Soundcard sample files Christmas cards CD database Web graphics Mouse button macro Phone dialler

December 1996

These multimedia tutorials, sample files and macros are exclusive to this month's PC User Offline CD-ROM -- free with your copy of PC User magazine.

Soundcard sample files

Most computer these days have a sound card. Trouble is the FM MIDI synthesiser they use is a toy. Wavetable MIDI provides a far more realistic sound and is essential for games and certain mulitmedia titles. There are several wavetable MIDI cards to choose from, from complete audio solutions to daughterboard upgrades.

The only way to know which one to buy though is to hear it. To coincide with the reviews of these wavetable sound cards in this month's issue, we have included several CD audio tracks so you can hear what these cards sound like and compare them for yourself.

We have created a medley of songs that represents several musical styles and instrument arrangements so you can get a good overview of the sound card when used for different games. You can play these CD audio tracks from within the PC User Easy Install application; or on any CD player. Just be careful not to play track 1 as it may damage your speakers.

Christmas cards (WinWord)

Want your Christmas cards to stand out from the crowd? Why not use your computer to create your own? Helen Bradley's tutorial in the December edition explains how to create a Christmas card with Microsoft Word 6 and 7 for Windows, but the same principals can be used in other word processors too.

Helen has created three ScreenCam files, which you will find on the December 1996 PC User Offline CD-ROM, allowing you to see and hear how she created the cards:

• Xmascrd1.exe: ScreenCam file for A4 folded card.
• Xmascrd2.exe: ScreenCam file for A4 folded card with text graphic.
• Xmascrd3.exe: ScreenCam file for A5 card liners.

You'll also find the Christmas card documents (in Word 6 format) on the December PC User Offline CD-ROM:

• A4card.doc: The A4 folded card.
• A4card2.doc: The A4 folded card with a text graphic.
• A5card.doc: The A5 card liner.
• Xmastut.doc: The detailed instructions on how to create the cards.

CD database (Excel)

You can use Excel 5 and 7's form functions to create a user-friendly database for keeping track of your CD collection. Helen Bradley explains how in the December edition of PC User.

Helen provides ScreenCam files, which you will find on the December 1996 PC User Offline CD-ROM, allowing you to see and hear how she created the database:

• CD1.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 1.
• CD2.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 2.

You'll also find the following files on the December CD:

• CD.xls: The actual CD database in Excel 5 and 7 format
• CDtut.txt: The instructions on how to create the database.

Using graphics in your Web pages

In part 4 in our series on creating Web pages, Helen Bradley and John Hilvert explain how to use graphics in your page, reconciling the trade-off between looks and speed.

Helen has provided ScreenCam files, which you will find on the December 1996 PC User Offline CD-ROM, allowing you to see and hear how she creates the sample Web page:

• Webp4_1.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 1.
• Webp4_2.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 2.

You'll also find the following files in the CD:

• Webauth4.htm: This tutorial in HTML format.
• Graphics.htm: The sample Web page.

Mouse button-swapping macro (Windows 3.1)

Despite its limitations, Windows 3.1's Recorder can create some useful macros. For example, if your PC is shared by right and left-handed mousers, you'll soon tire of having to regularly jump into Control Panel to swap the left and right mouse buttons. Recorder can fix the problem, as Link Harris explains in the December edition of PC User.

You'll find the following files on the December 1996 PC User Offline CD-ROM:

• Macros.rec: The Recorder macro
• Win31mac.txt: Instructions on using and creating the macro

Phone Dialler (Visual Basic)

In the December edition of PC User, Helen Bradley explains how to create your own phone dialler using Visual Basic 4. If you have a modem sharing the line with your phone, it will even dial the phone numbers for you.

Helen has provided ScreenCam files, which you will find on the December 1996 PC User Offline CD-ROM, allowing you to see and hear how she creates the phone dialler:

• Phonlis1.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 1.
• Phonlis2.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 2.
• Phonlis3.exe: ScreenCam file of stage 3.

You'll also find the following files on the CD:

• Phonlist.vbx: the VB4 (32 bit) project file.
• Phonlist.frm: the form file.
• Phonlist.frx: the scratch file
• Phonlist.mdb: the database.
• Phonlist.txt: a text file containing the program code.
• Phontut.doc: instructions on how to create the phone dialler. Needs Word 6 or 7 or Viewer.