Dynodex Organiser Floppy Computers Unlimited 081 2008282 Plus 2 2.2 Any 6.0.4 82 1993 March 1 79 There are, it’s true, cheaper address book programs than Dynodex. But none offer the same kind of flexibility and power - and, of course, pose value as people see your immaculately printed personal organiser pages. Is the program worth the money? Yes, definitely. Highly recommended. 95 85 90 80 88
Journeyman Project Adventure Game CD Softline 081 4011234 II 5 1 14” 256 Colours 6.0.7 50 1993 March 1 37 The graphics, animation, film and sound are great - there’s over 30 minutes of QuickTime video involving pro actors, and a hi-fi stereo soundtrack. They really draw you in to the screen, taking you inside a sci-fi world of adventure. However, there is one other vital thing that you need if you don’t have bags of RAM, and that is patience. But if you do find things a tad slow; whatever happens next is worth waiting for. 70
MacPrefect Security Hi Resolution 0892 724050 Plus Any 6.0.4 41 1993 March 1 78 If you’re a system manager and you find yourself spending half your time restoring Macs to the state they were in before users got their hands on them, take a look at MacPrefect - you won’t be disappointed. 75 90 85 90 85
Monkey Island Adventure game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 5 256 Colours 6.0.7 36 1993 March 1 32 The Secret Of Monkey Island 2 is without doubt one of the all-time great computer games. It has managed to combine delightful graphics and animation, a wicked sense of humour and a long-lasting, challenging adventure. That all adds up to an exceptional entertainment package that should amuse and engross everyone who plays it. This game is the standard which all other adventures have to be measured. 92
Out Of This World Adventure Game Floppy Delphine 2 256 Colours 6.0.7 46 1993 March 1 35 As an adventure this falls short of the complexity and depth that more conventional games have. However, it does have some superb animation and is well paced as a story. You’ll find yourself hooked on discovering what happens next and this discovery aspect keeps things interesting. There’s definitely some solid entertainment here, the only problem is that you may finish it quickly and after that there’s not much replay potential. 72
PUBLISH-IT! Easy DTP Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 1 5 16 Colours 6.0.7 147 1993 March 1 57 Everybody needs to produce a smart-looking document, poster, leaflet or advert from time to time. PUBLISH-IT! Easy gives you all the facilities and more. For all the very high level professional colour work, Easy is by far the best value DTP package around 90 85 80 98 92
Red Baron Flight Sim Floppy Sierra 0734 303171 LC 3.5 3.5 256 Colours 6.0 34 1993 March 1 34 Red Baron is stuffed full of Realism and Atmosphere. The gameplay is hectic when you get in the thick of a fight, capturing the panic as you try to shake off a skilled opponent and the thrill of sending an enemy plummeting to earth. It’s not an instant gratification game and will disappoint anyone who isn’t prepared to give it some time an effort, but if you are it rewards you handsomely. 88
Sim Life Game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Classic 2.5 2.5 Any 6.0.5 40 1993 March 1 33 It is difficult to criticise Sim Life because it clearly achieves that it sets out to do. It’s not a game; if it were, it would be a bad one. It is an entertaining piece of software and has years of enjoyment in it if you’re interested in the subject matter - and if you are, it’s worth every penny of the price tag. 85
Spaceward Ho! Arcade Game Floppy Delta Tao Software 1 256 Colours 6.0.5 58 1993 March 1 36 This is a no frills affair, but one that is absorbing to play. The variety of galaxies and the multi-player option mean that you won’t tire of the game easily. The difficulty levels allow beginners to get an easy introduction, but if you want tough opponents you can fight the nastiest scum in the galaxy. 77
Capitalist Pig Simulation Floppy Pigworks 256 Colours 6.0 35 1993 May 2 41 Capitalist Pig is not just for the Maxwells, Murdochs or city slickers among us. You can be as nice or nasty to your employees as you want. Even if it isn’t as a training ground for potential business persons, it really gives you a feel of what it is like to run your own company. Once you get used to the workings of the game, you’ll be hooked on success. Even if you don’t fancy yourself as a big decision maker who can take control of any situation, Capitalist Pig is definitely recommended. 84
Civilisation Simulation Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 5 256 Colours 6.0 1993 May 2 36 Overall however Civilisation is thoroughly recommended. Much more than a war game, you get to replay all of history, on your own terms. Be warned, though: don’t even consider buying it unless you can cope with the sleepless nights that it’s bound to cause. 95
ClarisWorks 2.0 Integrated Package Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 Plus 0.64 3 Any 6.0.5 229 1993 May 2 64 And if you’re still trying to decide which integrated package to buy, this is a major upgrade to a best-selling package on he market. It’s hard to know what the competition can possibly do to knock it from that position now. 94 95 96 95
Declaser 1152 Printer DirekTek 081 8455969 938 1993 May 2 28 Performance is fine; although it’s not as fast as the GCC PLP, this is because it’s a postscript printer and so has more work to do - and the speed should increase when Postscript Level 2 drivers are used. Output quality is good, although some slight stepping was noticeable on the graduated tint samples when we tried. Although this isn’t the cheapest Postscript Printer available, it is certainly one of the best for the price - and is well worth checking out if you need a postscript device. 90
DynoPage File Management Floppy Computers Unlimited 081 2008282 Plus 1 2.9 Any 6.0.4 94 1993 May 2 78 DynoPage is efficient and easy to use. It does its job well, and just the ability to print double sided pages or produce ready collated booklets will be enough to encourage some people to buy it. 90 90 80 80 85
Epson LQ-570+ Printer Aptec 071 6271000 551 1993 May 2 28 You will notice that we didn’t give timings for this printer; we felt it would be unfair given that it was never designed to compete with ‘normal’ Mac output devices in terms of speed - and you should bear in mind that if you’re thinking of purchasing it. However, if you find yourself wishing you could print on carbonated forms, this is an ideal machine. 89
Ferrari Grand Prix Driving game Floppy Bullseye LC 2 16 Colours 6.0.7 46 1993 May 2 40 The audio is neat too - OK so there's no hyper voice-over and no macho-trash theme tune but there’s plenty of gear-change screeching and brick wall batterings. So it is worth your loot? Well, for now this is as fast as you’ll get on a Mac and it ain't half bad. 80
GCC PLP II Printer GCC Technologies 081 5694030 763 1993 May 2 26 The only real complaint is that, because it’s a SCSI device, you must either switch on or disconnect the printer before you turn on your Mac each time. There’s no way of turning it off while you’re working. The PLP II is an excellent ‘workhouse’ printer. If you’re looking for a low-cost laser printer, this is well worth a look. 93
Kid Pix Graphics Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 1.5 5 256 Colours 6.0.7 35 1993 May 2 84 The slide show was also a plus point. After sampling sounds and moving graphics, she was pleased to see her pictures changing shape one after the other. In fact, Amy described the package in one word; ‘Fun!’ - which is about the shortest and best way to describe Kid Pix. 90 80 80 88 88
LaserWriter Select 300 Printer Apple 0800 127753 991 1993 May 2 28 On the other hand, many companies insist on buying Apple printers to go with Apple computers. If you fall in to that category, then you can be confident that you won’t be disappointed with the LaserWriter Select 300 - which can be upgraded to the Postscript Select 310 at a later date. But if you’re buying on a budget, then there are plenty of alternatives available to the Apple solution that you may well find offer you just as good performance for a rather more competitive price. 75
MacWrite Pro Word processor Floppy Classic II Any 206 1993 May 2 66 95 90 93
Painter 2.0 Graphics Floppy LetraSet 071 9283411 LC 2.5 6.5 256 Colours 6.0.5 382 1993 May 2 46 With the emphasis on versatility, Painter lets you customise to your heart's content, whether its your water colour set or your new set of oil brushes. My only gripe with the program is that to really get the most out of it, you must have a specced and speedy machine. But this said, this software, in the right hands, can produce some of the most stunning naturalistic artwork I’ve ever seen on the Macintosh. 90 85 85 90 88
Personal Press 2.0 DTP Floppy Aldus 031 4532211 Plus 1.5 2 Any 6.0.5 116 1993 May 2 56 Personal Press is excellent in parts, but it does have some shortcomings. It would be churlish to criticise which can be picked up for £120 for not matching software at five times its price, but it does seem odd for a product with so many bells and whistles to fall short of the mark on leading and kerning features. The oversights in this package would put off the majority of publishing professionals, but it is well worth considering for those whose aspirations run to company stationary and newsletters. 80 90 80 85 84
StyleWriter II Printer Apple 0800 127753 323 1993 May 2 26 The only complaint with the StyleWriter II - other than speed - is that it’s fairly noisy. Unlike a laser printer, whose fan provides a constant background noise, the StyleWriter winces as it prints each line and is silent at other times - something which, even in a fairly noisy office, we found to be obtrusive. Other than that, the StyleWriter is a fine printer, and one that can be thoroughly recommended - especially for the home or small business user. 88
The Tinies Arcade game Floppy LC 2 256 Colours 6.0.5 34 1993 May 2 39 The Tinies gets better as the levels get higher, it’s just a shame that you have to past more than 30 before it gets interesting and by this time the music may well start to irritate you. 69
Vette! Driving game Floppy Spectrum Holobyte 0101 510 522 3584 Classic 1 Any 6.0.2 24 1993 May 2 38 If there was a version where you could hare around London or Birmingham it would have more relevance, but as it is I think solo players will tire of Vette! quite quickly. That’s not to say there isn’t a lot in there to enjoy - the graphics are smooth and detailed, the sound is good and the cars handle well. This one is those who like some alternative race action. 68
VideoSpigot Hardware Principal 0706 831831 LC 306 1993 May 2 50 94 96 96 90 94
A-Train Simulation Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Classic 2.5 4 Greyscale or Colour 6.0.7 40 1993 August 3 62 This is the kind of game you just can’t help playing for hours on end - even if you’re just watching things happen. There’s a compulsion to see how things develop next and to tinker around creating your own unique cities. The fascination is much the same as for Sim City because you can be truly creative while playing and never have the same great game twice. However, you do have to put up with the relative slowness of developments and a certain lack of variety in the basic building blocks you can use. 86
Cogito Game Floppy Classic 6.0.5 47 1993 August 3 62 This game is what it claims to be: a difficult puzzle game. If you want difficult puzzle games then look first to a shareware library, there you’ll find plenty, or look at games like Ishido which are more challenging and cheaper. 53
Color It! Graphics Floppy Classic II 229 1993 August 3 30 So is it worth that extra price hike for the paint program (compared to Paint It!) plus powerful image editing facility? The answer has to be a resounding yes; unless all you really want is a competent little paint program to doodle with, then stay with Paint It!. But if you want a program that you can ‘grow into’ as it were, then Color It! is great value for money. 90 90 80 90 88
Eight Ball Deluxe Arcade game Floppy Amtex Software LC 3 256 Colours 6.0 46 1993 August 3 60 Eight Ball Deluxe and indeed, all the other pinball games set for future release will suit everyone. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, you’ll love it. It’s extremely addictive and never boring. 95
Falcon MC Flight simulator Floppy 256 Colours 57 1993 August 3 58 Yes, get a fellow Mac user, and you can try and shoot them down. Two player games are always fun, and with such a complex (but never complicated) system as this one, those evenings will, quite literally, fly by. There’s always the problem of judging whether the games are worth their huge price but I reckon you’re going to be playing this one for ever. And finally, to all you slow readers out there who haven’t worked it out, I like this game. 87
Mac≈Bac File Management Floppy Hi Resolution 0892 724050 Plus 0.2 0.2 Any 7.0 69 1993 August 3 71 Mac≈Bac is a backup utility for people who don’t want hassle, but do want secure data… …Still, I’d recommend Mac≈Bac to anyone who needs to back up their work - and that means everyone. Especially if you have an external hard drive. 92 95 95 85 92
MathType Equation creator Floppy A M Micro Distribution 0392 426473 Plus 0.5 1 Any 6.0.7 210 1993 August 3 50 If you need to insert equations into your documents, whether it is for G.C.S.E. homework or as a submission to the Scientific and Engineering Research Council, you should think very seriously about getting hold of this package. 95 85 85 90 89
Paint It! Graphics Floppy Classic II 46 1993 August 3 28 Paint It! is a friendly and intuitive introduction to painting on the macintosh. It will do all you might expect from an Graphics package costing double the price. It is simple to shade objects with graduated tints, you can vary line weights of shapes, create text effects using patterns and tints, produce complex backgrounds for incorporating into DTP programs and create custom patterns from scanned-in photographs and images imported from other programs or of course you could… just paint! 70 90 80 95 81
Thunder 7 Spell Checker Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Plus 0.4 1 Any 7.0 88 1993 August 3 50 The real beauty of Thunder 7 is that it not only works in word processors, but also in database programs, electronic mail packages and so on - normally applications that don’t have a built in spell - checker. Its on-the-fly approach saves time and it has enough extra features that it’s well worth considering even if you use a word processor that already has built in spelling checker and thesaurus. Highly recommended. 85 97 95 88 91
WonderPrint Printing utility Floppy KimTec 0202 888873 Plus Any 7.0 46 1993 August 3 72 Restart your Mac and your Print dialogue box now contains a new option: there’s a check-box for WonderPrint, and radio buttons to select halftone or dithered output… …However, that apart, can seriously improve the quality of your print-outs… (The program makes usually high contrast print outs now have smooth gradation of grayscale, instead of largely black/white halftones. Will not work in PhotoShop, hold down shift when printing to get it to work in PageMaker) 95 95 85 85 90
Aldus Fetch Graphic file management Floppy Aldus 031 4532211 Classic 2.4 2 Any 6.0.7 229 1993 September 4 38 If you use a plethora of file formats in your everyday work or you are working in the field of multimedia and presentation graphics then Fetch is the obvious choice, as you can have 64 file types on your list (Aldus is updating what it can handle all the time) and you can remove file types you need and add in the new ones as manufacturers ship their new versions of the product. So if you work in a large organisation or in the world of Multimedia and work groups it’s got to be Fetch. 85 80 85 90 90
Fate Of Atlantis Adventure game Floppy US Gold 021 6253366 LC 2 10 256 Colours 50 1993 September 4 68 In true Indy style, you get to ride a camel, control a balloon, a submarine (destination Atlantis) and a car in the sub games, but for most part you walk and talk around the world. It’s great, and not unlike watching a movie, complete with music that changes with the action, characters that change costumes with the setting and scenery that changes all the time. Like most of these games, the action is a bit linear, but there are three paths to the end, which can’t be bad. Thumbs up all round. 90
Kaboom! Sound utility Floppy Amtech International 0202 476977 Plus Any 6.0 45 1993 September 4 78 It all depends on your personality and work environment, but Kaboom! is undoubtedly a lot of fun, at least for a while. In terms of advantages it offers over the shareware Sound Master, the main one must be the Factory sound manipulation program. It’s also more stable, although some limitations such as the ability to only used sounds stored on the startup volume haven’t been addressed. 90 90 90 75 85
Kid Works 2 Education Floppy or CD Ablac Learning Works 0626 332233 LC II 2.5 2 256 Colours 6.0.7 43 1993 September 4 82 All in all, though, Kid Works 2 is a great learning tool for the kids. It’ll get them used to computers while at the same time developing their interactive skills, vocabulary and awareness. At £43 I don't think that’s too bad a deal. 70 90 80 95 84
Kudo Image Browser Graphic file management Floppy Principal Distribution 0706 832000 LC 2 0.5 256 Colours 7.0 229 1993 September 4 38 But if you are not using a vast number of file formats and you are looking for a good catalogue program for, say, all your illustrations then Kudo is excellent and has slightly more friendly controls (than Aldus Fetch). If you are a freelance designer who wishes to get all your image files organised and improve productivity (or just spend more time on the fun/creative side of your job) then go for Kudo Image Browser. 75 90 70 75 85
Monkey Island II Adventure game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 II 2 9.5 256 Colours 6.0.7 59 1993 September 4 64 It’s kind of like sitting back and watching something on T.V. or at the cinema, only you’re involved with it. Each character you meet along the way has individual quirks, my favourite being Captain Dred. You’re constantly entertained and amused by the punchy lines and interactive goings on. There are so many crazy situations and lines cut in to the game that you’ll never get bored. I kept the music on as well - unlike most other game music, it didn’t bother me at all. 95
Notator Logic Music Floppy Sound Technology 0462 480000 LC 2.5 1 Any 7.0 499 1993 September 4 43 Potential users should bear in mind that Logic has just become available for the ST and a PC version is due soon. This means that the Logic user base will be that much larger which should ensure a long and popular life for the product. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference but in power and flexibility, Logic is running some way ahead of the pack. Quite simply, it’s the most innovative and exciting sequencer that I have ever used.
Oh No! More Lemmings Arcade game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 1 4 256 Colours 6.0 30 1993 September 4 66 The first 20 levels are easy, but after that things get really tricky and ‘pause’ starts to come in handy so that you can check out the entire playing area to suss out the right moves. If you loved the first Lemmings then get this one too. You’ll have plenty of time to play it before Lemmings 2 The Tribes is released on MacFormat - expected in a year. 75
Retrieve It! File Management Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 Plus 0.5 Any 6.0.4 81 1993 September 4 77 Retrieve It! is a powerful, impressive program. For people who often refer back to to previously created files, it is a Godsend. The problem unlike System 7’s Find…, Retrieve isn’t free. If it were half the price, it could wholeheartedly be recommended for everyone. As it is, you should consider whether you need the extra features it offers over the standard Find… command. If you do, it’s excellent. 92 90 95 75 88
Stellar 7 Space arcade Floppy Sierra 0734 303171 LC 2 1.4 256 Colours 6.0.7 40 1993 September 4 66 In all fairness it does have its moments and the animation, 3D graphics and sound between each level are dead smart. But to me the gameplay is standard - Stellar 7 doesn’t break any new ground and it’s just not up to the mark. 57
Connectix PowerBook Utilities Utility Floppy Computers Unlimited 081 2008282 PowerBook 4 1.2 Any 7.0 94 1993 October 5 78 If you have a PowerBook, you’ll know that battery life is a major problem. Well, Connectix PowerBook Utilities certainly helps you to maximise the amount of useful time that your PowerBook will keep on working, and its extra features such as security, a permanent display on battery life and things like automatic sleep mean that it’s worth purchasing. It’s certainly made my PowerBook much easier to use. 93 92 85 90 90
Freddy Pharkas Frontier Pharmacist Adventure game Floppy Sierra 0734 303171 LC 2.5 11.5 256 Colours 7.0 40 1993 October 5 96 There’s a lot going on and, it takes flippin’ ages to sort out. The comments made by Freddy and most of the other characters are extremely witty. It adds to the enjoyment and makes you really feel part of the adventure. However, the real downer in the game for me, was at the very beginning. Every now and then the odd credit of someone who helped make the game would suddenly appear on the gameplay screen. But on the whole. Freddy Pharkas is fun. 78 95 90
Hell Cab Adventure game CD Computer Manuals 021 706 6000 II 3 14” 256 Colours 6.0.7 78 1993 October 5 92 The graphics which were produced by acclaimed interactive artist Pepe Moreno, and the sound are totally fab but a lot of the speech is out of sync with the characters. At least, there’s enough going on in Hell Cab to make you want to keep going and you have to option of saving a game so that you can come back to it at a later date. That is definitely a bonus because it’ll probably take you a full working week to complete the entire game. 70 95 90
Iron Helix Adventure game CD Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 7 256 Colours 6.0.7 104 1993 October 5 92 To be brutally honest, the game plays like a house brick and handles like a milk float, and all that it has to offer in the long run are sluggish controls and some flashy graphics that show off the potential of you Mac. If you also take in to account the hefty retail price of more than £100 then there really aren’t enough reasons, I’m afraid, to recommend this to anyone. 49 93 96
NASCAR Challenge Driving game Floppy GameTek 0753 553445 Plus 1.5 0.8 Any 7.0 30 1993 October 5 94 This game requires a lo of concentration and a lot of practice, but I found it a lot easier to control and a damn sight more realistic than Ferrari Grand Prix (MacFormat 1993 MAY). Thanks to the true to life bitmap graphics and the down-to-scale racing tracks, you’ll want to keep trying for the top five. 80 80 70
Putt-Putt joins the parade Edutainment Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 3 8 256 Colours 7.0 40 1993 October 5 71 As adults, we’d see this purely as a game, let’s hope the kids do too. At the end of the day, you’ll probably find that as well as having lots of fun, Putt-Putt has taught them a lot about thinking for themselves and making decisions. I can’t see how anybody - adult or child - could fail to fall in love with the cutest car in town. 89
Putt-Putt’s Fun Pack Edutainment Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 9 256 Colours 6.0.7 25 1993 October 5 70 This package looks more like a game than a learning tool; the entertainment is huge. It’s got enough going for it to keep kids interested, so it could prove useful aid in developing child’s coordination and spelling skills. 81
Rise Of The Dragon Adventure game Floppy Sierra 0734 303171 LC 3.5 8.5 256 Colours 6.0 40 1993 October 5 94 For all is gargantuan size, Rise Of The Dragon is too much ‘look but can’t touch’. It needs a full 10 megs of free space to run, takes about 30 minutes to install off its seven disks, and boasts cyberpunk atmosphere by the bucket load. But what’s sensory proportion when the gameplay doesn’t let you muck around with it, eh? Big on game, small on play. 76 80 60
Safe & Sound File Management Central Point Software 081 8481414 LC 1 0 256 Colours 6.0.5 58 1993 October 5 79 On the plus side, Safe & Sound is relatively cheap, and should protect your hard drive from many of the problems that can give you a hard time. It’s better to use something than nothing, but I’m sticking with Norton Utilities 75 90 60 85 78
V for Victory Wargame Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 3 2 256 Colours 6.0 45 1993 October 5 96 V for Victory - Gold, Juno, Sword is a quality piece of software. It’ll take you ages to beat all of the scenarios but at least that’s like real like. Get ready to fight on them beaches! 79 93 96
A-Train Construction Set Simulation Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Classic 2.5 6 Greyscale or colour 6.0.7 18 1993 November 6 96 They are the Gems that allow you to build and destroy cities, trains, tracks etc. at your leisure because it’s just as slow as A-Train. You’re given a choice of six ‘examples’ to play around with but you can also use saved games. A-Train Construction Set breaks the limits found in A-Train, and gives you more of a challenge. If you’ve already got A-Train and like it you’ll probably find buying the Construction Set is £18 well spent. If not then bear in mind that it’s going to cost you £40 to A-Train. 68 80 40 84
AutoRoute Express Route planner Floppy NextBase 0784 421422 LC 2 2.5 Any 6.0.7 176 1993 November 6 38 AutoRoute works pretty well. It tells you how to get from A to B as quickly as possible. It’s not too good over short distances, and its interface is lousy. It could be improved, but it’s the only one of its kind, and, despite my reservations, its fun to play with. My final reservation is the biggest though: at £176 it’s too dammed expensive for moat people. I look forward to AutoRoute Mac 2.0 with a truly Macintosh user interface, and a £90 price point. Then AutoRoute will be an essential buy. 80 60 75 65 70
Brushstrokes Graphics Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 SE 30 2.5 3.5 Any 6.0.5 123 1993 November 6 52 I could say, pay the extra 90 plus quid and go for something like Color-It! from Time Works, which is an excellent piece of software and excellent value for money. But that said, what Brushstrokes offers is ease of use, great tutorials and an effortless learning curve. I Would also recommend BrushStrokes to those of you with kids who are really too old for the likes of Kid Pix or Paint IT and require more powerful features and control, as BrushStrokes is ideal for this type of user. 75 90 95 85 85
C.A.T. IV Database Floppy Can Do 0452 527603 Plus 2.5 0.5 Any 6.0 464 1993 November 6 60 There are some other contact managers on the market, including some very good ones, but one combines document creation and data so flexibly. C.A.T. isn’t a universal solution though; anyone who works in an ad hoc fashion may be better off without it. Where it wins out is in handling large groups of similar contacts - patients, club members, sales prospects and so on C.A.T.’s publishers promote it very much as a program for sales people, it deserves to be used more widely and more imaginatively than that. 92 90 60 95 90
Carriers At War Simulation Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 5 256 Colours 6.0.7 45 1993 November 6 96 The purpose of a review is to provide a clear buying guide, but in this case the end score’s to wargamers, since anyone who’s into arcade game or adventures will be baffled by its complexity. Balancing up the facts that it’s well thought out, detailed and has a user-friendly interface, but it’s slow and tortuous even for a wargame, the question is do I want to spend the next few months fighting the Pacific War. 59 80 32 67
Castle Of Dr. Brain Edutainment Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 1.5 3.5 256 Colours 6.0.7 40 1993 November 6 98 Unfortunately the controls are a little slow which is aggravating to say the least. The only difference between difficulty levels is that the more difficult the level, the fewer hints you get. Castle of Dr. Brain is great for a serious puzzle fans and anyone who fancies their chance at becoming a member of MENSA. It’s difficult, but there are some impressive graphics and gameplay is sure to last for ages - so long as you don’t get too cheesed off. 72 79 69 69
Conflict Catcher II System utility Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 1 Any 7 69 1993 November 6 77 If you seldom add a new startup documents (extensions, control panels) to you basic system, then conflict catcher isn’t likely to be particularly valuable to you. Software junkies and system managers, on the other hand, may find that it’s just what they’ve been waiting for - it’ll pay for itself in terms of the time you spend curing problems, in no time. 94 93 85 85 88
Crystal Crazy Space arcade Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Plus 2 5 Any 6.0.7 47 1993 November 6 100 The original Crystal Quest baddies have gone. Instead there’s a new lot, just as vicious, just as persistent and just as daft. Those nasties that don’t try to collide with you will try to shoot you. But you can shoot back - this time with your built-in pop-gun plus five pick-up weapons of varying destructiveness. Crystal Crazy is better than Crystal Quest. It looks better, it’s even funnier and there’s more variety. It’s fast, funny and addictive. It’s also the biggest test of mouse control ever. 79 80 70 88
King’s Quest VI Adventure game Floppy GameTek 0753 553445 LC 2.5 25 256 Colours 7.0 30 1993 November 6 98 The graphics are predictable excellent throughout, and most of the puzzles are fairly logical. The main problem is a matter of taste - I found the whole setting and atmosphere to be unbearably twee and fairy tale-like, otherwise it lacks the humour of Monkey Island. In short, if you liked the previous games, or enjoy problem-solving based adventures, King’s Quest VI is a great game - it’s big, involved and certainly value for money. If you prefer more action or atmosphere, then look elsewhere. 75 80 70 76
Morph 2.0 Morphing Floppy Softline 0814011234 LC 2 0.5 256 Colours 7.0 210 1993 November 6 30 So with easy importing now taken care of, what about the main enhancements? Well, Morph 2 features 2 new processes - warping and dynamic morphing - and with a little patience the results can be rather impressive… Morph 2 is an essential purchase for anyone with a scanner, a video grabber or a collection of QuickTime clips. It’s simply the most fun available. 97 94 94 96 95
Power To Go PowerBook Utilities Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 PowerBook 100 1.5 Any 7.1 81 1993 November 6 78 I found some of Power To Go’s features a little annoying - the floating battery palette and the program’s insistence on ‘mouse sensitive corners’ for password protection, for example… and without the inclusion of SpaceSaver I’d have to come down on the side of Connectix PowerBook Utilities. In the end, you have to decide whether you need the compression. If so, then its other features are certainly good enough to be usable with no complaint, and it can be recommended, otherwise, it’s Connectix. 92 88 90 93 90
Spaceway 2000 Space arcade Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 2 Any 6.0.5 47 1993 November 6 100 The things that save this game from travelling down the slippery slope of repetitiveness are the stunning graphics - but don’t gaze at them for too long ‘cause you’ll get killed - and the number of enemies you have to contend with. If you’re into arcade games or you want a break from anything that’s likely to tax from the brain Spaceway 2000 is a great to while away the hours. But compared with other arcade shoot ‘em ups, don’t expect much difference. This game is pretty repetitive entertainment. 74 80 70 72
Astound Presentation Floppy Gold Disk 0753 832383 Plus 1.5 10 Any 6.0.8 249 1993 December 7 46 Astound is a well presented piece of software which is intuitive and good fun to use. Within a few hours, you can have a professional looking slide show with animated charts, a voice-over and sound effects. This is not beyond even a novice user. Experienced users, of course, will get a lot more out of it. Astound requires just bit of time and imagination. Whatever your needs or ability level, Astound is an excellent tool for making dynamic presentations. And it’s not expensive. 85 90 85 90 87
Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat Flight simulator Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 0753 546465 Classic 2.5 2.8 256 Colours 7.0 45 1993 December 7 102 Viewed purely as a serious air combat simulator, (which is probably what it should be), though Chuck’ Air Combat is jolly good. I’ve got no complaints about the way the planes handle, for instance, and the dogs fights are extremely convincing, especially when there are loads of planes about, just as if they’ve got real pilots inside, quite literally fighting for their lives. It’s an enthusiasts flight Sim, but with little to tempt the outsider. 72 74 58 83
Connectix Desktop Utilities File Management Computers Unlimited 081 2008282 SE 2 1.4 Any 7.0 94 1993 December 7 64 There are plenty of useful modules in the package, and although many of the program’s features can be emulated with PD or shareware programs, this particular one has been thoroughly debugged and everything is guaranteed to work with everything else - something that can’t always be said for PD. Some modules are less useful than others, but as a collection C.P.U. is pretty good. The only problem is the price: I suspect that at £94, many people will stick to the PD alternative. 88 93 90 80 88
Correct Grammar Grammar checker Floppy SoftKey 0817892000 Plus 1 3 Any 4.2 58 1993 December 7 42 Correct Grammar would be a Ford Escort - solid and dependable, well built, with some nice touches, but perhaps a little stolid, and certainly not everything that you could hope for. And realistically , a human with a smattering of grammatical understanding is by comparison a Formula 1 winner. However, this program (and Grammatik) are several laps ahead of any other grammar-checker I have ever seen on any other computer. Though it is not perfect. 65 80 80 75 68
Grammatik 5 Grammar checker Floppy Word Perfect 0932 850505 Plus 2 2 Any 6.0.3 116 1993 December 7 42 Grammatik would be an Italian sports saloon - stylish, with impressive overall performance and flashes of inspiration, but pricey and quirky, with just a hint of instability. And realistically , a human with a smattering of grammatical understanding is by comparison a Formula 1 winner. However, this program (and Grammatik) are several laps ahead of any other grammar-checker I have ever seen on any other computer. Though it is not perfect. 75 80 80 75 73
Illustrator Graphics Floppy or CD Principal Distribution 0706 832000 LC 3 2 Any 6.0.7 564 1993 December 7 50 Nevertheless, for producing professional quality artwork Illustrator 5 can’t be beaten, with more features and power then either FreeHand or its other rival Deneba Canvas. Overall Illustrator is a fine upgrade to an already fine program, and undoubtedly gives Adobe the upper hand in the illustration package wars. At least until the new FreeHand is released. 95 80 70 85 92
Mario Teaches Typing Typing tutor Floppy MacPlay 0235 821666 Plus 1.5 7 Any 6.0.7 41 1993 December 7 96 Game after multicoloured game, was a chore rather than a ‘fun’ experience - even with the sound and Mario’s heavily Polish-sounding Italian accent turned off. But, to give it its due, Mario Teaches Typing has plenty of options which enable you to concentrate on the various sections of the keyboard in order to polish specific skills. Still, I would label this, ‘Lovely and useful as a present’ rather than ‘rush out and buy it’. 65
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Typing tutor Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Plus 2.5 2.5 Any 6.0.7 41 1993 December 7 96 A neat feature is that you can alter the level and kind of responses that you get from Mavis from Terse to Chatty. In fact, using the information you get from the program about your weaknesses, you can even tailor lessons to your own needs. Generally speaking, if you are serious about improving your typing skills - perhaps even to the level where you could be considered for secretarial work (and that’s a hell of a standard) - Mavis has got just about everything that you need. 78
Pathways Into Darkness 3D Adventure Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 3.5 256 Colours 6.0.7 50 1993 December 7 104 The game’s packed with features to make it easy to play. It only takes a couple of minutes to get the hand of the control system, and to learn the best tactics for each weapon. Unlike many role-playing and adventure games, you can’t save whenever you want, in Pathways you have to get to one of those specially designated save points. There’s much more to the adventure than running around killing monsters. Pathways scores highly on challenging your reflexes and your brain. 86 90 79 88
Zone Of Avoidance Game Space Arcade Softline 081 4011234 Classic 2.5 4 256 Colours 6.0.5 47 1993 December 7 106 The biggest problem is the gameplay or, more specifically, its lack of variation - after a while the levels seem to be more of the same old stuff, with very little element of discovery. You could play ZOA for several hours at a time, but you’d either go mad as a result or have been mad to start off with. ZOA is a game to dip in rather then keep you enthralled for ages, and more in the vein of Blake’s Seven than Star Wars - entertaining but in a naff sci-fi shoot ‘em up way, but only in small doses. 75 78 70 77
Dark Seed Adventure game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 12 256 Colours 6.0.7 45 1994 January 8 108 Dark Seed doesn’t go for in for shock-horror blood and guts that many horror movies resort to; it’s far more subtle. During the first part of the game, the impending horrors are only hinted at. In the alien world, the dark graphics give the game an almost over-powering presence, so at times, you feel fascinated and revolted in equal measure. You don’t know whether to be shocked and intrigued but either way you always want to carry on playing. 85 90 85 80
Dimensions 3D rendering Floppy Principal Distribution 0706 832000 LC 4 2 Any 6.0.5 188 1994 January 8 55 Anyone who has looked at 3D software in the past and felt intimidated by its tools, controls and the price, should have a close look at Dimensions. It makes the shift from 2D to 3D, a seamless one, and as such should win a lot of fans. If you’ve spent hours in front of Illustrator, blending and shading your artwork, Dimensions could make your life much easier for you. 75 85 90 85 79
Hoyle’s Classic Card Games Card game Floppy Sierra 0734 303171 LC 2.5 11 16 Colours 7.0 106 1994 January 8 106 Once you’ve got past these various little ‘quirks’, the games themselves are great. However, they too seem to be strangely inflexible - why only eight card cribbage, for instance? Or only one system for Bridge? In short, If you’re a bit of a fanatic desperate for decent opponents cards, and if you don’t mind playing in the particular way that the software wants to, then Hoyle Classics will definitely fit the bill. But, otherwise, you’ll probably find that it is a bit of a disappointment. 63 60 87 70
Word Perfect 3.0 Word Processor Floppy Word Perfect 0932 850505 Plus 2 2.3 Any 6.0.7 (7 for extras) 387 1994 January 8 22 But Customisation is the name of the game here. But make sure that your Mac is well-armed with RAM, if you want to use this at any speed. My 8Mb IIsi coped admirably, but it was a little too slow for serious word crunching. So, aside from a few gripes, it must be said that WordPerfect for the Macintosh is a vast improvement on its antecedents and a welcome addition to the host of applications already available to us. An excellent all-rounder rather than a serious specialist device. 92 91 90 88 89
Asterix & Son Language tutor Floppy Eurotalk 071 3717711 LC 6 10 256 Colours 6.0.7 89 1994 February 9 43 They are the Gems that allow you to build and destroy cities, trains, tracks etc. at your leisure because it’s just as slow as A-Train. You’re given a choice of six ‘examples’ to play around with but you can also use saved games. A-Train Construction Set breaks the limits found in A-Train, and gives you more of a challenge. If you’ve already got A-Train and like it you’ll probably find buying the Construction Set is £18 well spent. If not then bear in mind that it’s going to cost you £40 to A-Train. 68 88 81 79
Berlitz Think And Talk Language tutor CD Guildsoft 0752 895100 Classic 1 1 Any 6.0.7 133 1994 February 9 43 There’s another gripe in that the same cartoon may appear on screen for a long period of time, while the CD commentary moves on. What would have been nice it the option to have a read out, on screen of the text you were hearing. It’s not very interactive. All you have is the equivalent of a book on screen, and the record of speech, like the original Berlitz way. You might as well just go for the book/tape set. (German, French, Italian and Spanish) 65 58 70 64
FreeHand Graphics Floppy Principal Distribution 0706 832000 IIci 4 4 256 Colours 6.0.7 529 1994 February 9 52 If FreeHand was ever ‘less intuitive’, this release seeks to quash that reputation and it succeeds. An update of a package can often be a pain. Making things easier to use is one thing, but changing the fundamental way in which a particular feature is used t achieve an effect, is bordering on foolhardy. FreeHand does go about things in a drastically different manner, but I’ve yet to find a single detail that make me wish Aldus had left the things as they were. 87 95 94 77 88
Learn To Speak Language tutor CD Guildsoft 0752 895100 Plus 2.5 10 Any 6.0.7 163 1994 February 9 43 The one disappointing thing is that the sound is pretty muddy throughout. But the interface works well, and the CD is under control at all times, meaning that the whole course is indeed interactive. (English, Japanese, Spanish and French. Version 4 now available with QuickTime movies) 73 73 80 75
LinguaROM Language tutor Floppy Guildsoft 0752 895100 Classic 2.5 3 Any 7.0 372 1994 February 9 43 As I said, Think and Talk is produced by Hyperglot, and my heart sank when I saw the next product in the pile, LinguaROM which was also produced by them. However, this product is quite different (compared to Think & Talk). For starters, contained on the disk are lessons for Chinese, Spanish, French, Japanese, Russian and Italian. IT covers everything from hotels and shopping to greetings and apologies. 60 75 91 75
Myst Adventure game CD Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 2.5 3 256 Colours 7.0.1 40 1994 February 9 38 Be warned though, if Crystal quest or Defender are your idea of fun, then you’ll hate Myst. You actually have to give as much to this game as it provides for you if you want to come anywhere near to scratching its surface… Here is a game that will have you coming back and back, and yes indeedy, back again. It might even see you upgrading your Mac to get the most out of Myst! Nice one Miller twins. 95 98 96 90 95
Nihongoware Language tutor Floppy KimTec 0202 888873 SE 30 2.5 1 Any 6.0.7 233 1994 February 9 43 Nihongoware also provides a fascinating insight in to the Japanese culture - for instance, there’s even a Kirk section for you to go and practice before you go out with your new colleagues on a business Kirk trip. Of course there is sampled speech, and this rather fast/slow option. On the whole I would recommend this, I have certainly haven’t miraculously picked up the language, but it’s very good as a cultural primer. (Volume 2 is £266, Japanese. Requires HyperCard 2.1) 75 71 63 70
Populous God game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 2.5 256 Colours 6.0.7 93 1994 February 9 36 It all adds up to an oddly compulsive and totally addictive game, with the challenge increasing all the time. Once you’ve completed a world, the game will even choose the next world based on your performance. The game’s packed with options. You can play against a friend over an AppleTalk system, and even play the game on a monochrome screen. The graphics are brilliant, the gameplay spot on, and there’s plenty to keep you going until Populous 2, Power Monger and Syndicate come out. 93 96 87 96 93
SimCity 2000 Simulation Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 3.6 256 Colours 7.0 40 1994 February 9 33 IT’s not really a game, but to give it some gameplay challenge, there are a number of scenarios supplied. In these you take over a city in the aftermath of a disaster - a hurricane say - and have to achieve a certain objective, perhaps of population growth, in a certain time span. For me however the real fun of Sim City 2000 is starting with a bare patch of ground and seeing what you can build. 95 97 89 98
Streamline Graphics Principal Distribution 0706 832000 LC 2 3 Any 6.0.7 (7, rec.) 217 1994 February 9 48 Streamline will save you hours of tedious tracing and copying by hand. The end result is that all types of work prepared in Streamline are of far better quality than any of the autotrace and conversion modules you will find in drawing and illustration programs. You have far more control over the images and its compatibility with other graphics software makes it even more attractive. But I wonder if, at £185, the price is a bit on the high side? 75 90 90 70 81
Super Maze Wars Space arcade Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 1 Greyscale or Colour 6.0.7 47 1994 February 9 40 For short term thrills and fun, Super Maze Wars (and I still think ‘Labyrinth Wars’ Would have been a better name) will take a bit of beating. But at Mac software prices, I’d like something that I’ll be playing in a years time, and this isn’t. And I can’t get over how much it reminds me of that old spectrum game, Gyron, which (snip!)… 68 76 68 63
UnderWare Screen Saver Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 Classic II 2 5.5 7.0 41 1994 February 9 71 All in all, though, UnderWare is bound to be a roaring success. As soon as anyone sees that dragon wandering across that screen, or the wastebasket being emptied by bin men, or the burglar stealing the microchip, or… they’re going to ask you where you got the program. - and then go and get out and get a copy for themselves. If you think that the Mac should be a fun computer to use, then UnderWare should be on your essential list of buys. (70% for boring people) 93
Canon BJC-600 Printer Pisa Systems 0494 564455 1994 March 10 42 As you can see from the accompanying print-outs, results are perfectly acceptable for the price. It has to be said, though, that it takes a little time to perfect this quality… (through trial and error). But with patience, results are promising - especially if you concentrate on the solid colours generated by graphics packages rather than scanned images. Coated paper or transparency film will produce much better results than those shown here, since they don’t absorb inks. 92 95 88 91
Creative Writer Children’s DTP Floppy HMV, Dixons, Virgin… LC 2 5 256 Colours 7.0 1994 March 10 38 But Creative Writer isn’t just about providing DTP for kids; it’s equally geared towards providing a virtual office in that it contains every-thing little Johny needs to write stories. And because the application is arranged as a series of rooms in which you can work in a number of different ways, I think you’ll find kids will absolutely love it to pieces. Whether they’ll be able to tear you away from it is another matter entirely. 94 95 80 90 90
DeBabelizer File converter Floppy LetraSet 071 9283411 Classic II 0.7 1.5 256 Colours 6.0.5 1994 March 10 88 But for the most part Macintosh artists and designers use only a small selection of basic file formats like PICT, EPSF and TIFF, having little need for heavyweight image processing. The people that who will really take to DeBabelizer and benefit are scanning bureaus and Macintosh-friendly reprographics houses. That is, people doing large volume, image-crunching. The other group that will gain from DeBabelizer’s batch and palette features are presentation and multimedia designers. 85 75 80 70 78
F/A-18 Hornet Flight simulator Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 7 256 Colours 6.0.7 69 1994 March 10 44 All in all then, F/A-18 Hornet is a splendid game - one of the very best flight Sims on the Mac - but one which redefines existing ideas rather than coming up with any new ones of its own, making it ever so dull. I’ve this horrible feeling it’s going to have to get another one of those irritating 85%-ish marks. 85 82 89 85
How Things Work Information CD Active 081 8381280 35 1994 March 10 51 The disk contains little ‘amusing’ clips on the invention of about a hundred supposedly key devices and ideas. These are linked together in a way which makes James Burke’s connections seem rational. More information is contained in text descriptions, but I expected much more from the disk. A disappointment. 20
Jazz: A Multimedia History Music CD Active 081 8381280 59 1994 March 10 50 Anyone heavily into jazz will undoubtedly like this CD, but if you want a way in to this fascinating area of music, I would think twice before handing over £59 of my hard-earned dosh. 40
Kathy Smith Fat Burning System Health CD Active 081 8381280 59 1994 March 10 50 For once CD-ROM actually seems to have an advantage over the original medium, or in this case media. This course is normally sold as a combination of a book, audio cassette and video, whereas on the Mac it’s just a single 5-inch disk. 78
Microsoft Art Gallery Art CD Microsoft 0734 270001 49 1994 March 10 51 The guided tours are the best feature; in them you can, for example, find out about restoration work, or discover the artists’ working methods. The interface is faultless throughout - it’s English, from a firm in Brighton! 70
Multimedia Power Tools Multimedia CD Computer Manuals 021 7066000 54 1994 March 10 51 Accompanying the book is a CD-ROM with 15 guided tours of commercial projects, narrated by their authors, which is quite fascinating. There are also demo versions of key multimedia software such as Macromedia Director, PhotoShop and Premiere. In addition there are megabytes of ‘clipmedia’, and dozens of shareware programs to make multimedia work easier. 72
Soft Kill Game CD Active 081 8381280 32 1994 March 10 50 I can imagine Soft Kill making a pretty reasonable TV mini series, if any network had the nerve to make it, which I very much doubt. At any rate, it’s good to see the content of multimedia disks improving at last. 82
Spin Doctor Puzzle game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Classic 2 1 256 Colours 6.0.7 41 1994 March 10 46 Spin Doctor is an excellent little game, full of twists and turns, well designed and neatly plotted. If only software houses would realise that people don’t want ‘revolutions’ all the time, that sometimes the revolutionary in all of us craves, well, some simple pleasures that have the ability to tax, relax and frustrate in equal proportions. So, forget the box, pretend you’ve discovered a shareware gem, and try to finish the first 40 levels at Intern level in your first few hours with it. 82 70 50 90
Super Mines Puzzle game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Classic 2 2 Colour (16) 6.0.7 1994 March 10 48 I think, on balance, taking all the facts into consideration, when all the cliches are said and done, and given my presumption that free things are better than expensive things, I’ll have to mark Super Mines quite low. But you have to bear in mind that it’s not because it’s a bad game, it’s just that I think that you’d be just as pleased with one of the free or shareware versions. What a great cop out, I ought to go into politics or something. 63 60 51 78
What are you doing today, Charlie Brown? Scheduling Floppy 47 1994 March 10 40 It is a neat idea, although in a couple of areas I found the implementation slightly lacking. However, I’ve been spoiled by using In Control - which is more fully-featured. Certainly, I soon got used to the program’s few idiosyncrasies, and the fact that a new cartoon appears every day adds greatly to its appeal. If you buy Peanuts, Garfield or Far Side calender for your desk, you might consider it instead - and if you want to combine your scheduling with a bit of fun, this is certainly worth a look 87 88 85 90 88
Breakline Arcade game Software Tool Works 0444 246333 Plus 2.5 3 Any 6.0.7 30 1994 April 11 92 If you can get over the ‘but I can get half a dozen PD versions of the Breakout’ feeling, then you might want to invest in this one. As with so many games there’s nothing particularly innovative about it but then, as Ed said to me the other day, there’s nothing new under the sun. He claimed he thought of that himself and when I pointed out that it was Solomon who sad it he said ‘Ah, well, you see, there’s nothing new under the Sun.’ 87 86 77 90
HyperCard 2.2 Programming Floppy Apple Dealer Classic 2.5 5 256 Colours 6.0.5 195 1994 April 11 34 If you’ve got HyperCard 2.0 or 2.1, should you upgrade? It depends on how much you want colour, AppleScript support, QuickTime and standalones program capability. In terms of raw power, HyperCard is no great advance on 2.0 or 2.1, but the host of extra features included certainly make it attractive (if labyrinth) When all said and done, HyperCard is a unique piece of software. It’s a blank page, a construction kit for software solutions. Version 2.2 is just the icing on the cake. 87 64 92 91
Star Trek Space game Floppy MacPlay 0235 821666 LC 1.5 8.5 256 Colours 6.0.7 47 1994 April 11 88 There are some good 3D flying bits with some shooting of Klingons, and there’s a fair bit of exploring and adventuring too. The graphics and animation are excellent, as are the sound effects. But if the truth be told I can’t say I was particularly gripped. Trekkers will love it. Those who are ambivalent about Star Trek will find it entertaining but not enthralling. As Mr Lincoln so very nearly said, if you don’t like this sort of thing, then you’ll find that this is the sort of thing you don’t like. 85 85 90 80
SuperPaint Graphics Floppy Principal Distribution 0706 832000 Plus 2 4.5 Any 6.0.5 150 1994 April 11 50 SuperPaint is excellent at producing lots of interesting graphics fills, textures, brushes and pen effects - ideal for an older child or student. It covers both the paint and draw bases very well, but for higher-level users there are one or two features that still need some work, notably the type handling and anti-aliasing. However, for anybody looking for a budget route to having both a drawing and painting package on their desktop, this hybrid application it excellent, both in value for money and fun. 75 85 90 90 80
Firefall Arcade Space arcade Floppy Inline Software 0101 203 435 4995 LC 256 Colours 33 1994 May 12 92 There’s nothing at all wrong with simple games, but in the case of Firefall Arcade (bizarre name incidentally, eh?) you’d be much better off searching the public domain for a free equivalent. 49 37 85 50
FoxPro Database Floppy Microsoft 0734 270001 Classic 5 5 Any 7.0 300 1994 May 12 48 FoxPro is extremely powerful and astonishingly fast. On the other hand, you access all this oomph through a convoluted screen interface and a programming Language that’s well past its bin-by date. It is excellent at handling ad hoc data retrieval. But, if your needs are modest and your experience of programming nonexistent, you may find that 4D or Helix Express provides relational power more easily. 95 78 78 82 86
INITPicker Extensions manager Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 Classic 0.3 Any 6.0.5 50 1994 May 12 96 INITPicker offers quite a bit more than the public domain or shareware alternatives. If you have a lot of extensions or always needed more help, you won’t be disappointed with INITPicker. 90 89 82 85 87
Leisure Suit Larry 6 Game Adventure Sierra 0734 303171 LC 2.5 10 256 Colours 7.0 40 1994 May 12 91 But something about Larry and his amusingly sexist antics niggled me a little. The blah on the box delights in the quality and quantity of the ‘babes’ and tries to desperately hard to make sure you think you’re going to be titillated by the gaming experience. (You won’t be.) Leisure Suit Larry might have been an amusing idea, but now that we’ve reached Leisure Suit Larry 6 the joke has worn pretty thin. 69 78 76 80
Lunicus Space Arcade CD Computer Manuals 021 7066000 LC 2.5 0 256 Colours 6.0.7 76 1994 May 12 87 Lunicus is an entertaining futuristic romp, but it promises much more than it delivers. The speech and rendered graphics in the introduction set the scene for a thrilling sci-fi story, and make you eager to get stuck into the serious business of saving the earth. It’s highly enjoyable at first, but your interest soon wanes when you realise the gameplay isn’t quite as exciting as you first thought - especially at the absurdly high price tag. 75 78 60 77
Paint Alchemy Graphics Floppy Principal Distribution 0706 832000 1 256 Colours 93 1994 May 12 53 Paint Alchemy will give you some of Painter 2’s naturalistic effects from within programs like PhotoShop. It does no quite have the degree of sophistication that Painter 2 offers, but for a plug-in its excellent, and at only £93, anybody who serious about graphics and illustration on the Mac should take a look. (Requires an Engine to run the PhotoShop Plug-In, e.g. PhotoShop, ColorIt or Painter.) 75 90 90 90 90
Painter X2 Graphics Floppy LetraSet 071 9283411 LC 3 3 256 Colours 6.0.5 99 1994 May 12 53 If you are already a Painter 2 convert, you won’t take much persuading on this one. Painter X2 is very powerful and useful extension. Cartoonists, Illustrators and graphic designers will all find some element of Painter X2 that will benefit them. And to anyone who is looking at replacing their old paint program, I can highly recommend Painter and Painter X2 combination, as the two combine to make the best naturalistic painting and photo montage set-up on the Macintosh. (Requires Painter; £288) 75 90 90 90 90
PGA Tour Golf Golf simulator Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 Classic 2.5 2.5 256 Colours 6.0 45 1994 May 12 84 Do I recommend PGA Tour Golf II? You bet. It has oodles of charisma, gameplay in abundance and ridiculously-named Americans. If you prefer your computing to be a social, rather than a solitary activity then this will be right up your fairway - only expect lots of arguments. Definitely one for the collection. Now where did Fuzzy leave my two iron? It’s just not cricket, you know. 87 86 82 87 87
QuicKeys Macro creator Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 Plus 2 2 Any 6.0.4 159 1994 May 12 95 QuicKeys is a simple to use system that can partially increase your productivity on you Mac by automating just about everything you do repeatedly. A handy manual gives you an overview of the package. It’s quick, it’s reliable, it’s easy and it fast becomes indispensable on your Mac, whatever you use it for. 94 88 91 83 89
Ready, Set , Go! DTP Floppy LetraSet 071 9283411 Plus 2 7 Any 6.0.7 249 1994 May 12 32 Enough of the carping. The big Question has to be the price - and at £249 it strikes me as very reasonable. Ready, Set, Go! now offers many (but not all) of the features found in the ‘big two’, plus a few that aren’t, and at around half the price. Although it’s only the current market that matters. Perhaps the most interesting figure for existing Ready, Set, Go! and Design Studio users is that they can upgrade to Ready, Set, Go! 6 for just £89. Sounds good to me. 90 85 75 95 85
U-Boat Submarine simulator CD MacGold 0723 582100 LC III 2.5 0 Greyscale or Colour 7.0 44 1994 May 12 88 All in all and all that, it’s a superb game and one that I’d recommend to anyone who fancies living in the 1940s for a bit. But You’d probably be better off waiting until a bug-free version (mine is version 1.2) is released. 72 72 94 79
10 Strategy Games Puzzle game Floppy LC 1 4.8 256 Colours 6.0.7 1994 June 13 96 If you like that idea of always having an opponent for your favourite games and of having the chance to learn a few new ones, then Ten Intelligent Strategy Games represents excellent value for money. I’d never have bought a computer version of Bridge, for instance, but since since it was thrown in, I’ll take the trouble to learn it. It’s a damn shame that they’re all so damn difficult. (games are; 4 In a Line, Backgammon, Bridge, Chess, Checkers, Chinese Chess, Go, Gomoku, Othello, Renju). 87 82 89
4D First Database Floppy ACI 0625 536178 LC 1.5 1.6 Any 6.0.5 195 1994 June 13 55 You get vastly more power, and only slightly less intuitive simplicity, than FileMaker Pro. For business and home use this is the bee’s knees, and it faces no competition in this price range. If you already use FileMaker Pro, you may want to wait for its relational version, which is said to be for release next year. One big virtue with FileMaker is that it was conceived as an ‘end-user’ program, 4D on the other hand has always been a tool for the professional developer. Value for money was at £99. 92 90 90 99 93
Astro Chase 3D Space Arcade Floppy MacPlay 0235 821666 LC 1.8 6 256 Colours 6.0.7 40 1994 June 13 92 Of course, effects are everything. Unfortunately, the gameplay on offer here just doesn’t stand up to repeated play. It’s far too repetitive: 40 levels of pure point and click action. If you’ve played Lunatic Fringe, the game included with the After Dark screen saver, you’ll know how it is: brainless fun for five minutes at most. You begin to understand why the manual tries to puff it up as it is. While there are games such a Sim City 2000 available, the occasional spell of blasting just isn’t good enough 68 76 81 57
Caesar Deluxe Simulation Floppy Impressions 0101 617 225 0848 256 Colours 6.0.7 45 1994 June 13 95 But the people who are likely to be interested in this game probably won’t worry about its speed and graphic deficiencies. Admittedly, Creaser Deluxe is an engaging game, especially when you get it right. I refuse to believe that they couldn’t have spent a bit longer polishing up the presentation. You only need to look at Sim City 2000 to see what can be achieved with a little thought. In effect it all feels rushed and a bit flimsy. You could always fiddle while your city burns. 72 70 71 78
Claire Singing Teacher Floppy MCMXCIX 081 9630663 Classic 2 6 Any 7.0 150 1994 June 13 52 The only disappointment with Claire is that it doesn’t contain any songs to practise and sing. However, it’s still the best ear training program I’ve yet seen on any computer platform. It’s suitable for all ages - children in particular will love the voice. If you’re struggling with your music oral - or should that be aural? - take some lessons from Claire. 82 85 92 80 84
ColorStation Graphics Floppy Le Pixel 010 33 7540 4646 LC Colour 6.0.7 67 1994 June 13 40 The ease of use and value for money from Le Pixel is very good. It’s hard to fault ColorStation. OK, it could do with ‘pepping up’ on the painting and image editing front, but it’s unfair to put ColorStation up against the high-end graphics programs. With its straightforward controls, ColorStation is an excellent choice for novice ‘DTPers’, and covering all the graphics and printing bases in a convenient one-stop program. It does a great job and offers excellent value for money. 90 94 85 90 90
Crystal Caliburn Arcade game Starplay Productions 0101 303 339 7016 2.5 2.8 Greyscale or colour, 14” 6.0.7 1994 June 13 88 Caliburn is well designed and the ball mechanisms are some of the best I’ve ever seen; it even has a good crack at simulating chance. If, however, you get frustrated playing real pinball, then you might end up cursing this game. There again, given that it doesn’t eat 50 pence pieces, it’s a cheap form of practice for us mere mortals. The clinically insane, people suffering from stress, bad losers and the MacFormat Editorial team should steer clear, though - this one tends to eat time faster than a Tardis. 86 83 85 84
Fargo Primera Printer Bannerbridge 0268 419101 1050 1994 June 13 42 The Primera can’t match the professional output of a colour Postscript printer, but for the small office or home-user, wax thermal offers a quality alternative to inkjet printers - and although the paper is much more expensive, the results are superior. The upgrade to Dye Sublimination, if you can afford the paper and ribbon costs, is well worth it in terms of quality, especially if you want to produce high-class presentation material. (Dye-Sub upgrade is £350, printing a single sheet is £2.90) 85 85 83 88 92
Now Compress Compression Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 463344 Plus 0.5 0.75 Any 6.0.7 81 1994 June 13 28 You can also compress files on demand by using a menu item or by dragging them on to a desktop icon. Now Compress also includes the ability to convert a wide variety of other files. Now Compress produced the smallest files when compressing, though its archives were not the smallest. It should also be noted that it was not the fastest when compressing or expanding files and in particular was slowed down by the QuickTime Movie. 95 90 90 95 92
OptiMem Memory enhancer Floppy Jump Development Group 0101 412 681 2692 Any 6.0 80 1994 June 13 33 OptiMem works on any Mac with system 7 and can work with virtual memory as well. It will also provide the same saving whether the Mac is running 24-bit or 32-bit mode. However, it does not gain as much space as RAM Doubler does, and is harder to use. 90 80 90 80 85
Print Shop Deluxe DTP Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 Classic 2.5 4 Any 7.0 55 1994 June 13 36 The ability to do basic desktop publishing, in one form or another, is becoming an increasingly useful skill, and gaining this at an early stage may be regarded as an educational achievement. You can’t reasonably expect the average youngster to take enthusiastically to PageMaker, Quark Express or even ClarisWorks, but there’s a good chance that they will find a package such as this one enough fun to be intrinsically attractive, yet they’ll be learning while they’re having a good time. 65 90 80 90 85
RAM Doubler Compression Floppy Computers Unlimited 081 2008282 LCII Any 6.0 1994 June 13 32 What RAM Doubler gives you, is not real memory - it you want to run an application which needs 8Mb, you will still need a machine with 8Mb of real RAM in it. There may be compatibility problems, though we didn’t experience. They will be no worse than using Virtual Memory. You need 4Mb or more of memory to use it, and it works better with 8Mb or more as it has to use the drive less. So if your Mac can support virtual memory, has more than 4Mb in it, and runs system 6.0.5 or better, then get RAM Doubler 96 95 90 95 96
Stacker Compression Stac Electronics 0344 302900 Plus 1 Compression 6.0.5 92 1994 June 13 31 Part of the folklore is that driver level compression is more dangerous that file level compression. This can be true because the former means that the structures on the disk are different from those on normal disks, so disk utilities like Norton Utilities cannot fix problems. Also, Stacker itself does contain substantial diagnostic programs to check out a disk. If Stacker goes wrong though, you may end up in a lot of trouble. (Need Hard Disk to compress removables, e.g. SyQuest) 95 95 95 90 93
Story Book Weaver Children’s multimedia Floppy Europress 0625 859333 Classic 2.5 3.5 Greyscale or Colour 6.0 30 1994 June 13 50 Given the enormous sales of ‘talking books’ like Grandma and Me, the potential for children to create their own multimedia stories could well provide a powerful learning tool: children can understand how books work by making their own with paper, but a program like this will allow them a greater chance to get to grips with the intricacies of an electronic text. 87 96 90 92 93
Stufflt Deluxe Compression Floppy Principal Distribution 0706 832000 Plus 1 2 Any 6.0.5 81 1994 June 13 29 Stufflt SpaceSaver files were produced very quickly using the faster method setting. However, SpaceSaver did not compress the QuickTime movie using either strategy. The SpaceSaver was also very fast when expanding. The lack of a Browser makes the management of compressed files more difficult, there are not many options to exclude files from compression. It is the only application which understands all the other major formats in use on the other systems and can encrypt files. 85 80 80 90 83
SuperDoubler Compression Floppy Amtech International 0202 476977 Plus 2 0.8 Any 6.0.4 105 1994 June 13 30 SuperDoubler produced the best results overall (compared to Stufflt Deluxe, Stacker and Now Compress). Although its files were not the smallest, they didn’t take the longest to produce and SuperDoubler was consistently faster at expansion than other products. However, the split between the various parts is irritating, and when you compare AutoDoubler to the other stand-alone products here (see list above), it is not good enough by itself to buy separately. 90 90 95 85 90
Syndicate Adventure game Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 2.5 4 256 Colours 6.0.7 45 1994 June 13 86 Now I realise that it’s all very tongue in cheek violence. I realise that it’s very unlikely that you’ll want to take an UZI and go on a killing spree after playing the game. If you have a problem with a movie like Reservoir Dogs then buy a golf game instead. Syndicate is a stonking game with a very tight plot, superb graphics and sound, and lashings of futuristic violence. If you’ve had an irony bypass, however, or can’t differentiate fantasy from fact, then avoid. 92 91 90 93
Datebook Pro Organiser Floppy Iona Software 081 2418925 Plus 2.5 2 Any 6.0 65 1994 July 14 109 There are plenty of organiser utilities on the market, but Aldus’s Datebook Pro is definitely one of the best. They appear to have though of everything. Ultimately personal organisers are only useful if you can get yourself organised enough to keep them up to date. My filofax remains empty, my Letts Scouting Diary (1976) is bare, but my Datebook Pro is chocka. And if it can help to organise my life better, then it can help anyone. 91 91 85 90 90
Deliverance Arcade game Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 3.5 16 Colours 6.0.7 40 1994 July 14 100 Deliverance certainly delivers in most areas. It’s got the graphics, it’s got the challenge (plenty of delicious levels, each with guardians) and it’s addictive enough to keep you coming back for more and more. It’s a console game for the Mac, plain and simple - or at least, as close to it as you’ll get; nothing complicated and no fuss - just good, unclean fun. 80 80 73 79
Flying Nightmares Flight simulator Floppy Domark 081 7802222 LC 2.5 4 256 Colours 7.0 30 1994 July 14 96 But even if you ignore the strategy side, as a flight sim it reigns supreme in the world of the Mac - it certainly blows the afterburners off Hellcats and Chuck Yeager. You need a Quadra or PowerMac to get the most out of it, but at last there’s a game that exploits the power of the machine you forked out so much money for. 93 88 84 92
Helix Express Database Floppy Computer Compatibility 0392 364253 Plus 2 1 Any 6.0.7 420 1994 July 14 78 Helix is a very powerful program; its abilities for posting data between records, its handling of relations and its graphical programming language are significant features. Its quirky character may not suit everyone, but then, diversity is what consumer choice is all about. Nevertheless, Helix could address some of its limitations without having to sacrifice its unique character. If it did, it might attract new users to what is one of the most original and interesting of all Mac database programs. 76 85 83 70 79
HyperStudio Multimedia Floppy TAG Developments 0800 591262 Plus 2 7 Any 6.0.7 1994 July 14 42 It’s really a rather simplistic piece of kit - any hope that the apparently simplistic documentation will reveal hidden depths soon vanishes. HyperStudio is a program that does a very few simple things. But these simple things, used together, offer immense potential. They are your key to the infinite and amazing world of multimedia. Need another reason? Well, then you must be bonkers. 95 85 58 90 91
Populous 2 God game Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 Colour Classic 2 12 256 Colours 6.0.7 40 1994 July 14 102 I’m not sure I could unreservedly recommend Populous 2 to owners of the original - it’s really more of an upgrade than a completely new game, and there’s only so much land-lowering-and-raising a person can take - but for everyone else it’s absolutely essential. Don’t even consider not buying it. 94 90 70 95
Ray Dream Designer Rendering Floppy Amtech International 0202 476977 LC 3.5 6 256 Colours 6.0.7 195 1994 July 14 74 Having got so far with its idea of a perspective workspace, Ray Dream spoilt the earlier versions of Designer by dividing the modelling and rendering functions into ‘modules’, which were virtually acted as separate applications. There’s none of that sort of nonsense here. The various parts of the design process are smoothly integrated into an excellent package which is ideal for producing 3D illustrations - and having fun! 86 92 85 90 88
Spaceship Warlock Adventure game CD UBI Soft 081 3439055 LC 2.5 0 256 Colours 6.0.2 45 1994 July 14 104 Spaceship Warlock is helped along by some nifty computer-generated animation sequences and interesting Dan Dare retro-style spaceships. And it’s entertaining enough to play, with one or two amusing diversions from the story’s main thread. But if you stick to the beaten track ( and that hints section will help you there), I reckon you could play the game through from start to finish in a couple of hours, and after that you’d never want to look at it again. Which sounds like a pretty raw deal for £45. 69 82 80 55
The 7th Guest Adventure game CD Virgin 081 9602255 LCII 2.5 10 256 Colours 7.0 50 1994 July 14 98 In terms of gameplay, The 7th Guest is little more than a collection of puzzles strung together with some fancy graphics and a psycho killer storyline. It’s very much a triumph of style over content, but it’s been so lovingly put together that you can forgive the limited level of interaction. The wonderfully detailed rooms and the grisly storyline combine to create a marvelously atmospheric game - and if you’ve got a CD-ROM drive, you’d be a fool not to play it. (Voluntary rating of 18+ only) 84 90 88 75
The Cruncher Children’s spreadsheet Floppy Ablac Learning Works 0626 332233 Classic 2 2 Any 7.0 45 1994 July 14 80 All in all then, this is a nice try. It doesn’t have all the facilities of Excel, but it costs a fraction of the price. It’s a fully-functional spreadsheet program, and data can be exported as a text file to any other spreadsheet which accepts files in this format. If all you want is a program to help you with your household accounts, this could well prove to be a cheaper option than the traditional dedicated programs. It’s just a shame that it hasn’t been properly converted for a U.K. audience. 90 92 90 80 89
Dabbler 1.0 Graphics Floppy Letraset 071 9283411 LC 2.5 2.5 Greyscale or Colour 6.0.5 88 1994 August 15 46 At first, Dabbler seems like a program for kids and complete novices. After a while, though, you realise that it’s good enough for anyone to use - especially for sketching out ideas and roughs. It’s just like using the real media - because the range is limited, you are forced to use your imagination a bit to get an effect. The sketchpad system is extremely useful, because it keeps a whole series of ideas together in an accessible form. For version 1.0 it’s pretty irresistible as it is. 89 95 92 93 92
Fine Artist Graphics Floppy Microsoft 0734 270001 Plus 2 10 256 Colours 6.0.2 50 1994 August 15 48 Fine Artist’s main competition is the excellent Kid Pix, which already has a strong following. Fine Artist is a slightly more advanced program with more features; this is reflected by the older age range that Microsoft suggested. And although Kid Pix is slightly cheaper, you’d need to buy the Kid Pix Companion to get the slide show facility. Children under 8 will love Kid Pix, but for older children, Fine Artist would make a very welcome present instead. 90 95 60 85 90 85
Fokker Triplane & P51 Mustang Flight Simulator Flight simulator Floppy Gametek 0753 553445 Plus 16 Colours 20 1994 August 15 104 It’s not as if P51 manages to be ultra-realistic or technically involving for those who like their sims hard boiled. It’s more complicated than Fokker’s point-and-shoot philosophy, but it offers nothing to keep you in at night. It’s much the same as Fokker: nothing to see and not much to do. There are extra options for viewing the plane from the outside, but the same dismal engine sound, the same restricted gameplay and the same paucity of excitement. 45 44 48 50
Microsoft Works 4.0 Integrated package Floppy Microsoft 0734 270001 Classic 2.5 16 Any 7.0 129 1994 August 15 78 Microsoft Works 4.0 has addressed the complaints that I had with version 3.0, and seems to have solved just about all of them and come up with a great product. However, there is always a price to pay for quality, and in this case it is a full installation of 16Mb, RAM and speed. Works 4.0 is very memory hungry, and although it will work on a 4Mb machine, you can forget multitasking with anything bigger than 90 92 85 95 92
PopupFolder Desktop utility Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Plus 0.15 Any 7.0 45.83 1994 August 15 109 PopupFolder also enables you to view the desktop using small icons. Unfortunately, this creates a status bar which manages to clash horribly with any desktop pattern. Perhaps the only problem with PopupFolder is that it tends to jump in with a sub-menu when all you want to do was drag a folder - but overall it’s a useful addition to your finder, if a little limited for the price. 65 85 90 60 75
Prince Of Persia 2 Arcade game Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 2.5 15 256 Colours 6.0.7 40 1994 August 15 98 The sound can be set to two levels. You can have just the spot effects switched on or the ambient music or both. The music is unobtrusive and peril sensitive. I left both options on throughout the game. Prince of Persia 2 is certainly a challenge. There are enough levels to keep even the slickest of gamers busy for weeks. Mere mortals like myself will find this games haunts their every waking hour. With its brilliant animation, carefully honed gameplay and odd-shaped box, Prince of Persia 2’s a must. 92 92 91 92 92
ProFiles Desktop utility Floppy Computers Unlimited 081 2008282 Plus 0.7 4 Any 7.0 100 1994 August 15 108 The package includes the Stufflt compression system, and it’s not just an added extra but an integrated function. Whatever you want ProFiles to do, it does with the minimum of effort. Though the whole thing can seem a little intimidating at first, understanding and using the many useful functions will become second nature after a while. 90 75 80 70 85
SimCity 2000 Scenarios Vol. 1: Great Disasters Simulation Floppy Softline 081 4011234 LC 2.5 1.5 256 Colours 7.0 1994 August 15 102 In each of these scenarios, someone else has already had all the fun - they’ve even chosen the disasters for you. And, while scrolling around real-life cities on your Mac is moderately impressive, even when they’re US ones, thousands of miles away, so you need feel no guilt if they’re consumed by fire. Heathrow air disaster might have worked better. Like playing with somebody else’s Lego creation, Scenarios Volume 1 seems utterly pointless. I just hope they’re not planning to do more of the same. 40 97 89 40
Splat’ers Arcade game Floppy Gametek 0753 553445 LC 16 Colours 6.0.7 25 1994 August 15 100 To be perfectly honest, I didn’t expect much from this game. The graphics aren’t terribly inspiring, the sound’s crap and the control system is somewhat akin to flying a helicopter in a deep sea diving suit. But persevere and you’ll find an addictive game with lots of redeeming features. The plethora of options means that you can have strategic or action-based gameplay and if you turn everything up to full, then it gets truly mad. Splat’ers certainly isn’t the future of video games. 71 68 65 73
The Legend Of Kyrandia Adventure game CD Softline 081 4011234 LCIII 2 4 256 Colours 6.0.7 50 1994 August 15 103 The problem with these games in general and with this game in particular, is that you end up clicking everywhere on the screen for fear of missing a secret button or hidden item. Clicking on one clump of flowers enabled me to pick one, so I clicked on on every bush I came across to see if something might happen - which led to a lot of abused flora. Dedicated adventure fans may enjoy Legend Of Kyrandia, but if this is your first time in this genre, then try The Secret of Monkey Island or Myst. 65 60 70 65
Thinkin’ Things Education Floppy Iona Software 081 2418925 LC 2.5 5.5 256 Colours 6.0.7 36.8 1994 August 15 96 Perhaps one day a US software house will demonstrate real commitment to its UK market by creating versions of its program which are more in tune with the educational systems in this country. However, I do like many things about Thinkin’ Things. It has a lot of amusing touches, good documentation and facilities which help children with ‘Special Needs’. With parental participation it definitely has great educational potential, but if leave your child to play on a Mac, then it will only have limited value. 93 94 94 92 88
Vistapro Landscape generator Floppy Meridian Software 081 5433500 LC 4 1 256 Colours 7.0 119.95 1994 August 15 50 Don’t let a couple of quibbles put you off, though. Vistapro is a wonderful program that grabs you in much the some way as an addictive game, albeit a rather expensive game. Several software companies already use this powerful program to produce backgrounds for their own programs, and anyone with a professional use for Vistapro will not be let down by its power and versatility. 95 90 80 80 90
Audio Gallery Music Floppy Korg UK 081 4275377 Plus 2.5 Any 6.0.5 400 1994 September 16 76 The software includes Passport’s Trax, but oddly, it’s a slightly earlier version than the one used in Roland’s Desktop Music Pack, and it doesn’t support Sys Ex, which is a bit of a drawback. However, where is also an AG-10 sound editor that enables you to twiddle the parameters, in lieu of the front panel knobs. It’s a neat bit of kit, and can save sound as Sys Ex data in standard Midi Files - which, alas, Trax can’t handle. (Based on the AG-10 Expander, 128 General Midi sounds and the Korg AI2) 80 70 79 88 84
Bodymapper & Weathermapper Education Floppy TAG Developments 0800 591262 Plus 2.2 3.1 Any 6.0.7 65 1994 September 16 84 The thing I most like about both programs is that they don’t pretend to teach anything - they present a whole range of information about the subject, providing simple structures for collecting and comparing data. The programs recognise that learning is not just about pressing keys on a Mac Keyboard, but about providing stimulating activities that can be tailored to the specific child, with the teacher or adult drawing out the learning. As such, Bodymapper and Weathermapper are truly educational. 92 92 91 92 92
Desktop Music Music Floppy Roland 0252 816181 Plus 2 1 Any 6.0.2 322 1994 September 16 75 Roland’s bundle is based around the SC-7, a GM unit with 128 sounds but none of the GS extras found in Roland’s Sound Canvas instruments - although it does have an excellent range of digital effects that, strictly speaking aren’t a GM feature. They include six reverbs, chorus, delay and pan-delay. Trax, in the Roland software pack, is inherently more powerful, but lacks an event editor. The jukebox is great, though, and Ban-In-A-Box is a terrific little extra. 80 90 86 89 85
Dracula Unleashed Adventure game CD Mindscape 0444 246333 LC 2.5 0 256 Colours 6.0.7 50 1994 September 16 100 And ultimately, although the plot is supposedly shrouded in mystery, you have a fair idea of what is going to happen. With Dracula Unleashed you just want to see some vampires and go home. Lots of effort has been put into making Dracula Unleashed look the part, but very little into producing a game you’ll want to wrestle with for a few more than a few hours. Leave the Count firmly leashed, I should. 51 80 72 41
Hello! Music! Music Floppy Yamaha-Kemble 0908 366700 6.0.7 300 1994 September 16 74 You can edit 64 of the sounds in the CBX, but not from the front panel. Yamaha will however, provide a Mac-based editor on request. The company actually commissioned this editor and then made it available as a Public Domain program - which is jolly decent, but why not bung it in the box with the rest of the stuff? Cubase Lite, however, can’t handle System Exclusive messages, so you can’t save the voice data in the same file as your song. (Based on the CBX T3 expander) 80 90 84 85 78
HomePublisher 2.0 DTP Floppy Iona Software 081 2418925 Plus 2 1 Any 6.0.7 70 1994 September 16 68 The fact that we’ve picked on one or two points in this program that’d put of professional DTPer says much for the quality of the rest of the package. There are many things you can do at least fairly well with this software that would be tricky in a Works package. If low-cost, domestic or small business, desktop publishing is your aim, then HomePublisher may be what you’re after. It’s capable, flexible and easy-to-use - and your chances of finding anything that’s better value for money are pretty slim! 80 90 80 98 92
In Control Organiser Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Plus 2 1 Any 6.0.5 140 1994 September 16 109 System 7 users can also make good use of the file-linking facility. It’s possible to attach files (without cutting and pasting) to any time or date you like. For example, should you wish to send a letter on Friday, 8 July, you can attach a word processor file containing the letter to a slot for Friday 8 July on your ‘wall-planner’ and then set an alarm to go off, reminding you that it’s there. This kind of flexibility makes you think it might be worth the cash after all. 82 80 82 73 82
MacWrite Pro 1.5 Word Processor Floppy Frontline Distribution 0256 20534 Plus 2.5 3.5 Any 6.0.5 206 1994 September 16 70 It’s easy to compare word processors feature for feature, and dismiss MacWrite Pro without a second thought - don’t. As a relatively compact application, it even runs well on a Power Book. MacWrite has most certainly come of age. It boldly goes where quite a few people have been before, but if you can live without constant goading from the grammar-checker, consider it recommended. 76 92 90 80 84
Now Up to Date & Now Contact Organiser Floppy Micro 0908 260160 Plus 0.8 Any 7.0 150 1994 September 16 108 Synthesis with Now Contact it minimal and, in all honesty, you might, you might as well rely on the old-fashioned cut and paste options. Together, they don’t exactly interact, but Now Contact and Now Up to Date could prove useful for ultra-busy Mac owners. Unfortunately, average everyday, run-of-the-mill Joes and Joellas will fin the whole business over-priced and under-used. Most of us could get by happily with the $30 shareware Address Book and a few scraps of paper. 80 75 85 79 79
QuickTake 100 Digital Camera Apple 0800 127753 LC 10 Colour 600 1994 September 16 78 You can have lots of fun creating collages in your image editing program from QuickTake images, but while the QuickTake seems like a bargain at its street price of just over £500 when compared to high-end digital cameras, this is still a lot to pay if all you want to do is mess about with some clip art. Considering what you can get in the way of 35mm camera equipment for £500 to £600, and the cheap option of PhotoCD, along with other alternatives, means anyone serious about photography will go elsewhere. 65 79 56 64
Return to Zork Adventure game CD Softline 081 4011234 LCII 2.5 3 256 Colours 7.0 50 1994 September 16 98 Infocom has certainly brought plenty of worthwhile innovations to adventure gaming. The actors perform well, it’s technically excellent and the packaging is well up to par. Unfortunately, Infocom seems to have forgotten to make it fun. Maybe the game appeals to Americans, but I found it to be a pretty dull affair with little in the way of addictiveness. Needless to say, I’ve already used the return portion of my ticket to Zork 74 85 70 72
Sherlock Holmes Volume 2 Adventure game CD Mindscape 0444 246333 LC 1.5 0 256 Colours 6.0.7 50 1994 September 16 102 It’s hard to say how long it would take you to work through all three crimes. You’d probably need about one or two evenings for each one, depending on your powers of deductive logic, which doesn’t add up to a lot of entertainment for fifty quid, and after that you probably won’t want to return. But even so, I like Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. It’s a clever way of turning lots of video footage into a game, and it’s certainly interactive enough to comfort anyone who has been disappointed before. 72 75 70 65
The Labyrinth of Time Adventure game CD Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 2 0 256 Colours 7.0 40 1994 September 16 104 I found Labyrinth to be an oddly soulless game. I can’t fault the design, but I found it to be singularly unaddictive. The prospect of being presented with another puzzle, for which there are no instructions, fills me with dread. But if you really like your puzzles, can solve the Rubik cube in seven seconds , the Times crossword in five minutes and always pick the right queue in the post office, then you’ll love it. Personally, I’ve got better things to do with my life. 70 83 80 60 70
The Multimedia Workshop Multimedia Floppy or CD Ablac Learning Works 0626 332233 LCII 2 19 256 Colours 7.0 60 1994 September 16 72 It’s hard to fault Multimedia workshop, given what you get for your money. With the spell-checker and thesaurus, the writing Workshop very good; the Painting is as a good as a low-cost stand-alone package and the Video Workshop has all the functionability of much more expensive programs. With its excellent range of tutorial clip media, and fun features like text to speech conversion, the Multimedia Workshop is dead easy to use and can yield surprisingly powerful results. 94 90 90 98 93
Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego? Edutainment Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 2.5 11 Greyscale or Colour 6.0.7 40 1994 September 16 86 The suggested age range is 12 years to adult, but I can’t imagine many grown ups rushing out to buy a copy of this game, blah, blah, blah. Teachers won’t find it adequately structured to be of much value in lessons, because there’s no option enabling children to create their own crimes or clues. Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego is an honest program, and its heart is in the right place, but like Pluto it’s cold and barren. (What do you know, I learnt something after all.) 75 80 70 65
Alien Arcade Arcade games Floppy Luxenberg Software 0101 203 3642077 Plus 6.0.5 1994 October 17 110 I’m sorry, but I’ve has my fill of tedious products like this. Alien Arcade fails because it’s tedious, because it’s technologically backward and because it suggests that children don’t have the intelligence to differentiate an imaginary scenario from a real one. 44
Astound Presentation Floppy Gem 0279 442842 4 7 100 1994 October 17 81 Finally, though, the most far-reaching aspect of Astound is the interactive element that no other package includes: placing a button anywhere on screen enables you to play sounds, movies, and jump to other slides in your presentation without delay. This degree of control transports this package into the realms of multimedia authoring, and makes it stand out prominently as a must-buy product for anyone with a mission to stun. 96 85 86 96 90
Carriers at War 2 Naval Wargame Floppy Electronic Arts 0753 549442 LC 2 16 Colours 6.0.7 45 1994 October 17 108 Carriers at War 2 achieves what it sets out to do, but it provides very little reward for the hours of hard work you’ve got to put into it. As such, it should only possibly be recommended to the most single-minded of world wargame enthusiasts. 54 45 38 57
ClarisImpact Presentation Floppy Claris 081 7560101 Classic 4 6.0.7 264 1994 October 17 78 ClarisImpact remains, however, good value for money, although whether you’d be better off spending an extra £150 to get persuasion depends largely on what you wish to produce. The package has all you need to produce effective business graphics, but that production could be a little more flexible and dynamic. 80 88 92 76 84
DeltaGraph Pro 3 Presentation Floppy Frontline 0256 463344 3 6.0.2 139 1994 October 17 82 In short, it combines powerful data-handling functions with quite comprehensive presentation tools; whether it’s too specialised depends entirely on your presentation needs. 80 94 92 90 89
Disc-to-Disk Sampler Floppy and CD Optical Media 0101 408 3763511 5 6.0.7 1994 October 17 114 Disc-to-Disk is a brisk, straightforward program that you’ll be able to use with confidence in a short time. It does the job very well, but if only it had included options for sampling from other sources, such as keyboards, this program would have been essential. 80 90 70 74 82
Jump Music CD Softline 081 4011234 IIci 5 7 40 1994 October 17 85 Definitely a missed opportunity, Jump is often a tedious package, because too much is given over to pointless whimsy that does nothing to engage your mind. Although the quality of graphics and sound is excellent, finding the occasional interesting thing to do is too much like hard work. 55
Passport Producer Presentation Floppy Omnimedia 071 4019191 4 7 295 1994 October 17 82 So, if you already own a whole range of applications, but you want to combine their output elements into one presentation, Passport Producer is the package to go for. 80 96 80 78 84
Persuasion 3.0 Presentation Floppy Aldus 031 4584747 LC 4 7 411 1994 October 17 76 It’s hard to fault Persuasion’s all-embracing features. Aldus seems to have all the bases covered. In short, what Persuasion represents is the current state-of-the-art in presentation packages, and it’s definitely going to be a tough act to follow. 95 95 92 93 94
PowerPoint 3.0 Presentation Floppy Microsoft 0734 270000 4 7 200 1994 October 17 80 Finally, you can preview your slide show and save it out as a stand alone file for running with PowerPoint Viewer. The long and the short of it is that this is a jolly good piece of software. 90 95 92 94 93
Prince Interactive Music CD Gem 0279 442842 LC 8 10 Colour 50 1994 October 17 84 Brimming with atmosphere, Prince Interactive reflects its star’s personality and preoccupations - er, which means that you’ll need to feel some sympathy with his on-going celebration of sexuality to enjoy this trip. Whether you’re a fan, or are simply interested in seeing work of flair out of Prince Interactive - it’s an experience almost big enough to encompass Prince’s ego. Almost we said. 85
Rapid CD CD accelerator Floppy and CD Insignia Solutions 0494 459426 Plus 6.0.8 58.7 1994 October 17 115 Is RapidCD faster than the Apple version? According to my tests, yes, but not by a great deal. Single-speed drive owners will find that a CD-ROM game’s introduction movie, for example, loads up to 6% faster, while double-speed owners gain just 1%. It’s your decision; is the gain worth the money? 80 94 87 60 69
Ritz Payroll Payroll Floppy Ritz Software 0689 876542 2 6.0.7 146.88 1994 October 17 87 The slight fiddliness of setting up the new payroll is no more irksome than setting up a new paper system, and the lack of an ‘undo’ feature is the only real downer in an otherwise excellent package. In fact, it was so easy to use that I’m thinking of taking someone on to write my reviews for me. 89 85 78 80 85
Sensory Overload 3D Game Floppy Reality Bytes 0101 617 6211555 LCII 2.5 4 6.0.7 1994 October 17 104 Sensory Overload won’t win any awards for originality (but neither would this sentence), but if you have a souped-up CPU, it really is a must buy. 85 90 91 83
The 1994 Guinness Multimedia Disc of Records Reference CD Software Toolworks 0444 246333 LCII 2 4 16 Colours 6.0.7 60 1994 October 17 92 The CD is comprehensive and well-designed - it should prove a fine addition to any CD reference library. Organisers of pub quizzes should beware of contestants with PowerBooks on their laps. 82 84 80 80 83
Ultra Mac-Games Game compilation CD Network Analysis 0203 419996 27 1994 October 17 110 The other thing to bear in mind is that many of the classic games on this disc are also readily available as shareware (either on the ‘Net’ or through shareware libraries) at similar if not lower prices. 58
WordPerfect 3.0 Word Processor Floppy WordPerfect UK 0932 850505 Plus 2 Any 6.0.7 260 1994 October 17 72 Many of you are probably Word devotees, so the obvious question is - which is better? I’ve used both packages, and I can honestly say WordPerfect 3 is the champ. If Microsoft Word is a drag racer, then WordPerfect 3 is a shiny red Ferrari Testarossa - they’ll both get you quickly from A to B, but the journey’s a lot more comfortable in the Ferrari. 94 95 94 95 94
Wrath of the Gods Adventure Game CD Maxis 071 4902333 LCIII 4 14” 256 Colours 7 45 1994 October 17 106 Wrath of the Gods is a well-constructed and chunky entry-level adventure, but its contemporary flippancy lets it down. This isn’t simply a humour deficit on my part - in any story, it’s a delicate operation balancing realism and fantasy so you accept what’s happening. 72 71 69 77
Writer’s Toolkit Word processor Floppy SCET 041 3375000 Plus 1 6.0.7 57.5 1994 October 17 89 Overall, then, this is an excellent support program for writers, although it does need to be used sensitively. Parents would do well to work through a piece of writing their child is creating in Writer’s Toolkit; that way they could get a clear idea of the sort of processes their child’s teacher is focusing on. And, for the price, Writer’s Toolkit might just be an economical means of getting yourself a fully featured word processor too! 79 78 80 79 79 83
Zargon Zoo Storybook CD Plum Productions 0590 612443 LCII 4 256 Colours 7 46 1994 October 17 90 If you really want to teach kids to read using a Mac, then this is an excellent package. Not cheap, but polished and educationally well thought-out. It’s not an eye-opening voyage of discovery, though, and no matter how well it does it, this is still just a limited package filing a precise brief. 70 90 65 25 65 90
ClarisDraw 1.0 Graphics Floppy Claris 081 7560101 Plus 2 Any 6.0.7 323 1994 November 18 82 ClarisDraw has a good variety of options, and, generally, the menu commands and tool icons are intelligently grouped together. There’ll be few occasions when you’ll misplace an option because it would have been better placed elsewhere. However, the redesigned interface makes using the program very intuitive – which means you’ll be able to create work quickly, with little fuss. 85 90 93 80 88
Conflict Catcher 2 Startup utility Floppy Softline 081 4011234 Plus Any 6.0.5 69 1994 November 18 119 All this makes it just about the most sophisticated Extension manager around. It’s easy to use and clearly laid out, but Conflict Catcher 2 doesn’t offer anything you couldn’t do yourself with a little patience. It can save you some time, but it’s only worth getting if you have a lot of problems at startup. 75 81 84 60 79
Desperately Seeking Solutions Book Hayden Books 27.98 1994 November 18 50 This is the book that Macintosh First Aid Kit should have been. The information is organised in much the same way, but it’s far more attractively laid out, and goes into significantly greater detail than its sibling. 84
Disk Manager Mac Hard disk utility Floppy Ontrack Computer Systems 081 9745522 Plus Any 55.25 1994 November 18 118 Suffice to say, it’s best to use a friendlier diagnostic tool like Norton Utilities or MacTools (see page 46 for details of the latest versions) before you get down to the nitty gritty. But as far as ensuring you can always mount a SCSI device when it fails to appear on the Desktop, Disk Manager gets the job done – and does it well. 88 85 80 85 85
Excel 5.0 Spreadsheet Floppy MacWarehouse 0800 181332 Plus 2 Any 7.0 300 1994 November 18 84 All in all, Excel 5 is a worthwhile upgrade. There are many features that the enthusiastic spreadsheet user will want – but, as usual, there are a number of features that are less desirable. That’s a moot point, though, because if you want a dedicated spreadsheet program to run on your Mac, Excel is now your only option. But then, considering that it’s a much better program than all the previous Mac spreadsheet applications, that shouldn’t prove too great a hardship. 95 90 85 80 87
Help! The Mac Answer Book Book Alpha Books 17.5 1994 November 18 49 As you can see from these reviews, there are plenty of Mac troubleshooting books and this one, unfortunately, doesn’t really stand out. It’s not a bad book, but it’s competing in a crowded marketplace against tough opposition. 75
ITN World News ‘93 Information CD Softline 081 4011234 LC 2 Colour 6.0.7 70 1994 November 18 94 It isn’t a definitive reference work, however. While the scope is large, the amount of text each story contains is never more than a hundred words, and the video clips no longer than a few minutes. Not all the stories have accompanying stills – and even the ones that do only have one photo. Still, what it lacks in depth, it more than makes up for in ease of use. It’s something for browsing through rather than a definitive chronicle – much like the programme from which it takes its name. 80 94 50 85 77
Links Pro Golf simulation Floppy US Gold 021 6253388 LC 2 4 14” 256 Colour 6.0.7 46 1994 November 18 112 Had Links Pro featured a tournament mode and offered slightly better value for money, it would have happily cruised to a score in the 90s, but, as it is, it’s only a near-perfect game. Having said all that though, Links Pro really is an immensely enjoyable game to play and absolutely beautiful to look at, and, what’s more, you don’t have to be a dedicated golfing fanatic to enjoy it. 88 93 85 81
Macintosh First Aid Kit Book Hayden Books 18.82 1994 November 18 49 It’ll guide you through any Mac hassle you could encounter, but it’ll never make it to ‘constant companion’ status. Sure, it comes with a disk, but the contents won’t set the world alight - you can get most of the software from bulletin boards anyway. 84
MacTools 3.0 Diagnostic Floppy Principal 0706 832000 Plus 2 Any 6.0.5 116 1994 November 18 45 95 84 84 91 91
Question Mark Education Floppy Question Mark Computing 071 2843797 Plus 1 Any 6.0.7 234 1994 November 18 88 As far as schools are concerned, though, this package is thoroughly recommended – not least because pupils will probably prefer to take a computerised test, rather than a paper one, if only because it’s different from the everyday norm. Teachers will have no problems using the software, and the tests take surprisingly little time to compile. 85 90 85 90 89 92
Rebel Assault Arcade game CD US Gold 021 6253388 LCIII 2 14” 256 Colour 7.0 50 1994 November 18 106 It all plays exceptionally well: you shoot stuff, you learn to fly properly, and the urge to see the next level is fairly overwhelming. Frankly, there’s not a lot of this stuff available on the Mac, but things are getting better. With the imminent arrival of Doom and the already excellent Sensory Overload, the Mac is pulling itself out of the hobbyist’s closet and straight into mainstream multimedia. Try this on a PowerMac and it’ll blow your mind. 90 62 95 86
Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters Book Addison Wesley 20.95 1194 November 18 49 It’s got everything you’ll ever want to know about your Mac and what might go wrong, and it’ll be a useful thing to have around - even when things are working fine. I’m going out to buy my own copy now. 88
The Battle of Britain War simulation Floppy MacZone 0800 393696 Plus 2 Any 35.2 1994 November 18 114 The Battle of Britain is easy to get to grips with, but it’s very repetitive and doesn’t convey much WW2 atmosphere. You’ll get fed up with staring at that map for hours on end. Fans of the board game, which it’s apparently based on, might like it, but I didn’t. 38 9 11 39
The Chessmaster 3000 Chess game CD Mindscape 0444 246333 LC Colour 40 1994 November 18 116 Add to these major functions the facility to solve mating problems, set up tournaments for up to ten human and/or computer players, choose from 18 computerised rivals, each with a different playing style, and view proceedings from multiple 2- and 3D perspectives, and you have a very formidable package. Chess programs don’t come better than this – unless they’re the custom databases used by the pro’s. 95 95 93 97 95
Theme Park Simulation game Floppy MacLine 081 4011111 LC 2.5 13 16 Colour 37.6 1994 November 18 108 On the down-side, I got bored fairly swiftly. The game’s not got the longevity of the SimCity series, but then those games are quite possibly the most anally retentive ever conceived. Thanks to its pedigree, excellent design and clear attention to detail, Theme Park will sell in the thousands. If your idea of fun is to make the public ill, sell them tacky gifts and charge them a fortune for the honour, then you’ll be right at home. Just make sure you build a Disneyland and not a EuroDisney. 88 90 85 90
Woodstock Information CD Softline 081 4011234 LCII 3 5 Colour 7.0 30 1994 November 18 96 While the material on Woodstock is interesting and easy to use, it’s hard to see why it’s been released on CD-ROM – it adds nothing to the wealth of material already available in films and books, and shows a distinct lack of imagination in the way it’s been put together. 61 75 77 78 67
Alchemy Music Floppy Arbiter Pro MIDI 081 2021199 149 1994 December 19 91 If you use Alchemy, the upgrade is worthwhile. Otherwise, you’ll have to struggle on with your LCD and wait until another company dips into the sample editor market. It’s that or switch to Digidesign’s SampleCell, which comes with its own sample editing software.
Apple Personal Diagnostics Utility Floppy Apple 081 5691199 Plus 2 6.0.7 99 1994 December 19 110 In one place the manual admits: ‘Other disk repair and file recovery programs available commercially... may succeed running repair routines not included in APD.’ That’s the point. If APD came free with your Mac, that would be fine. Along with HDSetup and Disk First Aid, this would make a fairly useful suite of diagnostic programs. But as a commercial product, APD doesn’t have the same versatility as other programs on the market. 65 93 91 64 68
Audioshop Music Floppy MCMXCIX 081 9630663 Plus 2 6.0.7 89.95 1994 December 19 91 Audioshop’s two sides come together in the playlist, where you can combine CD tracks with digital audio and decide in which order they play. If you want a flash audio CD player, this is it. The waveform edit facilities are a useful extra, though they aren’t as inclusive as some dedicated editors like SoundEdit 16, which costs three times as much. Audioshop does a fine job of simple waveform editing, which could be useful for multimedia presentations.
Behind the Scenes: The Zoo Multimedia CD MDI 0252 737630 4 14 inch colour 6.0.7 39.99 1994 December 19 75 With its wealth of material to browse through, The Zoo scores highly on value for money, but as a CD-ROM, it adds little to your experience of its subject that couldn’t have been gained through books and TV. To succeed fully, CD-ROM really needs to become a medium that offers something that no other single format can. 75 76 71 75
BodyMapper HomeMapper & WeatherMapper Education Floppy TAG Developments 0800 591262 4 6.0.5 64.66 1994 December 19 46 Many of the activities suggested in the programs can be performed by the whole family. For instance, collecting weather data doesn’t take a great deal of time or effort, but it can lead on to interesting discussions. Most of the images used in the programs can be cut and pasted into other applications and printed out, providing handy illustrations for a whole range of homework. For more details, check out the full review of BodyMapper and WeatherMapper which appeared in Macformat 16. 92
Broderbund Living Books Edutainment CD Macademic 071 6306844 4 Colour 6.0.7 1994 December 19 44 All the Living Books titles come with a printed copy of the book in question. Given that many parents aren’t confident about the shared reading of an electronic text, it’s a good idea to start by reading the book together before moving on to the CD-ROM. Discussing the relative merits of the printed and electronic versions of the story with your children can prove very illuminating and could well broaden your children’s understanding of reading as a whole. 95
Donald A Norman Multimedia CD Softline 081 4011234 8 14 inch colour 7.0 51.7 1994 December 19 73 We’re fortunate that the Mac is currently the definitive user-friendly computer, which means you can concentrate fully on this beautifully-polished CD-ROM. But Norman has a message even for us: he says that the Mac needs to be improved even further so that everyone can enjoy its benefits. 82 85 90 87
Eagle Eye Mysteries & The London Mysteries Edutainment Floppy Macademic 071 6306844 4 16 Colour 6.0.7 41.11 1994 December 19 45 Many children will find solving these mysteries fun, and they’ll certainly have to read, digest and form hypotheses from the clues offered. These programs don’t have explicit connections with subjects in the National Curriculum or 5-14 in Scotland, but the fact that children have to question the information presented to them by a computer will open their eyes to the possibility of suspect or biased information. Such awareness, some would argue, is an essential skill in today’s information age. 90
Gabriel Knight Adventure game Floppy Sierra 0734 303322 5 20 256 colours 7 39.99 1994 December 19 112 Many adventures, such as Myst, have exotic settings illustrated with lush graphics that remain too complex to animate convincingly in 3D (and barely any people). Gabriel Knight takes advantage of its simpler look to make its version of New Orleans overflow with people for you to meet, each with their own secrets to discover. It beats working out which lever to pull so you can enter another empty room – if only the action wasn’t so slow! 80 75 69 81
Gadget Adventure CD Books Nippan 0101 213 8919636 LC 8 14 inch 256 colours 7 1994 December 19 116 The high level of tedium means you could quite easily stroll your way through to the end of the game with barely an inkling of the plot, and it’s all over within three hours of solid play anyway. There’s no sense of atmosphere. And while there are one or two peculiar cut scenes that promise some weirdness, any spark of excitement is thoroughly drenched by the sheer banality of the gameplay. 33 70 50 15
Gobliiins Platform game Floppy Sierra 0734 303322 LCIII 256 colours 7.1 39.99 1994 December 19 68 Apart from that, and the game being rather smaller, Gobliiins is every bit as entertaining as the others in the series. Oh, except for some reason you’ve got an energy bar that goes down every time you make a mistake. This is sheer lunacy in a game that relies almost entirely on trial and error. The energy bar alone costs Gobliiins quite a few percentage points. 68
Gobliins 2 Platform game Floppy Sierra 0734 303322 LCIII 256 colours 7.1 39.99 1994 December 19 115 You’ve usually got several puzzles on the go at the same time, too, some of which are ridiculously obscure. For example, to make a chicken lay an egg, you have to hit it not with the bottle, or the stone, but with the sausage. Eh? 78
Goblins 3 Platform game Floppy Sierra 0734 303322 LCIII 256 Colours 7.1 39.99 1994 December 19 114 Goblins 3 is frequently hair-tearingly frustrating and you may well find yourself stuck on one screen for days at a time. But it always makes a very special sort of ‘French’ sense in the end, and it is continuously enjoyable. If you get to the end, and still want more, well, Coktel Vision has released two more Goblins games as well (see the ‘And there’s more’ box on the left). Vive la difference, eh? 86 88 90 83
IntelliTalk Word Processor Floppy KCS 0703 584314 6 57 1994 December 19 100 If you think all this sounds easy enough for a kid to use, then you’d be right. IntelliTalk is a great educational tool. OK, the RoboVoice does get a little tiresome after a while, but then pre-school attention spans being what they are, this doesn’t really matter. This aside, the program’s facility to replace its standard text menus with pictorial equivalents adds to its functionality as a fun word processor for kids. 70 95 90 90 86
Internet Explorer Kit Book Paramount 0442 881900 27.98 1994 December 19 79 The two books work extremely well together: the Starter Kit prepares the ground work, while the Explorer Kit points you in the right direction for some choice encounters. In short, it’s an invaluable guide to cruising some of the cooler hang-outs on the Internet, and is well worth a browse before you buy. 85
Kid Keys Typing Tutor Floppy Ablac Learning Works 01626 332233 4 9 6.0.7 34.95 1994 December 19 43 Provided that children are allowed to play freely with the program, and aren’t expected to learn how to touch-type, Kid Keys could be a good way of increasing their knowledge of both the alphabet and the letter keys of a standard keyboard. But it’s a little bizarre that a program that claims to teach keyboard skills doesn’t touch upon the use of the space bar, the [return] key, or any of the other function keys. 85
Kid Pix 2 Graphics Floppy Macademic 071 630 6844 4 10 6.0.7 52.86 1994 December 19 45 The Fun Pack is a collection of additional pictures and stamps, covering such topics as ‘Home Sweet Home’, ‘Celebrations around the World’ and ‘Thrills and Chills’. If you’ve got Kid Pix already, then this would definitely be a worthwhile addition. 95
King Arthur’s Magic Castle Childrens entertainment CD Koch Media 0252 714340 4 Colour 6.0.7 33 1994 December 19 76 King Arthur’s Magic Castle may be useful for acquainting your youngest child with a Macintosh, encouraging him or her to use the mouse. The child will probably enjoy the experience, although there’s so little here that he or she will soon get bored and move on. And, after all, the program has nothing to make anyone want to return to it. 51
Now Utilities 5.0 Utility Floppy Frontline 0256 463344 4 7 63.5 1994 December 19 120 There’s very little that’s new here. Most of the utilities included have shareware or commercial equivalents – although if you were to buy them separately they’d cost you far more than the Now Utilities collection. So if two or more of the utilities within this package sound useful to you, then I can heartily recommend the entire suite. 92 85 80 95 90
OmniPage Professional 5.0 Optical character regonition Floppy Caere 071 5805434 IIci 8 7.0 699 1994 December 19 54 If you wish to use Optical Character Recognition software for a range of document styles - including brochures, magazines, artwork and complex documents that incorporate tables and diagrams, then ImniPage is your best bet. 90 94 90 88 90
Panel Partner Music Floppy Harman Audio 081 2075050 Plus 1 6.0.2 209 1994 December 19 90 It’s a bit of a shame that it doesn’t actually edit samples – although it does save you squinting at the LCD. If Panel Partner is not going to be updated, sales could undoubtedly be improved if the price were somewhat lower. Useful though the program is, at this price it will only interest short-sighted programmers and S1000 owners who can’t stand LCDs – although there must be a few of those around.
Prehistoria Multimedia CD Mindscape 0444 246333 LCII 4 14 inch colour 6.0.7 69.99 1994 December 19 74 Of course, there are problems. Even when the quality of computer video becomes more acceptable, it’s still going to use up a lot of disc space. And there’s a creative question: can a compilation of video clips on CD offer anything more than a cheaper video tape? In a word, yes. Prehistoria is a pretty good demonstration that computer animation, when it’s blended intelligently with text and sound, can really capture the imagination. 82 84 75 80
Recycle Music Floppy Harman Audio 081 2075050 SE 30 4 6.0.7 199 1994 December 19 90 The pack includes a CD containing loops and grooves to get you started. ReCycle is a superb piece of software. Easy to use and great fun, too. Even at a more basic level, it can help find a good loop point for any sample. Absolutely essential if you use sample loops.
RedShift Astology CD Macademic 071 6306844 4 6.0.7 64.66 1994 December 19 46 RedShift is an astronomer’s dream, and even know-nothing novices will be transfixed. It’s got star maps, stellar journeys, encyclopedic information – in short, everything except Rebel Assault-style space shoot-outs. 92
SampleSearch Music Floppy Gallery software 081 2008024 4 7.1 176.25 1994 December 19 91 Future updates will include the ability to read Akai disks directly. Considering the huge number of Akai samples already available, this will widen SampleCell’s appeal enormously. If you have SampleCell, SampleSearch is quite simply essential. It’s also a terrific utility if you work with sample CDs and digital audio.
Snoopy Edutainment Floppy Macademic 071 6306844 4 14 6.0.7 42.3 1994 December 19 43 The ‘Face Maker’ is good too. Here children can select different features to put together, or draw their own faces from scratch. When they’ve finished they can (for once) print out what they’ve done – a definite plus. All in all, this is a good program for young children. 92
Story Book Weaver Multimedia creation Floppy Macademic 071 6306844 4 10 6.0.7 25.67 1994 December 19 45 Of course, there are some limitations to the program. You can’t add your own images or sounds, and your children won’t be able to add their own voice-overs. Nevertheless, the look of the final version is superior to anything you’d achieve with virtually any other program. 92
TextBridge Optical Character Regonition Floppy Xerox 071 2406189 LC 8 6.0.5 99 1994 December 19 52 All in all, TextBridge doesn’t do a bad job of converting scanned images of words into editable text, it’s just that a little care and attention is needed before you start. If you want to use OCR software to recognise business letters and printouts, then look no further. If you wish to process faxes, then the results are less accurate – although you can, of course, modify them. 80 90 86 90 86
The Adventures of Pinocchio Edutainment CD Koch Media 0252 714340 4 Colour 6.0.7 33 1994 December 19 76 Except, the result is that both the storytelling and definitions are horribly ham fisted. In particular, the definitions give you qthe impression that they’ve been lifted straight from a dictionary, which is somewhat pointless considering that children who are too young to understand the word in the first place will definitely struggle to make sense of the definition. You might as well have a parent on constant standby – he or she could explain the difficult words far more clearly. 47
The Internet Starter Kit Book Paramount 0442 881900 27.98 1994 December 19 79 Perhaps a chapter dealing with international access, and how to minimise its inherent costs, will find its way into the third edition – or, better still, what about a Euro-specific edition? Still, Internet Starter Kit succeeds in delivering a mass of readable information on a highly complex subject. And, despite its all-American focus and tone, it remains indispensable for anyone wanting to explore the brave new whirl of the Internet. Thoroughly recommended. 92
Time Traveller Information CD Koch Media 0252 714340 2 Colour 6.0.7 129.25 1994 December 19 77 For a program costing over £125, Time Traveller just isn’t good enough. There are plenty of better reference works to spend your money on, including Prehistoria (reviewed on page 74). It really is a shame, because the basic concept is such a strong one. Someone should steal this idea and do it properly. 70 78 40 43
TimeBandit Music Floppy Harman Audio 081 2075050 LC 1 6.0.7 456 1994 December 19 90 If you have Cubase Audio, then you can access TimeBandit’s function from within the program. TimeBandit is a very powerful program and a great utility to have in your sonic arsenal, although the price, alas, places it firmly in the professional domain and beyond the pocket of most users.
