Copyright: Copyright © 1994 Windows OnLine(tm)
Citation: All rights reserved, Copyright © 1994 Windows OnLine(tm)


Front Page

WinOnLine Review™ is a publication of Windows OnLine™. Copyright © 1992-94 All Rights Reserved


Contents

   About the WinOnLine Review™

WOLR information you should know

NEW to the magazine and Windows Help?

 here to learn more

   Publisher's Desk

This month's comments from our Publisher

   Cache La Byte, by Thom Foulkes

Windows Needs A New Name, Not A New Number

   SmartPad, by Steven Jay Cohen

superb tools to streamline your work and increase your productivity

   Visio Express, by Randy Wong

a Drag and Drop drawing add-on application for Microsoft Office/OLE2

   Managing Your Money, by G.L. Heitzmann

as good a finance program as I've seen

   Longman Dictionary, by Ed Hoffman

a compact useful writing tool that contains only the words you actually need

   Fantastic Recall, by David Morgan

eliminates the need to close applications and save open files before exiting Windows

   System Engineer, by Steven Jay Cohen

a tool you don't want to be without

   MyBrochures and Mailers, by Ed Rasimus

a very attractive alternative to high cost printing

   Fan Card Combo, by Ed Hoffman

a Swiss Army Knife of computer cards

   Microsoft Sound System, by Randy Wong

an exciting world of giving voice commands and listening to your computer

    For Your Bookshelf, by Ed Hoffman

Word 6 for Windows Companion

Running Word 6 For Windows

   Windows OnLine (BBS)

   FREE Windows CD-ROM

   Your On-ramp to the Internet


About the WinOnLine Review
Publisher : Frank J. Mahaney      Editor : Bob Gollihur

Technical Editor: Steven Jay Cohen      Senior Staff Writer: Ed Hoffman

Staff Writers: Steven Jay Cohen, G.L. Heitzmann, David Morgan, Ed Rasimus, Randy Wong

Contributing Writers: Tami Brydone-Jack, Bob Ellig, Thom Foulkes

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Publisher's Desk
You'll notice a subtle difference in this month's issue. Each of our staff writers has their own Internet address now. Drop any of them a line @wol.com. Yes, the Internet Connection has come to Windows OnLine™. You can have your own worldwide Internet Email address too! Check out the ton of new UseNet News Groups on every subject imaginable coming from our Internet connection.

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Frank J. Mahaney

Publisher

Internet Address:    frank.mahaney@wol.com


       CACHE LA BYTE

by Thom Folkes

Windows Needs A New Name, Not A New Number

Darn Ed Foster.  Darn, and double-darn.

Who's Ed Foster, and why I am casting aspersions in his direction?

Ed's the gravel-voiced, deep-thinking editor of the PC industry weekly, InfoWorld, and just as I was completing a WOLR column (the rewrite of which you're now reading), I picked up my mail and learned that Ed had beaten me to the punch.

Ed was hypothesizing about the next version of Windows from Microsoft (currently, Chicago) being named Windows 4.0, given the sorry track record of products with 4.0 version numbers.  Yes, it's absurd to be superstitious about such a numbers thing, but the subtitle of my original take for this monthly WOLR hyperbolic offering was "I'll Wait For 4.01, Thank You."

But I'll bet YOU don't read InfoWorld, so I'm not going to let Ed's scoop detract me from pressing on.

Fact is, as a past and future (maybe not, after this) Microsoft beta tester, I've made no efforts to join the Chicago testers.  I have such strong negative vibes over the issue, I've already vowed my first experience with "Chicago" (whenever it departs Redmond, WA) will be only on one of my so-called workbench machines, where everything can be blithely discarded.  I'm not about to entrust my valuable day-to-day work material to the sequential "fourth" version of anything.

I can only remember the nightmares, not the specifics, of the havoc that DOS 4.0 wreaked on my work and BBS systems.  Ashton-Tate's dBASE IV helped ended my career as a database programmer (as well as the firm itself).  WordStar had something(s) numbered "4" that I could never comprehend, Norton Utilities 4 compounded the problems it inherited from DOS 4.0, and Novell's Netware 4.0 generated more complaining e-mail and CompuServe message traffic than any network should ever be expected to handle.

Is the next Windows really the fourth iteration?  In fairness to Microsoft, one must also note that the gargantuan improvements from Windows 3.0 to 3.1 should have been more than just a decimal place -- but, maybe, this train of thought is why Win 3.1 was not a "4" and Win 3.11 is just that.  Following that thinking, Chicago might be Windows 3.2 or somesuch.

Whatever.  No matter how the numbers game is played, there are a lot of computer users with memories as far back as those of Ed and I -- version 4.0 is a scary number, just as is (today) version 6.0 (which is another story unto itself).  Veterans are going to remember dealing with "xxxxxx" 4.0, and at least think twice or more before loading up another 4.0.

Intel handled a different kind of naming problem in dealing with its 80586 microprocessors, by simply halting the incrementing-numbers schtick and calling it Pentium (next: Repentium?).  It well may be time for Microsoft to also skip version numbers and find a new name.  "Doors" and "Rooms" have already been claimed by Win add-on products.  Thousands of names are already under some form of trademark or copyright protection.  Yet, if Chicago fulfills the bulk of the many promises Mr. Bill has made for it over the past couple of years, it well may be worthy of a totally new name -- no numbers.

"Click-click" is still worth a try.  Unless Gillette wants to push and pull over it.  Or, given Chicago is already well accepted as the product's name, why not just leave it as such?  Carl Sandburg has already written excellent ad copy.  Yes, there is this problem with Mrs. O'Leary's cow, but Ed and I won't mention it if you don't.

commentary by

Thom Foulkes


My Brochure & Mailer
       MY BROCHURES AND MAILERS

by Ed Rasimus

MyBrochures and Mailers

How easy it is to forget that the reason we have a computer is to be more productive. The trend lately is for bigger, longer, faster, wider. More chrome and tail fins can't be far off. Every software manufacturer seems to feel obligated to include every feature and option the user might ever even conceive, and then throw in a few hundred extra whizbangs and widgets which most of us will never find or use. It is refreshing then to come upon a company whose motto is: "Keeping It Superbly Simple." MySoftware Co.'s basic philosophy is to develop products that do one task incredibly well, that can be learned well enough to be used effectively in less than five minutes. The bonus is that they have sufficient commonality that if you learn one of their products you can use them all.

One of MySoftware's latest offerings is MyBrochures and Mailers for Windows. The concept behind the software is that almost everyone has a need for the familiar tri-fold brochure fitted onto an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. You know the kind I'm talking about. Some are self-mailers with a panel devoted to the postal service, others are reply coupon carriers. Some even have perforated tear-off Rolodex cards for your future reference. But everyone, and I do mean everyone, at one time or another has the need to tout their services, push their product, or fish for customers with some sort of advertising brochure.

The problem of course is what does it cost to do the job? Been to a print shop lately? Walk in with a couple of pages of draft notes on a scribbled yellow legal pad and by the time you've been through layout, editing, typesetting, color separations, print setup and cost of materials you can walk out a few thousand dollars lighter. And you still haven't addressed and mailed them yet. It only becomes economical when you are dealing in the thousands of pieces and the potential business return can cover the cost of the effort. It won't work for most of us who only need twenty or fifty or two hundred brochures.

The other alternative is investment in a super-duper Desk Top Publishing setup and a few arduous weeks of intense study to learn how to use it. Naaahhhh. The answer is a selection of specialty papers designed for tri-fold brochures by a number of companies, a sheet feed printer and MyBrochures. If you don't know where to get the papers, MyBrochures includes an assortment along with a catalog from Paper Direct to give you some great ideas. In just the time it takes to have read this far, you can be laying out your first brochure and it won't look like a fourth rate amateur paste-up job.

MyBrochures does nothing but tri-folds. When you launch the program, you can choose from 192 compatible pre-printed brochure papers into which your text, graphics, bullets, and images can be inserted. You can also work from one of 16 printable background formats by choosing a "jump-start" layout. Formats available include rotated self-mailers, brochures with built in Rolodex cards, and tear-off reply forms. If all else fails and you feel in a creative mood, start with a blank but pre-formatted tri-fold and import your own BMP, GIF, WMF, TIF, EPS, or PCX graphics and clipart. Launch the drawing tool's palette and add emphasis lines, boxes, circles and other vector artwork. Fill the shapes with color and "Voila" you've got an impressive advertising piece that looks like it came from a professional agency.

Choose from custom papers or printed backgrounds

MyBrochures  will feel immediately comfortable to anyone who has worked with Windows word processors or drawing programs. Menus look familiar and text editing is typical (pun intended). Graphics and text blocks drag-and-drop with automatic wrap-around and flow whenever you place an object. Those templates that employ rotated text for address blocks are presented for text entry with the appropriate orientation when the cursor is placed in the block. A spell checker is included, and the program includes a mail merge module using dBase files or other MySoftware products (MyMailList or MyDataBase). When you are ready to print, the program offers a printer alignment feature that generates a grid on a test sheet. Fold the sheet into quarters, note where the folds occur on the grid and then enter the numbers in the print setup dialog box. The software will provide automatic adjustment so you don't have to fiddle with your printer paper feed.

Quick & dirty brochures made easy

When you couple the simplicity of the software with the elegance of some of the available pre-printed papers for preparing brochures, MyBrochures becomes a very attractive alternative to high cost printing. If you have a small business and a need for a limited number of advertising pieces, this could very well be the best way to get a deluxe look on a generic budget.

MyBrochures

Retail Price: $59.95

For more information contact:

MySoftware Company

2197 E. Bayshore Rd.

Palo Alto CA 94303

Tel: 415-473-3600

Fax: 415-325-0873

reviewed by

Ed Rasimus

ed.rasimus@wol.com


       MANAGING YOUR MONEY

by G.L. Heitzmann

Managing Your Money

Picture, if you will, a mild-mannered, unassuming computer user browsing in a software store. After using the same drab checkbook program for many several years, Managing Your Money for Windows suddenly stares back from the shelf. Our unassuming user feels a sudden urge to pick up the box, and without hesitation is about to enter The Meca Zone.

Furnished by MECA Software on three 1.44mb floppies, MYM is about as different from a drab checkbook program as one could imagine. It requires only Windows v3.1 or later and 4mb RAM. For the best ease of use, I suggest a mouse (a decorative mouse pad is included in the package) and 256 color capable video. The program follows a typical Windows program install pattern, but I was surprised by prompts asking if it should overwrite files already in C:\windows\system that were older than the install disks with advice "If unsure, choose not to overwrite" and it would rename the old files. I appreciate being asked before a program messes up my carefully "strewn" hard drive. When the installation is finished, it displays a README.TXT file which launches into a quick tour, profusely illustrated with cartoon-like situations and samples of its various registers and outputs.

Double clicking on its icon in the group item is the ticket to the MECA  Zone.  When MYM comes on screen, our user is transported into a very neat, blue carpeted office and a big multi-drawer desk (each drawer is labeled as accounts, loans, tax, categories, payees, memorized, etc.), a library shelf, corkboards, rolodex, notepad, calculator, open financial book, a mousehole that exits the program, and  all displayed with 256 color capability. Everything works! Clicking on the rolodex, calculator, calendar, etc., displays those Windows' items that the user has filled and already knows how to use. That's a nice touch that flattens  the slope of the learning curve immensely. Click on the ball-like object next to "The Thinker" and discover a crystal ball. Fill in the info for the accompanying dialog box and check out your life expectancy. It takes into account family history, physical condition, daily practices, and in my case, it was pretty close to my own realistic expectations. It will also keep track of several federal income tax forms for you (if it's marked taxable, it's on the form). It reminds you of bills in advance of due dates, sends payments via modem, prints checks, tracks your investments, plans for your retirement, and gives advice from Andrew Tobias.

Opening a new account listing is no more difficult than a couple of mouse clicks and naming it, whereupon it sets up a full set of categories, descriptions, etc. One of the advertised features of MYM is its ability to directly import from Quicken by using the "Quicken Import." It really does import all transactions from Quicken, but it takes a bit more than a mouse click to accomplish it. When importing, MYM looks for QIF files that don't exist in the Quicken subdirectory. The user needs to pull out the manual or help files for Quicken, use the export facility to create the QIF files, then go back to MYM and use the import feature.  From there it's easy unless you thoroughly read the help files, which say to enter the opening amount of the account in accordance with the opening figure of the latest account statement. If you do, be prepared for a shock. It's wrong! It took me a few stuttering steps to discover that it required the opening amount listed at the beginning of the Quicken transaction list to put a correct balance on screen when I imported my own account. I'd have been happy to write checks on the extra money it showed in the first try's balance, but they'd still be bouncing.

Managing Your Money is as good a finance program as I've seen.  If you need more help than it offers, consider professional assistance. This mild mannered, unassuming user likes the MECA Zone, where he discovered that even tracking finances could be entertaining.

Managing Your Money

List Price:  $79.95

For further information please contact:

Meca Software

55 Walls Drive, Box 912

Fairfield, CT  06430-0912

Phone: (800)-820-7457

reviewed by:

G. L. Heitzmann

gary.heitzmann@wol.com


Fan-Card Combo
       FAN CARD COMBO

by Ed Hoffman

We've all heard the cliché "When you're Hot you're Hot!!" applied in a variety of situations. While this may be appropriate for people, unfortunately you cannot apply this metaphor to your computer. Because if your computer runs hot, you could be in heap of trouble. As one who has had a computer that tended to run on the hot side, I know well the problems that excessive heat can cause.  Besides simply replacing the computer or setting up some type of convoluted Rube Goldberg arrangement of fans and heat sinks, there is precious little you can do to correct this heat problem.  That was, however, until the Fan Card-Combo from T.S. MicroTech came along.

As its name describes, the Fan Card-Combo is a computer card with two built-in fans.  Each of these fans is approximately 2 inches in diameter and provides virtually complete cooling with a bi-directional air flow. Although these fans are a principal component of the unit, they represent only part of the functionality of this remarkable card. In addition to the fans, the Fan Card-Combo is also a I/O card equipped with a wealth of essential input and output connections.

Actually, the Fan Card-Combo can best be described as a Swiss Army Knife of computer cards. Just about the only thing I found that I couldn't plug into this card was my coffee pot.  The card includes an IDE hard disk controller, floppy disk controller, two serial ports, a parallel printer port, and a game port. And as if that weren't enough, if you have a sound card, there is even a 6V/9V DC connection for your speakers.

I must admit, when the Fan Card-Combo arrived I was somewhat skeptical. Maybe I'm just too cynical, but my first reaction was "how could this card possibly do all that stuff?" Well, after using the card for a few weeks, I'm now a convert. It really does perform as promised. As a side benefit, with respect to the cables inside my computer, the Fan Card-Combo has created order where there was only chaos.

The card is also remarkably easy to set up and install. The massive 4 page manual takes all of a minute to read. To configure the jumper settings for your situation all you need to be able to do is read.  The instructions and jumper settings are printed right on the card itself. Each feature or card function can also be enabled or disabled individually. If you wish to only use one serial port, for example, the other can be disabled with a single jumper. Another nice feature of the Fan Card-Combo is the location of the jumpers. They are all together in a single row. No need to hunt for the jumpers in the obscure places they are often hidden on other cards.

The Fan Card-Combo is available in many retail outlets. Since T.S. MicroTech does not set a suggested retail price, the prices you'll see will vary quite a bit. The source listed below offers the Fan Card-Combo at the lowest street price I was able to find. If you do not want the 6V/9V DC speaker connection on the card, a version is also available, (at a lower price) without this connection.

After using this card for several weeks I can't wait until the next version of the Fan Card-Combo card is released, if for no other reason than to see what else I'll be able to plug in to it. Using the Fan Card-Combo has allowed me to remove a couple of my single purpose cards. So, I now have a free slot on my motherboard.. Hmmmm, I wonder if the folks at TS Micro Tech might consider a Coffeepot-Combo card.

Fan Card-Combo

Retail price $44.95

Available from:

Jade Computer

20817 Western Avenue

Torrance, CA 90501

1-800-421-5500

written by

Ed Hoffman

ed.hoffman@wol.com


       LONGMAN DICTIONARY

by Ed Hoffman

Even the most casual writer needs a good dictionary to help them through the morass of rules, dictates and conventions so common in the English language.  Likewise, few other tools are as useful in finding just the right word for the thought you wish to convey. Trying to figure out whether to use affect or effect, farther or further, or principal or principle can often drive you to distraction. Despite this obvious need for a good dictionary, I have been reluctant to keep a dictionary on my computer because of the space required to install the program. Many dictionaries can require ten or more megabytes of disk space. Rather than devoting that much space to a single purpose dictionary program, I decided to keep my old torn and tattered paper dictionary close at hand.  After all, it has all the words I need and it doesn't take up any disk space.

That was before I found the Longman Dictionary of American English. This program has not only changed my obviously biased opinion of computer dictionaries, but has also found a home on my system. This dictionary is both an impressive on-screen reference tool and a program that makes judicious use of my hard disk space.

Originally designed for people who were learning English, the program lists over 38,000 of the most common English words. Many of the definitions also contain example sentences to show how the word should be used. These definitions and example sentences are written using only 2,000 common English words. So, even if your vocabulary isn't vast, you'll still be able to use this dictionary with very little trouble. While the Longman Dictionary of American English is a good general purpose dictionary, it is also a good reference for many of the rules of grammar.

The program also includes an extensive reference section containing a guide to using the dictionary as well as a listing of the abbreviations and grammar codes used in the definitions.  There is also a section on word beginnings and word endings to help you select just the right word. The dictionary also contains ten study notes to assist you in understanding the parts of speech such as nouns, adjectives and verbs.

The Longman Dictionary of American English reduces the space requirements by listing only the words we all use regularly.  Eliminating the hefty overhead of 70,000+ words we seldom, if ever, use in our daily writing reduces the size of the program substantially.  In fact, the complete installed program only requires approximately 2.5 megabytes of hard disk space.

If you need a compact useful writing tool that contains only the words you actually need, the Longman Dictionary of American English might be the dictionary you should consider.

Longman Dictionary

of American English

Retail price $99.00

Available from:

Exceller Software Corporation

2 Graham Road West

Ithaca, NY 14850

1-607-257-5634

1-607-257-1665 Fax

written by

Ed Hoffman

ed.hoffman@wol.com


       FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF

by Ed Hoffman

One thing I soon learned when I installed Word for Windows 6.0 was that if I was ever going to master this program I was going to need help. The manual that comes with Word does describe the features of the program, but very little else. What I needed was a reference resource that would serve both as a guide to the program and a reference to getting the most out of the features of Word for Windows. After looking over several volumes, I've settled on two that I like and can recommend to anyone else that feels a bit overwhelmed by the power of Word for Windows 6.0. These books are Word 6 For Windows Companion and Running Word 6 For Windows.

Word 6 For Windows Companion

 	This text is a comprehensive treatise with over 1000 pages describing virtually every feature contained in Word for Windows 6.0. Starting with the geography of the basic Word screen and quickly moving through the basics of using the help system, creating and opening documents, the text moves you through the elementary aspects of using Word. Though elementary, I was still able to pick up a couple of useful pointers and ideas in this section.

The remainder of the text is laid out using a very logical and step-by step approach. Every section builds on the information presented in earlier ones. Each specific feature and characteristic of the program is addressed and numerous hints and suggestions are provided for each function. The text is replete with individual Notes and Tips. These are shown as highlighted text blocks with special icons that call your attention to the information. These are also very useful in learning many of the conditions and conventions of Word for Windows. I found that while I already knew much of the information contained in these Notes and Tips, I did learn enough new information to make reading them all worthwhile. I especially like the way the text handled the new features found in Word for Windows 6.0. Rather than simply burying them in with other information, each time a new feature of Word 6.0 is discussed, a marginal icon notes the new information.

Where appropriate, each concept and technique covered in the book is illustrated with a screen shot. These screen shots show many of the menus and dialog boxes and are very helpful in interpreting the meaning of each section. The illustrations, like the text of the book, are also very well done and easy to read and understand.

Running Word 6 For Windows

This 800 page text is a combination reference text and users' guide for both the experienced and novice user of Word for Windows 6.0. Beginning with the basics of the program, the book helps you build a solid foundation by completely explaining the correct way to setup and get started with Word for Windows.

The text has liberal examples and step by step procedures for many of the more common operations performed with Word. I found the section covering Styles very well done and especially illuminating. Likewise, the Templates and Wizards section steps you through the rationale and use of these important Word tools. The whole intent and direction of this volume is based on the practical aspects of getting the most from Word 6.0. Each feature is completely addressed and well explained. I even found myself reading about features I had no intention of ever using, just because the text made them sound interesting.

The complete text is stuffed with hints, tips, and suggestions all geared toward making Word 6.0 do specifically what you want it to do. All the new features of Word for Windows 6.0 are highlighted in the text with an icon in the margin. This feature automatically calls your attention to this important information.

Both of these books are very well done and have definitely found a place on my reference bookshelf. I would be very hard pressed to decide which of these books I like more. However, if you really only want one, I'll let you decide which to choose. Stop by your local book store and look them both over. No matter which you choose, you'll not be disappointed. Almost immediately you'll start getting more out of your copy of Word for Window 6.0.

Word 6 For Windows Companion   The Cobb Group (ISBN 1-55615-575-1) List Price $29.95	Running Word 6 For Windows  Russell Borland (ISBN 1-55615-574-3) List Price $29.95
Available from:

Microsoft Press

PO Box 7001

LaVergne, TN 37006-7001

1-800-MSPRESS

written by

Ed Hoffman

ed.hoffman@wol.com


       MICROSOFT SOUND SYSTEM

by Randy Wong

Talking and Listening to Windows!

How are you using your sound card? Playing games, listening to all those MIDI  and WAV files. Would you like to tell your computer what to do? Do you like to have the computer proofread your last paragraph? Would you like to record your voice? All these things are within your reach. Microsoft Windows Sound System is setting a standard with some of these functions. It contains easy-to-use sound tools that let you interact with your favorite Windows applications. so you can enter a new and exciting world of giving voice commands and listening to your computer.

Clipboard ProofReader reciting highlighted text back to you

You can get the Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0 with or without a sound card. The Sound System with the sound card contains a 16-bit stereo OPL3 sound board, microphone, microphone stand, headphones, and software. The Sound System without the sound card contains a microphone, microphone stand, microphone adapter, and software. In my case, I got the package without the sound card.

The Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0 without the sound card comes with:

  Microphone and microphone stand, which can be attached to your monitor or using the microphone stand to rest on any flat surface.

  A microphone adapter that attaches the microphone to your existing sound card via the joystick/MIDI adapter port and the line-in port. You may or may not need it depending upon your sound card.

  The Voice Pilot application allows you to take control of your application with your voice.

  The Quick Recorder application records, plays, and edits sound files.

  The ProofReader application helps check your work by reciting highlighted words and numbers back to you.

  The Music Box application is used for playing audio compact discs on your computer.

  The Sound Finder application is used to play back sound files in either the MID or RMI file formats, as well as sound files in the WAV, AIF, SND, or VOC file formats.

The Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0 software will run on Creative Labs SoundBlaster Pro, CL SoundBlaster 16, CL SoundBlaster 16 ASP, Media Vision Pro AudioSpectrum 16, MV Pro Audio Studio, Ensuing Soundscape, ESS AudioDrive, Compaq Business Audio PCs, Windows Sound System compatible sound cards, and compatible SoundBlaster Pro and SoundBlaster 16 sound cards. Installing the hardware pieces were quick and simple. The microphone can be either stuck to a permanent fixture, like your monitor, or you could assemble it on a stand. The microphone adapter is attached to the joystick/MIDI port. The microphone cable is then plugged into the Input plug, not the microphone plug. Some computers are equipped with a Microsoft Windows Sound System compatible sound card and do not require the microphone adapter.

The Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0 main attractions are the Voice Pilot, Quick Recorder, and ProofReader. Each of these applications deals with an area of interest. The Voice Pilot controls your computer by using voice commands. It comes with a standard voice command set for most Windows standard drop down menu commands. The fun begins when you create your own custom voice commands. I started out by running through the Train procedure, to teach it the standard commands using my voice. By using the VoiceWizard, you are guided step-by-step through several stages of building your own custom vocabulary and voice commands. The Quick Recorder creates and replays your sound recordings. Expanding the display from a small window of just a few buttons you are now equipped with a wide selection of controls. You can edit and add special effects, such as fading in or out, echoing effects, mixing, volume control, and other specialties. Using Drag and Drop, you can drop a message with your recorded voice into a document, or any application that supports the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) function. The ProofReader uses the Windows Clipboard to read aloud highlighted words or numbers. You can have ProofReader recite as data is being entered or selected data, and the speed of the recital can be set. ProofReader can be installed in Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3 during installation time. Once installed, starting MS Excel or Lotus 1-2-3, there will be a Proof option on the menu bar so you can have a built-in proofreader in your spreadsheet.

As an added bonus, the Microsoft Windows Sound System comes with two entertaining applications. The Sound Finder finds and plays back sound files. This helps you locate the right sound file that you might want to include with your work. It supports MID or RIFF MIDI (RMI) formats. Other sound file formats are supported, such as WAV, AIF, SND, or VOC. Besides playing sounds, the Sound Finder can add an icon picture, label, and description to the sound file. This feature is limited to RMI and WAV formats. The Music Box application plays audio CDs from your CD-ROM player. For each compact disc you could assign the CD and track titles, create a custom playlist, and set the repeat function. Helpful features include a volume control and time scale display.

 The Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0 brings talking computers closer to the budget-conscious home user. This package is a great sound starter upgrade. If you want to wet your feet and slowly jump into the new emerging technology, the Microsoft Windows Sound System will help you. I did not encounter many problems with the package. To install completely, you need nine Mbytes of free disk space. For the software product only, you need to have a compatible sound card.

The Microsoft Windows Sound System standard is not limited to this package. By adding a microphone and selected application tools, other manufacturers are releasing products that are based on this standard. It's great to speak out and tell your computer what to do. You might even learn something from what your computer has to say.

MS Windows Sound System

Software and microphone only  $64.95

16-bit stereo OPL3 sound board  $159.00

For more information, please contact:

Microsoft Corp.

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-6399

1-800-426-9400

Written by:

Randy Wong

randy.wong@wol.com


       SYSTEM ENGINEER

by Steven Jay Cohen

The term "Control Panel" inherently evokes a particular meaning, don't you think? At once, it signifies a center of operations, a location from which all critical components of a system can be monitored and adjusted as necessary. Windows Control Panel, though concerned with many of the environment's inner workings, has never really been endowed with that degree of power and responsibility.

For most Windows users Control Panel provides adequate functionality. By design Microsoft deemed it wisest to put the inner controls of Windows just out of reach of the average user. That is why the default setup of Windows does not create an icon for the System Editor though SYSEDIT.EXE is placed in the \System subdirectory. I agree with their thinking in this regard, as would anyone who has ever accidentally made their copy of Windows inoperative due to tinkering with the settings in the win.ini and/or system.ini files. However, for those who wish to venture into this mysterious realm, it is there to use. Unfortunately, the only references with any details about these files that ship with the commercial version of Windows are the winini.wri and sysini.wri text files that are also placed by default in the Windows directory.

Though these simple provisions are probably enough for a majority of Windows users, they are woefully inadequate for the large community of Windows developers, consultants, support professionals and power users. This need is what motivated Andrew Rowe to create the System Engineer for distribution exclusively by the Windows User Group Network (WUGNET). The current release, v2.0, has been combined with the Windows Troubleshooter by Jack DeLand to create quite a formidable package of tools and resources to fill this void.

On first glance, the above graphic of System Engineer might be mistaken for Control Panel. This portion of the application does, in fact, duplicate the functions of the Windows Control Panel. All similarity begins and ends here. As you can see by the tabs, there are four major areas of focus. Functions are accessible by either the menu bar or simply by clicking the index tabs. Fine tuning Windows functions necessarily involves tweaking the settings in the system.ini and win.ini. Because altering the settings in these files can all too easily disable the running of Windows, it is important to have working copies or backups of these files. In the event of a mishap, this will make it very easy to restore a normal running configuration. System Engineer's Backup section provides a complete librarian for storing, managing and recovering multiple configurations.

Before using System Engineer to alter any settings, a normal DOS backup of all ini files should be conducted as added insurance. Backup copies of system.ini and win.ini will automatically be made the first time the INI Editor is used to edit these files. This function backs up and archives four types of files: autoexec.bat, config.sys, grp files, and any file that has an ini extension. There are a number of useful options provided which may be configured to suit your purposes. System Engineer can be set up to automatically backup and keep a log of any of these types of files that are changed or new. It even provides a separate special archive to store specific designated sections of ini files. For ease of functioning, full "drag and drop" awareness can be enabled by associating SYSENG.EXE with the ini extension in win.ini.

 	In addition to general editing, the win.ini section of System Engineer has several special capabilities. Specific items are devoted to quick access to the [Associations] section and the Run= and Load= lines as well as easy manipulation of icon font type and size, and icon vertical spacing. The "Flush Cache" function can be a real time saver. By forcing a complete reread of the win.ini by Windows, it circumvents the need to reboot in order to effect edited changes. The Help Colors icon presents an easy interface to customize the text colors that denote hypertext links in help files.

The system.ini is exactly what it sounds like: the heart of the Windows system. This complex area is concerned with a breathtaking number of important specifics. It contains so many different and often interdependent settings that for most it is quite intimidating. Nonetheless, a firm understanding of the interactions delineated by the settings in this file is critical for Windows professionals of all types. This is where System Engineer really shines. Each of the dialog boxes represented by the icons in the above graphic breaks down critical portions of the system.ini into palatable bite-sized pieces. The context sensitive on-line help is quite remarkable, containing detailed, line-by-line explanations of each setting and its ramifications.

To give you a better understanding of the depth and detail covered by the System Engineer, check out the following example. When you double-click on the Other icon in the system.ini panel, the following dialog box appears. If you then click on the Help button or press the F1 key, you are taken immediately to a page in the help file that contains a hypergraphic reproduction of the dialog box. Place your cursor over each of the items in the Interrupts section of the dialog box below and click once with your left mouse button to view an explanation of that item.

In similar fashion, each of the other icons in this section elicits a dialog box with appropriate checkboxes, spin buttons, etc., for every pertinent line in the system.ini. Inevitably, all levels of Windows users experience hardware and/or software conflicts that must be resolved. Whether or not you happen to be a Windows professional, System Engineer will serve as an invaluable on-line reference and tool for clearing up such difficulties. In particular, this body of tools is perfect for ironing out conflicts and difficulties in a network, no matter what size.

The Information panel provides detailed real-time reports of all aspects of resource and memory usage. Because System Engineer monitors these items as they are occurring, this group of tools can be invaluable when trying to discern sources of conflict in memory.  For the programmer, the academician or the curious, the Window Information function serves as a "spy" for any window on the desktop. It identifies the Window class and elicits other useful information by simply moving your cursor over any window. The associated pop-up menu will even allow you to temporarily change the title bar text in a window. Malfunctions or bugs in a particular body of code are much easier to track down with the help of these tools.

Troubleshooter is bundled with System Engineer. It reproduces the Microsoft Windows Resource Kit in on-line HLP format. The flowcharts are presented in a way that allows one to quickly ferret out difficulties that would otherwise present considerably more tedium. This is a priceless resource for those who require this type of information.

Though commercial fare, the only way to acquire the System Engineer is to join the Windows User Group Network. Along with Troubleshooter, membership includes the current version of King Com, an application that wonderfully manages serial port activities within Windows.  Also, you will receive their informative bi-monthly publication, The Windows Journal and a companion disk, as well as member-only access to their private library of helpful software in the WUGNET Forum on Compuserve. Recently released, the System Engineer manual is available in this library in both DOC and RTF formats. Membership also entitles one to discounts on various Windows-related software and printed matter.

If you happen to be a Windows professional, developer, consultant or power user, System Engineer is a tool you don't want to be without. A tremendously powerful resource for even those who wish only to gain a better understanding of the inner dynamics of Windows, System Engineer provides useful, voluminous, well written, and most importantly -- easily accessible on-line information in this arena. Only a portion of the return for your investment, this application alone is nearly worth the price of membership in the Windows User Group Network.

System Engineer 2.0

Included in WUGNET Membership Price:  $100.00

for further information please contact:

Windows User Group Network

PO Box 1967

Media, PA 19063

800-WIN-USER

(800-946-8737)

fax 215-565-7106

written by

Steven Jay Cohen

steven.cohen@wol.com


INT28 critical

Checkbox checked equals true.

Section	Statement	Default

[386Enh]	INT28Critical=<Boolean>	True

Purpose:

Specifies whether a critical section is needed to handle INT28h interrupts used by memory-resident software.

Some network virtual devices do internal task switching on INT28h interrupts. These interrupts might hang some network software, indicating the need for an INT28h critical section. If you are not using such software, you might improve Windows' task switching by disabling this setting.


Reflect Interrupt 2A

Checkbox checked equals true.

Section	Statement	Default

[386Enh]	ReflectDosInt2A=<Boolean>	False

Purpose:

Indicates whether Windows should consume or reflect DOS Interrupt 2A signals.

The default means Windows will consume these signals and therefore run more efficiently. Enable this setting if you are running memory-resident software that relies on detecting INT2A messages.


Non-maskable interrupt reboot

Checkbox checked equals yes.

Section	Statement	Default

[386Enh]	NMIReboot=<Boolean>	No

Purpose:

If enabled, causes a reboot to occur when a nonmaskable interrupt is received.


Mouse soft interrupt

Checkbox checked equals true.

Section	Statement	Default

[386Enh]	MouseSoftInit=<Boolean>	True

Purpose:

Specifies whether Windows should convert INT 33h function 0 hard initialization calls to function 33 soft initialization calls, which do not reset the mouse hardware.

·	To use a mouse with a non-Windows application that you start in a window, leave this switch enabled.

·	If you are having problems (extraneous display output or a distorted cursor) using the mouse with an application, disable this setting.

Note:  If you disable this setting, you will not be able to use the mouse with a non-Windows application that you start in a window.


wugnet
The Windows User Group Network is an international organization for

Windows professionals. WUGNET's role is to communicate Windows-based

technologies and applications to an international audience through the

WUGNET forum on CompuServe, conferences, trade shows, publications,

trade books, and various membership interactions. WUGNET offers its

members a number of technical support tools and support resources

designed to save them time and solve quickly problems.


       FANTASTIC RECALL

by David Morgan

One of the first things that impressed me about Windows was the ability to run more than one application at a time. I was used to working under the DOS environment where an application is launched, operated, exited, and then followed by the same linear procedure. Under Windows, it is not necessary to close an application before launching the next one. This allows multiple applications to run at the same time. However, it is necessary to close applications and save open files before exiting Windows. To do otherwise will result in lost information.

Fantastic Recall eliminates the need to close applications and save open files within those applications before exiting Windows. Here is an example that shows how it works. Imagine you're in a Windows word processor with four documents open. Using a hot-key combination, you exit from Windows without saving anything in the usual manner. The next time you restart Windows you will be back in the word processor with the same documents open. No information will have been lost. Even the cursor will be exactly where you left it.

 Fantastic Recall works by saving an image of the Windows environment to a file on your hard disk.  That file actually contains a complete image of everything in your RAM at the time Windows is exited. The saved image is later loaded back into RAM when you power up Windows allowing you to automatically start working right where you left off. It uses only 33kb of system resources with 18kb of those discardable.

The installation of Fantastic Recall is performed within Windows using a setup program, but it is recommended that you first run chkdsk.exe from DOS prior to setup. Installation can take two forms: quick and custom. Custom install allows you to set such variables as "icon always on top," whether or not the Hot-Key is enabled (and what that Hot-Key is), and whether or not to save files within applications on exit.

These same items may be configured from within Fantastic Recall after setup if you wish to change anything.

To start Fantastic Recall, enter "FR" at the DOS prompt. This automatically starts Windows with your previous session. The first time it is  executed there will not be anything to load so it really actually starts working the second time it is run. Once Windows and Fantastic Recall are running you double click on the icon and exit Windows one of three different ways.

The Save and Exit option will save information within opened applications then exit Windows

The Windows Exit option is the standard Windows exit.

The Quick Exit option closes all applications without saving anything. All unsaved data is lost.

In order for Fantastic Recall to operate correctly, your system configuration should be identical to when the image was last saved. The image must be updated whenever there is a change to the system configuration. This would include changing the autoexec.bat or config.sys files, adding memory, defragmenting the hard disk or installing new software.  By using the special command line option /W, the image is removed and a new one created.

A significant requirement for Fantastic Recall is a continually available amount of disk space equal to the amount of RAM on your system (if you have 8 MEGS of RAM, you need 8 MEGS of disk space for the image file

Fantastic Recall is a great time saver. The time saved is the time spent closing applications, saving data within those applications, then reopening each and every one the next time you start Windows.

Fantastic Recall v.1.0e

List Price: $49.95

for further information please contact:

Binar Graphics, Inc.

30 Mitchell Boulevard

San Rafael, CA 94903-2034

Voice: (415) 492-8161

Fax at (415) 491-1164

BBS: (415) 491-0548

written by

David R. Morgan

david.morgan@wol.com


       VISIO EXPRESS

by Randy Wong

Drag 'N Drop Drawing within Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

With the arrival of Microsoft Office 4.0, running applications is not the same anymore. The standard version of Microsoft Office consists of a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation application. With the Professional version you get two additional applications. The idea behind combining several applications into one Suite of products is not new. They are designed to work together. With Microsoft Office 4.0, you can now switch between applications within an application. These new Microsoft Office Compatible modular standards will change the way add-on products compliment our use of these programs. Leading the way of Microsoft Office Compatible modules is Visio Express by Shapeware.

Visio Express is a Drag and Drop drawing add-on application for Microsoft Office 4.0 and Microsoft Office Compatible products. Based on Visio 2.0 Drawing application, it uses the Object, Linking, and Embedding (OLE) 2.0 standard. The difference between using Visio 2.0 and Visio Express is that you get away from running several standalone applications to do a single job. You can get the job done from what seems to be just one application, as Visio joins in with your open application, appearing to be a part of it. Over 240 shapes from five different drawing types are included, the basics being Flowcharts, Timelines, Organization Charts, Block Diagrams, and Maps. Besides the standard drawing tools, you have tools for Aligning Shapes, Rotating Objects, Color Filling, Text Controls, Lines Pointers, Grouping, and Ungrouping Objects.

With Visio Express you do not leave your application. Once installed, there will be a new button added to the button bar. Visio Express is integrated right into your Microsoft Office Compatible application. Once you click on the Visio button, you are now in the hands of the drawing application. The Button Bar is changed, the selected template appears, and you are ready to build your picture. There is no more cutting and pasting. You just pick your object, or the one closest to it, and drag it onto your drawing area. If the object is not totally appropriate, you can manually change the shape with the drawing tools available. Once you have completed the picture, click anywhere outside the picture frame, and you will return to the main application.

Other Visio Templates include Advanced Electrical Engineering & Software Diagrams

If there are not enough standard objects for you to finish your project, there are specialized templates available. Additional templates that will work with the standalone Visio 2.0 or the Visio Express add-on product may be obtained for $79.00. A few examples are Electrical Engineering, Software Diagrams, and Advanced Flowcharting.

 This is a very good product for those who are using the Microsoft Office products or any of the individual Microsoft Office Compatible applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Visio Express is also compatible with Access, Visual Basic, Microsoft Mail, and OLE 2.0 applications. While installing an additional template, I did lose my linkup to Visio Express. Other than that minor problem, it seemed to operate smoothly while working in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Visio Express 2.01 for Microsoft Office

Retail Price: $79.00

For more information, please contact:

Shapeware Corporation

520 Pike Street

Suite 1800

Seattle, WA  98101-4001

         1-206-521-4500

FAX: 1-206-521-4501

Written by:

Randy Wong

randy.wong@wol.com


        SMARTPAD

by Steven Jay Cohen

I am continually reminded that part of the beauty of the Windows environment is its configurability. No two people use it in exactly the same ways. Excepting the defaults of an initial installation, no two desktops have the same appearance. And given time, every user begins to develop a wish list for his or her copy in order to streamline and further personalize their environment. I admire the entrepreneurial intelligence that has the wherewithal to take the next logical step: the creation of a vehicle to fulfill those wishes. SmartPad is the marvelous new brainchild from Softblox that provides the means to visually and functionally shape Windows to each individual's purposes.

This is exciting stuff! SmartPad is a design studio for Windows that provides superb tools to streamline your work and increase your productivity while at the same time infusing you with all of the creative excitement of a three-year old getting his hands into his first session with finger paints. You don't have to be a programmer to make any of this work. The presentation is straightforward and easy to understand with thorough online help just an F1 key away. Loads of working examples are included to illustrate practically all of the concepts. You can begin with these and further customize them to suit, or you can jump right in and start building the SmartPads you envision from scratch.

What exactly is a SmartPad toolpad? A toolpad (or pad for short) is the Softblox term for an enhanced toolbar. A pad is a collection of buttons that perform user-defined actions when they are selected. You can select buttons by using the mouse or by a user-defined keyboard shortcut. Pads can have as many buttons and tabs as you wish.

SmartPad's tabular format pictured in the above graphic is itself one of the available construction styles. Attractive, isn't it? Laid out in a logical fashion from left to right, the tabs represent the steps involved in building a pad. There are three general types of pads:

Desktop - These pads are associated with the Windows desktop and are available as long as Windows is running. An example of this type would be a pad configured as a program launcher.

Associated - These pads are associated with specific Windows programs and will appear whenever those programs are started. Switching to another application or minimizing the program removes the pad, but it reappears when the program is re-activated.

Default - These pads can be made to appear whenever a Windows program is started that doesn't have a specific associated pad. A good use for this type of pad would be to house commands that are common to most programs, for example menu items such as File New, File Open, Save As, Save, etc.

Buttons also come in three varieties: Push Buttons, Tab Buttons, and Automatic Buttons. The Push and Tab types are obvious. Automatic Buttons are configured to run invisibly whenever the pad is started or stopped. Buttons can be configured to perform these type of actions:

 Run - Start an application. Sounds simple enough, right? Actually it's as simple or as complex as you want it to be. In addition to allowing the sizing and placement of an application's window, SmartPad provides a "@Function" language by which command string arguments can be passed to an application. This opens up a world of possibilities that enable you to make Windows do your bidding with a minimum of effort.

 Keystrokes - Reduce the number of steps required to perform an action or easily access functions that may otherwise be accessible only through the keyboard.

 Menu Commands - SmartPad's Menu Wizard will easily capture menu item text or relative position to assign a desired action.

 Macro - Records and plays back a sequence of keystrokes and/or mouse actions in much the same way as the Windows Recorder.

 DDE Execute - A very powerful SmartPad function, this uses Windows Dynamic Data Exchange to send commands to other applications. When SmartPad is running, it acts as a DDE server.

Now that you have some understanding of the built-in power, let's take a look at the actual pad construction process and a few of the functional and graphical implementations. Toolbench is the first tab window to appear when you open up SmartPad. It displays a hierarchical listing of the current pad profile and its component pads in outline text format. Double clicking on a pad title expands a listing beneath, displaying the pad's component buttons and important details about each. Individual buttons and pads may be added and deleted from here.

Next is the Build tab window (pictured above) where pre-defined button sources may be drawn upon to build a toolpad. The Source combo box in the upper left-hand corner presents three source options: Master Profile; Program Manager Groups; and Open Existing Profile.

The Master Profile (MASTER.KPS) contains an extensive library of SmartPad buttons that are automatically installed with the application. It serves as an excellent base which can be easily added to over the course of time by simply dragging buttons from the pads that you build into the MASTER.KPS profile. This library is subdivided by common categories accessible in the Category drop-down list box positioned just below the Source combo box. A healthy supply of pre-defined buttons are supplied in eight general categories: Document Filing and Editing; Text Formatting; Drawing; Data Charting; Utility; Miscellaneous; Assorted Programs; and Windows Essentials. Also included are three complete button sets for Lotus SmartSuite in small, normal and large icon sizes; and two complete button sets for Microsoft Office in normal and small icon sizes.

Selecting Program Manager Groups tells SmartPad to read your current Program Manager Groups, all of their component items and their icons. The information is remembered until you exit the program and is re-read each time this category is selected. This function makes it easy to draw upon your existing setup to build toolpads.

Open Existing Profile allows you to use buttons from any existing toolpad (.KPP) profiles. Eight pre-built toolpads are included to illustrate the array of possibilities. Buttons are easily added to a toolpad by simple drag 'n drop procedures.

The Layout tab window is where you decide upon the default appearance and spacing of a pad's tabs and buttons. Making the desired changes is easy with slidebars provided for the alterable variables. An Icon Toolbar is part of this interface. It contains three toolbuttons: the Bitmap Camera, which will capture any 32x32 portion of your desktop for use on a buttonface; the Icon Library, which allows you to choose icons from an existing library or extract icons from EXE and DLL files; and the Bitmap Editor, which is associated by default with Windows Paintbrush for touchups. You may change this association to any other bitmap editor that you wish. The current pad is displayed so that you may view the changes as you make them.

The Style tab window is where you decide upon the exact manner in which a pad will be displayed by default when it appears. Presentation styles can be configured to be alterable during runtime. If you decide to include a titlebar in a pad, it may be configured to be horizontal or vertical. Other options available when a titlebar style is chosen are System menu and Minimize button, which are obvious; and SmartBar, which adds a pre-built mini-toolbar to the titlebar. This toolbar has four buttons to record macros on-the-fly, process Windows Run commands, access a mini-Task Manager, and run the SmartPad Bitmap camera.

The LinkWizard Button is an important feature available to pads with titlebars. This feature allows you to move pads between applications while the pad is active. Clicking this button changes the cursor and lets you drag the toolpad to any other open application. As the cursor approaches a window's border, a message appears informing you of where the pad will embed when the mouse is clicked again. A handy Rollup Button can also be included. One click retracts a pad's buttons into the titlebar.

In addition to choosing pad colors, you may elect to have resizable borders and choose to minimize or close upon usage. Pads with titlebars automatically include a pushpin button that functions as a "stay-on-top" toggle.

Button style options allow the choices of bitmap only, text only, or both. This is also where the relative placements of these components are determined. Choices for button appearances include square corners and 3-D text plus user-configurable bevel width. Tab style options include top, bottom, left or right positioning as well as options for vertical text, black backgrounds, color tabs, checked tabs, scrollable tabs, and automatic width sizing.

The Actions tab window is where you configure each button to perform one of the action types described earlier in this article: Run Application; Keystrokes, etc. Lastly, the Associate tab window is where the pad type is determined, also discussed at the outset: Desktop, Associated or Default. This is also where it will be decided if a pad is to be Floating, Embedded in a program window, or Attached to a program window.

Finally I want to point out a tremendously important feature of SmartPad. Most Windows users spend a large portion of their day working with one application. Have you ever found yourself wishing that your one major application had the power to serve as your shell? SmartPad is capable of turning any Windows program into a powerful Windows shell. With all of these tools at your fingertips, any Windows program can be imbued with the launching features required to use it as a Windows desktop shell. I know of no other available program that has this highly configurable capability. Let me repeat something I said earlier: You do not have to be a Windows programmer to make this work! The learning curve to begin successfully using SmartPad is enjoyably short.

Let's face it. There is a steadily increasing number of customization tools out there designed to streamline dedicated purposes in Windows. If your needs happen to require the writing of new code and/or the generation of brand new stand-alone executables, SmartPad is not the answer. But if you want to take firm control of and maximize the efficiency and interaction of existing applications, then SmartPad is the answer! SmartPad is one of the most remarkable programs to come along in quite a while. It stands head and shoulders above anything else of its type in my experience.

Upon registration, SoftBlox will send you a diskette of useful Windows utilities including a single-user license to SMARTRUN.EXE. SMARTRUN is the SmartPad runtime module that will allow you to run SmartPad profiles without using SMARTPAD.EXE. This greatly reduces system resource consumption and prevents modification of profiles in the design environment. On the horizon is a soon-to-be-released Professional Edition of SmartPad which includes, in addition to all the material described here in the Standard Edition, a powerful scripting language called SmartScript. This language will empower SmartPad to a very highly detailed degree.

SmartPad really delivers what it promises: user-configurable, embedded automation for Windows. I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to take firm control of his or her copy of Windows.

SmartPad Standard Edition release3

List Price:  $ 95.00

Special Promotional offer:  $ 79.00 (effective until 6/30/94)

for further information please contact:

SoftBlox, Incorporated

1201 West Peachtree NE

Atlanta, GA 30309

800-434-0202

(404-892-0202)

fax 404-892-0981

written by

Steven Jay Cohen


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Wolly


Thom Foulkes

Thom Foulks

5311 Alta Loma

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

719-598-7828 Voice

719-528-8545 BBS


Steven Cohen


Ed Hoffman


Jeffrey Shneidman


Ed Rasimus


Randy Wong


Bob Gollihur
	Robert S. Gollihur   Custom Help Files for Advertising and Promotion Program Documentation and Freelance Copywriting   Seven Baywyn Drive Ocean View, NJ 08230 609 624-1470      fax 609 624-3646 CIS 71334,2065     bob.gollihur@wol.com


Bob Ellig
Bob Ellig, President

Bluco Corporation

135 East St. Charles Road

Carol Stream, IL 60188


G.L. Heitzmann

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Colorado Springs, CO 80904

1-(719)577-4247

CIS: 74212,262


David Morgan


Ted Tatman

(803) 795-3240

PCCTED@AOL.COM


Louis Turbeville


Writers Wanted
YOU can join the Windows OnLine™ Team!

Do you like to test Windows programs? Do you enjoy sharing your adventures with the latest Windows hardware and software? We are interested in adding quality Freelance and Staff writers to our magazines. You need not be a "Hemingway" (they're moody and drink too much, anyway). All is required is that you possess a general knowledge of Windows shareware and commercial products, and have the ability to relate your experiences in a friendly and informative fashion. You don't need to be conversant with the Help File format.

Call Windows OnLine (BBS 510-736-8343) and gain immediate access to the Writers Conference #4 (J 4). Download WOLWRIT2.ZIP (62K) for a brief writers guide and submission samples. Leave a message for Senior Staff Writer Ed Hoffman or Editor Bob Gollihur.  here for alternative contact methods. You can become part of the team!


Writer Contacts
PLEASE CONTACT:

Ed Hoffman, Senior Staff Writer

Hoffman & Associates

2417 Ranch Lane

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

719-599-8823

ed.hoffman@wol.com

AOL - EdH32

CompuServe 70314,2400 (messages only, no files)

Bob Gollihur, Editor

WinOnLine Editorial Offices

Seven Baywyn Drive

Ocean View, NJ 08230

609-624-1470

609-624-3646 fax

bob.gollihur@wol.com

CompuServe 71334,2065 (messages only, no files)

RIME Windows Conference;

(route as a private message to ->1579)