Book Review Graphic Zhangmen 7.2
from F-ACT Software
Review from Huang Ti Magazine, August 1995
(magazine of the Dutch Association of Acupuncture)


Zhangmen 7.2

The 7.2 version of computer program of the same name offers a load of new, pleasant surprises and can offer the daily acupuncture practice a great deal of useful support.

The main screen looks quite good and is operated by means of the function keys. The first group includes the main menu, exits, the complete help text and the key to quit the program. In the adminstration program you can enter name, address, Eastern diagnosis etc. Furthermore you can enter the points you treated and the result of the treatment afterwards. It's a pity that there's no financial module attached and that it's not possible to send your patients bills straight from out of the program.

In the group Indications we find the "point-indications". These are shown graphically in a very nice way. Also the location of points is shown this way (but also anatomicaly). You can also show all locations of acupuncture points.

Finally there is a function to show chinese names of points with a nice attempt to translate these into dutch. It's not possible to display the original Chinese characters.

TCM syndromes:

After entering the symptoms, the program offers you the possible TCM diagnosis. If this is not enough it's possible to "walk" across different other diagnosis. It’s also possible to show all possible chinese diagnostics.

Miscellaneous:

Under the key "Miscellaneous" we find, among others, the function pulse & tongue diagnostics. Especialy the tongue diagrams are shown in a very good way (graphically). There are also 5 different ear acupuncture maps here, also displayed beautifully. Its possible to search for indications and locations (positions) of these earpoints. It's a pity that it's not possible to ask for the anatomical positions of these points. Under the key "Miscellaneous" there is a lot of nice extras in the program, such as an agenda/calendar for appointments and scheduling and a lot of graphics like: command points, energieschemes, facial points and -zones, handpoints, organclock, mupoints, needling-techniques, nutrition schemes, extrapoints, gyneacology etc.

Conclusion:

Zhangmen is in the acupuncture practice a usefull program that will help you to control and complete your choice of points and planning of treatment. You'll enjoy the nice visual graphics of the points, zones and positions etc. The administrative part of Zhangmen however could be improved further.


Zhangmen 7.2 is a Windows program. The new Zhangman 8.0 has also been completed. A demo version is available via FTP at their web site.

The makers of Zhangman tell us that the English Version of this program will soon be available, if not already. Please visit their web site for more information.

Zhangmen 7.2 is made and distributed by:
F-ACT Software
Verl. Frederikstraat 16
9724 NE Groningen
the Netherlands
Phone/Fax (0031) 50 3128718
E-Mail factsoft@worldaccess.nl


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