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Dear Editor:

I want you to know how much I have been enjoying the BIG BLUE DISK.  Lucky for
me you were recommended by a co-worker who has been with you from the beginning.

I have enjoyed all the programs, especially the Family Tree program.  I would
like to echo the comments forwarded to you by Buddy Belle Isle in Disk #19.

As a result of your program, I have taken on the task of putting together the
McFarland Family Tree.  It has not been easy, but your program has made
it a lot simpler.

I would like to have the ability to print out more than four generations as
well as a continueous "run" of the "look-up" information.

Incidentally, as I started using the program, I became aware of the scrolling
problem and began using the "print screen" capability to keep track of the
different entries.  You can get about nineteen entries on a screen before you
need to print.  I then taped them together so I have a complete run of nearly
one hundred fifty names.

I hope to see your updated version of the Family Tree soon.


^RDave McFarland
^RCerritos, California

^1>   At press time, we were working on an enhanced version of Family Tree as a
^1>subscription renewal premium.  Perhaps it's even out by the time this sees
^1>publication.  At any rate, you'll be hearing about it in our renewal notices
^1>once it's ready; you'll get it free when you renew your subscription.
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Greetings BBD Staff,

   It was great receiving my Best of Big Blue Disk, but a funny thing happened
to me when I tried to use the Family Tree program. As I loaded information on
the program, one of my brothers kept swapping places with another. It goes like
this: When I look at my father's information and press <C> for Children, a list
of all our names pops on the screen in sequence except for two of my brothers.
When I press <P> (Print a Family Tree) the same mistake happens. I have checked
the dates of birth and everything is all right. Got any suggestions? I would
hate to have to erase the program and do it all over again as I have entered 89
names so far.

^RRichard Fourzan
^RLas Cruces, NM

^1>   Normally, children will be added to the data file in order of birthdate.
^1>However, if you edit the birthdate of a child in a way that alters their
^1>sequence, the records are not rearranged, so they print out in the wrong
^1>order.  The only way to fix it is to delete the person(s) who are out of order
^1>and re-enter them.  Other entries need not be erased or redone.  The enhanced
^1>version will take care of this problem; see above comments.
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Dear Mr. Tobias,

   Last year I had some problems running a number of programs, and your quick
response both impressed and helped me immensely.  In fact, I subscribed at that
time because of your thoughtfulness and help.  The problem, I thought, was
Software compatability.  It turned out to be a needed "ROM-BIOS" upgrade.  In
order to run a hard disk properly on early Tandy's the ROM-BIOS must be 1.01,
mine was 1.00.

   I have enjoyed using many of your programs, especially "Formking", "Family
Tree", and several others.  I had some problems with the printer configuration
for my DMP130A, so I used the IBM ProPrinter and changed the dip switch to IBM
on the printer. Then with the Dos Graphics command, set that for "C" IBM
compatible. It works fine this way.

   I've introduced several people to your magazine, the latest of whom was Mr.
C. Zucker, who told me he has since subscribed.  Keep up the great work. So far
I think that the mix of programs has been just right.  Yours has got to be the
best.  Compute, Easy Computing, IB Magazette, and PC-Life can't touch you.

                                   Sincerely,

^RCarroll J. Erskine
^RWilmette, IL
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Dear BBD Staff:

   I just bought your BBD (#20) today and can no longer wait to speak out.

   I have been considering subscribing to the BBD based on the solid and unique
quality of issues #18-20 which I purchased in a bookstore.  I have used CHECK
KING (#18) extensively, and while I wish that it allowed me to edit my checks
and deposits in the spreadsheet format even after they have been marked as
received by the bank, I find that the program is efficient, friendly and
effective.  In fact, this is the first time in 2.5 years that I could tolerate
the tedium of keeping my checkbook balanced!  GOSPEL GODSPEED (#19) is also very
impressive and useful in its own right.  I am hooked enough to want the whole
Bible version.  While I had seen their ads, without your introduction I would
have missed the significance of their high speed search capabilities that place
them far ahead of most or all of the other similar "Scripture search" programs.
I find myself wishing their technology was available for professional
bibliographic referencing systems (most are painfully slow-hint!) I am also
pleased with the EASYMENU program (#20); though I am perfectly capable of
entering the commands necessary to change directories, execute programs, and
modify default files, this program serves the purpose of directing my attention
more to the tasks I need to accomplish, rather than fiddling with beginning a
necessary application.

   My point is this.  In the last 3 issues, programs such as these are the
primary attraction to me of the your BBD, and I think, have successfully
distinguished you in comparison with most other disk magazines and shareware
assortment disks from user groups.  I find that these sources have an annoyingly
great deal of duplication of sometimes useful, but relatively "minor" utilities
or games. These are intriguing for 30 minutes at best.  Your greatest selling
point is that you offer a service not currently available with other diskpubs or
by ordering trial disks from "shareware houses", by providing 2-4 MEATY programs
every issue which are available to the purchaser without extra cost.

   If I find that you drop your current wise balance in favor of offering such
collections of widely available minor utilities, or "discount" offers for
demonstrated programs, I will not be inclined to subscribe to the BBD.  Such a
move would, in my view, put you in the same class as your competitors which
"appear to have the form, without the substance thereof".

   Actually, your arrangement to negotiate agreements with Shareware authors is
both innovative and praiseworthy.  It assures that they receive rewards for
their efforts, plus incentive and guidance in refining their programs.  It
assures that we get some excellent programs at a reasonable cost.  The 3
examples listed above from issues #18-20 are now favorites with which I feel
comfortable using and recommending strongly to friends--either via purchase of
the BBD or from the author directly.

   Thanks for the good work so far.  I hope you intend to maintain your
leadership by including high quality, substantive programs to round out the
news, reviews, games, letters and other features in the BBD.  These are
enjoyable, but you'll notice that most of your competitors provide them as well.

^RGwendolyn A. Pincomb, Ph.D.
^ROklahoma City, OK
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Dear friends,

   I have enjoyed your disks, since starting a trial subscription several months
ago.  Your games are enjoyable (although if any-one has figured out how to get
past level 7 on the "Kingdom of Kroz" on issue #20, I'd like a hint.)  The
utilities are, well, useful.

   Issue #21 contains the Directory Label Printer utility.  It is suggested that
you can print  labels for disks on 4" wide labels.  I have run into two problems
with this. 1)when choosing a printer selection, if I select anything other than
"compressed print only" I get a label printed out which is wider than 4 ".
2)Even in the compressed configuration, if the disk contains more than about 25
files, the resulting label would be long enough to interfere with the operation
of the disk if it were to be glued on.

   I also wonder if there is a similar utility that will print labels for 3.5"
diskettes?

   Keep up the good work!

^RDick Dillon
^RSpringfield, MO

^1>   The Directory Label Printer is intended to be used in compressed mode, so
^1>that the print fits on the label.  There's nothing I can do about it if you
^1>have more files on a disk than will fit, though.