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Table Of Content

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(Click all Buttons)

  Tales Of Cache la Byte,  by Thom Foulks

  La DigiPalace, A Computer Misadventure,  by Bob Gollihur

  Cache la Byte Commentary,  by Thom Foulks

  Word 6.0 for Windows,  by Rich Young

  Drafix Windows CAD 2.1c,  by Ed Hoffman

  MotorMouse,  by Bob Gollihur

  Freelance Graphics 2.01,  by Ed Rasimus

  Visio 2.0,  by Randy Wong

  Bars and Stripes,  by Tami Brydone-Jack

  WordPerfect Video Tapes,  by Ed Hoffman

Introducing WordPerfect 5.2

Intermediate WordPerfect 5.2

Advanced WordPerfect 5.2

WordPerfect 5.2 - Tips & Tricks

  Felix the Mouse,  by Bob Gollihur

  KingCOM,  by Ed Rasimus

  Modem Specials

  WOL CD-ROM Special


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       Tales Of Cache la Byte

Van Wolverton. Do you know the name?  It's a familiar name to millions of computer users, who have read and learned from his "Running MS-DOS" and "Supercharging MS-DOS" series of books. Ah!  Now you know who I'm talking about.

For several weeks this fall (and, still, as of this writing), Van has been a regular, communicative visitor to the Cache la Byte Hub BBS (528-8545) in Colorado Springs. Local BBS users have had the opportunity to talk online "directly" to a writer whose work taught many of them what to do after you see the C:> prompt. There have been interesting exchanges: Van and I talking about the changing PC publication marketplace; Van and other ClB users discussing the nature of BBS communications, a national phenomena barely ten years old -- and all such traffic, open, public, ready for anyone who wants to invite themselves in.

Van has long been a personal hero of mine, but this is not a tale of hero worship. He and I have "shook and howdied" a couple of times at computer shows, and we both love our respective Rocky Mountain home areas (his, a remote Montana village, where he's known as a wheat/hay rancher who spends a lot of time playing with computers and doesn't work much).

He also once inadvertently interrupted an interview I was in with Dell Computer multimillionaire founder Michael Dell. "Hi, I'm Van Wolverton." To which Mr. Dell responded with, "Hi, Van!  Good to meet you!  I'm Michael Dell."  Briefly, I felt I was going to get lost in the shuffle, as Van and Michael both indulged in mutual admiration.

I've no idea how long Van will be a regular on ClB Hub. His initial logon was just to check out a new highspeed modem, but then he got involved with some online conversations -- yet, BBS long timers are quite aware that online activity flows and ebbs from any given online user.

But, all this name-dropping aside, there is a point here: One never knows just who may turn up in BBS communications, and it is the very nature of such communications to level the playing field. Jack Rickard, editor/publisher of the Denver-based national BBS magazine, Boardwatch, wrote about it most eloquently in a recent edition:

"The online world is analogous to the real world in many ways and it does reflect it. But it isn't the real world. In many, many respects, it is a fantasy. We are all equal. None of us have handicaps. None of us are old. None of us are ugly. There are no fat people online. No short people. Nobody stutters. Nobody wets their pants. There is no pain. There is no crime. We are all safe. We all have good intentions. We can all pseudo-travel around the continent or world for pennies. We can fall in love and never have to wake up, chew our arm off at the shoulder, and slip quietly out into the dawn. Or even deal with morning breath. Rub a lamp."

Jack's theme was that the ever-expanding BBS and online-telecommunications community of our nation may be the purest form of free speech the nation has even known. Everyone -- EVERYone -- within the usually-liberal limits a given system operator may impose, is free to say whatever they want. And the readers of those messages are free to interpret them at face value, without the overtones of garb, demeanor, regional accents or skin color.

No one's yet devised a more pure form of communication than the written word -- unfettered by all the physical aspects of even a conversation between husband and wife, or parent and child. Dare I suggest that some such personal conversations might be more communicative if they were handled in writing, rather than face-to-face?

No form of communications in our nation -- hey, the world -- remains so free from regulation and control. No FCCs to contend with, no rising-costs-of-newsprint budget dictates on how many pages to publish, no national borders, no need to assemble a meeting just to deliver a message to a group.

On the other hand, such freedom dictates that you never know who's reading, or who may respond. As a veteran SysOp, I've seen many instances where that freedom itself is intimidating to some people -- they want to be careful to whom they speak, and equally selective from whom they hear. Too bad -- they're missing the joy of free communications.

Are you?  Chances are your computer has a modem, and worldwide free communications are as close as the telephone jack in your wall. To rephrase a famous quotation: "The only thing you have to fear, is fear itself."

Written by Thom Foulks

Click Here


       La DigiPalace Story

Couldn't miss it! Today was the grand opening of La DigiPalace, the new high end computer salon in town. All the local byteheads had been practicing the word salon, with the appropriate toss of head and hair, in the hopes of landing a job. But the sleek black vans pulled up with an out of town staff.

The somberly framed advertisement appeared in the local rag, formally announcing the opening of the new establishment. It was scattered with phrases such as "Five Star Service" and "Finest Consultative Services for Discerning Clientele." This was no PC Debris superstore with aisle after aisle and pile after pile of naked disk drives and clearance software. But the capper, italicized at the base of the ad, was "by appointment only." What! Who do these guys think they are?!?

I was plotting my entrance scheme when the phone rang.

"Hey, Guy!" he chortled, "guess who has an appointment at La DigiPalace today?"

I recognized Rick's voice immediately. It sent sudden shivers down my spine. We've had some adventures in the past, all of them memorable for their surreal qualities. Rick believes he's on the leading edge of computer technology. In a way, he is. But more like a Columbus who ends up confirming that the world is actually flat, and subsequently falls off the edge.

"Well, geez, Rick, who could that be?" I answered with great trepidation with a slight touch of sarcasm.

"They carry that new SpeedOLight video board I want, so I'm going down there to have one installed in my RamORama computer. Wanna come?"

Ever have the feeling that your prayers were answered, but the response wasn't exactly what you had in mind? It was a chance to see the place, legitimately, and yet on opening day.

"Sure," I heard myself say, "when do you want to go?"

"My appointment is at 2:45, though they don't open 'til 1:00. I'll pick you up."

"Well, all right, it should be interesting," I lied, somewhat. Interesting was a word my ex-mother-in-law used when she didn't like something.

Rick pulled up in his modified Buick Reatta, the one with the . . . Well, that's another story I'll tell you sometime.

"Let's boogie!!!" Rick screeched, in his best imitation of a middle-aged, out- of- work 70's disco DJ. "This is gonna be great!"

Suddenly I doubted it very strongly.

La DigiPalace was a sight to behold. It was a stark white, imposing building, in the nouveau-nouveau style of anti-architecture. Oval windows spotted the exterior, framing the name of the establishment with Salon in dashing lavender neon script. Straight out of a bad Miami Vice episode.

We pulled up front, confused, searching for the parking lot. I nearly fell out of the Reatta when a guy in uniform and cap opened the car door.

"Gentlemen, welcome to La DigiPalace," boomed the imposing man in the tuxedo from over the car jockey's shoulder. "have you an appointment?"

"Sure," I stuttered, "at quarter to three."

"Ahh, 2:45, that would be Mr. Stephens . . . and guest??" he frowned, almost imperceptibly. "I'm Mr. Perry. Allow me to conduct you to the waiting area."

Two neat looking techies in embroidered lab coats hustled out to relieve Rick of his computer case. These were not the greasy pony-tailed, earringed grunts that inhabited Krazy Kenny's Komputer Kingdom, who only ever carried things out of the building, things usually not paid for. These guys were from another planet.

I already felt underdressed in my jeans and docksiders. I flinched when I saw the sign in the entranceway: Jackets Required. I had wondered why Rick chose to wear his worn school blazer over his Eagles jersey. Sort of clashed with his neon green Reeboks, but I thought he was just making a fashion statement.

Mr. Perry selected a jacket from the rack and helped me on with it. A bit large, but at least the sleeves would protect my knuckles if I had to punch somebody out. The atmosphere was just a slight bit intimidating.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen." A new monkey suit had arrived, though this one was even taller, thinner, and sported a thin mustache. "Please follow me," he commanded, marching forward.

Never trust a man in a loud sports coat or a thin mustache, Daddy always said. And Daddy was always right. He led us to a room with a bar. Oh boy! Maybe Daddy was wrong this time.

"Please wait here. Miss Carol, would you please provide these gentlemen with refreshment if they so desire," he hurriedly waved us off and scurried from the room.

"Gentlemen, would you like a cappuccino, or perhaps some fresh carrot juice?" What, no scotch?!? I had the feeling I was really going to need a scotch before this was all over.

"Coke. D'ya have Coke?" Rick was a man of base needs.

"Uh, no sir, but we have mineral water," she smiled with the utmost insincerity, "or perhaps coffee?"

Rick balanced the delicate china cup and saucer on separate knees. "Look," he observed, "she gave me a plate. I think we're gonna eat, too."

Time crawls when you're uncomfortable, and we waited for at least three eons. Finally, Mr. Thin Mustache returned.

"Please follow me." He led us down sparkling corridors, past uniformly numbered white doors, until we stopped to enter number 13. At least it wasn't 666. "Klaus will be your technician this afternoon, and will assist you with your every requirement." He left us alone.

The eerie semi-darkness of Room 13 was cut by a one spotlight in the center, aiming directly on Rick's PC case gently resting on a royal purple velvet throw. Were they going to work on it or worship it? A short, graying gent entered the room. No vestments, just a white lab coat.

"Hello, I am Klaus. I'll be your consultative technician this day. How can we help you?" His clipped German accent meant business.

"I'm here for one of those new SpeedOLight video boards," Rick volunteered, "can you install one . . . now?"

"But of course. Let's have a look."

He slid a high tech screwdriver from his breast pocket and began to unravel Rick's computer kludge, frowning and harrumphing as he disassembled it. Pieces were neatly lined up on the sterile cloth covering a stainless steel worktable.

"I haven't seen these RamORama devices in any La DigiPalace." He harrumphed again.

"Oh," Rick beamed, oblivious to the tone, "quite a machine, isn't it?"

"Well . . . no, we simply wouldn't carry such a monstrosity here," he sneered. "You should have spoken with us first before you made this ill advised purchase. Please pardon me while I retrieve your video board from the cellar. Perhaps, with a bit of luck, we can make it function in this inappropriate environment."

Rick was stuffed. And mounted. The little German guy burst his balloon, defaming his pride and joy. I thought he was going to cry.

By the time Klaus returned, Rick had composed himself. He had quickly accepted his inferior status. I recognized it as one of those psychological kidnapper-hostage relationships that develop. Klaus would be able to make several of his Mercedes payments from Rick's future patronage.

He flashed the cream colored box at Rick for his brief examination. It read SpeedOLight Video Adapter. For Professional Use Only. Using the golden blade hung around his neck he severed the wax seal, removing and gently unwrapping the contents.

He made disapproving noises as he removed Rick's current video card, and went on to praise a new all-tube, analog PC that was the rage among all the computer purists.

"What type of monitor do you have, Mr. Stephens?" It was time to set jumpers and dip switches.

"Why, an EyeBlinder 2000. That's why I want the SpeedOLight."

Klaus was visibly shaken "You want to drive that obscenity with this delicate flower? Why, would you play bluegrass on a Stradivarius . . . or put an ice cube in a glass of champagne?"

A silly question. Of course, Rick would.

Suddenly it all came flooding back! "I know you, Klaus, or whatever your name is! You were the sommelier at La Bark Fin last year. When I ordered that White Zinfandel you suggested I order Kibbles and Bits to go along with it."

Klaus suddenly changed into Henri.

"But Monsieur, was my service unsatisfactory?" he slyly smiled. And then he grinned widely and became plain old Hank.

"Look buddy, we all gotta make a livin'!"

written by

Bob Gollihur

Click Here


Cache la Byte Commentary
       Cache la Byte

Are you tired of your computer questioning your intentions and motivations? I sure am.

Darned near every piece of software I have asks me questions like "Are you sure you want to quit?"  It's become particularly aggravating with all the newer Windows software products -- seems like they ALL question whether you -- lord and master of your computer -- know what you're doing.

Frankly (sorry, Frank), I get insulted with such messages, particularly when I'm just simply trying to leave a program. Let's recognize a standard Windows exit is the keystroke combination ALT-F4. Try to do THAT accidentally, some time. You can't. Unless your control of finger muscular action is in need of some medical attention.

I'm really not trying to pick on any particular software product, but only seeking to illustrate a point: I want my computer to do what I tell it to do, when I tell it to do it, and I'm brave enough to endure the consequences. Sure, users new to a given software package need such warnings and confirmation of their wayward ways -- but, darn it, I'm a pro!  I've wasted thousands of keystrokes simply telling the computer's software, "Yes! That's what I told you to do. Stop suggesting I don't know what I'm doing!  Do it!"

By now, I'm sure you've got my point. I know what keystrokes do what with my operating software, and my goal is to have them do it. Yeah, beginners don't. They need -- maybe -- the extra warnings. Frankly (oh, you back again?), I don't think I do any more. I just want to be able to turn them off.

Norton Desktop for Windows has some of this, allowing you to turn off "confirmations" for many mundane tasks. But it still asks questions on such things as the routine function of formatting a disk -- more questions than it's MS-DOS counterpart. This is most aggravating when you think you've set some complex action into motion while refilling the coffee cup -- only to return 10 minutes later and find some asinine "yes/no" prompt questioning your competence from the screen. And nothing happened.

Please, software developers, listen to my plea. Sure, protect me from a 3 a.m. re-formatting of my C: drive. But, #$#@it, allow me to choose my level of expertise with your software. BBS software developers learned this a decade ago, incorporating an "expert" mode into most BBS software that usually operates with only a single keystroke. Hundreds of thousands of BBS users have learned to deal with that, and its consequences.

Applications software should have the same customizing abilities. In fact, a well-structured design could have separate modules for beginner, veteran, and professional modes of operation. The pros could get by with a smaller installation -- less hard drive space, faster performance.

Programmers, are you listening? Push Y if you heard me.

Written by Thom Foulks

Click Here


Thom Signature

         Thom Foulks

        5311 Alta Loma

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

     719-598-7828 Voice

     719-528-8545 BBS


Word for Windows Review
       Word 6.0 for Windows

The long awaited upgrade to the best selling Windows word processor, Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows has arrived and it was well worth the wait. With this major new release, Microsoft has maintained the features that have made Word (in my opinion) the best word processor on the market, and added some innovative and amazing features that make this product truly remarkable.

After doing extensive research on what users wanted and needed in a word processor, Microsoft set several major design goals for Word 6.0, including making everyday tasks easier and faster, simplifying complex tasks, increasing product consistency and integration with other Microsoft Office applications, and providing an even easier transition for users of WordPerfect for the DOS environment.

Word 6.0 offers innovations that go beyond ease of use to help users focus on their work, rather than their computers. Built into Word 6.0 is IntelliSense technology. IntelliSense technology senses what the user wants to do and intelligently produces the desired result, making routine tasks automatic and complex tasks easier. Examples of IntelliSense in Word 6.0 include AutoCorrect, AutoFormat, AutoText and AutoSelect.

•	AutoCorrect. The innovative AutoCorrect feature automatically replaces errors in mistyped or misspelled words. And this is my favorite of the new Word features. I have been waiting for something like this for a long time. AutoCorrect is a life saver for the sloppy typist and confused speller, like myself. For example, I am constantly holding the shift key down a tad too long after capitalizing the first letter of a word, just long enough to also capitalize the second letter. But with AutoCorrect, that mistake is corrected as soon as I hit the spacebar to go on to the next word, all without my having to tell the program to do it or search for this mistake later in proof reading. Another common mistake I make is that I get the letters i and e reversed in the word receive, now I dont worry about it, as AutoCorrect takes care of my mistake, as I type. AutoCorrect will also automatically capitalize the first word of a sentence or the first letter of any day of the week. Users can add thousands of commonly mistyped or misspelled words to AutoCorrect to suit their personal typing needs.

The AutoCorrect dialog box allows you to add, delete or modify entries.

•	AutoFormat. With the revolutionary AutoFormat feature in Word 6.0, users can automatically format an entire document with one click on the toolbar. Undesirable formatting such as hard carriage returns, asterisks for bullets, and improper trademark symbols are automatically cleaned up. Users can choose from more than 20 predesigned styles that are provided in the Style Gallery, or create their own styles. This well-implemented new AutoFormat feature represents more than two years of design and development work and the implementation of 400 design rules.

•	AutoText. You use AutoText (called the glossary in previous versions of WinWord) if you frequently type the same words and phrases or often need to use a particular logo, graphic, table or layout. This is a great feature for those users who, say, work for the firm of Bagby, Howard, Fine and Davidson and get fatigued typing that out all the time. By just typing bhfd, the entire name is automatically spelled out with any special formatting applied. You can create a virtual plethora of AutoText entries for text, such as names, technical terms, and standard text for contracts. Or create entries for formatted items such as tables, mastheads and lists, as well as graphics such as pictures, logos and charts. You simply use the AutoText button on the Standard toolbar to store and insert AutoText entries. All it takes to create an AutoText entry is to select the text or graphic you want to store, click the AutoText button, type a name for the entry that is easy for you to remember, and then choose the Add button. Simple and effective. Chalk up another great feature in this new version of Word.

The AutoText dialog box lets you edit, insert or just view entries.

•	AutoSelect. With AutoSelect, selecting a word or group of words is quick and easy because the program understands that the typical user selects complete words rather than just letters in words. If you start selecting text in the middle of a word, Word 6.0 goes back and automatically selects the beginning of the word.

As you may have seen in other Microsoft products of late, Word 6.0 now incorporates Wizards. Wizards are intelligent guides that interactively direct the user in creating newsletters, memos, resumes, calendars, letters and other documents. Wizards ask design related questions and create a document design based on the users responses. Wizards can be easily customized to fit any user-specific requirements. One of the top requests from users was the ability to create, modify and work with forms. Microsoft collected business forms from over 100 companies around the world to better understand user needs. With Word 6.0, users can now easily create business forms, and standard forms such as purchase orders and invoices are already included in the program.

Starting a fax document with the Fax Wizard.

Another improvement makes creating bulleted and numbered lists easier, even if you need to create insanely complex multi-level lists for technical or legal documents. Clicking on the bulleted or numbered list button on the Formatting toolbar will set up a simple list. You can also use the Bullets and Numbering command to set up a multi-level list, and then click on the Increase Indent and Decrease Indent buttons on your Formatting toolbar to change the hierarchy of the items on the list. Then when you edit your list, Word will automatically renumber the items within. Plus if your document requires numbered headings, you can simply use Words heading styles and the new Heading Numbering command on the Format menu. The program will number the headings in the format that you specify, and update the numbers whenever you move, add or delete a heading.

There is no shortage of options to spice up your lists.

For your editing pleasure, Microsoft has finally incorporated multiple-level undo, up to 100 levels. You need only click on the Undo button to undo the last action or click on the arrow beside the Undo button to undo whichever actions on the list you choose. The Redo button performs in a similar fashion when you wish to repeat actions. This feature has been needed for a long time in Word. Word now has a smart cut and paste and drag-and-drop editing feature. For example if you use these methods of editing, and you move or copy text, Word adjusts spaces to make the text fit its surroundings. You can also move or copy items from one Word window to another with drag and drop, and you can drag items between applications! The Find and Replace commands are much improved as well. Finding nonprinting characters such as tab marks, paragraph marks, page breaks and so on, are as easy as selecting the item from a handy list.

Another convenient feature is the Format Painter. This feature provides a quick and easy way to copy formatting. You just select the formatted text you want to copy and click the Format Painter button, and then select the text you want to format. To copy formatting several times, you double-click the Format Painter button before copying the formatting. To return to the normal mouse pointer, click the Format Painter button again. This is yet another example of the way Word can save you time by automating procedures. Another fun feature is the DropCap command. This gives you the capability to add special emphasis and style to a paragraph by adding a dropped capital format to produce dropped capital letters, words, and graphics. By simply selecting the text or graphic you want to format and then choosing the Drop Cap command from the Format menu, you get professional looking results.

Adding borders and shading is now even easier with the new Borders toolbar. The Borders toolbar provides quick access to a variety of borders for paragraphs and frames  including dotted, dashed, and other border styles. By clicking the Borders button on the Formatting toolbar, you display the Borders toolbar. From here you can add or remove borders and apply shading directly in a document, without switching between the item you want to format and a dialog box. You only need to click within the paragraph or frame you want to format and than click the buttons on the toolbar. Enhanced character spacing capabilities, available in the Font dialog box, give you the ability to adjust the space that follows a letter or symbol. New kerning features will also give you control over the spacing between certain letter pairs.

Borders and shading are a snap using the Borders toolbar.

With the new Organizer dialog box, you can copy and manage styles with incredible ease. You can now copy individual styles, macros, AutoText entries, and toolbars between documents and templates. You can use the Organizer dialog box to rename and delete these items so you dont have unused styles and AutoText entries attached to a document. You simply choose Templates from the File menu, or Style from the Format menu, and then choose the Organizer button. Word 6.0 now sports vastly improved the columns capability, giving you newspaper-style columns and headers and footers to provide more choices in setting up pages. And the Print Preview now has thumbnail views that you can zoom in and edit in full, right there. Another feature that has been sorely needed for awhile!

Heres a view of the organizer dialog box.

Mail Merge and envelope printing is improved, featuring the addition of Postal bar-codes for your printing pleasure. Word now also has an easier to use interface. The toolbars are fully customizable and can be arranged on screen for your personal style of working. Words pull-down menus are also customizable, if you wish. One problem I have had with toolbars, in the past, is trying to remember what the picture on the icon represents. Now, if I forget or am not sure, I simply need to point to a toolbar button and pause, and Word shows me the name of the button! This is a huge help to me while I become used to the buttons. Another amazing feature is the addition of shortcut menus. The right mouse button will bring up the appropriate shortcut menu for the selected item. For example if the cursor is in the middle of a word, right clicking the mouse button brings up a shortcut menu with options to change fonts, paragraph styles or Bullets and numbering. Selecting a word or sentence adds options to cut, copy or paste. Similar shortcut menus are handy when doing tables and the like as well.

Shortcut menus come up with a right button mouse click.

Clicking on the buttons in the horizontal scroll bar lets you change views quickly, and double clicking on the indicators on the status bar let you quickly switch between insert and overtype modes. You can also switch to full screen view, which hides all menus, toolbars and scrollbars to allow you to see more of the document on the screen. You can easily customize toolbars using drag-and-drop to add or eliminate buttons from your toolbars. Use the Options command to change default directories for documents and templates, modify the appearance of the Word screen, and set other options to suit the way you work. There is even a cute Tip Of The Day that will pop up every time you start Word, if you like.

Fully customizable toolbars are a welcome feature.

The one disappointment I found in Word 6.0, is that they changed some of the templates that prompted me for the information to place in a document, via WordBasic dialog boxes. I was used to, when starting a letter, being prompted for the name of the recipient, inside address and salutation and having that information placed and formatted automatically in the document for me. The new templates have place holders for that information that you must highlight and type over. Maybe Im being overly picky, but I liked the old templates better. Thankfully though, my old templates converted over fairly well, so I can still have my preferred automation. The WordBasic language was changed a bit, so my conversions are not perfect, but with some tweaking, I should be able to repair them. Another gripe I have is that you have to order the WordBasic manual separately if you want access to the WordBasic language commands.

It must be obvious by now that I am a big fan of Word 6.0. I use Word every day, for both business and personal use, and I have found it to be the best Windows word processor on the market. I have tried both Ami Pro and WordPerfect for Windows and have found them much less friendly, and no more capable than Word. One common misconception is that Word is tool for secretaries, and not a serious tool for the professional writer or desktop publisher. With this release, Microsoft thoroughly dispels that notion and in no uncertain terms. I can recommend no other word processor over Word 6.0 for Windows. Simply put, it's the best!

For more information contact:

Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-6399

(206) 882-8080

Brought to you by

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  Rich Young

  Staff Writer

  Windows OnLine

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Drafix Windows CAD Review
       Drafix Windows CAD 2.1c

Computers today can take a lot of the drudgery out of many tasks. For me, one activity I almost always hated doing was making mechanical drawings. One reason for this was I could never seem to get the hang of lettering. Nor could I ever get a drawing centered on the drawing sheet. So when I got my first computer, a CAD package was high on my list of priorities. After playing with several of these programs, I've settled on the Drafix Windows CAD program. Unlike many other similar packages, this program combines the power required to do complex drawings with a price that even a stingy guy like me can live with.

Whether for business or home, Computer Aided Design, or CAD, is rapidly becoming the most preferred method of producing today's engineering drawings. From designing simple shop projects to preparing large architectural drawings for that new computer room addition to your house, a good CAD program is an essential drawing and design tool. Unfortunately though, their relatively high cost has stopped some people from using CAD to make their drawing tasks easier. To keep costs down, many folks compromise and use a simple drawing, or paint program instead of  investing in a CAD package. Well, now, you can have your cake, and eat it too. The Drafix Windows CAD program is one of the better alternatives to either mortgaging your house or drawing with a crayon.

This program combines many high end features of the higher priced systems with the simplicity and ease of use of most low-end drawing programs. Drafix Windows CAD  uses a straight forward and simplified command structure that makes learning and using the program actually quite easy. The unique display screen of the Drafix Windows CAD program is a primary reason why the program is so easy to learn and use. Unlike many DOS based systems, that have elaborate and often confusing menu systems, Drafix Windows CAD was the first CAD package designed to be used with Windows.

The program offers a variety of features to make drawing easier and faster. One of these useful features is the user definable buttons, shown on the right side of the drawings window. These buttons may be assigned to any task, option, macro, or menu selection the user desires. A macro editor is also included with the program to simplify many tasks. The buttons may be changed at will, and several different button sets may be created and saved for a variety of different applications. Though shown at the right here, this button bar an the tool box on the left are both floating boxes and may be positioned where ever you wish in the drawing window.

The tool box, shown here, contains a series of icons representing specific drawing options. A specific task is selected by simply clicking the icon with the mouse. When selected, most of these icons will display a pop-out menu, that shows a range of available options. For instance, as shown here, if the dimensioning icon is selected, the variety of optional dimensioning styles is shown with the pop-out menu. You can then select the specific type of dimensioning you need to suit the feature and click on the appropriate icon.

Another unique feature of the Drafix Windows CAD program is the database option. This allows you to attach items of information to the specific entities in a drawing. The database allows you to assign database information to drawing entities that can turn simple drawings into very powerful tools. You can select entities based on their properties, to create visual inventory systems, and to export information to other applications such as spreadsheets, databases, and word processors. Other useful features of the program are associative dimensioning and hatching. So, if you change a dimension, the size is automatically updated to reflect the new size. Likewise, if a modified object has a fill pattern or crosshatching, this pattern is also changed to conform to the new size or shape. When needed, the program can also calculate areas, perimeters, and lengths for both simple and irregular objects.

A library of over 400 pre-drawn symbols is also included with the Drafix Windows CAD program. Additional symbol libraries for a variety of drawing types are also available. These libraries include:

Architectural	-	Over 800 symbols

Electrical	-	Over 500 symbols

Mechanical	-	Over 1400 symbols

Landscaping	-	Over 200 symbols

Networking	-	Over 200 symbols

Unlike other symbol libraries that are selected using cryptic names or numbers, the Drafix Windows CAD libraries display a picture of the requested symbol thus making the selection faster and easier. The symbols used in these libraries are also pre-attributed. That is, each has pre-assigned descriptions and type information. Users can either use these symbols as is, or modify the attributes to completely customize each symbol element. In addition, users can build their own complete customized, pre-attributed, symbol libraries to suit individual requirements. Presently, if you purchase the Drafix Windows CAD program, you may request one of these libraries free of charge. If you need more than one library the remaining libraries are available for purchase.

Drafix Windows CAD also supports several other formats such as AutoCAD and other third-party add-ons through its support of the DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) and HPGL (Hewlett-Packard's standard language) formats. The program is well documented and has a very useful on-line help system. A sample, non-printing, demo disk is available to allow you to test drive the program to see if it meets your requirements.

Drafix Windows CAD  (Retail price: $495.00)

Symbol Libraries  (Retail price: $150.00 each)

Available from:

Foresight Resources Corporation

10725 Ambassador Drive

Kansas City, MO 64153

1-800-231-8574

Brought to you by:

Ed Hoffman

Staff Writer

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MotorMouse Review
       MotorMouse

Time to cast off that institutional grey button-down mouse and let loose! You may not be able to finance that Ferrari to celebrate your mid-life crisis, but MotorMouse can help you declare that true identity yearning to break free! Besides, it's not just a gimmick, it actually functions very well. But don't let that get in the way of your fun.

MotorMouse is a 400 dpi three button mouse in the form of a Lamborghini or Corvette that comes complete with software to add to the novelty. Appearance aside, this device is no toy, very well constructed from a glossy heavy gauge plastic. The Corvette we test drove was deep red in color with blacked out windows. While it is light in weight, it feels very solid and you are not afraid to bear down on it occasionally as you would any other mouse. The three buttons are cleverly and unobtrusively beneath split sections of the top of the hood, and provide positive tactile feedback. The business part of MotorMouse uses the typical silicone ball riding on four corner slides and remains very stable and easy to move. An underside switch chooses between two and three button (Microsoft and Mouse Systems) emulations.

The Cruise Control software can add to the driving fun, and plays a WAV file of a car starting if you have the appropriate sound extensions. A Microsoft speaker driver is included if you have no sound card. Buttons across the bottom choose the car size and color, and the center gauge activates the automotive cursor. While cute, I found it unwieldy since the cursor is not static, but fluctuates to show different views of the car depending on your travel directions. These inconsistencies threw off my perception of the pointer, though I suppose with practice it would be less of a distraction. But then, what is this program supposed to be anyway, but a distraction? The two outside gauges each activate a driver and mechanic who stroll across your screen, and a dog who chases them. The center button sounds the car horn.

The software may not be for your routine use. The typically configured four megabyte 386-DX25 test system resources were at 78% with only file manager and a couple small utilities resident. Activating Cruise Control brought it down to 44%, and activating the three walk-on figures dropped it another 5%. However, the software is not the primary reason to buy MotorMouse.

The shiny red Corvette that we test drove measured approximately 5 3/4 inches long, 1 1/2 inches high, and 2 1/4 inches wide. This is slightly taller, narrower and a good bit longer than a typical mouse. It had a nice feel and operated smoothly, but the reach for the buttons is longer, and the extension of the back of the car into the heel of your hand is odd at first. However, I can say some similar things about adjusting to Microsoft's latest mouse, and suppose I could adapt to its slightly different feel.

MotorMouse comes with a convenient installation program which installs its own drivers for DOS and Windows, and I guess in this case for the first time the term "drivers" is meaningful. In addition to the Cruise Control software, a separate setup program is provided to adjust speed, vertical and horizontal sensitivity, double-click speed, and button swapping for lefties. I also used Microsoft's latest version 9.0 drivers with MotorMouse prior to my installation with no problem.

The office computer-types and civilians alike all raved about MotorMouse when they saw it, and I can tell you that a few unsuspecting spouses will be finding one under their tree this Christmas. Have you shown your spouse the WinOnLine Review™? This just may be the perfect review to show them to introduce the magazine, if you know what I mean. Hint-hint! Perhaps a pair of leather driving gloves as well.

MotorMouse is available from both computer and specialty stores at a suggested retail price of $65.95. You may also order direct at a special price of $59.95 until Christmas. The order line is 800-334-2933, but as you approach the holidays and want to insure timely delivery, call MotorMouse direct at 604-681-6062.

for further information please contact:

Motor Mouse

P.O. Box 9754

3873 Airport Way

Bellingham, WA 98227-9754

In Canada:

1005-750 West Pender St.

Vancouver, B.C. V6C2T8

Inquiries and late orders: 604-681-6062

Orders only: 800-334-2933

written by

Bob Gollihur

Member PCA

(temporarily driving a Corvette)

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Freelance Review
       Freelance Graphics 2.01

Presentation Graphics for Windows

Occasionally we all forget why we have a computer. As strange as it might seem, we sometimes get so involved with our hardware, our paths and command lines, our syntax and software, that we lose track of the fact that we have a computer to become more efficient, more productive, more creative or more competitive. One of the great advantages of Windows has been the reinforcement of that basic truth, that the goal of computing is product, not interaction with the machine. When we have to use an application for months before we begin to recoup the investment in time and effort necessary to learn the program, we are losing sight of that primary reason for having the computer. Lotus seems to have recognized this and has hit the target with Freelance Graphics, a presentation graphics package which will have anyone ready to take their show on the road shortly after popping the shrinkwrap.

Freelance Graphics starts the user off with an entertaining animated tutorial leading you through the basic steps of preparing a presentation. The tutorial demonstrates the process and then allows the user to accomplish the same tasks manually. Total runtime for the tutorial for a slow reader like me was about twenty minutes. When you finish, you are ready to tackle a presentation on your own. The documentation to support the program consists of a small well-written user guide and an extensive on-line help program. The fact is, that the program is so intuitive that most Windows users will feel right at home without much effort.

Start a presentation in Freelance Graphics by selecting an overall style or format from one of sixty-five "SmartMaster" sets. These sets provide a background, color selection, font and type size for the entire presentation. Most users will find the "SmartMaster" sets adequate and appropriate for any occasion, but for the perfectionist, there is capability to modify the provided sets through addition of a corporate logo, picture, motto or overlay, or even the option of preparing your own "SmartMaster" set from scratch. For many of us, the selection from the array of styles will be the most difficult task of the presentation.

With a style selected for your presentation, you then merely choose the type of slide or graphic you need and enter the data. Your options include pre-formated title, bullet, organization chart, table, graph and combination slides. Fonts are consistent throughout the set, and size of type is appropriate for the amount of information to be depicted. There are twelve formats available as well as a "blank" which has the "SmartMaster" layout but no other formatting.

If you have your information ready, the preparation of a professional presentation will only be delayed by your typing speed. If you need an organizational chart for your package, merely select it from the formats within your set, then type in the names, titles and comments with tabs to subordinate positions within the organization, Freelance Graphics will do the chart automatically in any of nine different styles (shadowed, rounded corners, listed or parallel subordinates, etc.) If you need a graph, Freelance Graphics will import data and maintain links to most major spreadsheets, or you can enter data for Freelance Graphics to construct its own graph. More than 100 graph styles are available with choices of color, font, text, headers and axis labeling. Choices are made from a visual display dialog box, so even the klutziest chief executive can make the program work.

The bread and butter of most presentations is the bullet chart. Here is where Freelance Graphics will really save you time. Select the appropriate bullet chart option from your "SmartMaster" set, and enter your entire list of bullets. If you are adding a symbol, logo, photo, or other object to your bullet chart, do so now. Then select create/build and Freelance Graphics will automatically generate a series of slides adding your bullets one by one for support of your presentation. On each slide in the series, the current bullet is in bright text while the previously presented topics are grayed out. It's a great way to keep your audience from getting ahead of you and maintaining control of your presentation.

Most of us grew up by planning our briefings on a legal pad with a chewed up #2 pencil. Well, Freelance Graphics provides us with half of that familiar environment. If your work style is to brainstorm the material first or to review the general flow of your presentation after the layout is over, you need an overview or planning format. Lotus offers the familiar yellow legal pad metaphor. Outline your presentation on the legal pad screen, selecting slide types as you enter information, and when you are done with your outline, your presentation is finished too. Your slides have simultaneously been prepared from your rough outline. Changes and cut/paste moves made on the legal pad are immediately reflected in the graphics.

Of course, if you like the light table concept for reviewing your slides, that presentation option is also available. Drag and drop frames to the desired sequence for your briefing and have the effect take place on your outline also.

Of course, the final step in preparing a presentation is the actual presentation materials. Freelance Graphics supports laser printer produced color transparencies, paper copy, and service bureau 35MM slides as well as computer based "slide shows". You are given the option of preparing speaker notes related to each slide; audience notes to support your presentation; or handouts which format thumbnails of your graphics six to a page. Probably the most impressive option is the computer slide show. The program allows you to run your graphics manually or automatically for preset time intervals with a choice of twelve transition effects between slides. Fades, wipes, blinds, box in/out, and other effects allow smooth transition without any of that annoying fumbling and adjustment that mars so many boardroom presentations. You can use the mouse to point for onscreen emphasis or even to write on your graphics during the show. For the truly high-tech presenter, Freelance Graphics offers a pair of SmartMaster sets which support multi-media links to your slides and launching of other Windows applications. Add your own video or select from the included library of .WAV files to add audio emphasis and spice up your presentation.

Probably the nicest "gee whiz" feature of Freelance Graphics is the stand-alone slide show capability. When your presentation is ready to go, choose "stand-alone" from the menu and your presentation can be copied to a floppy along with the necessary SHOW.EXE file to allow it to run on any PC with or without Windows. I chose to show Freelance Graphics to one of my clients as my first experiment with the program. Starting from scratch I prepared a ten slide presentation, including organizational chart, four bullet "build" sequence including my own photo in .BMP and .JPG format, graphs, title and conclusion . I selected auto-run, ten second display interval and fade transitions. Then copied it as a "stand-alone" to a 3.5" disk. Walked into his office, plugged the disk into his DOS machine, and stood back while he got the message that his presentations could be a lot more impressive next time. My total preparation time for this first production effort: twenty-five minutes.

Regardless of our job title, some portion of everyone's job is salesmanship. We may be selling products, ideas, motivation or instruction. But we are all selling. If we can get our perspective across more effectively through graphics then we can achieve greater success. If we can painlessly prepare professional quality graphics without becoming professional artists, we certainly gain a competitive edge. Freelance Graphics is definitely a winner of a product that can help make you a winner in business.

   Freelance Graphics

Suggested Retail Price $495

Competitive Upgrade SRP $150

Lotus Development Corporation

55 Cambridge Parkway

Cambridge MA 02142

1-800-386-8600

FAX (617) 253-9150

Review by:

Ed Rasimus

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Visio Review
       Shapeware Visio 2.0

Drag and Drop Drawing for Everyday Graphics

Remember the days when you used to visit those neat little art stores, looking for templates or stencils to help you design something? Only to find that the template was too big or too small. Now, with all the new computer technology you figure you can solve these problems. Well, with a regular drawing or painting program, you may still struggle with drawing objects easily. You could buy individual products for each type of drawing that you work on. However, there is one drawing program that fits that need for me, Shapeware Visio. It can handle all those, once in a while, designs and drawing needs. Plus, I don't have to learn how the product works each time.

Visio comes with 20 different project specified stencils, which contains over 600 different types of objects. They are not just outlines of pictures. You get detailed and colored objects, such as a computer or monitor. What they call Exclusive SmartShapes, are objects, symbols that can be resized without being distorted or silly looking. What you get are professional looking objects for all around use. The objects can be stretched or resized with the use of handles. The stencils that come with version 2.0 are Organization charts, flowcharting, network diagrams, forms, maps, states, electrical engineering, block diagrams, connectors, clipart, and several others. Besides the standard group of stencils that comes with the package, there are several Visio Shapes products that complement and expand the number of objects for a specialized area, such as Advanced Electrical Engineering, Advanced Flowcharts, Advanced Network Diagrams, Home Planning, Chemistry, Kids, Landscaping, and other fields of interest.

Starting off with a piece of paper and a stencil of your choice, you drag objects from the stencil template to the paper. It is very easy and straight forward. You pick the object you want, drag and drop it. Multiple stencils can be on your workarea for a wider range of selection. You don't have to be an artist or have drafting skills to get your idea on the drawing board. Once you've placed the object, you have various tools and options to tailor it to your liking. The toolsbar contains most of the tools and functions you will need to work with your layout. If you need an object that is not provided, you may want to draw the object freehand. Visio comes with a standard drawing tool set.

On the drawing sheet, you can have a grid, for lining up objects. Making use of the right button of the pointing device, clicking on it, will bring up a context menu. If the pointer is over an object, the menu items are changed over to editing and formatting of the object. There are options for hiding parts of an object, hiding text, filling an object, and creating control points. Visio can import and export files formatted in Adobe Illustrator (.AI), AutoCAD Drawing Interface (.DXF), Computer Graphics Metafile (.CGM), Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS), Macintosh PICT format (.PCT), Tag Image File Format (.TIFF), Windows Metafile (.WM.), Windows Bitmap (.BM), Windows Device-independent Bitmap (.DIB), and ZSoft PC PaintBrush Bitmap (.PCX). Improved Object, Linking, and Embedding (OLE) 2.0 functions are added for better integration with past and future Windows applications. With OLE 2.0, users can program Visio using a common programming language, such as Visual Basic, and a standard scripting interface. Visio shipped with two add-ons OLE Automation scripts. The inventory add-on can generate a bill of material for all shapes used in a drawing. The stencil report add-on prints out a list and description of all shapes on a stencil.

Shapeware Visio 2.0 is making life a bit easier for everyday people to do drawings. All of us can quickly layout professional looking designs. Dragging and dropping objects on to a sheet of paper makes layouts such as, flowcharts, organization charts, and other designs much easier to do. To speeding up the drawing of objects, the math co-processor chip is supported, (only if you have it). Visio 2.0 supports Object, Linking, and Embedding (OLE) 2.0 functions. Objects can be shared easily between your favorite Windows applications. For me this is an all around drawing application that replaced my flowcharting program, organization program, and floor designing program. Of course, you can do other things with it, whatever your imagination can think of. Well, off I go, back to dragging and dropping and loving every minute of it.

   Any 386SX-20 and higher, Windows based computer.

   Microsoft Windows 3.1 only.

   4 MB of RAM.

   VGA, SuperVGA, XGA or other Windows 3.1 compatible graphics card and monitor.

   A 3.5" or 5.25" floppy disk drive.

   12 MB of disk space is needed for a full install.

   The math coprocessor is used, if present.

   Any Windows pointing device is recommended.

   Support all Windows 3.1 compatible printers.

   Network Compatible.

For more information, please contact:

Shapeware Corp.

1601 Fifth Avenue

Suite 800

Seattle, WA  98101-1625

(206) 4676723

Fax : (206) 467-7227

$299. - the suggested retail price

$79. - upgrade price for registered Visio 1.0 users

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Bars and Stripes Review
       Bars And Stripes

Like it or not, we have reached the point where there is so much information to process that those "funny little lines" are everywhere! Bar coding is used for many applications, from the card you sent your mother for her birthday, to the purchase order for your department's new printer. Since we have not yet realized the "paperless society," there has to be a way to keep track of all that paper and information that is acceptable. Enter bar codes, basically a way of compressing information into a compact form, akin to "zipping" a computer file to make it smaller in order to speed transmission time over telephone lines via modem.

There are many uses for bar coding aside from the standard retail point-of-sale inventory control. For instance, bar coding can be used for: tracking purchase orders; invoices; production control; forms retrieval; insurance records; pharmacy stocking; medical and dental patient files; specimen tracking; shipping and receiving; records management; claims tracking; to name a few.

Many court systems throughout the State of California are using a filing cover sheet that employs bar codes. This enables the court clerks to readily ascertain what type of document is being received in order to send it to the proper department for processing. As the courts become more backlogged, bar coding is being adopted in more counties.

When a small company needs bar coding, it usually has to go to an outside service bureau. This can be a costly proposition. Now, thanks to Tippecanoe Systems, Inc.'s new WinWord bar coding utility, Bars and Stripes, bar coding of all types can be accessed right at the WinWord toolbar! The Bars and Stripes icon is highlighted in the graphic below:

Installation of Bars and Stripes is different than most install programs. To install Bars and Stripes, you open "BCINSTAL.DOC" from the installation diskette and double-click the install icon from within Word.

After installation, accessing Bars and Stripes is as simple as clicking the icon on the toolbar and choosing the type of bar code you will create.

Bars and Stripes can create all of the standard bar code formats including: UPC-A; Code 128; Codabar; Interleaved 2/5; Postal; and Code 93. UPC-A stands for Universal Product Code, and this is the bar code most of us see every day. It is used to record point-of-sale transactions for consumer goods. Code 128 is used for data collection, and allows encoding of 128 ASCII characters. Codabar is used for shipping/receiving (Federal Express for example). Interleaved 2/5 creates compressed digit strings and is useful for narrow shipping labels or where space is a consideration. Postal bar codes are used by the US Post Office for mail processing. Code 93 uses the full set of ASCII characters and is also used for data collection.

Bars and Stripes offers a number of options in creating bar codes. You can change the orientation of the bar code four ways: standard; upside-down; vertical right; and vertical left. The text that is being made into a bar code can either be preserved or replaced with the bar code. There are also two paste options. Simple paste mode is the easiest and quickest way to place and print bar codes, however, the bar code is created in low resolution making scaling of the bar code inadvisable. Framed mode uses Microsoft Draw graphic placement capabilities and can be easily re-sized without affecting readability, since it uses a much higher resolution. The framed mode uses more memory and takes longer to generate and print. Orientation options are only available through the framed mode, and the sizing options are much more flexible.

Bars and Stripes also has an automated feature which is very useful for making bar code labels. You can either use an existing data file or you can create sequential bar codes. When generating sequential bar codes, you can choose the starting number, the increment value and how many bar codes to generate. After generating the bar codes, you have the option of merging the data into an existing file or saving the file as a single data field. If you use an existing data file, you can choose which field to use when generating the bar code (especially useful for generating Postal bar codes on a mailing label list).

Bars and Stripes offers tremendous flexibility and it is very easy to use. Tippecanoe Systems, Inc. has come up with a winner business utility. Bars and Stripes lists for $99.00 direct from Tippecanoe Systems, Inc. and it is a bargain. System requirements are: a Windows capable computer and Microsoft Word. The documentation is very well done and includes quite a bit of information about bar coding in general.

For more information, please contact:

Tippecanoe Systems, Inc.

5674 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 119

Pleasanton, California, 94588

(510) 416-8510

Brought to you by:

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           Tami Brydone-Jack

   WinOnLine Review, Staff Writer

    2971 North Main Street, #107

   Walnut Creek, California 94596


WordPerfect Video Tapes Review
       WordPerfect Video Tapes

When I first installed WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows I was amazed at how much I didn't know about this program. While I thought I understood WordPerfect, I was working from a background with the DOS version of this popular word processor. Believe me, WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows, though bearing the same name, is not the DOS version. So. I plowed right into the program figuring that I could bull my way through the learning curve. I must admit it didn't take too long to realize that this is a very powerful program and if I wanted to get the most from it, I'd need some help.

Well, since I'm quite stingy, formal classes were out of the question. Likewise since I was the only person I knew that had this program I couldn't even solicit free advice from any of my friends. So I turned, once again, to my old friend the VCR. This time, with a Word Perfect 5.2 for Windows tape series from SOFTVISION INTERNATIONAL of Orem, Utah.

Having used video tapes to learn a variety of different programs, several of which have been chronicled here in WOLR, I had a rough idea of what to expect. Well, I must admit, even I was impressed with the content of these tapes. Rather than a simple rundown of the features of WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows, these tapes, or more specifically, the instructor Linda Bush, really explains and illustrates virtually every part of the program.

This tape series consists of four video tapes: Introducing WordPerfect 5.2, Intermediate WordPerfect 5.2, Advanced WordPerfect 5.2, and WordPerfect 5.2 - Tips & Tricks. Each of these tapes is a stand alone instructional program and may be used individually. However, together, they completely cover features and capabilities of the WordPerrfect 5.2 program. The following is a brief  summary and description of the topics covered in each of these tapes.

Tape #1

Introducing WordPerfect 5.2

The first tape introduces the user to the WordPerfect 5.2 program and covers the more elementary aspects of  the program. Starting with a rundown of the screen geography and the basic look and feel of the program the instructor quickly moves to the meat of the program. Throughout the tape, reference is made to the DOS version of WordPerfect. So, if you're moving from the DOS version, you should feel equally comfortable with the program.

The first actual lesson covers the steps and processes necessary to construct a basic business letter. Here the program ties together the basics of entering text, setting and changing text attributes. In this section you'll learn to set bold and underlined text as you type the letter. Likewise, margins and margin settings are also introduced in this lesson. The program shows how to set both left and right margins and the steps necessary to center the text vertically on the sheet. Even the justification options are thoroughly explained in this section. The reveal codes function of WordPerfect is also introduced and explained in this area. This feature allows you to see both the text you type as well as the control codes WordPerfect inserts to suit the requirements you specify. The program then moves to a description of the Ruler and Button Bar used with the program.

Text saving, viewing and filing techniques are next explained. Here the tape also introduces the WordPerfect file manager, spell checker, and help features. Each of these is amply explained and well presented. The tape even answered one of my questions when the instructor explained the difference between the UNDO and UNDELETE features of the program. As I learned, the UNDO only cancels out your last action, while the UNDELETE will allow you to replace up to three sections of text that you previously deleted. Even the difference between the OPEN and RETRIEVE commands are thoroughly explained.

The section on the WordPerfect File Manager completely describes the File Manager, File Navigator, and the File Viewer. The processes necessary to switch directories, setting up new directories, and moving and renaming files is completely and clearly described. With slightly over two hours of instruction, this tape provides the user with a surprisingly complete introduction to the WordPerfect 5.2 program.

Tape #2

Intermediate WordPerfect 5.2

The next tape in this series builds on the prior information, but is still quite useful as a stand alone aid to learning the WordPerfect 5.2 program. This tape starts with a discussion for fonts. From defining the various font terms to describing the difference between mono and proportional spaced fonts. The processes used to select printer drivers and selecting base initial fonts and attributes is also covered. The next lesson covers tabs. Starting with the rationale for tabs and moving to how they relate to the sheet, the tape describes virtually every thing you'll need to know about these pesky little items.

Headers and footers are next. Though both headers and footers are setup and used in essentially the same way in WordPerfect, they do print in two different places on the page. The next area covered is page numbering. Here the setup and placement of standard and special page numbers are explained and illustrated. Next up is a rather well done description of text columns and tables. Starting with a definition of text column types and where each is typically used the tape moves to the steps necessary to set up columns from both a blank document and converting existing text to columns. The tables features of the program are also well explained in this tape. Beginning with the Tables Button Bar, the tape shows how tables are setup and how the individual cells may be combined, separated, and formatted. A sample invoice and calendar are used for samples and examples of working with tables in this tape.

The tape concludes with a narration of the auto-numbering, search/replace, and auto-date features. The auto-numbering area begins by detailing how to use the outlining and numbered lists options. Each of these is well done and shows how each is setup and used. In the search and replace section the tape describes each of the various search options available in WordPerfect 5.2. Starting with simple text searches the tape moves to the slightly more detailed steps involved in searching and replacing text, codes, and combinations of both text and codes. In the final section the tape describes the auto-date features of the program. Here you are shown how to setup date codes to place the current date in a document as well as the optional method of inserting a date code that will automatically update itself each time the document is retrieved.

Tape #3

Advanced WordPerfect 5.2

The third tape in the series again uses the information from the other tape to introduce the user to the more advanced features of the WordPerfect 5.2 program. This tape starts with a rather complete description of macros. Starting with the steps necessary to record a simple macro the tape moves to the methods used to play macros. Next, the topic of editing macros is addressed. For those familiar with the WordPerfect for DOS macro language, this will be a departure from the methods you used before. But, this section may prove very helpful in figuring out how to convert your existing macros to work with this version of the program. Several examples are given and the tape also covers the steps involved in creating a macro that pauses for keyboard input.

The next section of the tape covers the merge features of WordPerfect 5.2. This is one of the most complete descriptions of how to set up and use primary and secondary merge files I've yet seen. From merging simple letters to addressing envelops and labels this section will prove to be quite useful for those that use the merge feature, even infrequently. The next two sections cover the thesaurus and the Grammatik program that is part of WordPerfect 5.2. Here, both the rationale and use of these features is described. For those who write letters, reports, or similar documents regularly, these features of the program can both add variety to your documents as well as helping to prevent embarrassing mistakes.

This tape finishes up with a discussion of the sort features and the how and why of styles. Like the merge feature, the sort feature of WordPerfect is quite powerful. This tape show the user the steps necessary to set up and complete different types of sorting operations. The styles feature is also well described. Though not used as often in word processing as macros, the styles feature of WordPerfect 5.2 as detailed in this tape is often a better alternative than macros. From describing the different types of styles to setting up and running styles, the tape provides a very good  introduction to this useful feature.

Tape #4

WordPerfect 5.2 - Tips & Tricks

The final tape in the series provides the user with a selection of features, processes, suggestions and hints on how to get the most from WordPerfect 5.2. Most of the information covered here is an expansion of  the basic functions described in the other tapes. But, despite this, there is more than enough good information contained in this tape to warrant its purchase.

Starting with some of the methods of quickly selecting text the tape moves to the methods you can employ to create horizontal lines and several forms of dot leaders. A more detailed description of the File Manager and some additional file management techniques are also discussed in this tape. The columns, tables and outlining features are also revisited and a few unique tips and tricks, such as placing vertical lines between columns are also covered. The tape also shows how to create a calendar that updates the dates each month. Protecting text and text blocks is also covered in this tape. Here the tape shows a few pointers to prevent your text from breaking where you don't want it to and how to work with the hyphenation features of the program. There is even a macro described to help insert typographical quotes instead of the standard typewriter quotes.

The tape concludes with a discussion of the compose feature, working with graphics, and a collection of general WordPerfect 5.2 tips. Together these tapes will give you about 8 hours of instruction in getting the most from this program. Both the experienced and novice user of WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows will benefit form using these tapes.

Introducing WordPerfect 5.2    (Retail price: $69.95)

Intermediate WordPerfect 5.2     (Retail price: $69.95)

Advanced WordPerfect 5.2     (Retail price: $69.95)

WordPerfect 5.2 - Tips & Tricks   (Retail price: $69.95)

WordPerfect 5.2 Video Tape Set     (Retail price: $199.95)

Available from:

SoftVision International, L.L.C.

1240 East 800 North

Orem, UT  84057

1-800-748-4746

Brought to you by:

Ed Hoffman

Staff Writer

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Felix Review
       Felix, The Mouse

The Better Mouse

Even the most dedicated mouser has thoughts of trying trackballs, pens, and other devices. There is great appeal to being freed from the mouse pad, to be able to recline back in your chair with your feet up on the desk. The ergonomics of mousing leaves something to be desired, too, and often leads to muscle fatigue or potential permanent damage due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Like many, I can often be found at the local computer store in the mouse aisle, test-driving the sample alternative devices. My personal adventures with trackballs have been unsatisfying; my navigational ability while drawing made my artistry far worse than my usual poor output. The search continued and motivated me to investigate Felix, another type of device altogether.

Altra calls its Felix a "Tablet Mouse," and it is somewhat difficult to describe. The illustration should help my attempt. The pointing device is mounted within a sturdy, low profile (one inch) plastic base approximately 5 3/4 inches square. The unit slides smoothly within the base, its center point having the ability to reach each of the corners of the rounded 1 1/2 inch rectangle in which it rests. The device fits naturally to the fingers, the main center lever acting as the left mouse button with the center button functioning as the right.

Felix comes with his own power supply, the typical step-down transformer that terminates in a barrel plug. The mouse's 25 pin terminator contains a socket into which the plug is inserted to power it's internal microprocessor. A cable adaptor reducing the 25 pin connector to 9 pin is included.

Installation of the Felix software went smoothly, though you will have to remove your original DOS mouse driver manually. Windows, DOS, and AutoCad drivers are included. Both the Windows and DOS versions may be customized through INI file changes or command line switches.

This tablet mouse is an optical device containing its own microprocessor that learns your screen size and adapts signals to your movements to speed up or slow down based on your input. Altra claims a useful life of five years, and points to the no maintenance aspect of the design. This rings true to me, as it seems I am forever removing the ball from my mouse and cleaning it to maintain performance.

Pointing devices are most definitely a matter of personal taste, and I can only give you my subjective observations: Adaptation to Felix came quickly. It feels and reacts like a mouse, although on a smaller and lighter scale. I can only equate it to picking up the violin after playing the string bass. Felix worked well for both the gross cross-screen moves and the fine pixel-by-pixel editing of a bitmap. Altra states that it provides 320 dpi precision.

There is a tendency, at first, to grasp the device too tightly, which can (and did) lead to fatigue. Felix can be manipulated effectively with a very light touch due to its lack of mass. It is my opinion that a small arm rest leading to the device would be a benefit. Since the range of motion necessary to operate Felix is so small, your arm stays in place, unlike typical mouse movements. I also moved the tablet to my lap and enjoyed a game of Tri-Peaks Solitaire (purely in the interest of science) and can acknowledge that Felix can accommodate that position as well, though it didn't help my score. After two full days of using Felix, I did note some discomfort at the inside of my wrist, but that may simply be use of muscles ordinarily underutilized.

If you are also in search of a mouse alternative, consider Felix. To entice users, Altra has a ten day trial offer so you may audition the unit to determine if it is suitable for your work.

List Price:	$118.00

For further information please contact:

Altra

520 W. Cedar

Rawlins, WY 82301

800-726-6153, ext. 100 (orders)

307-328-1342

307-328-1346 (fax)

written by

Bob Gollihur

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KingCOM Review
       KingCOM

Windows COMport Manager

When I first got my computer I had the image of a luxury car with lots of optional equipment. It started quickly and took me smoothly on whatever mission I desired with all of its accessories working perfectly and effortlessly to meet my every whim. What I realize now, is that personal computers are more like that economy jalopy that we first got in high school. In order to get any kind of use out of it, we are continually tinkering, adding gizmos and gadgets to make it look better, improve performance, or just keep up with traffic. I had hoped to never open the hood, yet now I find myself routinely fiddling with autoexec, config.sys, and various .INI files. Worse than that, I have even been forced to peek into MDS and other system diagnostic programs, just to keep the thing running. Next thing you know, I may be forced to pick up a screwdriver and look inside the darn box. It isn't supposed to be this way.

That is why a program like KingCOM is so appreciated. KingCOM solves the problem we all eventually encounter of multiple communications programs vying for access to a single COMport without having to fiddle under the hood. Most of us have one communication device, either straight modem or combination fax/modem attached to a single COMport and using a single IRQ. But before long, we have more than one piece of software which wants to use that hardware. The trend, in fact, is for more and more programs to have a module requiring access to your communication hardware. On my system, I have ProComm©, Quicken©, America OnLine©, and my PIM, Desk Top Set©, all demanding access to my busy modem. Each time I try to use one of those applications, it demands exclusive use of the port, and I have to shut down all other apps that require the modem. That is not the way Windows is supposed to work. Windows is about multi-tasking and keeping the applications running. Now, KingCOM to the rescue.

Basic KingCOM Operation

KingCOM manages your software competition for available COMports and hardware through the establishment of nine virtual COMports. Upon initial installation KingCOM scans your system and offers a control panel showing your configuration of serial and parallel ports along with their supporting IRQs. The user may then assign any physical COMport to as many virtual COMports as necessary to support the installed software. For example, on my system which has a serial mouse, COM1 is assigned to virtual COM1 for operation of the mouse. The KingCOM scan recognized this and automatically made the assignment. That left eight virtual ports to distribute to my modem which is assigned to COM4. I chose to have my Desk Top Set dialer use virtual COM2, America OnLine software was assigned virtual COM3, and ProComm was assigned virtual COM4. When I install my new fax/modem, hopefully next month, I will use virtual COM5 for the fax software.

Expert Menu Options

If KingCOM were only going to banish the nagging "COMport in use by another device. Select another port." messages it would be useful, but it offers a lot more in fine tuning your fax and data communications. After installing KingCOM and assigning virtual COMports to your software, you may choose to select the "EXPERT" menu and further configure your system. Here you are afforded the opportunity to designate a "Primary Receive Device" for incoming calls. You never had to do this before because you only could run one software item at a time. Now you may want to select your fax program to answer incoming calls, while still having instant access to your other comm programs. You also can select whether "carrier detect" or "ring indicator" serves as the receive trigger for that software. With a dedicated data line, the ring might be your choice. If your computer shares a phone line with the rest of your family, the carrier detect option might be better.

KingCOM also allows you to tailor the parameters for a COMport to be considered idle and therefore available to another program. You can choose whether a DTR (Data Terminal Ready) signal, a carrier detect, or an elapsed idle time is used to determine port availability. If you choose carrier or DTR as the primary parameter, you can add a further elapsed time before another program gains access to the hardware.

During the initial system scan, KingCOM detects and configures for the presence of a 16550 UART. With this hardware feature recognized, KingCOM claims to enable DOS applications to achieve the same high performance levels even while operating through a DOS Window. Data transfer rates between two machines using a null modem cable are reported as high as 115.2 kbps. More important for the average Windows user, is KingCOM 's ability to adjust the Interrupt Trigger Level for the 16550 UART's 16 byte receive buffer as well as the system RAM buffer while using DOS based communications applications. The options allow detailed tailoring to meet the needs of your hardware, software and phone lines. All pretty whiz-bang stuff for a guy like me who merely wanted a reliable, fully optioned luxury car, not necessarily the fastest hot-rod in the high school parking lot.

If you have reached the point in your computing life where you need more COMports to handle the requirements of your software, KingCOM may be an inexpensive solution. If you don't want to have to tell the next caller to wait while you load your fax software, it may be downright mandatory.

For more information, contact:

OTC Corporation

17300 17th Street, Suite J-117

Tustin CA 92680

Tel:  (714) 832-4833

Fax:  (714) 832-4563

BBS: (714) 832-0658

Review by:

Ed Rasimus

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