We want your feedback! Send your letters to: Softdisk, 606 Common St., Shreveport LA 71101-3432, FAX to (318) 221-8870, or E-mail to sdwletters@softdisk.com

Dear Softdisk,

It's too late this year, but maybe next year you could have a College Football Companion. There maybe other college students, like myself, who like to track their favorite teams to the bowl games. I did notice on Issue #47 you can't fill out the Report Card on the computer. If you can, perhaps in the next issue or two you could suggest how.

I'm truly fascinated with all the information (fun and games, utilities, tips and hints, etc.), but try to remember not everyone has access to the Internet. I checked issue #46 and could not find any information about the format change. I hope that in the future there could be some advance notice. I have three Internet Service Providers on my notebook computer, but the school I'm attending hasn't hooked the dorm rooms to the Internet. They are in the process of getting phones in our bedrooms.

I am sorry to see the DOS version stop being produced. I started with On Disk Monthly #64 and switched to Softdisk for Windows after receiving Softdisk PC #140. I enjoy reading the mailbag column on the issues. I pick up a great many hints and tips on how to play the games, use the utility packs, etc.

I do like the various Screen Savers and Theme Packs. I look forward to seeing the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Screen Savers and Theme Packs. Good Luck with the coming issues.

Greg Fuller
Johnstown, PA

John responds:
A College Football Companion sounds interesting. It took us quite awhile to decipher all the NFL rules pertaining to the playoffs and Super Bowl, though. Maybe we can get one of the guys to look into it next year.

You're right about the Report Card. For now, you have to print it out and fill it out by hand. Use the "Print" or "Print Frame" option in your browser's File menu (Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer) to print the Report Card. We're working on a Report Card form that'll allow you to fill out your responses in the shell and transmit them online to us. It should be in place in the next issue or so.

Check the "Shedding Our Shell" section in issue #45's Editorial. It gave the scoop on our new shell plans. The Editorial in issue #46 also told about the new shell preview located in the "Just For Fun" section of that issue. When there's something new and technical about the issue we try to mention it in the Editorial at least an issue or two before we implement it. We've actually been hinting at some changes since issue #40. Back then, we stated that we were going to start implementing some ideas sent in by subscribers that had been put on the back burner. If you look back at the main screens on issues #42 and #43, you'll notice that Tom started sprucing up the art for a more "active" shell. He wanted all those extra dials and switches to move, but our old shell would not accommodate that. So, the stage was set to start work on a new, improved shell. It's taken us about seven issues to get there, but the results are great!

Since all the files for the issue are local on the CD-ROM, you don't need an Internet connection to run the issue. The web browser included on the issue will install to your system and run the issue without any connection to the Internet. But, if you are hooked up to the Web, you'll enjoy all the extras on the issue.

This year we decided to make Football, Autumn, and Christmas screen savers and theme packs. Hope you enjoyed them.

Dear Softdisk,

Although I really have enjoyed receiving Softdisk for Windows, at last I must say farewell. I have become so busy that I am unable to view my disks like I used to -- I am now entering the dissertation phase of my doctoral program.

I do have several additional issues to go. I want to say now how much I have enjoyed your product. We have both come a long way. You from the "Big Blue Disk" and me from a bachelor degree to a doctoral degree. I hope in a few years that I will be returning. Please, keep up the great work that you have started. I promise to keep an eye on you.

Sincerely,
Sharon Wisneski
Dover, DE

John responds:
Thanks for the comments and good luck with your work. You know where to find us when you get some free time again. :)

Dear Softdisk,

When using Launch Pad [SDWIN #47] to run programs prior to installing them, I get the same message -- that I "must install the program to my system before running it from the shell." I liked the old way better -- running programs from the CD to see if I liked them or not.

Chuck Cooper
Belmont, CA

John responds:
On issue #47, we simply published more productivity items than games. Most productivity items require installation of system DLL files before they will run. Plus, they usually save data files of some sort to the current working directory when they are run. Since some users may not have the extra DLL files the productivity programs require already loaded on their systems and since the database items can't write data on the CDs, we put those items in installers. On issue #48, on the other hand, only 1 out of the 5 main programs required installation before running it. So, as you can see, it's simply based on the individual programs' requirements. If there's a way to run the programs on the CD without installation, we'll set them up that way.

Dear Softdisk,

I do like the new browser shell version [SDWIN #46 New Shell Preview]. I think it's much easier to use and it navigates all the items on the issue very well. I do not like the changes you have to go through to install programs and items. The sounds, graphics, and articles are indicated more clearly. I like all of the pages and buttons in the browser shell version. It seems to add a little more excitement to using Netscape Communicator also. This will work guys. Go with it, you got my vote. This sure will make me sign up for another year. Keep it up.

Curtis Powell
Cincinnati, OH

John responds:
Thanks, Curtis. We switched to using the Launch Pad on issue #47 to do away with the "changes" you mentioned about the #46 Preview.

Dear Softdisk,

I am unable to print the Clip Art that has a TIFF after it. Perhaps it is something I'm overlooking, or haven't figured out how to do it yet. I could use some help on this problem.

Also, some of your intro movies would make interesting "entire" movies or games, like the issue #46 one for example.

Wallace Hager
Toms River

John responds:
The Clip Art you're referring to must be from some of our older back issues of Softdisk for Windows. The Editor in charge of the issues at the time, for some reason or another, decided to save the clip art in TIFF format (Tagged Image File Format). I was working on the DOS issues back then, so I don't know all the details. After several issues they changed back to using PCX clip art on the Windows issues, though. Paint programs such as Paint Shop Pro (demo version appeared on SDWIN #29) will load TIFF images.

Dear Softdisk,

I only have Windows 3.11 and do not plan on updating at this time. I'm happy with my setup. I still use On Disk Monthly #75 -- Great issue! I like the crosswords on the issues best.

Ben Cooper
Worcester, MA

John responds:
I believe issue #75 of our DOS product was a special "Blast from the Past" issue. It had programs to track credit cards and checks, utilities to find and navigate directories and files, and a nice murder-mystery called Legends of Murder. We mastered that one a few days before Thanksgiving in '92. I was in Quality Assurance at the time and it took me forever to solve the Murder game.