Q Unless you know where (or how) to find a file or application on your cover CD, it can be very difficult. Case in point: Net Medic (June). Using the "search" components on the CD doesn't seem to locate it, nor does the Win 95 Find Files command.

A The CD is a recent addition to PC World and you would have noticed improvements each month. These improvements are the result of feedback from our readers and research by PC World staff. The philosophy behind the CD is to closely follow the print edition and ù where opportunities exist ù to add extra software and features. This month there are an extra 50 programs, including the 114MB Mech Commander demo, and last month we had a CD-only feature on building your own Quake II levels.

The navigation of the CD mirrors that of the print edition: if a program is in the "First Looks" section, and a demo is available, it will be found under "First looks" on the CD. Likewise, the Help Screen files mentioned in this section will be found in the "Help Screen" section on the CD.

A special feature of the CD is that it contains over 1000 Help Screen tips and this is the major reason for the ISYS search engine. If you prefer to browse, then we have included a "Browse by Topic" panel.

So why doesn't the search engine cover the whole CD? There are two main reasons:

1. Some software programs are added or deleted at the last moment. This may be the result of changes to the print edition or the late availability of a demo from a supplier (very common!). If the search engine covers the whole CD, then the indexing must be run last (it takes some time to index over 1000 pages) and this may not allow proper testing of the CD and all its features. The production of a CD is a little more complex than printing the magazine: also, all 70,000 copies of the CD must be ready before the printing of the magazine has been completed.

2. Some readers prefer easy browsing options and simple "Find" commands rather than search engines.

To address the search issues, we have introduced a number of features: the contents of the CD are listed on the disc label, on Page 6 of the magazine and under the "Contents" button of the CD. We have also included the previous editions of both the CD and print edition.

To locate a file on a CD, go to the Contents section and select an option from "This CD", "Previous CDs" or "Previous issues of the printed magazine". You can browse by month or use "Find" (Internet Explorer) or "Find in page..." (Navigator). The command is located on the Edit menu. Alternatively, press <Ctrl>-F on your keyboard. Type in the name of the program and hit <Enter>. This command will also work on any page of PC World's CD, and on most Web sites.