Fujiology Archive/fujiology_archive_v1_0.iso/!MAGS/INSIDENF/IINFO54.ZIP/IINFO54.MSA/TEXT_PDREVIEW.TXT

Text File | 1991-08-29 | 36KB | 692 lines

          PUBLIC DOMAIN/SHAREWARE REVIEWS
          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following reviews come from PD_QUICKVIEW ST
I have written the ACE disk number and version no if necessary beside
the name of the prg. Some reviews are fairly comprehensive and should
be helpful. Cathy Tuck


ACE NSW PD DISK NO. A32
 Program Type:  Graphics utility
       Author:  Craig Daymon
     Filename:  CV2IMGII.LZH
    File Type:  Shareware  ($15.00 suggested)
    File Size:  23168

WHAT IT IS   The program will save IMG files in an uncompressed format.
This means that some compressed IMG files can grow significantly
in size after conversion.  The program WILL check available disk space
before saving ANY file.  The IMG files should be compatible with any
programs that are able to use IMG files.  They have been tested with
the IMG viewer from Migraph, IMG Quick View, WordUp, PageStream and
Easy-Draw as well as a program I wrote to use the GEM function,
v_bit_image(), to print IMG files with the help of GDOS. (Or 'G+Plus'
from CodeHead Software.)
     The program will work in any of the standard ST resolutions,
although a monochrome system is the ideal configuration.  I do not have
access to a large-screen display, but the program should work on large-
screens as well.

WHAT IT DOES   The 'File Type Buttons' are labeled with the extension
""""""""""""   of the file type expected when chosen.  The selection of
a file type should be done AFTER all desired options are selected.
Following the selection of a file type, the File Selector will appear.
Unless the PATH designator is changed, only the files with the
appropriate extension will be shown.  Choosing a file will begin the
conversion.

  PD_Q RATING   * * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Excellent
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   When I saw the name Craig Daymon in the doc file, I knew
"""""""""""""   this program had to be good.
This utility will will take any Neochrome, Degas (compressed or
uncompressed), Tiny, Art Director, Doodle, Spectrum, (compressed or
uncompressed), Mac Paint or Monochrome GEM bit image and convert it to
.IMG format.  There is also an option to save the image in Degas format.
     If you are into desktop publishing, (at any level), take a good
hard look at this versatile utility.  Convert to .IMG will make adding
graphics to your desktop publishing work a snap.

Program Name:  Pileup ACE NSW DISK NO G69
Ver. Reviewed:  2.0
 Program Type:  Game
       Author:  Russell Moll
     Filename:  PILEUP
    File Type:  Shareware  ($5.00 suggested)
    File Size:  149504


WHAT IT IS   The basic premise of the game is similar to TETRIS (tm).
""""""""""   You must guide various blocks down the screen and try to
fit them together as close as possible as they pile up.  If you fit
together a layer without leaving any spaces, then that layer will
collapse.  If you collapse enough layers, then you will advance to the
next level.  If the pile of blocks reaches the top, then the game is
over.
WHAT IT DOES   There are 10 levels to complete to win the game. The
""""""""""""   game gives you the option of starting on levels 1-4.
There are 2 skill levels.  On level 1, just the basic blocks.  On level
2 there are two additional items, a nasty diamond shaped block, and a
helpful bomb.  There are a couple of surprises if you finish level 6,
and if you win the game (finish level 10).

  PD_Q RATING   * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Adequate
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   Pileup is another addition to the long list of PD Tetris
"""""""""""""   clones that has recently flooded the file areas.
However, unlike the others, Pileup has added a couple of interesting new
twists that makes this version worth getting.  When playing on level
two, instead of the usual block coming down, occasionally you'll get a
bomb.  The bomb has the ability to give you a second chance at "fixing"
an area where you messed up previously.  This nifty little device can
mean the difference between going to the next level or starting the game
over.  The other twist added in is the "dreaded diamond block".  You'll
understand  why it's so dreaded once you see it coming down the screen.
It can really make a mess of things, especially if you get two in a row.
     Pileup has the "feel" of PD, (i.e. response to pressing the fire
button is sluggish).  However, the "look" of Pileup is excellent.  The
graphics are elaborate and well implemented.  With each level achieved
the game awards you with a different background scene.  Pileup doesn't
slip in the sound department either.  There is a distinctive music track
for each level.  Although it can get monotonous at times, the music does
provide an added element to the frantic play of the game.  (You do have
the option to turn off the music - my wife thanks the author for being
so considerate!

Program Name:  The Body Shop   ACE NSW DISK NO. O56
Ver. Reviewed:  N/A
 Program Type:  Educational
       Author:  Frank M. Hundley
     Filename:  BODYSHOP.LZH
    File Type:  Public Domain
    File Size:  35403


WHAT IT IS   BODY SHOP is a program designed to help students learn
""""""""""   Human Anatomy as required in most Elementary or Junior
High School science courses.  The names and locations of all the major
bones and organs of the body are taught using both common everyday
terms and the more technical medical terms.

WHAT IT DOES   After opening BODYSHOP.PRG in the low resolution mode,
""""""""""""   the main screen will appear.  At the bottom of the
screen, under the picture of the doctor, is the main menu.  All options
of the program are accessed though this menu, and all parts of the
program return to this menu upon completion.
     Click the mouse on LEARN THE PARTS and the main menu will be
replaced with an additional four options.  All these options introduce
you to the names and locations of the different parts of the anatomy.
You can elect to learn just the skeleton or the skeleton and the
organs.  You can also chose to learn them by their everyday names or by
medical terminology.
     After you make you choice, the main screen will be replace by
a two toned screen.  The program will then place and name a body
part.  Continue to press the mouse button, or press any keyboard key,
and the program will build and name the parts of the anatomy.  When
the program has completed the construction of the selected anatomy,
it will return automatically to the Main Menu.
     After becoming familiar with the names and locations shown to you
in the 'Learn The Parts' section, you might then want to test your
knowledge.  In BUILD THE BODY you can build the body by properly
identifying the body parts as they are revealed, or you can build and
place the body.  To build and place, you have to identify the body part
and then physically place the part where it belongs in the body.
     If you try to put a part where it does not belong, the part
won't settle in and will remain under mouse control.  You then
can make two more attempts to place the part.  After the third try
the program will place the part for you.  When you have successfully]
built and placed the whole body, the program once again returns to the
main menu.

  PD_Q RATING   * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Fair/Enough to get you started.
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   This program reminds me of when I was about eight years
"""""""""""""   old.  Back then I wanted to be a doctor.  I had the
Visible Man, the Visible Woman, the Visible Head, the Visible Eye...
well, you get the picture.  BODY SHOP would have been perfect to add to
my collection.  In fact, adding the parts to the body on the screen
reminded me of when I would add the parts of the body to the model.
Although, not as much fun as the actual model, BODY SHOP provides for a
better learning experience as you have to learn the names of each part
as you work through the program.
     I'm surprised that Frank didn't release this program as shareware.
It's obvious that a lot of time and energy went into BODY SHOP.  The
graphics are sharp and the program is well implemented.  By using a menu
system, jumping from one section to the next is easy to figure out.  My
only complaint is that once you are into a program area, there's no way
to quit other then to finish it.  While in the 'Build The Body' section,
I exited out by hitting the reset button.  I *hate* tests!
     If you have children in elementary or junior high school, this
program will make learning anatomy fun.

Program Name: STDCAT V4.3 is on A.C.E. NSW DISK NO U98
Ver. Reviewed: 4.0
 Program Type: Application
       Author: Bob Silliker
     Filename: STDCAT40.LZH
    File Type: Public Domain  (Freeware!)
    File Size: 35809


WHAT IT IS   STDCAT is a simple disk catalog program.  The name was
""""""""""   derived from 520ST (ST) and Disk CATalog (DCAT).  It will
work on either mono or color systems (Med Rez color).

WHAT IT DOES   The program has two windows.  One window is used to
""""""""""""   contain a list of the disk volumes in the catalog.
The other window lists the contents of the current disk.  The user is
allowed to browse through either window using either the slider bars or
arrows.
 There are menu options to sort the disk content window by name,
date, size or type and options to find files using wild cards,
add/update/delete disks, add a comment to a disk/folder/file, and
finally change the volume name of a disk.
     The user can print out the contents of the catalog on the parallel
printer port.  The printout can be sorted by name, date, size or type.
These sort options are separate from the display sort options.  There
are options to include a table of contents (printed at the end of the
printout), the date, size and folder/file comment.  The user can
select any combination.

  PD_Q RATING   * * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Excellent
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   The author states above, "STDCAT is a simple disk
"""""""""""""   catalog program."  Well, he's half right.  STDCAT is a
catalog program, but simple?  It may be simple to set-up and simple to
use, but STDCAT is not a simple program!
     Like every other STer I know, I have hundreds of floppies scattered
everywhere, all crammed full with utilities, programs, pictures and
games, (most of which I'll probably never see again, but that's another
story!).  Before STDCAT came along, I used the, "Hmmmm, let's see.  Is
it on this disk?  Nope.  This one?  Nope," method of searching for that
one program that I knew I had... somewhere... someplace...
     Now all I do is bring up STDCAT, find the disk it's on and off I
go!  It's not that I didn't have any other disk catalog programs to
choose from as there are several good disk catalogers available that
will do the job.  But, none of them cataloged my floppies as easily or
offered as many features as STDCAT.
     Get organized!  STDCAT is a must for any serious PD/Shareware
collector.

Program Name: Ascii-View A.C.E. NSW DISK NO U88
Ver. Reviewed: 3.25
 Program Type: Utility
       Author: David M. Seberg
     Filename: ASCIIVEW.LZH
    File Type: Shareware ($5.00 to $10.00 suggested)
    File Size: 35091

WHAT IT IS   Ascii-View was developed to replace the [Show]-[Print]-
""""""""""   [Cancel] feature of the ST's Desktop.  It does so by
allowing the user to easily view an Ascii text file with many features
not available from the ST's desktop.  Since most people, while at the
ST's Desktop, use their mouse to select their needs, Ascii-View was
designed to be efficiently mouse driven for ease of use.  Ascii-View
runs in both Medium and High Resolution.
WHAT IT DOES   Ascii-View can load and display ascii files.  It will
""""""""""""   display the file on a 80 column by 23 line screen.
Ascii-View should come in handy for anyone, anytime, who wishes to
just read and or print all or part of a document without having to load
a Word Processor or Text Editor.  As an example of what Ascii-View
could be useful for think about all the files that you download, most
if not all of these programs have accompanying documentation which can
be looked over before executing the program.  Program listings can be
displayed and keywords searched for.

  PD_Q RATING   * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Excellent
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   I found this utility to be somewhat of a disappointment.
"""""""""""""   Don't get me wrong, the program is packed full of
features and is presented in a professional manner.  My problem with it
has to do with the description the author uses to explain what Ascii-
View is.  He states, "Ascii-View was developed to replace the [Show]-
[Print]-[Cancel] feature of the ST's Desktop."  And it does... almost.
What would make this good text viewer a fantastic text viewer,
is for it to be able to be installed as an application that would
automatically pass the file name to it when loading a text file.  That
way, whenever you double-clicked on a TXT file, the text would come up
just as it does when using the current desktop [Show]-[Print]-[Cancel]
function.  It would retain the convenience of double-clicking a text
file from the desktop, yet it would add several useful features the
desktop version lacks.  (I'm not a programmer.  Maybe it isn't possible
to to do such a thing on an ST????)
     Still, if you read a lot of text files on your system, I think
you'll find Ascii View to be one of the better text viewers currently
available.

Program Name: 4PAK UNPACK, AND UTE. U92, U101
Ver. Reviewed: Not stated
 Program Type: Utility
       Author: Unknown
     Filename: 4_PAKER.LZH
    File Type: Public Domain
    File Size: 7296

WHAT IT IS   4PAK is a "quick & dirty" utility that will compress a .PRG
""""""""""   or .TOS program.

WHAT IT DOES   4PAK will compress executable .PRG and .TOS files as much
""""""""""""   as 60%.  It is also frighteningly fast at unpacking.  4PAK
will not compress all PRG/TOS files.  If there are problems with the
GEM header, 4PAK will not compress the file.

  PD_Q RATING   * *
DOCUMENTATION   Poor
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   Although not stated anywhere within the documentation,
"""""""""""""   (which consists of just a few lines), this appears to be
a foreign program which has been translated into english.  It does pack
the program efficiently - in many cases, better then the commercial
versions.  For those of you who are short on disk space, 4PAK can open
up a lot of extra storage area.  Although I didn't find a single program
that 4PAK wouldn't compress, be sure to keep a back-up of your
original handy as according to the docs, there are a few programs it
can't handle.  Beginning STers may have difficulty with it as it uses a
command line to execute the program.  Although 4PAk isn't pretty, the
final results are gratifying.

Program Name:  Diskchart  A.C.E. NSW DISK NO U92
Ver. Reviewed:  3.3
 Program Type:  Utility
       Author:  Ron Hanborn
     Filename:  DSKCHT33.LZH
    File Type:  Shareware  ($10.00 suggested)
    File Size:  12800

WHAT IT IS   Originally DISKCHART was written as a quick solution to
""""""""""   display HARD DRIVE partition space for my own personal
use. I always was interested in having an idea of how much space was
being used on my machine. The show info option at the desktop did ok
but it was slow as molasses and I really was only concerned with the
space statistics. Without seeing all of the partition stat's at once
it was difficult to make a decision of whether or not to back up files,
move directories or just do some general housekeeping! I am always
interested in how efficiently space is being used.

WHAT IT DOES
""""""""""""
        Graphics have been enhanced to give a more polished look!
        Supports MONOCHROME monitors as well as color MED rez.
        Includes the ability to print the report option.
        Optimized for faster program execution.
        An option has been added to display and print extended Disk
        information
        that is contained in the Disk BPB!
        The button below the bar graph which contains all the drive
        letters can be clicked to display all HD partitions at once.
        This eliminates the need to select each drive individually for
        a full report!
        A button has been provided for calling UNIVERSAL ITEM SELECTOR
        from within DISKCHART to handle some of the file organization.
        This allows you to monitor your progress as you reorganize your
        hard drive.
  PD_Q RATING   * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Good
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   Diskchart falls into the category of a utility that you
"""""""""""""   could do without, but boy, it sure comes in handy when
you need it!  Diskchart provides much of the same information the
desktop's "Show Info" command does, but Diskchart does it a lot faster
(and prettier too).  Clicking on a drive button, you will immediately
see the size of your drive's partition conveniently displayed on a bar
graph.  Clicking on the drive bar found below the graph will show the
size on all of your partitions.  This especially nice for those times
when you want to see just how close you are to filling up the drive.
Diskchart is also useful for locating the best area for placing an
unusually large file.  Clicking on the the report option will give you
the same information in numeric format, plus the percentage of used and
free room currently available.  The extended report gives you
information on sectors, fat tables and clusters.
     The docs are sparse, but only because Diskchart is pretty much
self-explanatory.  Operation is smooth and the graphics are pleasing
self-explanatory.  Operation is smooth and the graphics are pleasing to
the eye.  Although Diskchart is not a "must-have" utility, it will make
managing your hard drive a whole lot easier.

Program Name:  The Little Green Selector   A.C.E.NSW DISK NO U112 V1.8C
AND DOM 10
Ver. Reviewed:  1.6c
 Program Type:  Utility (Replaces the GEM Item Selector)
       Author:  Charles F. Johnson
     Filename:  LGS16C.ARC
    File Type:  Shareware  ($15.00)
    File Size:  37504


WHAT IT IS   The Little Green Selector is a complete replacement for
""""""""""   the dreaded GEM item selector.  Once it's installed, all
programs that call the GEM item selector will end up using the vastly
improved Little Green Selector instead.  You can install it at bootup
time by placing it in an AUTO folder, or run it from the desktop at
any time after bootup.  The Little Green Selector (henceforth referred
to as LGSELECT) optimizes the process of selecting files, with unique
features that make this easier than ever before.  And starting with
version 1.3, the Little Green Selector has a special "communications
pipeline" with CodeHead Software's MaxiFile desk accessory that allows
you to copy, move, delete, and rename files and folders, format disks,
create new folders, show or print files, and much more (in a window
showing up to 80 files at once)...any time you use the file selector!
WHAT IT DOES   In addition to the extra features it provides, LGSELECT
""""""""""""   incorporates all of the functions of the standard GEM
item selector and has a similar interface; so if you know how to use
the GEM selector you should have no trouble getting accustomed to
LGSELECT.
     Some of the features of Little Green Selector are:
      Little Green Selector is larger than the GEM item selector.
      16 drive buttons labeled A through P.
      The drive buttons are also used to display the amount of free
      space (in bytes) remaining on a disk.
      Force a "media changed" status on any drive by holding down
      Alternate, Control, or either Shift key while you click on the
     drive's button.  (This "force media change" feature also
     as another important beneficial side effect; it "flushes" the
     folder count for the selected drive.  This can be helpful in
     avoiding the so-called "40 folder bug" which lives in TOS 1.0
     and 1.2.)
     You can choose to sort the displayed files by Name, Extension,
     Size or Date, or you can display them unsorted if you wish.
     Click on the button labeled '*.*' to show all files in the
     current directory.
     Click on 'Paths' and a dialog box appears, showing 18 blank
     lines and a list of 20 default extensions, as well as several
     buttons for additional options.  In the Paths box, you can set
     up as many as 18 default paths; clicking on any path will
     instantly set it as the current directory, and return you to the
     main LGSELECT box.  (This can make navigating on a hard disk
     very simple!)
     At the bottom left of the 'Paths' box is a list of 20
     extensions (or file "types") which can be edited with the keyboard.
     Even though the LGSELECT.PRG file is over 36K on disk, when
     loaded into memory it only takes about 30K, since it throws away
     all unneeded initialization code and data at startup time.

     The Little Green Selector will read a maximum of 300 filenames
     from a directory.
     Normally GEM steals all keypresses during the drawing of a
     dialog box, but LGSELECT uses some special tricks to allow you to
     "type ahead" while the dialog box is being drawn, or while a
     directory is being read.
     The big new feature in version 1.2 is keyboard control of almost
     all options of LGSELECT.
     LGSELECT 1.3 has several new features, among them the ability to
     "call" CodeHead Software's MultiFile accessory (included on the
     CodeHead Utilities disk), so you can perform file operations (copy,
     move, delete, rename, etc.), format disks, show or print files, and
     all that kinda good stuff any time you're using the file selector.
     The button labeled "FLUSH" lets you clear the "folder count" for
     all connected drives, or just for a hard disk if you prefer.  This
     feature is included to help alleviate a problem in TOS 1.0 and 1.2,
     which can cause crashes if you access too many folders
     (subdirectories) in a single continuous session at the computer.
     Little Green Selector has a file search feature that can very
     quickly search all the partitions of a hard drive for a file or
     files, with optional wildcard matching.
     When you right-click (or double-click) on a drive button,
     version 1.4 of LGSELECT will now show more information than
     previous versions did.  You will see the total number of folders
     and files, the number of bytes used and the number of free bytes
     left on the disk.
     LGSELECT 1.6 allows you to specify where on the screen you'd
     like it to appear, simply by dragging it to the new location.

 Program Name:  Benjamin's ABC's A.C.E. NSW DISK NO G80
Ver. Reviewed:  N/A
 Program Type:  Educational (Pre-school)
       Author:  C. Matthew Masserman
     Filename:  BENS_ABC.LZH
    File Type:  Shareware  (No set amount)
    File Size:  356965


WHAT IT IS   A "show-and-tell" program for pre-schoolers to help them
""""""""""   to learn the alphabet.

WHAT IT DOES   Start by double-clicking on ABCS.PRG.  When the file
""""""""""""   selector appears, select ABCS.BAS and the program will
start.  Pictures and sound appear by clicking on any letter in the
lower grid.  Clicking on <SPEAK> will repeat the voice message without
reloading it from disk.  You can toggle the display between uppercase
and lowercase letters by clicking on either the capital or small
letter above the picture.
     Operation of the program is mostly self-explanatory.  The program
may be run from a double-sided disk in either drive, or from a hard
disk, and may be placed inside another folder for convenience.  It only
runs in low resolution.  I hope your children enjoy the program.
PS-MY CHILDREN ENJOY THE VOICES! CATHY TUCK

  PD_Q RATING   * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Good
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   Unfortunately, I don't have a couple of ankle-
"""""""""""""   biters running around to get an expert opinion from, so
I'll momentarily revert back to childhood a bit so I can be somewhat
objective about this program.  (According to my wife, this shouldn't be
too difficult!)  This program reminds of of the "see-and-say" toys for
toddlers.  The program uses crude but respectable graphics and a
digitized voice - both of which are sure-fire grabbers to help keep kids
interested. There is only ones screen to deal with and basically all
the child has to do is to point to a letter of the alphabet and click
the mouse.  A corresponding picture of that letter then pops up on
screen and a (somewhat comical) digitized voice tells you what it is.
For example, pointing and clicking on the letter 'C', will bring up the
picture of a cat.  Great fun, for a kid!

 Program Name:  MonSTEr  A.C.E. NSW DISK NO 77
Ver. Reviewed:  0.3
 Program Type:  Utility
       Author:  Darek Michocka
     Filename:  MONSTER.LZH
    File Type:  Public Domain  (Freeware!)
    File Size:  3072


WHAT IT IS   MonSTEr is a high resolution monitor emulator.  It fools
""""""""""   GEM into thinking that it is using a larger screen than it
really has.  In monochrome, the virtual screen size is 1280 x 960,
identical to that of a Moniterm monitor.  In medium resolution, the
virtual screen size is 1280 x 480, and in low resolution, it is 640 x
480.  In all resolutions, the virtual screen size is almost five times
larger than the real screen.
 What MonSTEr displays on your monitor is a window of the virtual
screen.  For example, in monochrome, the monitor still displays a 640 x
400 pixel screen, which is a 640 x 400 pixel window on the much larger
1280 x 960 virtual screen.  To move the window around, simply move the
mouse pointer to the edge of the screen, and continue to drag it. The
window will then drag along with the mouse.
     MonSTEr will detect the presence of an Atari STE and make use of
the STE's hardware fine scrolling features to move the window. On a
standard ST, software scrolling is used, which causes slight jerkiness
in the mouse movement.

WHAT IT DOES   To run MonSTEr, copy the file MONSTER.PRG to the AUTO
""""""""""""   folder of your boot disk, then reboot the computer.
As it is booting, MonSTEr will prompt you to press a key, or Esc to
disable MonSTEr.  Due to the way GEM works, the only way to switch from
normal 640 x 400 mode to 1280 x 960 mode (or vice versa) is to reboot.
GEM also does not seem to function properly in color if an attempt is
made to change from low resolution to medium, or vice versa. Therefore,
when using MonSTEr on a color monitor, do not change the resolution.
 Note that not all software is compatible with non-standard screen
sizes.  It is well known that programs like Tempus and Flash do not run
on the Moniterm monitor, and similarly do not run using MonSTEr.
     Other programs, such a Pagestream, work great with MonSTEr.  By
creating a large screen, Pagestream is capable of displaying an entire
page on the screen at once, and so it is not necessary to constantly
click on the slider bars to move around the page.
     MonSTEr was inspired by the public domain program Bigscreen.
MonSTEr adds a few extra features though, such as switching resolution
immediately instead of only after the AUTO folder boots, and making use
of the STE's hardware scrolling.

  PD_Q RATING   * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Good
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   Now here's an interesting thought... add MonSTEr to your
"""""""""""""   AUTO folder and presto, your standard ST monitor is now
Moniterm monitor!
     Darek Mihocka, another ST programming wizard, has released another
surprise.  Monster is an update of a program called BIG SCREEN which was
floating around the BBS circuit a few months ago.  The monster screen
would come up, but whenever I tried to move around in it, GEM would bomb
on me.  Unfortunately, no matter what I tried, I could not get Monster
to work on my 1040.  Given who the programmer is, and a version number
of 0.3, I'm confident that Darek will be releasing more stable versions
in the future.  (I've heard that it won't run on a Mega 2 either.)
     Darek says that he plans on releasing future versions of MonSTEr
that will have the ability to emulate other screen sizes, such as 800 x
496 (Hyperscreen), 1024 x 1024, 1280 x 400 (double width), or 640 x 800
(double height).  Amazing potential here...  I for one will be anxiously
awaiting the next release of MonSTEr.

 Program Name:  Manual Maker   A.C.E. NSW DISK NO U51
Ver. Reviewed:  2.25
 Program Type:  Desk Top Publishing
       Author:  Craig W. Daymon
     Filename:  MAN_225.LZH
    File Type:  Shareware  ($15.00/$5.00 to American Diabetes Assoc.)
    File Size:  43629

WHAT IT IS   The main purpose of this program is to make manual size
""""""""""   print-outs from ASCII (plain text) files using GDOS (or
G+PLUS), GDOS fonts and printer drivers.

WHAT IT DOES     All the major functions of Manual Maker are accessible
""""""""""""     from the four drop-down menus.  (All versions prior to
2.00 were operated by a set sequence of dialogs.)  By using a menu-
driven system, the user can access wordprocessor style accessories to
modify and resave the manual files to be previewed, and then printed
from Manual Maker.
    Features:
        -   Justified or Unjustified print-outs
        -   Designate number to start page-numbering with
        -   Separate Left and Right page headers
        -   Up to 1000 (manual) page document capacity
        -   Prints to both sides of paper
        -   Tabs STOPs every 4 to 20 spaces, as indicated
        -   Printer paper alignment test
        -   Imbedded commands for:
            -   Center text
            -   BOLD text
            -   Underlined text
            -   Skewed text
            -   Force a Page-Break
            -   Set an indentation value.
            *Any combination of commands supported
            -   Setting Page headers
        -   Headers and Page numbers printable with effects
        -   Text to preceed page number
        -   Cover printing with:
            -   4 - 25 character lines of text
            -   A different font/line
            -   Text effects, different for each line
            -   Choice of 6 Border Patterns or None at all
        -   On-screen preview using GDOS fonts if available
        -   Installable application (See ST manual for help)
        -   Flexible page sizing


  PD_Q RATING   * * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Excellent
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   Why use Manual Maker?  Any Desktop Publishing program
"""""""""""""   would do the job, right?  That's true, but with Manual
Maker, the job will not only be a lot easier, but faster too.  This is
not a full featured DTP system, nor was it mean't to be.  Unlike most
DTP programs, Manual Maker is designed with only one thing in mind,
making manuals.
     If you are doing any desktop publishing, at an level, be sure to
make this commercial quality program part of your library.  Simply put,
Manual Maker will allow you to design and create a professional looking
manual.
     Manual Maker goes beyond the shareware concept... it could have
been released as a successful commercial program.  Manual Maker is that
impressive.

 Program Name:  PBM Chess A.C.E. NSW DISK NO G93
Ver. Reviewed:  1.0
 Program Type:  Game (Telecommunications)
       Author:  Odisseas Kosmatos
     Filename:  PBMCHESS.LZH
    File Type:  Public Domain
WHAT IT IS   For those Chess addicts who love the game so much, or for
""""""""""   those people who at some time or other are very bored and
have a friend who's just as bored, now you can play chess in your own
home against an opponent who is not.  True, there is Battle-Chess on
the ST, that lets you play using the STs modem port, but 1) Most people
don't have it, it costs $$, and also, one gets very tired of the
graphics after a little while.

WHAT IT DOES   PBM Chess works on Color or Mono systems.  To start
""""""""""""   playing with a friend, you simply load the program, hit
a key to get through the title screen, and type the appropriate modem
command to dial the opponent's modem.
     Once connected, you can type stuff to your opponent, and he can
type back.  You then agree upon who is to play first, and voila, you
then click on the piece you wish to move, then click on the square you
wish to place it upon.  Both player's screens will then be updated.
     PBM Chess does not check for illegal moves or any such things. You
have total control over the chessboard. Pawns (actually, any pieces) can
be promoted, and you can place any piece anywhere.  What PBM chess does
is it updates both screens (yours and your opponent's).
     At the bottom of the screen, there is the area which you can type
and receive text to/from your opponent. But there are some commands
(which are listed on the main screen, fortunately) you can type.  These
commands are:
     300   -- Typing "300" will put your modem in 300 baud.
     1200  -- Set to 1200 baud
     2400  -- Set to 2400 baud (you don't need more than 300 baud in PBM)
     Send  -- Sends your screens chessboard to your opponent, in case
              for some reason (lots of line noise) or whatever, your
              chessboards are not the same.
     Back  -- Allows you to back up 1 move. (this can only be done once
              since only 1 chessboard is kept at every move)
     Save  -- This lets you save the current chessboard in a separate
 area of memory, so that you can come back to it after
              if you mess up the game or simply want to try out moves.
     Load  -- Loads the memory-saved game
     Control C -- Sends a "Check" signal to your opponent!
     Control G -- Sends a "Ding-Dong" signal to your opponent in case
                  he has fallen asleep or something.
     Undo key  -- Exit game

  PD_Q RATING   * * *
  """""""""""
DOCUMENTATION   Good
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS   I like Chess, but I hate computer chess games.  Why?  I
"""""""""""""   have yet to beat a computer at chess.  In fact, it
becomes obvious that by the fourth move, I'm hopelessly out-ranked.
What is worse, I'm playing on novice level!  Yet, I do enjoy the game.
If only I could find a real, live human...
 Well now I can.  PBM chess is a chess program with a terminal built
into the software.  Just boot the program and connect with a fellow
chess player... and play chess!  What could be easier?
     Complaints are few with PBM chess.  The graphics aren't
spectacular, but then they're not drab either.  My only complaint is
that at times it can be difficult to distinguish between the the Queen
and the King.  One thing you do have to watch for is that PBM Chess
doesn't check for illegal moves.  (In my last game of online chess, I
caught my chess partner trying to do some fancy footwork with a queen.)
     Bored?  Find a friend and play some online chess.

                    <<<<*>>>><<<<*>>>><<<<*>>>>