Opening Format - Disclaimer

Opening Format -- Disclaimer

by Tony Curro

Spring may be just around the corner, but earlier in February we had one

of the worst storms in years. More than a week has passed, and there are

still mounds of snow.

We mentioned last month that we are on America OnLine. As of yet, they

have not posted the files. They had them up one day, and they removed

them. I understand that they are awaiting a conference for CTM. I would

appreciate anyone who reads this, and is on AOL, that they drop a line

to PC Glenn, and mention that you heard CTM was available in the Telecom

Forum but that you cannot find it. Maybe it will get them moving.

Thanks.

Speaking of online services. We are now on CompuServe. You will find CTM

in the IBMBBS Forum there. It is usually posted several days after the

upload.

This month we have several products that should interest you. First off

we have a column by a renowned radio and TV personality, columnist, and

host of The Komputer Clinic on AOL. Some of Kim Komando's products,

namely instructional tapes,  have been reviewed in the New York Times.

We have her year-end thoughts about the computer industry.

Other products this month includes:

* CD-ROM -- MegaMovie Guide, and Hell Cab.

* Software -- HelpEdit, Claris Works, QAPlus for Windows, MS Word 6.0 for

Windows, MS Word Assistant.

* Hardware -- FlashDisk

* Books -- Smileys

HelpEdit is the program I use to create the Windows version of CTM.

I will step aside and let you get on with the magazine. Until next

month, keep the sunny side up...

Happy St. Patrick's Day !

Tony Curro...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this magazine are the opinions of the

author whose name appears at the top of the article.

We do not wish to discredit a product, company, or  author of said

product. The software reviews are based solely upon the opinion of

the author of the review, and his or her experiences from using the

product in question.

We further assume no liability from any problems or dissatisfaction

that a user may have from a product that we have reviewed in our

magazine.

The News, Updates, and Upgrade column is not an endorsement of any

product. It is presented solely for information purposes.

Tony Curro, Editor - ComputerTalk Magazine.


MS Word Assistant

by Tony Curro

Recently, MS Word 6.0 for Windows was released, and in conjunction with

this Microsoft has released Word Assistant. While this program is

primarily for Word 6.0, it includes several features that can be used by

any MS Windows-based application.

Word Assistant has several components. These can be installed as a

package, or you can custom install only those you wish to use. The

program includes the latest version of Font Assistant 1.1. An earlier

version was released with MS TrueType Font Pack 2 last year.

Font Assistant allows you to create groups of fonts for specific tasks.

There are several groups included: Ads/Brochures, Business Letters,

Decorative, Publications, Personal Letters, and others. You can easily

edit any of these groups, or create your own groups. Then you just load

a group for the task you are currently performing.

Other features of Word Assistant:

* 25 TrueType Fonts

* Font Selector

* 10 Forms from data sheets to expanse reports.

* 20 Templates with style sheets

* 20 background graphics for "special paper" stationary, available from

Paper Direct.

* 100 pieces of ready-to-use graphics from 3G Graphics.

* extensive OnLine help

Font Selector is a floating windows that allows you to quickly apply

fonts, styles, and sizes to your text. This is all done from one pop-up

window.  You can use it to create underline, sub and superscript, etc.

Selector allows you to view the fonts in several ways. Has a full screen

window that shows all the fonts; view the fonts in normal text, or in

actual font. Next to many of the fonts there is a right arrow. This

means that that particular font has other attributes, such as bold,

italic, etc. By clicking on this arrow a submenu appears for these

selections. Below are two examples of Font Selector. The first is in normal view, and the second is as font.

You can customize any of the templates or forms included for your

specific needs. Using the "special paper" allows you to see how you text

will appear when using quality papers available from Paper Direct. These

papers give added impact to you letter, document or other presentation.

As mentioned, some of the features are available to all Windows-based

applications. Below is that list:

For WORD only     For ALL Windows-based applications

-------------                ----------------------------------

Font Selector         25 TrueType Fonts

20 Templates         MS Font Assistant 1.1

10 Forms               100 pieces of ClipArt

20 designs

Online Help

The Font Selector and online help are available from the drop down menu

in MS Word 6.0. There is online help for: Word Assistant, Special Paper,

and more.

This package is well put together. It comes with very limited

documentation, actually a small brochure as much of the help is

available online. Using Word Assistant will enhance how you use Word and

Windows.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

* MS Word 6.0 for Windows

* MS-DOS 3.0 or later

* Any of the following:

    - MS Windows v3.1

    - MS Windows for Workgroups v3.1

    - MS Windows NT v3.1

    - MS Windows for Pen Computing

* 80286 or higher CPU

* High-Density disk drive

* Hard disk with at least 4MB free disk space.

* EGA or greater monitor.

* Mouse or other pointing device.

Product Information

MS Word Assistant

SRP -- $64.95

Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-6399


FlashDisk

by Tony Curro

I just recently acquired the HP 100LX that I reviewed in my last issue.

It does come with 2MB of memory, but it is nice to have mass storage

even on a palmtop. I received FlashDisk from SunDisk that fit the bill.

SunDisk makes PCMCIA FlashDisk cards that can store 1.8 to 40MB in

native mode. You can get them with Stacker preinstalled which just about

doubles the storage capacity of the cards. I am working with a 5MB card

that has almost 10MB free when I use Stacker.

FlashDisks are removable cards that fit into a PCMCIA slot on the

palmtop, and many notebook computers. Today, almost all notebooks have

eliminated floppy drives and/or also have PCMCIA capability. The card is

about the size of a credit card, and as mentioned can store large

amounts of data. For those who use a modem on a system with one slot,

you must remove the FlashDisk to use the modem.

FlashDisks use power only during writing and reading which dramatically

extends your computer's battery life. The internal architecture of the

FlashDisk is identical to hard disks. It will work with programs for MS

DOS as well as Windows. StaticRAM (SRAM) cards use battery power even

when the unit is turned off.

The card is basically plug-and-play. If Stacker is preinstalled, you

must run the install program from the card to set up the device driver

on your notebook. If Stacker is not installed, or you opt not to use it,

then you do not to run anything. The card is preformatted, and if

Stacker was installed, then you must reformat the card before use. The

object is to get as much storage space as possible, especially on a

palmtop, so I would not see why you would not want Stacker. I have been

using the card for several months, and have had no problems. As I

mentioned in earlier reviews on Stacker that I did, it is the standard

by which others are judged.

FlashDisk acts as a regular disk drive. Anything you can do with a hard

drive you can do with this card. Format, Copy, Delete, etc. One thing

you cannot do with a hard drive is place it in you jacket pocket. You

can with this. FlashDisk comes in a plastic jewel case. This is where

you should always place the card when it is not in your system.

The SunDisk SDP5 series uses SunDisk's 512 byte sector erase Flash

memory that was designed by SunDisk specifically for use in a mass

storage device. This architecture, coupled with the IDE controller,

means that SunDisk PCMCIA FlashDisks are 100% compatible with operating

systems, utilities, and application programs that support IDE disk

drives.

Some cards require a battery backup which means that if the battery

fails, so does the data. Not so with FlashDisk, as it does not require a

battery, so your data is always safe.

The cards are reasonably priced and available in many stores. As I

mentioned, I have been using the card, and am pleased with its

performance. I will recommend it to anyone with a portable computer.

Data transfer from a desktop to the FlashDisk is relatively fast. It

will depend on the speed of the unit. The 100LX has a 7.91Mhz processor.

It will take longer here than on an OmniBook 425 or similar computer.

There are companies that make drives that connect to your desktop, and

will accept a PCMCIA card for even quicker access. I hope to review this

in a future issue.

Product Information

FlashDisk

Mass Storage Systems

SRP -- $225-1995

SunDisk Corporation

3270 Jay St

Santa Clara, CA 95054

408-562-0500

408-562-0503 (FAX)


QAPlus/Win 5.1

by Tony Curro

Many of us are concerned that our systems are not running at peak

performance. Others have a 'feeling' that something or other is not

running as it should. DiagSoft, maker of award-winning diagnostic

products, has the answer for you.

I took a look at QAPlus/Win 5.1. This is a complete diagnostic tool for

Windows. In addition it has some DOS tools included.

The program is easy to install, and will work well for both novice and

expert users. It will locate and diagnose most problems associated with

all major components of your PC, including LAN connections and

multimedia devices. If you encounter a problem, QAPlus/Win will clearly

explain it to you. With this information in hand, you can better explain

it to technical support personal, thereby cutting down on long distance

calls, as you get right to the problem rather than try to explain it in

your own words.

QAPlus/Win will test: System Board, Video, Multimedia (files and CD-ROM

drive), hard disk, floppies, keyboard, COM ports, printer, mouse and, if

applicable, LAN. In addition, Windows Resource Control Center guides you

through comparing and editing your system configuration to enhance

performance. Disk Performance Tester lets you compare the effect of up

to four different configurations. I ran the test on my two hard drives

with and without cache. The results follow:

Drive   w/cache     w/o cache

C:      0.46 secs   1.41 secs

D:      0.44 secs   2.14 secs

As you can see, using a cache has an effect. But, which cache should you

use? SmartDrive, Norton Cache, PC-Kwik? With QAPlus/Win you can pick the

one that gives you the most efficient performance.

View and edit your CMOS settings. Check your RAM for bad chips. Do

loop-back tests on your serial and parallel ports. DOS tools allow you

to view: Memory Map, Hardware Interrupts and many other features.

Even if you are not trouble shooting your system, QAPlus/Win, or any of

the QAPlus line should be found informative by all. It will tell you

things you did not know, and even some you do not care to know. But, all

in all, it is a good diagnostic tool that belongs on your software

shelf.

Registered users of QAPlus/Win can upgrade to 5.1 for $49.95. In

addition, QAPlus or QAPlus/FE registered users can purchase QAPlus/Win

for $79.95.

Product Information

QAPlus/Win 5.1

List Price -- $159.95

DiagSoft, Inc.

5615 Scotts Valley Drive

Suite 140

Scotts Valley, CA 95066

800-DIAGSOFT

408-438-7113 (FAX)


SYSTEM INFORMATION

    Unless otherwise noted, the following equipment is used in all

    testing, for hardware and software, that appears in the magazine:

        486DX2/66 VL-BUS Motherboard

        Diamond Viper VL-BUS Video Card

        8 MB of 80ns SIMMS

        Quantum IDE drives

        NEC CDR74-1 CD-ROM drive

        Sound Blaster 16 ASP

        Sony MultiScan HG monitor

        Bernoulli Dual 44

        Colorado  Jumbo 250

        LaserJet IIP printer

        UMAX UC630 color scanner.

    Software always present:

        4DOS v4.x

        DOS 6.0

        QEMM v7.x

        Windows 3.1


MAGAZINE INFORMATION

ComputerTalk(tm) Magazine is published monthly by Tony Curro

All material Copyright(c) 1993 by Tony Curro. All rights reserved.

Authors' retain copyright of their own works.

All programs copyright or trademark by respective companies

Please contact me concerning reprints of articles.

You can contact me on MoonDog BBS(#35)

I am also available on RIME routed to PostLink #35 in:

COMMON, and SYSOP

On FIDO 1:278/713

TheINTERNET: TonyCTM@aol.com

or Tony.Curro@f713.n278.z1.fidonet.org

CIS: 73733,3305

You can also contact the editor by mail.

The magazine is free. However, any donations to offset hardware

costs, and time spent creating the magazine would be greatly appreciated.

It is a further incentive to continually improving the magazine.

Send donations, information, press releases and products to:

ComputerTalk Magazine            Voice/FAX 212-233-7718

28 Vesey Street

Suite 2252

New York, NY 10007-2906

Attn: Tony Curro, Editor


News, Updates, Upgrades

News, Updates, and Upgrades

ACCULOGIC, INC. is shipping the sIDE-4/HP, a high performance multi I/O

IDE controller that allows users to connect the newest high-performance

serial, parallel and floppy disk devices to their systems. The card is

compatible with ISA bus, 386, 486 and advanced personal computers. It

features an IDE controller with an ECP/EPP (Extended Capabilities

Port/Enhanced Parallel Port compatible high-speed printer port, two

16550-compatible high-speed serial ports, and a high-capacity 2.88

megabyte (MB floppy disk controller. It has a SRP of $85.

PRO CD,INC. announced plans to develop and market four international

CD-ROM directory titles in 1994. The first title, which was announced,

is EUROPAGES, an interactive European business directory on CD-ROM. It

will contain more than 150,000 major suppliers from 16 European

countries. With an SRP of $49 and no restrictions on personal usage,

EUROPAGES has a scheduled release date of February 14, 1994. Also being

released on that date is Canada Phone. This CD contains  nearly 10

million listings from every white and yellow page directory published in

Canada. It has a SRP of $149, and is currently available only from Pro

CD and will soon be available from leading software stores. Call Pro CD

at (800) 99-CD-ROM.

MICROLEAGUE INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE has announced that it will release over two dozen products in the coming year. Many more are expected to be

announced for release this year also. They are releasing a varied list

of games: sports, space adventure, historical simulations, etc.

MicroLeague has teamed up with companies in Germany and England to bring

the best to consumers in the US. Some of the products that are, or will

available soon, consist of: Time Out Sports Baseball Alien Breed,

Nicky Boom, Guardians, Great Bridge Baron, Hannibal, Rolling Ronny, and

Shadow Worlds. Call (800)-334-6572 for a catalog.

CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE announced PC Tools 2.0 for Windows. The new

version includes CrashGuard, a system monitor that offers an early

warning to avoid Windows crashes, enhanced System Consultant, support

for DoubleSpace and DiskFix. Also included are CP AntiVirus, CP Backup

and many other enhanced or new features. PC Tools 2.0 for Windows has a

SRP of $179.95. CP offers a $49.95 "universal" upgrade for owners of

Tools 1.0 for Windows, other CP products, or owners of competitive

products. Call 1-800-964-6896 for upgrade information.

VENTANA PRESS announced The Windows Internet Tour Guide. A complete guide to accessing The Internet, plus one month free service on MRNet. ISBN: 1-56604-081-7. List Price $24.95.


Komando

Komando's Year-End Thoughts

It's a fact of life right up there with death and taxes. Any computer

you buy is outdated. The latest technological feat will be surpassed

shortly after it is announced. Further more, there is nothing you or I

can do, or should do, about this Catch-22.

Take those frustrations of keeping up to date with the Intel

X86-architecture and chip numbers. After spending, say $2,000, for the

latest whiz-bang 486-based computer running the newest bells and

whistles laden software, low and behold a faster/smaller/cheaper

computer with fresh software hits the streets. Feeling taken by a

fast-talking salesperson and pretty 4-color advertisements, most

consumers sit back and suffer an extreme case of buyer's remorse.

"I should have waited :-("

The first question that normally pops in is, "Maybe I should have waited

another six months until this computer chip deal settles down a bit?"

Well, this is a good thought but not a practical one. Frankly, the

computer chip evolution is one even Darwin couldn't put on a chart.

By the time the chart was made, it would be outdated. The 486 is hot.

The Pentium, or what would have been called the 586 but wasn't for legal

issues, is here. The "686," "786," "886," and succeeding generations are

in various stages of research and development.

"I've got the power."

There is a light at the end of the tunnel and the good news is, it's not

a train. It was hard to miss the PowerPC and Digital's Alpha-based

computer announcements made this past year. From local news coverage to

CNN, reports missed the real story behind the newest trend in computing.

Many thought it was simply another race around the

faster/cheaper/smaller personal computer track. Rather than getting

caught up in the processor speed and ability to leap different operating

systems and perform multiple software programs in a single bound, look

past the hype.

The PowerPC, especially the 620 Series due in 1994, and Alpha-based

systems break out of the Intel architecture. These systems promise a

whole new world of cross-platform applications. Upgradability is no

longer a promise of things to come. Best of all, the systems bridge the

IBM-oriented and Apple Macintosh worlds so that now, one computer can

speak fluently two different languages.

While still a bit premature for most consumer's use, cynics in the crowd

say, "I'll believe the PowerPC and Alpha when I see it."  You can,

today, at your local retailer which brings us to another story happening

from the United States to Moscow. I'm talking about the computer

superstores filled with literally acres of computer gear popping up like

convenience stores on street corners.

Are the Superstores Super?

The places are stocked with big-name monitors, computers, printers,

software, accessories. For no other reason than for research, I drop in

on these stores periodically. On a recent trip to Florida, I visited one

and found 27 different brands of 486-based computers!

So, as any overwhelmed consumer would, I found a salesperson and asked,

"Which one's the best system for me?" (You always want to add the "for

me" in the question by the way.)

The sweater-clad gentleman in his mid-thirties responded, "They're all

good but these five are on sale."  A better salesperson would have asked

ME, "What do you want to use the computer for?"  No matter what your

budget is, the best computer is one that suits your needs, or in other

words, is suitable for what you are going to be using the computer for,

and may or may not be the latest, greatest and most expensive model.

Nonetheless, the salesperson and I had a pleasant conversation and the

best system for me in this salesperson's estimation seemed to boil-down

to how much I wanted to spend, or commit to monthly under a lease

arrangement. Fortunately, I found another salesperson who was qualified

to ask and answer my questions.

Notebooks Aren't Just For Road Warriors

If you are planning to invest in a new computer in the near future,

check out the notebook/laptop systems. Finally, these computers are no

longer scaled-down versions of traditional desktop computers with a lot

of pieces missing. Over the last year, portable computers grew up and

offer the features, performance and power including large hard disks,

mega amounts of RAM, color, fax/modem communications, and more that was

normally reserved for a desktop.

Beside having only one computer to use however and wherever you are, a

fully-equipped notebook computer can be hooked up to an external monitor

and keyboard. I recommend purchasing a "docking station" for your

notebook. These are relatively inexpensive landing pads that transform a

notebook computer into a desktop computer for your office. A good

docking station should include complete duplication of the ports on the

notebook, offer the capability of connecting a CD ROM, networkability,

and an  integrated battery recharger.

With the advent of powerful portable and mobile computing, comes a new

driving technology that are PCMCIA expansion cards. These credit

card-sized cards offer notebook expansion capabilities such as

additional hard disk space, LAN adapters, SCSI interfaces, digital

paging receivers, fax/modem communications and even Global Positional

Satellite locators. Any future notebook purchase should have PCMCIA

capabilities.

Hardware innovations drive software renovations and with the new and

improved Microsoft, Intel, and others Plug and Play BIOS specifications

and era of 32-bit computing, comes forth Windows NT, OS/2 2.1 and the

soon to be released Windows 4.0. Computing has taken the true

multi-tasking path making it really possible to do more than two things

at once and do them both well.

Granted, computers has it share of vaporware running over sneakernet.

Yet, we are fortunate. We are living in a time when ideas that make our

lives easier become products quicker than ever before in the history of

mankind. We must look past the computer chip numbers, software version

numbers and price wars. If we look, we see our, our children's and their

children's future unfolding in front of us daily and all without a call

to the  "Psychic Hotline."

Another example of Kim Komando's commitment to putting the real power of

computers in user's hands.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

All copyrights apply. This article was reprinted with permission from

Kim Komando.

Kim Komando is a talk radio host, television commentator, syndicated

columnist and author, known as "America's Komputer Tutor."  Be sure to

check out Kim's menu, The Komputer Clinic, found on America Online.


Hell Cab

Hell Cab Interactive Adventure

by Tony Curro

Time Warner Interactive Group has released Hell Cab, an interactive

adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The game is

available on CD-ROM for Windows or Macintosh computers.

You arrive at JFK airport in New York. Raul Delgado, you driver and the

devil-in-disguise, assures you this is one trip you will NEVER forget.

You carry everything in your I LUV NY shopping bag. Maybe you should get

some cash from the ATM machine before you venture out of the airport?

Hell Cab pulls up to the curb and takes you to the Empire State

Building. You must pay your fare before you leave the  cab. If you are

short of money, which you will always be, Raul asks you to sign a simple

agreement that is a pact with the devil.

You exit the cab and enter the Empire State Building. In here you can

pick up many clues that will aid you on your ventures. Go to the ATM

machines. Here you can get more cash, hints on the game, and historical

information. You will also see curtained windows in various places.

Clicking on them gives you an animated sequence. For example in one you

can see  Dead Sullivan.

The game features digitized actors, synchronized video and sound,

animation, spectacular graphics, and original music. You even hear the

wind howling when go to the observation deck of the Empire State

Building.

Once you leave the building you get back in the cab with Raul. He will

then take you to various historical locations, and return you to the

Empire State Building each time, if you survive. You start the game with

three lives. Each time you lose a life, you go to Hell for a brief

visit. Read the top of the screen, as it will give you hints from time

to time.

The object of Hell Cab is to survive Raul's cab rides with body and soul

intact. You can always check this information on the Soul-o-meter. Hell

Cab features over 15 hours of game play. You go to Jurassic Park, Word

War I, and to Nero's Rome. Each time, you must take quick action to

survive. You will also encounter a man who is looking for change

throughout the game. If you survive all your trips, and return to the

Empire State Building at the end of the game with enough money to pay

your fare, you face a final adventure in apocalyptic New York. This is

worse than all the other adventures combined. Survive this and you will

be whisked to the airport by a flying taxi cab.

Pepe Moreno, who created Hell Cab, is a world-renowned comic artist who

also created the best-selling graphic novel Batman: Digital Justice.

I was enthralled with this game and could not stop playing it. One

suggestion is to save the game often. Everything in it was realistic and

lifelike. There was only one place where I disagree with game. I live in

New York City, and believe me the cabs are NOT as clean as Hell Cab, nor

are the seats unscathed as depicted here. A few dents, some cut seats,

and dirty windows would have made it better!

Product Information

Hell Cab

CD-ROM

SRP -- $99.99

800-482-3766 (orders)


HelpEdit

HelpEdit v1.09

for Windows

by Tony Curro

Almost every program we use for Windows has a help file, and in many

cases a tutorial. These programs are created using Visual Basic.

Everyone has the actual program needed to run these files. WINHELP.EXE

is part of the Windows software package. By double-clicking on a file

with the HLP extension will run WINHELP and in turn the file.

I have been writing CTM for almost 2 years. Recently, people have asked

why I have not moved to the Windows environment. I have thought about,

but was looking for a quality way to present myself in this format. I

was tinkering with using MS Write, but found limitations. I could use

Word or WordPerfect, but this would be dependent on the product the user

has to view this file. I started looking around and found several

programs that aid you in creating files in the HLP format. Not being a

programmer or having any knowledge of Visual Basic, these programs were

too difficult to grasp. Then I came across HelpEdit from Aciran Software

Systems. HelpEdit is not a difficult program to grasp. There is a

tutorial that walks you through the whole concept of creating HLP files.

There is also a help file that explains the functions, commands, etc.

The basic structure of creating a help file can be broken down into

several steps, of which I will explain  later: (1) Create a Topic. (2)

Add a Title. (3) Enter your text, and if desired, graphics. (4) Use

hypertext and/or definitions.

You can enter text into HelpEdit in several ways: direct typing, adding

a text file, copy from the clipboard. For most, I opted for paste from

clipboard. HelpEdit uses two extensions, prj and doc. It also accepts

BMP for graphic files. Below is the opening screen of HelpEdit. Some

icons are grayed, as you have nothing entered to work with. As you are

able to do functions, the icons will be available.

The icons from left  to right are: Help, Open, Save, Cut, Copy, Paste,

create Topic, create Definition, select Graphic, Make Help File, Spy

(see completed help file), and Spell Checker.

When you first start HelpEdit you have to  create a project. Click on

Open, or select Project, Open from the drop down menu. Give the project

any name you  wish. Now  you are ready to enter data. The next step is

to create definitions, if you are going to use them. Definitions are

little popup windows that will explain a selected word. For example, say

you use the acronym PCMICA.  By using definitions you can explain to the

reader what these letters stand for. You do this by putting all the

words you want to use, along with their definitions, in one file. Then

you use HelpEdit to give a number to the words. When you use them in

your document, HelpEdit will place the number, and other symbols, by the

word you select.

Now we have to give the program a Topic name. Lets say TEST. You type

the word on screen, place the cursor to the left of the first T, and

then select the Topic icon. Name you topic and say OK. You will see the

Make Help File icon light up. You can compile this file now.

You can also choose to have a Title, or even make a Topic and Title from

the same word. Create all the topics you plan to use, and save your

work. I found it easiest to put any BMP or text files that I plan to use

in the HelpEdit directory.

It did take me a little while to feel comfortable HelpEdit. But, once I

did, it was a breeze to create my magazine. Many of you may have seen

the first Windows issue that I put out. This was done exclusively by

using HelpEdit. I got the program a bit late, and as you will see from

it, I omitted a few things. Mainly, the BBS list, which was a separate

text file. This month I have incorporated it into the HLP file.

HelpEdit allows you to use Jump Links to move from place to place. The

buttons on the top allow you to print, place bookmarks, go back to

previous topic, move forward or backward through the pages. Jump Links

are simple to explain. The magazine looks like this:

1. Opening Format

2. News, Updates...

3. First Article...

4. Second Article...

The above text will have dashed lines (not here, but in the HLP file).

When you move the cursor over it, it becomes a hand. Double-clicking on

any item will take you to that subject. Clicking back from the toolbar,

will return you to the ablve menu. Doing the same with another item will

take you there. This is Jump Linking, whereby you create a link from

here to the topic. Of course  you have to create a Topic named Opening,

or select any topic you created to jump to that page. I am experimeting

with using icons next to titles. In this way, by clicking on the icon

you can go to that topic. You can use a graphic as such, for jump

linking or to run a program.

HelpEdit will accept any valid BMP, WMF, or SHG file. You place the

cursor where you want the graphic, and from the Project menu select add

file, and then graphic file. You will see a list of BMP files. Click the

one you want, and click OK. Then use the Graphic icon from the toolbar.

This brings up a list of selected  BMP files. Click on the one you want,

select your other options, and press OK. You will see a reference to the

BMP file on that line.

Each project file can only be about 30K. If you exceed this limit you

get a warning. At this time you save your work, and create a NEW project

file. When you are done, all files will be merged into one file. I have

5 project files on the initial HLP release of CTM. The program does

allow you to change fonts, size, color and attributes. It also has

paragraph indenting.

One thing you will need before you start is the Help Compiler. This is

part of the Visual Basic package, but copies are available on many

boards. The file will have names like: HC, HC31, or HCP. I found HCP to

work the best. It handled large BMP files, that caused HC to balk. The

main thing is to plan your project before you start. Get your topics,

graphics, definitions, and other materials together. Figure out where

you want to go before you start. It makes getting there a lot easier. In

my first attempt, which as I mentioned I pushed, I did not have 'my

ducks in a row' so to speak. It caused me to do some things several

times and, like in the case of the BBS list, not at all. Now  with time,

I am better organized, and breeze through the work.

HelpEdit was the best shareware program that I saw, as far as ease of

use goes. With the others I felt as if I was wallowing. This program, as

the others, is geared toward programmers. But, HelpEdit makes a

professional out of a non-programmer. You should find the file

HELPED19.ZIP on many BBS, and on services like America OnLine. I got it

from Software Creations.

The two programs below, are add-ons for Help Edit.

SPELMATE.

.........

The spell checker DLL Spelmate is now at version 1.1. It now has sample

programs in C and Visual Basic as well as Pascal. Spelmate is included in

the professional version of Help Edit. The Shareware file is now SPMATE11.ZIP.

Index-It.

.........

Index-It Version 1.0 can be used to create keyword lists that can be used by

Help Edit, as well as other programs, e.g., DTP. The Shareware file is

INDXIT11.ZIP. This program is included FREE with the professional version of

Help Edit.

Product Information

Help Edit v1.9

Basic Registration @ œ25.00 ($38 + $7 = $45)                  __________

Pro Version (with spell checker) @ œ35.00 ($53 + $7 = $60)    __________

          (and FREE copy of INDEX-IT)

The surcharge is for US customers. It is to convert dollars in pounds

sterling.

James Herron

Aciran Software Systems

29 Duncryne Place,

Bishopbriggs,

Glasgow

Scotland G64 2DP

United Kingdom


Mega Movie Guide

Multimedia CD-ROM

by Tony Curro

Info Business released the 1993-94 Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM

for Windows. This version will add two hours of video clips, each

running 2-4 minutes, and featuring stars like: Gary Cooper, John Wayne,

Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor and more.

Mega Movie Guide covers over 58,000 movies. Some of the reviews are one

or two lines while others are much longer. Each review though, gives the

basic concept of each movie. In addition it has profiles of major stars,

all academy award winners and nominees since 1927, video clips (as

mentioned above), and movie stills. It also contains an on-line tutorial.

The program sports a query mode that allows to search on the movie's run

time, MPAA expanded rating, place of origin, B&W or color designation,

and availability on video. You can also search by actor or actress,

academy awards, genre, foreign language, documentaries, and many other

ways. For example, you can search for all films Dustin Hoffman appeared

in, and those for which he won, or was nominated for, an Academy Award.

Mega Movie also provides a list of Greatest Hits of the Decade. This is

a compilation of movies in each decade since 1920 voted on by the

critics as the best.

The 1993-94 Mega Movie Guide does have an impressive review list.

However, I found in lacking in a few areas. Star Profiles, which are

bios of the stars, had over 50 stars listed. There were many more who

did not appear who should have. Also, since this is the 1993 version the

database is outdated. I did not read every profile, but of the ones I

read I saw an omission of date of death for many who have passed on.

This was for those who have died since 1981. Steve McQueen who passed

away in 1981 has the year listed. But, seven that I knew were no longer

with us, passing on between 1983-89 were not mentioned in their bios.

These include: Fred Astaire ('87), James Cagney ('86), Bette Davis

('89), Cary Grant ('86), Ray Milland ('86), David Niven ('83), and

Lord Laurence Olivier ('89). I do not undersatnd this information not

being presented.

The profiles, reviews, etc., are contained in one long list. While you

can click on a specific area, if you go past the top or bottom of the

section, you will enter into the previous or next area. All the reviews

and profiles are text based. For the profiles a picture of the stars who

have been a nice touch.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

* 80386-16 or higher CPU

* 2MB RAM (4MB recommended)

* DOS 3.0 or greater

* MS Windows 3.0 or greater

* Multimedia compatible CD-ROM drive (with CD-DA outputs, sustained

150K/sec transfer rate and a maximum seek time of 1 second while using

no more than 40% of the CPU's processing power)

* 8 bit sound card capable of playing .WAV files

* Headphones or speakers

* VGA or VGA+ display (256 colors highly recommended)

* Mouse

If you do not have a sound card you can access the text and graphics

features only.

Product Information

1993-94 Mega Movie Guide

Multimedia CD-ROM for Windows

SRP -- $59.95

InfoBusiness, Inc.

887 S. Orem Blvd.

Orem, UT 84058

801-221-1100

801-225-0817 (FAX)

800-657-5300 (order hotline)


ClarisWorks

for Windows

by Tony Curro

Claris, maker of the award-winning FileMaker Pro for Windows and

Macintosh, has released the Windows version of ClarisWorks. First

shipped as a Macintosh product in 1991, ClarisWorks for Windows

maintains cross-platform compatibility with the original Macintosh

version.

Full installation, with tutorials and samples, requires only about 4MB

of hard disk space. It makes it an excellent program for notebook users.

Users can also read and save files to most other popular software

programs in multi-platform environments. ClarisWorks supports over a

dozen formats, so users can be confident that their data will remain

useful to others and themselves if they need to use it in other

applications.

Works means it is an integrated package. You have word processing,

spreadsheet, database and graphics all in one program. Claris has sought

to redefine the whole genre of integrated works programs. While other

works programs are integrated, they force you to switch between

different windows and screens. ClarisWorks for Windows adopts the more

sensible and natural approach of keeping all the tools right in front of

you by means of its unique frame-based architecture. You simply click on

the appropriate tool on the tool palette and create a spreadsheet,

database, chart, graphic, or text area on the page. You can also edit

anything you see on the page right there on the page, using the tools

and menus that are always available. This also applies to creating,

editing, and viewing headers, footers, footnotes, and anything else.

ClarisWorks is simple enough for novices, but still offers capabilities

they can grow into. Small/medium business and home office users will be

productive from the start with all the basic business tools they need

right in one product.

ClarisWorks comes with a users guide, a getting started guide with

tutorial, a quick reference guide, and a context-sensitive on-line help

system.

You can import text, word processing, and graphic files simply by

dragging them from a File Manager window to any spot on the page. You

have full control over graphics and text. You can rotate objects

(including text), reshape or flip objects, duplicate selected elements

with tracked distance, and more.

The database environment in ClarisWorks is modeled after Claris's

award-winning FileMaker Pro (which was reviewed in a previous issue of

CTM). The word processing environment has some sophisticated  desktop

publishing features, such as: linked text frames, rotated text, and easy

placement of graphics; coupled with page layout capabilities it makes it

easy to create: brochures, catalogs, flyers, or order forms.

Supported file formats: ASCII, MS Word for DOS and Windows, WordPerfect

for DOS and Windows, dBASE (DBF), RTF, DIF, SYLK, Excel, Lotus 1-2-3

(WKS and WK1), ClarisWorks for the Macintosh, PCX, TIFF, BMP, WMF, CGM,

EPS, and Macintosh PICT.

This product is well constructed. The integration of text, spreadsheet,

graphics, and so on is a seamless one. You do it almost without knowing

it is done. All in one package, and all on one page entering and editing

makes this a useful product for many.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

* 386 or higher CPU

* MS Windows 3.0 or 3.1

* Hard Disk and floppy disk drive

* 2MB RAM

* VGA or better video display

Product Information

ClarisWorks

for Windows

SRP -- $249

Claris Corporation

5201 Patrick Henry Drive

Box 58168

Santa Clara, CA 95052-8168

800-3CLARIS

800-668-8948 (CANADA)

800-544-8554 (Upgrade Information)


Smileys

by Tony Curro

In our everyday lives we will say things tongue-in-cheek, or make a

statement in which we are kidding. Using our voice, or talking to a

person face-to-face the actual meaning of the remark is conveyed.

Electronically we use symbols such as :-) or :-( to convey our meaning.

I started CTM in July 1992. Just after that date I had a conference on a

network. I mentioned my magazine and was boasting about its content. I

made the following remark, "I would question the reputation of any BBS

that is not carrying CTM :-)." The smile symbol meaning I was kidding

was there. However, I received much flak  from this one remark. It

lasted for several weeks with remarks about whom the heck did I think I

was, and who wants CTM, etc. As a sidebar many people do want CTM. We

are on over 275 BBS throughout the US, Canada, and overseas. We are also

on America OnLine and CompuServe.

This one remark prompted me to make a list of many smileys, or

"emoticons" (icons that represent emotions) as they are sometimes

called, used on boards and to place a copy in my magazine. Thanks to two

people, Jamie Gannon and Patrick Lee, I posted two such lists in my

magazine. These were not complete by any stretch of the imagination, but

some of the most commonly used ones.

O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. has made it even simpler. Smileys is a thin

pocket-sized book that contains many symbols. David Sanderson the "Noah

Webster of Smileys" has a list of over 650 smileys, compiled over the

years from e-mail messages and his other travels on-line. These are all

contained in the reference section at the back of the book. Throughout

the book there is text by Dale Dougherty that contains examples of  how

smileys are used in typical e-mail messages. You will find sections on:

Smiley Caricatures, cartoon smileys, presidential smileys, wild world of

smileys, pet smileys, and many others.

Some of the smileys included are:

;-(  - crying

%-(  - confused

:-o  - shock, amazement

=:o] - Bill Clinton

B-)  - Batman

#-)  - partied all night

:='| - have a cold

%-6  - braindead

There are also several quizzes to sharpen up your recognition of

smileys. The book is inexpensive, and anyone who owns a modem should get

one. There is enjoyment in baffling someone by using a smiley they have

never seen, and in your learning what all the smileys you see mean. So

don't become %-( or start ;-(. Grab this book and you will :-o many

people. Then you too can be :-).

Product Information

Smileys

by David Sanderson

SRP -- $5.95

ISBN 1-56592-041-4

O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.

103 Morris Street

Suite A

Sebastopol, CA 95472

800-998-9938

707-829-0515

707-829-0104 (FAX)


BBS Distribution List

The following list is separated by area codes, and countries. For the

U.S. and Canada double-click on the area code to go to that section. Fot

other countries, double-click on the country name. When you go to an

area, eg:212, all entries are alphabetical by BBS name. The file is in

the following format:

BBS Name

SYSOP

BBS Number(s)

Main Distribution Site for CTM, as always is:

MoonDog BBS

Don Barba

718-692-2498

718-377-0768

718-692-1368

We are also available on America OnLine  (AOL). You will find issues in

the DOS forum. We also have a section in the Telcommuncating & Network

Forum (keyword:telecom) on AOL. You will also find the Windows version

available in the Windows Forum.

We are also on CompuServe. Look for CTM in the IBMBBS Forum download

area. Search KEYWORD: CTM.

UNITED STATES

201 New Jersey

203 Connecticut

205 Alabama

206 Washington

207 Maine

208 Idaho

212 New York

214 Texas

215 Pennsylvania

218 Minnesota

219 Indiana

301 Maryland

302 Delaware

303 Colorado

304 West Virgina

305 Florida

310 California

313 Michigan

314 Missouri

315 New York

316 Kansas

317 Indiana

318 Louisiana

401 Rhode Island

402 Nebraska

404 Georgia

408 California

410 Maryland

413 Massachusetts

414 Wisconsin

415 California

501 Arkansas

502 Kentucky

503 Oregon

508 Massachusetts

509 Washington

513 Ohio

516 New York

517 Michigan

518 New York

602 Arizona

603 New Hampshire

606 Kentucky

609 New Jersey

612 Minnesota

614 Ohio

616 Michigan

617 Massacusetts

618 Illinois

619 California

703 Virginia

704 North Carolina

706 Georgia

708 Illinois

713 Texas

714 California

715 Wisconsin

717 Pennsylvania

718 New York

801 Utah

803 South Carolina

804 Virginia

805 California

812 Indiana

813 Florida

814 Pennsylvania

815 Illinois

816 Missouri

817 Texas

903 Texas

904 Florida

908 New Jersey

909 California

912 Georgia

913 Kansas

914 New York

915 Texas

916 California

918 Oklahoma

CANADA

416 Ontario

519 Ontario

604 British Columbia

613 Ontario

705 Ontario

Other Countries

England

Israel

The Netherlands

Portugal


  416 Ontario

The Bayman BBS

Bruce Hussey

698-0895

The Club Cave BBS

Colin Ricketts

796-1400


519 Ontario

Ambassador Board

Steve Henry

952-6236

Cambridge Micro BBS

Armand Michaud

621-0561

Kent County Bd. of Ed.

Martin Vanderzwan

354-8683

Late Night Diversions

Jon Vidler

332-0241

Mandate Systems BBS

David Empry

862-5663

The Rib 'n Rail

David Logan

264-2919


604 British Columbia

CompuSpec BBS

Ken Polsson

727-2362


613 Ontario

Fednet Public Access

Raymond Ouellette

233-2603


705 Ontario

Encode Online

Peter Ellis

327-7629


ASCII

(American Standard Code for Information

Interchange)  Pronounced "ask-ee."  A binary code

for data that is used in communications, most

minicomputers and all personal computers.


BIOS

(Basic Input Output System)  Software routines that

contain the detailed instructions for activating

the primary peripheral devices connected to the

computer.


BMP

(Bit MaP)  Windows graphics format that may be

device dependent or independent.  Device

independent BMP files (DIB) are coded for

translation to a wide variety of displays and

printers.


CD ROM

(Compact Disc Read Only Memory)  Compact disc

format used to hold text, graphics and hi-fi stereo

sound.	It's like a music CD, but uses a different

track format for data.  The music CD player cannot

play CD ROMs, but CD ROM players usually play music

CDs and have headphone and amplifier jacks.  A CD

ROM player connects to a controller card, which is

plugged into one of the computer's expansion slots.

CD ROMs hold in excess of 600MB of data, which

is equivalent to about 250,000 pages of text or

20,000 medium-resolution images.

   Audio and data reside on separate tracks and

cannot be heard and viewed together.


CGM

(Computer Graphics Metafile)  Standard format for

interchanging graphics images. CGM stores images

primarily in vector graphics, but also provides a

raster format. Earlier GDM and VDM formats have

been merged into the CGM standard.


CMOS

(Complementary MOS)  Pronounced "C moss."  Type of

integrated circuit widely used for processors and

memories.  It uses PMOS and NMOS transistors in a

complementary fashion that results in less power to

operate.


CPU

(Central Processing Unit)  Computing part of the

computer.  Also called the processor, it is made up

of the control unit and ALU.


DBF
DBF file

dBASE data file extension. dBASE II and dBASE III

files both use DBF, but are not compatible.


DIF

(1) (Data Interchange Format)  Standard file format

for spreadsheet and other data structured in row

and column form.  Originally developed for

VisiCalc, DIF is now under Lotus' jurisdiction.


EPS
Encapsulated PostScript

PostScript file format that contains PostScript

code for the document as well as optional preview

images in TIFF, Windows Metafile or Macintosh PICT

formats.  The PostScript code drives a PostScript

printer directly, and the preview formats allow the

image to be manipulated on screen.  DOS and OS/2

files use an EPS extension.


FlashDisk
Flash Memory

Memory chip that holds its content without power,

but must be erased in bulk.  Originally coined by

Toshiba, the term comes from its ability to be

erased "in a flash."  Derived from EEPROMs, flash

memory chips are less expensive and provide higher

bit densities. Also FlashDisk.


LAN

(1) (Local Area Network)  Communications network

that serves users within a confined geographical

area.

(2) (Local Area Network)  Network of personal

computers within a confined geographical area that

is made up of servers, workstations, a network

operating system and a communications link.


PCMCIA

(Personal Computer Memory Card International

Association)  Organization of U.S. and Japanese

companies set up to standardize memory cards.


PCX

This is a standard bitmapped graphics format for the PC, developed by

Z-Soft. Most PC paint programs support PCX, as do almost all bitmapped

graphics applications. According to Z-Soft, PCX doesn't stand for

anything, though Picture Exchange seems an obvious origin.


PICT

(PICTure)  Macintosh graphics file format that

stores images in the QuickDraw vector format.


ROM

(Read Only Memory) Memory chip that permanently

stores instructions and data.  Its contents are

created at the time of manufacture and cannot be

altered.  Used extensively to store control

routines in personal computers (ROM BIOS) and in

peripheral controllers, it is also used in plug-in

cartridges for printers, video games and other

systems.  When software is stored in ROM, upgrading

to the next version requires replacing the ROM

chip.


RTF

(Rich Text Format)	Microsoft standard for encoding

formatted text and graphics.  It was adapted from

IBM's DCA format and supports ANSI, IBM PC and

Macintosh character sets.


SCSI

(Small Computer System Interface)  Pronounced

"scuzzy."  An interface for up to seven peripherals

(disk, tape, CD ROM, etc.).  It is an 8-bit bus

interface for up to eight devices, but the host

adapter, which connects to the computer's bus, also

counts as a device.  The SCSI bus allows any two

devices to communicate at one time (host to

peripheral, peripheral to peripheral). Macintoshes

come with built-in SCSI host adapters.


SYLK
SYLK file

(SYmbolic LinK file)  Spreadsheet file format

originating with Multiplan that is used by a number

of spreadsheet programs.


TIFF

(Tagged Image File Format)  Popular raster graphics

(bit map) file format that encodes gray scale.


VGA

(Video Graphics Array)  IBM video display standard

built into most models of the PS/1 and PS/2 series

that provides medium-resolution text and graphics.

It has become the common display standard for all

PCs.


WMF

Windows MetaFile.


INDEX

Opening Format - Disclaimer

News, Updates, and Upgrades

Kim's Year-end Thoughts

Hell Cab

HelpEdit

MegaMove Guide

Claris Works

Smileys

MS Word 6.0 for Windows

MS Word Assistant

FlashDisk

QAPlus for Windows

System Information

Magazine Information

Glossary

BBS Distribution List


Masthead
  ComputerTalk Magazine

The International On-Line Magazine of Reviews and News

Copyright (c) 1992,1993,1994 by Tony Curro - All rights reserved.

Volume 2                * Editor/Publisher *          Number 9

March                        Tony Curro                1994

The HLP version of CTM created using HelpEdit by Aciran Software.

Click on Picture for Index


  England

The Dog & Disk Drive Pub

Jan Kmiecik

+44-71-587-5180

[D] Islington BBS

Edward Cowling

+44-71-359-3121

The Schizophrenic Wolf BBS

Matthew Smalley

+44-77-245-6526


Israel

Devil BBS

Andrei Brandes

+97-23-559-7740


Netherlands
The Netherlands

Enterprise BBS

L.H. Judkins

+31-5-950-3933

HBBS Amsterdam

Patrick Goosen

+31-20-619-6789


Portugal

The Mail House

Carlos Santos

+35-11-989-0140

Skyship BBS

Mario Pozzetti

35-11-315-8088

35-11-315-1435

35-11-315-1436

35-11-315-8087


201 New Jersey

Lightning BBS

Ricardo Rodriguez

483-5141

RemoteHost BBS

John Schumacher

539-4544

The T.E.R.N. BBS

Scott Drake

399-4772


203 Connecticut

[D] = Distribution Site

[D] ModemNews Express

Jeff Green

359-2299

[D] Reverse Polarity BBS

Bill Arlofski

620-0001 620-0182

Fun Investing BBS

George Meno

834-0490

UniPeg BBS

Ken Miller

449-1604


205 Alabama

Power Window! BBS

Cyrus Cathey

881-8619


206 Washington

The Sports Complex' Network

Derek Lyons

692-2388


207 Maine

Northern Maine BBS

David Collins

496-2391


208 Idaho

The Third Millenium

Jim Fromm

664-2983


212 New York

[D] = Distribution Site

[D] First Prince Marketing

Ron Janorkar

22 Prince St

New York, NY 10012

Voice: 334-1243

Fax: 334-1245

(Special Distrbution)

[D] Poetry In Motion BBS

Inez Harrison

666-6927

Aardvark BBS

Patrick Lee

496-8324

AmerIServe

David Shapiro

876-5885

City People

Barry Weiser

255-6656

File-Link BBS

Michael Costa

777-0224

The Game Line BBS

Ken Zigeler

974-3925

HQ RBBS

Bob Kurtz

852-0419

The Invention Factory BBS

Michael Sussell

431-1194

Molecular Beam Laundry BBS

873-3559

The Nice Guy's BBS

Sam Pollack

737-6192

The No Carrier BBS

John Caden

888-1168

PosterBoard Network

Thomas Murphy

685-8309

Thunderdome BBS

Robert Forgione

567-2509

WiseByte BBS

Ron Chibnik

962-1920


214 Texas

PC Help BBS

Duke Ducote

680-2693

The Lunatic Fringe BBS

John Stewart

422-2936

The Old Poop's World BBS

Sonny Grissom

613-6900

OmniVerse Info. Services

Gene Schoepp/Michael Selby

235-5162

235-5163

235-5832

235-5833

235-5834

The Planet BBS

Rick Wadatz

306-8269

Robin's Egg BBS

Rob Dingwall

964-8726

Sunlight Through the Shadows

Joe DeRouen

620-8793


215 Pennsylvania

Perry-I Host Systems BBS

H. Perry Stephens Jr.

698-7677

The Unnamed BBS

Mike Logan

540-0141


218 Minnesota

Merrifield PC BBS

Gilbert Pence

829-6340


219 Indiana

The Dock BBS

Cindy Duryea

848-7200


301 Maryland

[D] = Distribution Site

Old Timers BBS

Mike Reshetar

645-1049

[D] The Running Board

Bonnie Anthony

229-5623

SMCIS

Buggs Bugnon

862-3160

Top Gallant BBS

Lou Dennis

595-3799


302 Delaware

The "US" Project BBS

Walt Mateja

529-1650


303 Colorado

Sun Mountain BBS

Mead Himelstein

665-6922


304 West Virginia

The Cat Eye BBS

Sue Moore

592-3390

Snowshoe BBS

Milton Midgett

572-2531


305 Florida

The Looking Glass BBS

Kenneth Wiren

346-8524


310 California

The Great Escape BBS

Dennis Kluender

676-3534


313 Michigan

The Refiner's Fire

.S. Morris

664-0437


314 Missouri

SLACC Stack BBS

Noel Moss

367-1903

Support U. BBS

Patrick Grote

227-6746


315 New York

[D] = Distribution Site

[D] Dots-N-Dashes

John Meyer

642-1220

[D] Late Night BBS

Carter Downer

564-5700

SeaBIN BBS

Ken Yinger

773-2099

The Second Foundation

Lee Cliff

v.32/14.4     393-6545

              393-6494

USR DS/14.4   393-6504

USR HST/14.4  393-0872


316 Kansas

The Jet Stream !

Brian Stockton

788-9913


317 Indiana

HearthStone BBS

Don Adams

831-9227

Portal To Infinity

Anthony Bisesi

887-6043

Subspace BBS

Darrin Walton

921-4122

The Windraker II

Robert Thompson

569-1220


318 Louisiana

PUMA Wildcat!

Chuck McMillin

443-1065


401 Rhode Island

Cyber Zone BBS

Glen Morehead/Bob Fayne

732-0258


402 Nebraska

The Badger's BYTE

Dick Roosa

376-3120

Onwards And Upwards

Merlin DePeel

553-7390

553-7251


404 Georgia

The Data Dimension

Ricky Lacy

921-1186

Thompson Towers BBS

Raeann Thompson

941-0746


408 California

Berryessa Central BBS

Mark Shapiro

946-5642

Higher Powered BBS

Bob Jacobson

737-9447

My Scummy Run-Down Hovel

Eric Rinker

578-7954


409 Texas

MagicLand

P. Peng

762-6981

The Tech Resource BBS

Larry Lesher

892-1977


410 Maryland

Community Service Network

David Boan

820-6734

Doppler Base BBS

Dan Myers

922-1352

Eastern Shore On-Line Services

Ben Hammock

827-6725

The Lion's Den BBS

Nick LaBrie

758-4023

The Puffin's Nest

Dave Bealer

437-3463


413 Massachusetts

Signal Hill BBS

Ed Thompson

782-2158


414 Wisconsin

[D] = Distributiion Site

[D] EXEC-PC BBS

Bob Mahoney

12/2400  789-4210

14.4/V32 789-4360

HST      789-4352

CompuCom 789-4450

V-Series 789-4315


415 California

Bun's BBS

Bundy Chanock

756-5098

Lincoln's Cabin

Steve Pomerantz

752-4490

Uncle "D"s Directory

Dave Spensley

364-3001


501 Arkansas

The CANUG BBS

Eric Lentz

682-1722


502 Kentucky

TrekKy! BBS

Rick Alvey

762-6963


503 Oregon

Blue Lake System

Mark Adkins

656-9790

Chemeketa OnLine

Bob Hunter

393-5580

The Exchange Club

John Hieb

659-4603


508 Massachusetts

[D] Distribution Site

Baseline

Steve Keith

535-0446

[D] The High Society BBS

Chuck Frieser

927-6712

927-6951

[D] Software Creatioons

Dan Linton

2400      365-2359

16.8      368-4137

V.32/v.42 368-7036


509 Washington

One Stop PCBoard

Gary Hedberg

943-0211


513 Ohio

Modem Zone

Don Cheeks/Lana Fox

424-7529


516 New York

Dragon's Den

R. Sattler

285-0555

J & J BBS

Jessica Kuzmier

385-4356

NorthSea

Timothy Doran

283-9631

PC BBS

D.K. Lee

795-5874

PC Info System

Peter Whitelaw

733-6492

Utopia Tech BBS

Bob Glasser

579-7507


517 Michigan

Wolverine BBS

Rick Rosinski

695-9952

695-9953

695-9937

695-9863

695-9864


518 New York

Integrity OIS

Dan Ginsberg

2400  370-8756

14.4  370-8758


602 Arizona

Babble BBS

Dane Beko

292-6576

Paradise BBS

Dennis Bradley

435-6546

Terrestrial BBS

David Ray

945-8416


603 New Hampshire

Leo Technology BBS

Eric Poole

432-2517

The Photography Studios BBS

Dr. Douglas Bourdon

672-4433


606 Kentucky

Novus Magnificat

Kevin Redden

297-2820


609 New Jersey

The Club

D. Ebrahim

748-1728

Don's BBS

Don Sharp

435-1663

InfoNet BBS

Bob Fehn

628-4311

Online In D'Hood

Eddie Hicks

645-7080

The Radio Wave BBS

Tyler Myers

764-0812

TAO BBS

Bob Watson

587-2672

Triple Play! BBS

Jason Reynolds

266-0962


612 Minnesota

DRAGnet

Gordon Gillesby

753-1943


614 Ohio

ASA CompuHelp BBS

Jeff Binkley

476-4058

Southeastern Ohio Computer Society

Jeff Voytko

432-2899


616 Michigan

Ryan's Bar BBQ

Thomas Ryan

456-1845


617 Massachusetts

Boston Gas BBS

Jon Anderson

235-6303

[D] Channel 1 BBS

Tess Heder/Brian Miller

12/2400     354-7077

16.8 HST    354-3137

CompuCom    354-4443

14.4/v32    354-5776

Telebit     354-0470

MMS Online

Bill Good

893-2170


618 Illinois

Parameters

Bob Pauls

549-8448


619 California

The Big BBS

Dan Walker/James Baker

773-5572


703 Virginia

Nexus BBS

Connie Andrews

898-7205

The No Name BBS

Robert Miller

754-0884

Pen and Brush BBS

Lucia Chambers

644-6730

The Royal Flush BBS

Marion Royal

361-4872

Sidewayz

Paul Cutrona

352-5412

The VideoPro BBS

Tom Hackett

455-1873

The Virginia Connection

Tony McClenny

648-1841

The Warped BBS

Rick Welshans

941-4041


704 North Carolina

The Exchange BBS

Ron Alspaugh

342-2333


706 Georgia

Hi-Tech Gateway BBS

Dick Stein

694-3295


708 Illinois

Blood and Guts

Steve Strunk

969-9380

Greenhills Software

Jeff Parrish

731-1017


713 Texas

MyNew BBS

Roger Williams

726-0441


714 California

[D]= Distribution Site

Computer Corner

Alan Shoemaker

683-3367

[D] Infomat BBS

Michael Gibbs

492-8727

Lake Forest BBS

Joe S.Y. Hsu

770-0728

770-5877

Next Stop The Twilight Zone

Terry Raley

879-4052


715 Wisconsin

The Crypt

George Goza

234-3376

The Point BBS

Tom Lehner

345-1327


717 Pennsylvania

Bits 'N Bytes BBS

Bryan S. Leaman

HST 757-4141

DS 755-9445


718 New York

10:30 BBS

Andrew Rosenthal

762-1030

AmJet BBS

AmJet

837-4548

Black Box II

Ray Zak

966-7651

The Bravo BBS

Michael Swannick

439-3116

Computec Data Systems

Rik Line

983-9152

Devastation BBS

L. Casas

892-0187

Dorsai Embassy

Jack Brooks

729-5018

Dynamis HQ BBS

Brian Cummings

966-6840

[D] Fordham Jesuit BBS

Fr. Nick Lombardi

817-5500

The Great American BBS

D. Walsh

948-0152

Greek Isles BBS

Tony Kolokithias

424-1696

Holman's World

Michael Holman Sr.

529-8890

Jeff's BBS

Jeff Lynch

945-4272

Jim's PC Paradise BBS

James Symbouras

458-0502

M.A.D.H.O.U.S.E. BBS

Joe Johnson

893-2318

Maria's Castle BBS

Maria Perrone

746-6362

Mega-Source BBS

Steve Laris

545-3990

N.Y. Amateur Computer Club

Hank Kee

539-3338

The Next Generation BBS

Anthony Monti

236-8105

The Personal Connection

Ronald Regan

444-2145

Queens Software Exchange

Emil Strunk

628-6661

[D] The Running Board (B)

Howard Belasco

654-1349

The Shadowhawke's Den

Heffrey Fleischer

284-5769

Systematic BBS

Mufutau Towobola

716-6198

Trans-Continental

M. Swannick

439-3116

The Treasure Chest

L. Mitchell

525-5610

Variations BBS

Michael Gayda

335-0978


719 Colorado

The Monument Board

Jerry Shifrin

488-9470


801 Utah

The Brass Cannon

Blaine Binkerd

226-8310

Utah Data Link BBS

Mario Giordani

943-4616


803 South Carolina

[D] Bedrock Cafe

Michael Dodge

899-6940

The Difference Engine

Patrick Nobles

576-7194

The Glory Bound BBS

Ken Kirkley

592-5208

The New World BBS

John P. Jones

795-9350


804 Virginia

C. Pro Run

Joseph Spinelli

583-0503


805 California

The Seaside BBS

Les Jones

964-4766

The Twilight Zone BBS

Robert Ayers

258-0413

The Wetspot

J.L. Baker

736-7066


812 Indiana

KA9LOM Ham Shack BBS

Mike Anderson

428-3352

The Northern Ghetto! BBS

Dean Becher

867-7675

Paradise Connection BBS

Stan Brown

925-7864


813 Florida

The City of the Setting Sun

Greg Jones

960-5169

Syl*la*bles

Curt Akin

482-5276

Tech Data Connection

Dan Kyburz

538-7090


814 Pennsylvania

Darby Research Systems

Barry Walters

825-7905

The Express BBS

Bob Denman

362-6546

The SineWave BBS

David Perkowski

234-2117


815 Illinois

Corporate Headquarters BBS

Bob Neal

886-3223

886-9381


816 Missouri

[D] Abiogenesis of K.C.

Scott Lent

734-4732


817 Texas

The Blue Mustang BBS

Mark Wariner

589-1517

Renaissance BBS

David Pollard

467-7322


903 Texas

Maranatha BBS

Leroy Smith

465-4022


904 Florida

The BatCave BBS

Sidney Moore

573-2610

The Bates' Motel

Philip Canterbury

453-8993

Dreamland BBS

Ron James

837-2567

Jim's Place

Jim Loos

757-0281

The Night Owl BBS

Kim Castor

472-5714

Rendezvous

Thomas Goldsmith

243-6157

The Triad BBS

Donn Nieder

385-9057


908 New Jersey

Kendall Park PCBoard

John Reinke

821-8015


909 California

Graphics Unlimited BBS

Roger Langgston

862-5319


912 Georgia

The Savannah BBS

Michael Herrin

920-8070


913 Kansas

The Nest Egg BBS

Tom Frye

492-2739


914 New York

Go Diamond! BBS

C. Brewington

665-1725

Node 66 East BBS

Brian Buffell

352-6121


915 Texas

Kilroy's Zer0 BBS

Al Forte

2400 530-0227

14.4 530-2610


916 California

D&R BBS

Rob Charney

621-1373

[D] The Racers Net

Robert Holmes

546-2096


918 Oklahoma

Solid Rock BBS

Ron Hossack

785-9176

The Hub BBS

Warren Farrimond

627-0923


MS Word 6.0

MS Word for Windows 6.0

by Tony Curro

Word for Windows 1.0 was released in 1989. In the fall of 1991,  Word

for Windows 2.0 was introduced. Now we have Word for Windows 6.0 that

features intelligent automation, that far surpasses its two

predecessors.

Wizards, first introduced in MS Publisher, help users through unfamiliar

or complex tasks by creating a document for them. You can select Wizards

to create memos, calendars, fax cover pages, newsletters, agendas,

resumes, and more. Once you select a Wizard Word asks a set of

questions, and quickly creates the look the user wants.

Forms are one of the newest features of the word processing program.

Word provides several popular forms, such as invoices and expense

reports, plus all the tools you need to make your own.

New Features of Word 6.0 includes:

* AutoFormat -- allows the user to choose a professional document

design, and then automatically format an entire document with the click

of the mouse.

* AutoCorrect -- automatically corrects misspelled words and common

typing mistakes.

* AutoText -- allows users to store "boilerplate" text for re-use across

all their documents. The user simply inputs the abbreviation for the

text and Word 6.0 automatically expands it.

* 100 Level UnDo -- shows you a running list of past actions. You can

track what you've done in the document and undo it all with a mouse

click.

* Word 6.0 documents have a maximum size of 32MB.

Word 6.0 has OLE 2.0 support. Another new feature is consistency with

other MS products through similar menu structures, toolbars and program

behavior that reduces training time and cost. You can have as many

toolbars on screen as you want. Move them around; add or delete buttons

from the standard toolbars, or create your own. Rather than having text

with an icon on the toolbar, which can get confusing, not to mention

cluttering up the screen, MS has added "Post-it" notes-type features.

Place the pointer over an icon and pause for a second. A little yellow

box pops up that tells you the function of that icon. There are 13

predefined toolbars for specific tasks in MS Word 6.0 for Windows.

If you have text in one document, that you wish to copy or move to your

current document, you can utilize the drag-and-drop features of Word.

Open both documents and select the text you want and drag it to the

other document.

Word gives you a wide range of numbering, automatic renumbering and

bullets. You can select bulleted, numbered and multilevel formats. For

bullet characters you can select point size, color, position and other

features. Whenever you add or remove an item, Word does the renumbering

automatically.

Envelope printing can sometimes be a chore. Word now includes a visual

clue to help the user place the envelope into the printer. It even

suggests the right way to feed the envelope based on your printer setup.

Using radio buttons you can place the text anywhere  you wish on the

envelope. If you want your return address several more characters to the

right you can move it. I found this useful with envelopes that had a

design on the left side.

Word contains label formats for many popular labels. You can look at all

labels, or select dot-matrix, Laser, etc. Word contains all Avery

labels, even those for Europe. You can also create your own custom

labels. You can print a whole page of the same label, or choose row and

column for specific labels.

WordArt 2.0 is another new feature in MS Word 6.0. I am familiar with it

from using MS Publisher for over 1 1/2 years. Using WordArt greatly

enhances your document. I use it to create my letterhead, and have

received comments on its appearance and what program did I use to create

it.

Upon opening Word you get the "Tip of the Day." Each time you start Word

there is a pop-up window that tells you of a task you can perform with

Word. You can add your own tips to this list, or even disable it. It is

always available from the Help drop-down menu.

Word features multi-page view mode that allows you to see several pages

at once. Here, using drag-and-drop, you can move or copy text or

graphics between pages.

WordPerfect users who convert to Word will be pleased. Word 6.0 has

WordPerfect Help. Once activated, when you press a key that you normally

use in WP, say F6 for bold, Word will show you how to achieve that using

Word's commands. Eventually, you will be as proficient using MS Word 6.0

for Windows, as you were previously using WordPerfect.

I have been using Word since version 2.0. I have used WordPerfect and

Ami Pro also. These were mainly for review purposes. The top two in this

category are Word and WordPerfect. The latter, however, still has some

things to get ironed out before in can become a TRUE Windows product. My

money is still on MS Word.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

* MS Windows  or Windows for Workgroups v3.1

* MS Windows for Pen Computing

* Computer with 80286 or higher CPU

* 4MB RAM

* 3.5" high-density drive (other disk sizes avail. sep.)

* 25MB for Full Installation. Custom install also an option.

* 15MB for Typical or Basic Installation

* 6MB for Laptop Installation

* 4MB for Workstation Installation

Product Information

MS Word 6.0 for Windows

SRP -- $495.

Upgrade -- $99 (until 3/1/94)

            129 (after 3/1/94)

            129 (Competitive upgrades)

Microsoft Corp.

1 Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080

206-93-MSFAX (FAX)


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