. OFFICEWARE - Many of you also use your home computer for business...or use ODM programs on your office computer. Whatever your work habits, OfficeWare will provide you with some programs that will be "at home" in either setting. SPECIAL - Some issues may also contain special programs, program updates or demos that don't fit in any of the categories listed above. Every issue contains the following DEPARTMENTS: Behind the Scenes (who we are), Contents (printable program descriptions for your files), Editor's Corner (our picks and more), Marketplace (special deals for you), New Subscriber Welcome (this text), Report Card (you rate each issue), User Guide (how to use our menu), and our Warranty & Liability message (what's what). NOTE: You may print any department by pressing F5 while viewing the text on screen. A separate button, labeled "Just for Fun," is a monthly section that contains a Monthly Chuckle (cartoon), and at least one of our word puzzles (Super Crossword, Word Finder or Word-Up!) as disk space permits. WHERE ARE THE PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS? The instructions to any program are available from within the program. Simply press F1 once you've successfully launched the program. Then follow the on-screen directions for printing the Help text. Some of the more complex programs will include installation and step-by-step instructions to make using the program as easy as possible. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM? Pick up the phone and call our technical support department toll free at 1-800-831-2694 as soon as possible. We'll guide you through the problem over the phone. If that's not possible, we'll investigate the problem, find an answer and call you back. We're committed to providing good service to important folks like you! * END *