                               PC NEWS Review
                              ----------------
				   On-Line

           Helping you save $$ by making informed buying choices. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)1994 by Bolt Publishing Co.                                     May 1994 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  THIS MONTH
                                  ==========

       COLUMNS
       -------
    1. My Column:  In This Special Issue
    2. PC LIFE:  WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
    3. Computerized Investing On-Line:  The Dow-Jones News/Retrieval

       REVIEWS
       -------
    4. Dueling DeskTops:  Norton Desktop 3.0
                          PC Tools for Windows 2.0
                          HP NewWave 4.12
    5. Harvard Graphics 2.0
    6. Images With Impact for Windows
    7. MarketPlace Business
    8. Quicken 3 and Quicken Companion 2
    9. 1993 Time Compact Almanac
       Time Man of the Year
   10. WinSleuth Gold Plus 1.1
   11. WizManager
   12. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
   13. WordPerfect InForms
   14. CommWorks
   15. PNR's Book Corner
                The WordPerfect 6 Print & Presentation Kit
                Hacker's Guide to Word For Windows
                CompuServe CIM Running Start
                Concise Guide to Windows for Workgroups
                The Little DOS 6 Book
                Learning the UNIX Operating System
                Smileys
                Connecting to the Internet
                Crossing the Internet Threshold
                Exploring the World of Online Services
                The Internet Companion
                Zen and the Art of the Internet
                The Internet Connection
                Internet for Dummies
                The Internet Passport
                The Whole Inernet User's Guide and Catalog
                Navigating the Internet

       MISC.
       -----
   16. The Mailbox
   17. Classified Ads
   18. About PC NEWS Review
  


1. MY COLUMN:                                                    EDITORIAL
   =======================================================================
   by Steve O. Steele, Editor


   THIS MONTH
   ----------
        We decided to consildate the contents of April and May because our
   deadline was just too tight. But I think this issue more than makes up for
   it.  Robert M. Slade will be contributing book reviews from now on (see
   his work in PNR's Book Corner).  And Joe Stoyack joins us to provide
   computer investing information. Roger T. Imai also joins us to as Layout
   Director, and he's done a good job with this issue.

        This issue is much larger than those of previous months.  That's 
   because we've got some great stuff.  Dueling Desktops provides a very 
   good comparison of Norton Desktop, PC Tools, and New Wave.  The next year
   should be a very interesting one for the replacement/enhancement desktop
   products.  That's because:
   
   1. Symantec (makers of Norton Desktop) and Central Point (makers of PC 
   Tools) have joined together.  What this means for the future of both 
   products is uncertain.  We can, of course, hope that they'll take the 
   best of both products and combine them (but then, what one person's 
   opinion of what is best may not be so to others).

   2. As Jerry Davis points out in his Dueling Desktops article, Windows 4.0
   (a.k.a. Chicago) is on the horizon. And that's really the big wildcard in
   that arena.


   MERGER-MANIA
   ------------
        This seems to be the time of mergers in the computer industry, as 
   well as uncertainty for users of the products made by these companies 
   (such as the Aldus and Adobe merger). These mergers opens up a Pandora's
   Box, and the results could be good or bad. Only time will tell.

      The thought seems to be that two very good companies will make one
   excellent company; however, this philosophy didn't pan out for another 
   recent merger of Broderbund and Electronic Arts. It's abandoned as of 
   early May.


   WORD PERFECT
   ------------
        These seems to be WordPerfect's month in this issue (by the way, 
   they also merged with Lotus, but why should that be a surprise).  Alan
   Frayer talks about WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows and we also have a review
   of the same (item 12).  WordPerfect Informs is also reviewed (item 13).
   And in the Book Corner there's a review of The WordPerfect 6 Print &
   Presentation Kit.


   STACIN' IT
   ----------
        I talked to Ed Nutter of Stac Electronics tech support, who told me
   that what he does is run Stacker tuned to a minimum compression.  He then 
   defragments with the MaxSpace setting every two to three weeks.  Sounds 
   like a good plan.  I'll be trying this soon.


   EASTER EGG
   ----------
        Here's a better-late-than-never Excel 5.0 Easter Egg I came across
   (Easter Eggs are hidden demos that programmers embed in programs):

        1. Start Excel with a blank book.
        2. Right mouse click on the tool bar.
        3. Select Customize.
        4. Select Custom from the categories list.
        5. Drag the Solitaire icon onto the blank spreadsheet.
        6. Close the Assign Macro dialog box by pressing CANCEL.
        7. Close the Customize dialog box by pressing CLOSE.
        8. Press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT and then click the Solitaire icon.


   PROCOMM RUMOR
   -------------
        Interested in a rumor? ProComm+ 2.0 is supposedly in beta testing 
   and will be released within four months.  We'll have a full review of the
   current version in next month's issue. Officials wouldn't comment, 
   saying that they are continually working on the next version of their 
   products.


   NEXT MONTH
   ----------
        Finally, next month we'll be focusing more on telecommunications and
   multimedia topics.  We will still have other material, since our lives 
   don't revolve strictly around on-line subjects.  But for the most part 
   we'll be focusing on what products will make your cyberspace experience 
   more enjoyable.


       Steve O. Steele is a Communications major specializing in Editorial 
   Journalism at the University of Washington.  When he isn't inundated with
   paperwork and work in general, he's editing PC NEWS Review or writing 
   news stories.  He has nine years of computing experience and has 
   participated in publishing several computer related publications.



2. PC LIFE:                                                         OPINION
   ========================================================================
   by Alan Frayer


   PC Life:  WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows

        We knew this would be coming the moment WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS 
   crossed my desk.  How could I possibly think of writing with WordPerfect
   6.0 for DOS without being able to use the file in Windows? If I was going
   to save the file in WordPerfect 5.1/5.2 format to stay compatible with 
   the Windows version, why bother to move to WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS in the
   first place?

        With all the grumbling I did over that, I don't think there was a 
   soul in my house who wasn't happy to see the WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
   package cross the doorstep.  Imagine the long faces when I saw 
   WordPerfect suggested at least 6-8 Mb RAM to use this program (my PC 
   still packs a lowly 4 Mb wallop).  Still, with much courage and not a 
   little apprehension, I proceeded to install the behemoth.

        WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows is beginning to make the company look a
   little like Central Point Software.  The product is more than a word 
   processor, with such extras as a simple spreadsheet, a complete drawing 
   and charting package, document templates, and a user-customizable 
   interface, allowing the user to launch favorite applications from the 
   WordPerfect Button Bar.

        Features popular from previous versions include the Grammatik 
   grammar checker, now built directly into WordPerfect, support for both 
   Windows and WordPerfect printer drivers, and my personal favorite, the 
   ruler across the top of the document.

        A new watermark feature allows you to create shaded art & logos to 
   place beneath text on a page.  A hypertext editor is included to allow 
   you to create your own hypertext documents within WordPerfect 6.0 for 
   Windows.

        Some once useful features are now missing, sacrificed to the greater
   good.  The RETRIEVE command is missing, its function merged into the OPEN
   command.  Also gone is print preview, as the WYSIWYG in WordPerfect 6.0 
   for Windows is even more accurate than its predecessors.

        While the templates were an excellent touch carried forward from 
   WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows, they also introduced to me the biggest 
   drawback I've seen so far.  Granted, I was very surprised to see how much
   RAM was needed, the point didn't hit home until I started playing with 
   some of the templates.  If WordPerfect doesn't get enough memory (like 
   any other Windows application), it crawls across many of its jobs, 
   including the loading and editing of templates.  In some cases, I've run 
   into Application Errors as I was saving documents to my hard drive.  The 
   data gets saved, but WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows has to be aborted to 
   clear the problem.  This problem may be related to my lack of RAM, but it 
   may also indicate problems with WordPerfect's memory management.

        Another sad point to note is WordPerfect Corporation's decision to 
   start charging for technical support.  WordPerfect has long set the 
   standard for product support across the industry, and even outside the 
   industry, but stiff competition has taken its toll.  Tech support on 
   WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows is now free for only 90 days, after which it
   can be purchased for about $35 a call.  The days of unlimited, free 
   support are over.

        I'm not a Windows fan, as many of my readers know, but there is a 
   growing list of programs that makes Windows worthwhile.  If you can 
   forgive its high demand on system resources, WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
   offers enough to be one of those special programs.  While WordPerfect 6.0
   for DOS is good enough to get by, WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows will keep 
   competitors on their toes a while.

        If you're a WordPerfect fan and have the resources, WordPerfect 6.0
   for Windows gives you everything you wanted from WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS.

   Copyright (c) 1994 by Alan Frayer, CNE
   All Rights Reserved


        Alan Frayer is a professional writer, published in InfoWorld, the 
   Clarion Tech Journal and Sarasota's Business Magazine.  He is also a 
   member of InfoWorld's Review Board, as well as a certified NetWare 3.11 
   administrator.


   What is PC LIFE?

        PC LIFE is a column where the author shares his opinions on the 
   issues surrounding the PC industry and occasionally mixes in product 
   reviews.  The columns are written in an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek 
   style, meant not only to entertain but also educate.



3. COMPUTERIZED INVESTING ON-LINE                               INFORMATION
   ========================================================================
   by Joe Stoyack


        The promise of the Information Superhighway may be years away, but 
   even now there is a wealth of information available via the personal 
   computer and on-line information services.  The information can be 
   anything, from weather reports or sports news to genealogy or stock 
   market reports.  If you find yourself getting the same kind of 
   information on-line over and over, wouldn't it make sense to automate the
   process? This article tells you how to automate access and retrieval of 
   information from on-line information services, with a special focus on 
   getting stock market quotes for your favorite companies.

        If you're reading this article, you probably already have most of 
   what you need:  a modem and a communications program.  The modem, of 
   course, does the actual talking to the on-line service, while the 
   communications program allows you to interact with the service.  If the 
   communication program has a "script" language, another name for "macro" 
   language, you're all set!  A common program for communications that has a
   script language is Procomm (by DataStorm Technologies), although there 
   are others such as CrossTalk (from DCA).  You'll also need an account 
   with an on-line service.  In this case we'll use Dow Jones 
   News/Retrieval, DJN/R (available from Dow Jones and Company).  If you 
   don't use Procomm or Dow Jones, don't worry! The methods I'll show you 
   are easily changed to fit your communications program and on-line 
   service.  By the end of the article, you'll have a functional quote 
   downloader for you're favorite stocks!

        The first thing that you'll want to automate is logging on to the 
   service.  This consists of telling the communications program what to do.
   To manually log on to DJN/R through a local Tymnet node, you need to:

   1. Dial the local number and wait for the connection. 
   2. Type in the letter "A".
   3. Wait for Tymnet to ask you to "PLEASE LOG IN".
   4. Type in "DOW1;;".
   5. Wait for Tymnet to ask "WHAT SERVICE PLEASE?????".
   6. Type in "DJNS".
   7. Wait for Tymnet to ask you to "ENTER PASSWORD".
   8. Type in your password.

   That's all there is to it.  And to tell you the truth, we now know 
   exactly how to write the script (macro).  Here is the log in script which
   you can create in any ASCII text editor such as DOS EDIT (don't type in 
   the--or the words after them):

   MDIAL "555-1234"         --MDIAL means dial the number in the quotes.
   TRANSMIT "A"             --TRANSMIT means send the letters in the quotes.
   WAITFOR "PLEASE LOG IN   --WAITFOR means wait for the letters in quotes.
   TRANSMIT "DOW1;;"
   WAITFOR "WHAT SERVICE PLEASE????"
   TRANSMIT "DJNS^M"        --The ^M means send a carriage return.
   WAITFOR "ENTER PASSWORD" --Early versions of Procomm use a ! instead.
   TRANSMIT "MYPASSWORD^M"  --Replace MYPASSWORD with your own password.

   Now if you saved it as DOWLOGIN.ASP, all you have to do to automatically
   log in to DJN/R is type in PCPLUS /FDOWLOGIN.ASP from the DOS command 
   line while you're in the Procomm directory (using the DOS version of 
   Procomm, see your manual for the Windows version).  Earlier versions of
   Procomm may use PROCOMM /FDOWLOGIN.ASP. If you're using another
   communications program, just look in the manual for the commands that
   correspond to those used above.

   Now that we're logged onto DJN/R we need to get the stock quotes for our
   companies.  On DJN/R, historical stock quotes are in an area (Forum) 
   called //HQ.  So we need to go to that forum and ask for the quotes for 
   our stocks.

   1. Go to the //HQ forum. 
   2. Wait for DJN/R to go there. 
   3. Request quotes for Company 1. 
   4. Wait for the quotes. 
   5. Repeat #3 and #4 for all the stocks that we want.

   Well that's all fine and dandy, but how do we put the data onto our hard
   drive so that we can use it later?  Well, all we do is ask Procomm to
   log it to disk!   Here is the script:

   WAITFOR "!!"             --The !! is the ASCII control code 019. 
   DJN /R TRANSMIT "//HQ"   --sends it when it's done with the command.
   WAITFOR "!!" LOG OPEN "STOCKS.TXT"  --Send everything going across the 
                                         screen to a disk file STOCKS.TXT. 
   TRANSMIT "MSFT"          --Get the last 12 daily quotes for 
   WAITFOR "!!"             --Microsoft (Ticker symbol MSFT). 
   TRANSMIT "IBM" WAITFOR "!!"
   ...........              --Repeat the TRANSMIT/WAITFOR
   ...........              --combination for all stocks. 
   LOG CLOSE                --Stop saving everything to disk.


   Now that we've got our quotes, we want to log off and stop running 
   Procomm.  Easy enough.

   TRANSMIT "DISC"          --Disconnect from DJN/R. 
   PAUSE 2                  --Pause 2 seconds. 
   HANGUP                   --Hangup the modem. 
   QUIT                     --Exit Procomm and go back to DOS.

   Run the whole script as described earlier and watch as everything flies 
   across the screen and to your disk by letting the computer do the 
   walking, instead of your fingers!

   Now you can use any text editor such as DOS EDIT to read the quotes that
   are stored in STOCKS.TXT.

   As you can see, automating access and retrieval of on-line information is
   really very easy!  All you have to do is know how to do it manually, how
   the service responds when its done with a given command, and have your 
   communication program script language manual handy!


        Joe Stoyack is an independent investor who developed Download 
   Master, a program which automates access and retrieval of information
   from DJN/R.



4. DUELING DESKTOPS                                                  REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Jerry J. Davis


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Title        Norton Desktop 3.0              PC Tools 2.0
   List Price   $179.00                         $179.95

   Address      Symantec Corp.                  Central Point Software
                10201 Torre Ave.                15220 NW Greenbriar Pkwy.
                Cupertino, CA  95014            Beaverton, OR  97006

   Phone        (800) 441-7234                  (800) 964-6896

                ---------------------------------------------------------

   Title                        HP NewWave 4.12
   List Price                   $195.00

   Address                      5301 Stevens Creek Blvd.
                                Santa Clara, CA  95052

   Phone                        (800) 554-1305



   PRODUCT EVALUATION                           NW      NDW     PCTW
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                Ease of Use     4       9       9
   NW   = NewWave               Innovation      9       9      10
                                Usefulness      5      10      10
   NDW  = Norton Desktop        User Friendly   5       9       8
                                Compatibility  10       9       7
   PCTW = PC Tools              Reliability    10       9      10
                                Value           2       7       7
                                Documentation   7      10      10

                                Overall Score   6.5     9       8.8


   MAJOR FEATURES                                  NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Works With All DOS & Windows Programs           Yes     Yes     Yes
   Network Aware / Compatible                      Yes     Yes     Yes
   Schedule System for Auto Execution of Programs  Yes     Yes     Yes
   OLE Support                                     Yes     Yes     Yes
   Text Editor                                     No      Yes     No
   Backup Program                                  No      Yes     Yes
   Anti-Virus Protection                           No      Yes     Yes
   Calculator Programs                             No      Yes     No
   Icon Editor                                     No      Yes     Yes
   System Information Utility                      No      Yes     Yes
   Advanced Macro Capability                       Yes     Yes     Yes
   Personal Information Manager (Day Planner)      No      Yes     No
   Disk Defragmentation                            No      Yes     Yes
   Screen Saver                                    No      Yes     Yes
   Disk Diagnostics and Repair                     No      Yes     Yes
   DOS Disk of Emergency Programs                  No      Yes     Yes
   Utility to Create a Disaster Recovery Disk      No      Yes     Yes
   Resource Monitor & Crash Protection             No      No      Yes
   Central Control Center                          No      Yes     No
   Screen Capture Utility                          No      Yes     No


   DESKTOP FEATURES                                NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Loads as Windows Shell (Replaces PROGMAN.EXE)   No      Yes     Yes
   Supports Multiple Desktops                      Yes     No      Yes
   Scrollable Desktop                              Yes     No      No
   Fully Object Oriented                           Yes     No      No
   Trashcan / Shredder Icon on Desktop             Yes     Yes     Yes
   Folders / Nested Program Groups                 Yes     Yes     Yes
   Drive Icons on Desktop                          No      Yes     Yes
   Program Icons on Desktop                        No      Yes     Yes
   Desktop Password Protection                     Yes     Yes     Yes
   Folder / Group Password Protection              Yes     Yes     Yes
   Customizable Tool Icons or Toolbars             Yes     Yes     Yes
   Customizable Menus                              No      Yes     Yes
   Pop-up Menus (activated by right mouse button)  No      Yes     Yes
   Pop-up Menu to Modify Item Properties           No      Yes     Yes
   Choose Multiple Items using Diagonal Drag       No      No      Yes
   Removable Desktop Title Bar and Menu Bar        No      Yes     Yes


   FILE MANAGEMENT FEATURES                        NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   File Find Utility                               No      Yes     Yes
   File & Directory Recovery  (Undelete)           No      Yes     Yes
   File Viewers                                    No      Yes     Yes
   Common Dialog File Tools                        No      Yes     Yes
   Drag & Drop File Management                     Yes     Yes     Yes
   Drag & Drop Printing                            Yes     Yes     No
   Drag & Drop Sorting of Columns                  No      No      Yes
   Automatic Data & Application Binding            Yes     Yes     Yes
   Auto Creation of File Icons on File Creation    Yes     No      Yes
   Long File Names/Comments (32 characters or >)   Yes     Yes     No
   Stores Name of Person Creating File             Yes     No      No
   Object / File Password Protection               Yes     No      No
   File Encryption / Decryption                    No      Yes     Yes
   PKZip 2.0 File Compression Built In             No      Yes     Yes
   One-Click File Sorting in the File List         No      No      Yes
   Dynamic Drive Updating and Relogging            No      Yes     Yes
   Directory Synchronization                       No      No      Yes


   FEATURE COMPARISON:  Macro Capabilities         NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Macro Recording                                 Yes     Yes     Yes
   Run Macros from a Menu                          Yes     Yes     Yes
   Run Macros Concurrently                         Yes     No      No
   Macros Can Be Scheduled for Automatic Execution Yes     Yes     Yes
   Event Can Trigger Macros to be Run              Yes     No      No
   Full Dialog Editor                              Yes     Yes     Yes
   OLE Support                                     No      Yes     No
   DLL and DDE Support                             No      Yes     Yes
   NetWare Commands Supported                      No      Yes     Yes
   Visual Basic / Word Basic Language              No      Yes     No
   Creates .EXE  File                              No      No      Yes


   FEATURE COMPARISON:  Backup Capabilities        NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Compatible with MS DOS 6.x Backup Format        N/A     Yes     No
   Tape Sharing                                    N/A     Yes     No
   Tape Support for QIC 40 & 80                    N/A     Yes     Yes
   Tape Support for SCSI including DAT Drives      N/A     Yes     Yes
   Full, Differential, Incremental, Appended       N/A     Yes     Yes
   Flexible Specifications of Files to Backup      N/A     Yes     Yes
   Full Verification and Error Correction          N/A     Yes     Yes
   DES Encryption                                  N/A     Yes     Yes
   Virus Checking                                  N/A     Yes     Yes
   Flexible Scheduling                             N/A     Yes     Yes
   NetWare Support (bindery/trustee)               N/A     Yes     Yes
   Background Operation                            N/A     Yes     Yes
   
   
   FEATURE COMPARISON:  Anti-Virus Capabilities    NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Number of Viruses Detected                      N/A     2300+   2000+
   Detects Unknown Viruses by Checksum             N/A     Yes     Yes
   Detects Unknown Viruses by Code Analysis        N/A     No      Yes
   Protection Against Unknown Boot Sector Viruses  N/A     Yes     Yes
   Polymorphic Virus Detection and Cleaning        N/A     Yes     Yes
   Scheduled Scanning                              N/A     Yes     Yes
   Background Scanning                             N/A     Yes     Yes
   Real-time Scanning (via TSR)                    N/A     Yes     Yes
   Virus Behavior Monitoring (via TSR)             N/A     Yes     Yes
   Network Virus Alerts                            N/A     Yes     Yes
   E-Mail Infection Reports                        N/A     Yes     No
   Communicates Directly with Separate AV NLM      N/A     Yes     Yes
   
   
   FEATURE COMPARISON:  System Info Capabilities   NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Recommendations & Performance Tips              N/A     No      Yes
   Windows INI File Interpreter                    N/A     No      Yes
   AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS Interpreter           N/A     No      Yes
   System Benchmarks (CPU, hard drive & network)   N/A     CPU     Yes
   Save, Print or Mail Report                      N/A     Yes     Yes
   Number of Parameters Reported                   N/A     200+    400+
   Memory Viewer                                   N/A     Yes     Yes
   
   
   FEATURE COMPARISON:  Disk Analysis/Repair       NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Scans and Fixes in Windows                      N/A     Yes     Yes
   Compressed Drive Support                        N/A
                           DoubleSpace             Yes     Yes
                           Stacker                 Yes     No
                           SuperStor               Yes     No
   Save, Print or E-Mail Reports                   N/A     Yes     Yes
   Large Hard Drive Support                        N/A     Yes     Yes
   Integrated with Scheduling Program              N/A     No      Yes
   Includes an Undo Feature                        N/A     Yes     Yes
   Includes Disk Surface                           N/A     Yes     No
   Custom Alert Message                            N/A     Yes     Yes
   Play Sound File During Analysis                 N/A     Yes     Yes
   
   
   FEATURE COMPARISON:  Disaster Recovery Disk     NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Images and Restores Partition Table and CMOS    N/A     Yes     Yes
   Disk Repair                                     N/A     Yes     Yes
   Undelete/Unformat                               N/A     No      Yes
   DOS Restore for Backup                          N/A     No      Yes
   DOS Anti-Virus                                  N/A     Yes     No
   Memory Information                              N/A     No      Yes
   Safe Format                                     N/A     No      Yes
   Compressed Disk Driver                          N/A     No      Yes
   Files E-Mailed to System Administrator          N/A     No      Yes
   Store on Network Drive                          N/A     Yes     Yes
   
   
   FEATURE COMPARISON:  Disk Defragmentation       NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Works Automatically During Idle Time            N/A     Yes     Yes
   Works Within Windows                            N/A     Yes     Yes
   Supports Large Hard Drives                      N/A     Yes     Yes
   Compressed Drive Support                        N/A
                           DoubleSpace             Yes     Yes
                           Stacker                 Yes     No
                           SuperStor               Yes     Yes
   Able to be Scheduled                            N/A     Yes     Yes
   Quick Defragment                                N/A     Yes     Yes
   
   
   SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS                             NW      NDW     PCTW
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Disk Space Required (MB)                        6.8     15      18
   Minimum CPU                                     386     386     386
   Minimum RAM (in megabytes)                      4       4       4
   Recommended RAM (in megabytes)                  8       8       8
   Minimum Windows Version                         3.0     3.1     3.1
   
   
   TEST SYSTEMS    System One                      System Two
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU             386SX/25 with co-processor      486DX/66
   RAM             8                               16
   Drives          Conner 120 / Seagate 130        Conner 230
   Graphics        1 MB SVGA                       1 MB SVGA
   Monitor         Color VGA:  640x480             Color SVGA:  1024x768
   
   
   BRIEF OVERVIEW
   --------------
        The three products in this review can be compared to two apples and
   an orange.  The odd one out is Hewlett Packard's NewWave, which while 
   being a Windows desktop replacement like the other two, was programmed 
   with entirely different goals and purposes.  It lacks most of the 
   features that make PC Tools for Windows and Norton Desktop so popular, 
   but--as Hewlett Packard points out--NewWave can be used with either 
   of the other two so that they compliment each other.
   
        NewWave is an attempt to bring about a total object-oriented way of
   using the computer with the programs and resources available right now. 
   It takes Windows and gives it the feel of IBM's OS/2 or Apple's System 7.
   Programs and their files become objects, all tied to icons.  You can run
   the program, or you could run the file, which loads the program.  You 
   delete the icon, you delete the file or program.  NewWave purposely 
   isolates you as much as possible away from DOS, letting you "manage 
   information" instead of programs.  Norton Desktop and PC Tools for 
   Windows don't attempt to change Windows into something completely 
   different. Instead, these programs enhance Windows while letting it 
   retain its familiar qualities, and also give you powerful tools to help 
   you deal with DOS (instead of hide from it).
   
   
   FEATURES:  NewWave
   ------------------
        The major feature that is supposed to set NewWave apart from the 
   others is that you can create word processing documents, spreadsheets, 
   Windows macros (called Agents), database files, or just about anything 
   independently of their application by simply clicking and dragging a 
   template icon.  Say you want to create a new Excel file.  Instead of 
   starting Excel and then creating a new file, you have the option of 
   simply creating a new Excel file icon.  When you click that icon, Excel 
   starts and loads the file.  If you want to start Excel with three 
   different files, click three different Excel file icons.  Each one will 
   load into the same session of Excel.  Each file is an object linked to 
   the program that uses it.
   
        With NewWave, the point is to group and manage your data files and 
   not worry about your programs.  You're not supposed to start out with a 
   screen of program icons; instead, start out with a group of "file drawer"
   icons, each holding separate folders all with their own subject.  Say 
   you're running a business that deals with clients, and you keep a lot of
   data about your clients in spread sheets, database files, and word 
   processing documents.  You arrange your file drawers A through F, G 
   through K, etc., and within you have file folders named after each client
   (up to 32 characters long).  Inside each folder are document icons, 
   spreadsheet icons, and database icons all dealing with that client.  Or 
   you can keep folders within folders, grouping your data into specific 
   areas, such as years, months, or even the type of data they contain. It's 
   how you'd file data in the real world, in real file cabinets and real 
   file folders.
   
        Imagine keeping an office the way most people keep data in their 
   computers, where you stuff all your correspondence under one big, thick 
   file called "Letters"; all your financial data under "Spreadsheets"; and
   record keeping data under "Forms."  You'd  have to duplicate folders for
   all your clients under each and every category ... if you didn't, then
   you'd have to thumb through all the letters you'd ever written just to 
   find one addressed to the client in question.  That's not the way to run
   an office, and Hewlett Packard doesn't think it's the way to run your 
   computer.  Separating the data from the application, and de-emphasizing 
   the application, is a logical way to increase productivity.  NewWave 
   gives you a way to by-pass the file management built into your 
   applications and work directly with your data.  While it's an intuitive 
   way for non-computer users to use a computer, it definitely takes some 
   re-thinking and un-learning for a person already familiar with computers
   to use as it is intended.  If you don't use it as it is intended--it's
   easy not to, as you can setup NewWave to run just like the regular 
   Program Manager--then what would be the point in using it at all?
   
   FEATURES:  Norton Desktop 3.0
   -----------------------------
        The main feature of Norton Desktop is the Windows version of the 
   Norton Utilities that come with it.  While NewWave stresses data 
   management, Norton Desktop stresses data security.  Security from 
   viruses, accidental erasure, failing diskettes, and major system crashes.
   Norton covers the full spectrum of file security from password protection
   to full hard drive backup.  Despite its many glossy features, this is the
   backbone and real value of the product.  Other features that make Norton
   Desktop stand out is its support of not only DoubleSpace, but Stacker and
   SuperStor as well.  It also has a Personal Information Manager, a 
   superior Windows text editor, a centralized control center, and a screen
   saver that is compatible with After Dark modules.
   
   FEATURES:  PC Tools 2.0
   -----------------------
        PC Tools for Windows features its own versions of the same data 
   security utilities that make Norton Desktop so valuable.  These utilities
   do not surpass Norton's, but they do equal them, as PC Tools has played a
   good game of catch-up with their new version 2.0. However, their main 
   strength is not in the utilities that match chief rival Norton, but the 
   differences that have always separated the two products.  Even in version
   1.0, PC Tools featured multi-desktops and superior file handling options.
   Version 2.0 strengthened these features.  You can have several desktops,
   each with its own set of programs and folders, for every particular use 
  --or user--that your computer has.  Husband of the household can have
   his desktop, wife can have hers, and the kids can have their own--each
   independently configured, uniquely customized, and yet sharing the same 
   programs.
   
   
   STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
   ------------------------
        File handling with NewWave is pretty much the same as with a 
   Macintosh.  You click, drag and drop icons from one window to another. It 
   happens right on the NewWave desktop, as file management is completely 
   integrated into the desktop itself.  The folder you create and copy files
   into is in fact a directory that NewWave creates on the hard drive.  The
   icon you throw into the trash and delete is not just the icon that 
   represents the file, it is the file itself.  People already used to 
   Windows have to keep this in mind when they re-arrange their desktop.  
   The problem with working with this environment is that you have to import
   your programs and files into it, and export your data out of the 
   environment.  It's almost like a different operating system, but its not
  --not really.  Its really a relational file database with a GUI.  When 
   you "import" a file into NewWave, it's assigning a separate 32-character
   name to the file along with a complete file history, including the name 
   of the person who created it, the program it belongs to, and the icon 
   that will be associated with it.
   
        PC Tools' file system, which on the surface looks nearly identical 
   in layout to Norton's, is substantially more powerful.  A myriad of 
   features that require separate interfaces in Norton Desktop are 
   integrated in PC Tools file handling.  It can also mimic to a high degree
   the features that make NewWave so special, including the treatment of 
   files and programs as icons, and the direct link between them.  While 
   this is also possible with Norton, it is much stronger with PC Tools.  PC
   Tools also features integrated diskcopy and format into the file 
   management system that will run concurrently in the background--a 
   feature exclusive to PC Tools.  When asked why Norton didn't include such
   a feature in their file management system, Norton's technical 
   representative on America Online said that though they knew concurrent 
   disk copying and formatting was possible, they doubted it would be 100% 
   reliable.  In testing the background diskcopy feature during "real work"
   situations (my day job), one out of twenty disks turned up flawed, but it
   is not clear if the flaw was caused by PC Tools or by user error.  In the
   next twenty disks copied there were no errors.
   
        The advantage that Norton's file handling holds above the other two
   is that of speed.  The first time you access a hard drive, it searches 
   and maps out the entire directory structure and keeps it as a data file.
   The next time you access that disk, it refers to this data file instead 
   of searching the whole drive again.  The result is lightning fast 
   response in displaying directories, in file copying, and especially file
   moving.  As long as you're using Norton to do your file management, all 
   changes you make are kept track of in the data file.  However, if you 
   drop to a DOS prompt or use another file management utility to create or
   delete a directory, or move directories around, Norton's file management
   will not see it until you perform a "refresh" of the data file.
   
        PC Tools and Norton Desktop also have file compression and 
   decompression built-in to their respective file management systems. 
   Norton is limited to PKZip version 1.0 to 2.0g.  PC Tools supports PKZip
   1.0 to 2.0g, SEA's Arc files, and LHA's LZH files.  And while PC Tools 
   has more of PKZip's features built-in, Norton again wins the speed 
   contest, somehow managing to zip and unzip files even faster than running
   the DOS version of PKZip.
   
        All three programs feature powerful and useful macro recording 
   capabilities.  NewWave has the unique ability to be able to run two or 
   more macros concurrently.  Norton Desktop stands out in that you can 
   write macros in Visual Basic or Word Basic, and that it has OLE support 
   built-in.  PC Tools macros have the convenience advantage of compiling 
   into EXE files.  Both PC Tools and Norton Desktop macros support DLL and
   DDE, something that is missing in NewWave.
   
        Other features not included in NewWave, but discussed here, are data
   backup, anti-virus protection, disk defragmentation, and disaster 
   recovery.  As far as backup goes, both PC Tools and Norton's versions of
   this utility are flawed.  If you're backing up to diskettes, you're fine,
   but when backing up to a tape drive neither have all the bugs worked out.
   Using an internal Jumbo Trakker 250, Norton Desktop bombed out in the 
   middle of a routine restore.  Fortunately in the next round of tests the
   restore went flawlessly.  PC Tools and Norton were both unable to find an
   Irwin external 120 tape drive despite it being listed as a supported 
   drive.  Neither would recognize any type of parallel port tape drive, a 
   peripheral which is one of the fastest growing in popularity next to the
   CD-ROM.
   
        Virus detection is strong in both Norton and PC Tools, though Norton
   holds a slight advantage in both speed and sheer number of viruses it 
   detects.  Disk defragmentation is another feature where Norton has a 
   speed advantage.  However, the PC Tools defragmenter has an option of 
   running automatically either during idle time, or in the background.  
   Unless you have a very fast computer, running the defragmenter in the 
   background is not a really good idea.  Even my 486/66 slows to a crawl.
   
        Both PC Tools and Norton Desktop feature a disk diagnostic program 
   to fix problems with faulty floppy disks or even trouble areas on the 
   hard disk.  In tests, three of nine bad disks were fixed by PC Tools, and
   seven out of the same nine were fixed by Norton.  This is because, unlike
   PC Tools, Norton includes a surface scan feature that moves data out of 
   trouble areas.  A life saving feature shared by PC Tools and Norton 
   Desktop is the "Recovery Disk" that both make upon first installation, 
   and can be made again later at your discretion, (usually before and after
   major system changes).  This feature has saved me personally from some 
   major headaches more than once.  It's a disk on which PC Tools and Norton
   Desktop record CMOS information, disk and directory information, etc., 
   and a method of restoring it all later if it's ever lost--like, say, 
   after your CMOS battery goes dead.  Both versions work great, and both 
   are justification enough to purchase either package.
   
   PROBLEMS AND OPINIONS
   ---------------------
        If you would like to arrange your work the way NewWave does, you 
   have the following options:
   
   1.  Spend the $195.00 and buy NewWave, adding it to Windows 3.1.
   2.  Spend a lot less and buy OS/2 2.1.
   3.  Wait until Windows 4.0 comes out (scheduled for the end of the 
       year, and featuring the object oriented environment that NewWave
       boasts).
   4.  Buy a PowerPC and run System 7.5 from Apple.
   
        I'd recommend number 3, as all sources point toward Windows 4.0 to 
   be the next revolution in the PC industry.  If you're thinking at all of
   upgrading to the next version of Windows, then NewWave is not practical.
   By the time you spend the money, install it, convert your system over to
   it, and just start getting comfortable and productive with it, Windows 
   4.0 will be out, and who knows what--if any--upgrade NewWave will be
   able to add to the new version of Windows.  Its almost certain that 
   NewWave 4.1 will not be compatible, and even if it was, it would be 
   redundant to the new Windows environment.  I have to extend this caution
   out to PC Tools and also Norton Desktop.  Unless you plan on waiting for
   Windows 4.0 to prove itself before upgrading, it makes buying a product 
   that enhances the current Windows a much harder decision.  There is a 
   possibility that upgrades from PC Tools and Norton will be available for
   Windows 4.0 (neither company would comment on future products, though 
   Norton's sources hint that Windows 4.0 has plenty of room for extra 
   utilities).  I can't see paying $170-odd dollars only to have to pay $50
   more for an upgrade five months down the road.  Another factor is that 
   Symantec has just acquired Central Point Software (official as of May 4,
   1994).  This in itself throws a lot of unknowns into making a decision. 
   One thing is certain, research your options thoroughly.
   
   
   
5. HARVARD GRAPHICS 2.0                                              REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Grant Frichey
   
   
   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $395.00:  Retail
         
   Software Publishing Corporation
   PO Box 54983
   Santa Clara, CA  95056-0983
   
   (800) 234-2500
   
   
   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use       7
   Graphics          7
   Innovation        4
   Sound             5
   vs. Competition   7
   Usefulness        8
   User Friendly     6
   Compatibility     5
   Reliability       6
   Documentation     5
   
   OVERALL           6


   QUICK SUMMARY:   Good slide production and graphing package.

   PROS:            Easy to use, more polished than previous version, also
                    more stable.

   CONS:            Not a major upgrade.  No real innovations, actually more
                    difficult to use some advanced functions.

   THUMBS:          Up


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Harvard Graphics 2.0 for Windows, while being a very good and much 
   improved program, is not exactly a full number upgrade.  The new version
   mainly addresses technical shortcomings of the original package.  Ease of
   use has been enhanced.

         The addition of OLE (version one) opens up new possibilities for 
   the use of the program.  Harvard limits OLE support to acting as a client 
   in its design window and a server from the slide sorter.  This means you 
   can't move parts of a Harvard Graphics image (only the chart for 
   instance) to another program through OLE.  You must move the entire 
   slide.  DDE support hasn't changed.  You can DDE link the Harvard 
   worksheet to an existing spreadsheet.

        Harvard uses "templates" to control the look of slides.  Each 
   template will include placement and formatting information and what type
   of chart or charts you want included.  The program comes with a large 
   collection of ready-to-use templates and you can save any number of new 
   ones with each job.  A "Master Template" (like the one already in use by
   Lotus Freelance) now controls the look (placement and formatting of 
   titles, subtitles & footnotes, color palettes, etc.) of all other 
   templates which makes setting up and editing large jobs much easier.  You
   can also edit the templates directly now instead of formatting a slide 
   and then saving it as a template.  The "Backgrounds" function, used to 
   setup the backgrounds for slide output, is more difficult to get to (a 
   menu level deeper), but it does retain all of it's functionality.
   
        With the addition of direct support for TrueType and Postscript 
   fonts, the package is much more stable.  Because of the new font support
   you can now stretch a box of text by the corners.  Doing the same thing 
   in Harvard 1.0 resulted in text that, if it printed correctly at all, had
   badly mutilated spacing.  A nice new function called "Shrink to Fit" will
   reduce the point size of text with a box as you input more text, keeping
   the box the same size.  This will make creating your own flow charts and
   then subsequent editing much easier.
   
        Other than these basic changes, the program has undergone a large, 
   cosmetic facelift.  The graphics and layout within Harvard are much 
   flashier.  They have a new feature in most of the options windows called
   "Quick Looks" which shows what parts of a graph you are affecting.  
   There's a window called "Advisor" which will show you design or operation 
   tips as you go, including lines pointing out different options on the 
   screen. Functions like double-clicking to edit text or charts, right 
   clicking to edit attributes and an icon bar make the whole program much 
   easier to use.
   
        The addition of OLE also improved the ScreenShow function.  The 
   ability to create hyper links within a show, an autobuild function for 
   charts and a new function for conferencing add to the ScreenShow 
   improvements.  With the conferencing function Harvard will allow up to 64
   systems to look at one slide show through a network.  One person at a 
   time controls the ScreenShow and the program allows that person to 
   temporarily mark up a slide with "chalk".  Other individuals in the 
   conference can use a built-in messaging facility to communicate.
   
        The program comes bundled with a small drawing package called 
   Harvard F/X that provides more drawing ability than the main program 
   itself has.  If you don't have a vectored drawing package this could 
   prove a godsend.  If you do, you probably could use the space on your 
   hard drive for something else.
   
   OPINION
   -------
        All of this does come at some sacrifice.  The program is much slower 
   than it was before.  Your system may have to be re-configured to get the 
   program to work properly.  You have to exclude sections of high memory 
   for video use or face a large number of crashes.  You also will need to 
   speak with any slide services that do your work.  There is no "slide" 
   paper size (like in Lotus Freelance) so you either need to use the 
   Autographix driver that comes with the program (which was not supported 
   by some of the slide services I've worked with) or you have to setup a 
   page size that emulates the size ratio (3x2) of a slide (some slide 
   services find this very confusing).
   
   SUMMARY
   -------
         This all ads up to make for a more stable, easier to use version 
   1.x of Harvard Graphics.  There were no fundamental changes to the 
   program and anyone familiar with version 1.0 can easily pick up exactly 
   where they left off.  If you're a newcomer to Harvard or slide 
   presentations in general, the program is easy to use and powerful so you 
   shouldn't have any trouble either.



6.  IMAGES WITH IMPACT FOR WINDOWS                                    REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Grant Fritchey


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $119.95:  Retail

   3G Graphics Inc.
   114 Second Avenue S., Suite 104
   Edmonds, WA 98020

   (206) 774-3518


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use      10
   Graphics          6
   Innovation        4
   Sound             -
   vs. Competition   5
   Usefulness        7
   User Friendly    10
   Compatibility     9
   Reliability       9
   Value             6
   Documentation     7

   OVERALL         7.3


   QUICK SUMMARY:   A comprehensive clipart collection in a Windows metafile
                    (WMF) format.

   PROS:            Very easy to use and compatible with almost everything.

   CONS:            Not for the high end computer artist.

   THUMBS:          Up

   MINIMUM          An application that accepts WMF (just about any package)
   REQUIREMENTS:    and a CD ROM drive.


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:             16 MB P5/60
   Drives:          Western Digital 528 MB IDE Hard drive 
   Video:           ATI Ultra card with a CrystalScan 1776 LE monitor
   CD-ROM:          Phillips CD ROM Drive



   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        The Images With Impact clipart collection provides the user with a 
   concise assortment of images in the Windows metafile (WMF) format.  The 
   collection covers all the basic categories of images from business to 
   nature.  The WMF format can be imported into just about any desktop 
   publishing or word processing program and most vectored drawing packages.
   That makes this collection of clipart very versatile and easy to use. 
   With the CD, no installation is involved, you can just start pulling the
   images into whatever program you're using.

   FEATURES
   --------
        Dropping the CD into its caddy, then choosing to import, place or 
   insert a WMF file is all you need to know to use this package.  The WMF 
   format was a good choice by the 3G company because of its almost 
   universal acceptance in Windows programs.  The package comes with a 
   manual that provides simple instructions on how to bring the images into 
   the most popular software packages.  3G even provides a list of technical
   support numbers.  The manual is categorized well and each section 
   corresponds to a directory or sub-directory on the disk.  The files 
   themselves are clearly labeled and easy to find.  Quite frankly, you 
   couldn't choose a simpler way of distributing clipart.

        The images cover a very wide range of subjects and styles.  The 
   frames and borders make distinctive and useful pieces.  The best objects
   in the collection are the symbols.  Some of the bullets would make very 
   good additions to a presentation.  The artwork is about typical clipart 
   fair.  None of it is very memorable, although, some of it is drawn from 
   interesting angles.  Some of the drawings are complex enough that you 
   could take them apart and combine them with other pieces to create 
   something new.  On the whole, however, the collection is basically flash
   art.  A computer artist would probably find the collection very weak.


   COMPETING PRODUCTS
   ------------------
        Images With Impact compares fairly well to other clipart collections
   I've seen.  It offers a decent number of good images.  I found it easier 
   to import its images than the images in MasterClip because of its WMF 
   format (MasterClip uses Computer Graphics Metafiles, CGM).  When compared 
   with similar packages, Images With Impact measures up, especially for 
   those who have no artistic talent (and no use for an arts creation 
   package). "This is definitely for the user that doesn't have an art 
   department," is the way Michele Grondin, graphic artist for Celtic Rose 
   Computer Service, puts it.

   OPINION
   -------
        If you're looking for clipart that you can use in any program, that
   you can sort through easily and is of a reasonable quality, then this 
   package is for you.

   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        The manual is very complete.  It provides a clear, black and white 
   picture of every piece of clipart.  It also provides a brief overview of
   how to work with the graphic images.  At the beginning of each section 
   are tips on how to use the clipart aesthetically.  As mentioned earlier, 
   the sections in the manual correspond to directories and sub-directories 
   on the disk.  Each image is labeled with its file name.  There's even an 
   index of key words that you can use to find an assortment of images.

   SUMMARY
   -------
        Images With Impact is a very easy to use collection of clipart.  The
   CD-ROM format adds to this considerably.  The art is pleasing to the eye
   and while not complex or especially striking, it would be very useful for
   a small business or organization that can't afford expensive original 
   art.



7.  MARKETPLACE BUSINESS                                              REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Bob Garsson


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $895.00:  Retail

   MarketPlace Information Corporation
   Three University Office Park
   Waltham, MA  02154

   (617) 894-4100
   (617) 894-1656:  FAX


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:      6
   Graphics:         6
   Innovation:       9
   Sound:            -
   vs. Competition:  -
   Usefulness:       8
   User Friendly:    4
   Compatibility:    -
   Reliability:      6
   Value:            8
   Documentation     8

   OVERALL         6.1


   QUICK SUMMARY:   A database of some seven or more million businesses in
                    the US, designed for the use of those engaged in what
                    the company terms desktop marketing.

   PROS:            Searchability by location, type of business, annual 
                    sales, number of employees, or any combination thereof.  
                    A separate manual provides a concise albeit brief course 
                    in desktop marketing.

   CONS:            Extreme accuracy is a must when defining the data
                    parameters or excessive cost may result.

   THUMBS:          To the side

   MINIMUM          A minimum of 5 MB of hard disk space and a CD-ROM
   REQUIREMENTS:    capable of accessing 650 MB of data.  The standard
                    installation optimizes the application speed by copying
                    as many files as can fit in a designated directory on 
                    the hard drive.  In my case, that meant some 11.5 MB.


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:             8 MB 386/33
   Drives:          211 MB IDE Seagate IDE hard drive with Stacker.
   Video:           Groundhog Graphics VGA; Seiko monitor.
   System:          MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1; Stacker 4.0
   CD-ROM:          NEC CD-ROM Reader with Trantor Controller



   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        MarketPlace Business is designed for sales and marketing 
   professionals, small business owners or entrepreneurs who have an ongoing
   need to prospect for new customers.  It is a prospecting and analysis 
   tool that provides rapid access to Dun & Bradstreet data about businesses
   throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

   FEATURES
   --------
        One of its principal values is that it takes the prospector out of 
   the hands of list brokers who disdain small orders, take considerable 
   time to produce a list and then allow it to be used only once.
   
        With MarketPlace Business, the user can create lists of prospects 
   and use them over and over again.  The list can be as small as desired 
   because the meter counts only those names selected.
   
        In addition, the user can evaluate and define sales territories, 
   locate the competition in a given area, analyze the potential for a 
   branch office site or determine market potential for a new product, to 
   name a few.
   
        What's more, not everything has to go through the meter.  Without 
   installing the meter, the user can create lists, get instant list counts,
   perform unlimited market analyses and even print those analyses.

        The meter must be in place, however, for the user to print mailing 
   labels and reports or to export the list to another software product.  
   The meter, incidentally, can be refilled at any time by choosing "Refill
   Meter" from the Meter menu and placing a call to MarketPlace Business 
   customer service.
   
        A brief tutorial walks the user through the basic process and claims
   the process can be learned within 15 minutes.  It's not really quite that
   simple.
   
         First the user defines the list by choosing from several 
   criteria--location, type of business, annual sales, number of employees,
   ownership (public or private), type of site (headquarters, branch or 
   single location), year started and new or updates businesses since the 
   last disk.  The latter is important and when the application is booted, 
   you get a reminder if you are not using the latest updated database. 
   Selections can be about as detailed as the user wishes.  Location, for 
   example, can be based on state, county, metro area, three-digit zip codes
   or five-digit zips.  Type of business can be identified by SIC Divisions
   or two-digit, four-digit, six-digit or eight-digit SIC codes.

        Once the list is defined, the user can examine it, previewing the 
   name of and selected information about the businesses that fit the 
   criteria, delete the names of those businesses not wanted on the final 
   list and analyze the list to generate summary statistics.
   
        Licensing the list allows the user to print mailing labels, create 
   telemarketing and prospecting reports and export the list to another 
   software program, such as lead-tracking, database or spreadsheet program.
   
        Using a street address takes one meter credit, the telephone number
   requires an additional credit and complete demographic information 
   requires still a third credit.  This is the best reason for selecting and
   narrowing a list as closely as possible to meet one's needs.

   PROBLEMS
   --------
        Not necessarily a problem, but more of an annoyance.  Everything 
   remained selected until specifically deselected.  In other words, if you 
   are scanning the state of Nebraska and then want to scan Wyoming, you 
   will build a list for both unless you specifically deselect Nebraska.  It 
   would be easier if one command could do this for you and take you back to 
   the beginning.
   
   OPINION
   -------
        MarketPlace Business would have been a highly useful tool several 
   years ago when I was running a sales organization.  Now, it was fun to 
   take a close look at some of the small towns I've been in and see the 
   changes that have taken place in such things as eating and drinking 
   establishments.
   
        We recognize the need for the company to make a profit, but wonder 
   if there is a little too much stinginess involved.  Although I could 
   build a list to almost any criteria I wished and then view it, I found no 
   way (other than using credits) to look up the telephone number or the 
   name of the company's chief executive.  This application won't put an end 
   to your telephone company's charges for directory assistance.


   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        The manuals are brief, but thorough.  There should be little need 
   for them, however, as the on-line help is complete and even references 
   the page numbers in the manual for those who prefer to read instructions 
   off line.

   TIPS
   ----
        As I said earlier, think carefully about what you really need to 
   avoid paying excess charges for pulling information out of the database.

   SUMMARY
   -------
        Desktop marketing is the wave of the future and MarketPlace Business 
   may well become a leader in the field.  MarketPlace Information 
   Corporation obviously has put a great deal of thought into designing the
   application.  It remains to be seen how well sales and marketing 
   practitioners accept it.



8. QUICKEN 3 AND QUICKEN COMPANION 2                                 REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Ed Williams


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $69.95:  Quicken 3
   $29.95:  Q3 Upgrade
   $39.95:  Quicken Companion 2
   $19.95:  QC 2 Upgrade


   Intuit
   155 Linfield Avenue
   P.O.  Box 3014
   Menlo Park, CA  94025

   (800) 624-8742 or (415) 322-0573
   (415) 322-1013:  FAX


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:      10
   Graphics:          8
   Innovation:        5
   Sound:             -
   vs.  Competition:  9
   Usefulness:       10
   User Friendly:    10
   Compatibility:     9
   Reliability:      10
   Value:            10
   Documentation:    10

   OVERALL            9.1


   QUICK SUMMARY:  The packages integrate seamlessly to form a personal 
   financial management system that is more flexible and more comprehensive
   than previous versions.

   PROS:            New Quicken Financial Calendar improves data entry and 
                    payment automation; better measurement of investment 
                    performance; optional, automatic data backup; enhanced 
                    reporting capabilities; better interoperability between
                    Quicken and the Companion's Tax Estimator.

   CONS:            Despite the offset of significant improvements in 
                    Quicken's flexibility, a few money management techniques
                    remain overlooked.

   THUMBS:          Up

   MINIMUM:         5 MB free hard drive space for Quicken and
   REQUIREMENTS     2 MB disk space for Quicken Companion.


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:             20 MB 386 DX/33
   Drives:          240 MB Maxtor IDE hard drive
   Video:           Trident 8900C in 800x600x256
   System:          MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.11
   Other:           Math co-processor


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Quicken is Intuit Inc.'s best-selling financial management software
   for home and small business use.  It records, tracks, reports on, and 
   helps automate bank, savings, and credit card accounts, bill payment 
   (Checkfree software is included), investments, loans, budgets, and tax 
   record keeping.  Quicken Companion integrates into the Quicken desktop 
   and provides complete home inventory management, including insurance 
   planning and, drawing data from Quicken, net worth estimating.  The 
   Companion also allows automatic, on-line stock quote and mutual fund 
   price retrieval, and personal tax planning and estimation.

   FEATURES
   --------
        When Intuit first brought Quicken to national recognition in 1985, 
   the foundation was ease of use.  To that end, the company wrote an 
   interface that was a direct mirror of a standard, consumer checkbook. 
   Quicken 3 for Windows, released a bit less than a year after the 
   appearance of version 2, boasts as its strongest feature an augmentation
   to this ease of use:  a new pop-up calendar, the Quicken Financial 
   Calendar, which enables point-and-click capability to record past 
   activity, schedule payment reminders or automatic payment register 
   entries, or just note upcoming events like birthdays or investment 
   maturation dates.

        "This is really hot," said Scott Cook, president of Intuit, speaking
   of the new Financial Calendar in the company's introductory press 
   release.  "There has never been more innovation or more breakthrough in a
   Quicken release since Intuit pioneered the checkbook metaphor in 1983."

        It is, by all means, a useful and flexible new feature, but I 
   nevertheless felt I had to disagree with Mr.  Cook and give Quicken 3 an
   Innovation rating no higher than mediocre.  I address this first because,
   as you can see from my "At-a-Glance" tally, with higher marks in this 
   category my appraisal would look more like scorecards for a winning 
   Olympic gymnastics performance.

        The calendar is handy, but it's not a leap in functionality; it's an
   add-on.  Essentially, all the new features in version 3 are tacked on to
   the existing software engine.  But let's be candid.  There simply aren't
   that many truly innovative features that can be expected from this type 
   of software--the addition of Checkfree automated payments in Quicken 2
   is something I considered an innovation of note.

        However, the enhancements to Quicken 3 and its augmentation with 
   Quicken Companion make these two products powerful sellers in the retail
   channel.  Beyond the Quicken Financial Calendar, version 3 introduces 
   several additions to investment management.  There is now an investment 
   portfolio view, complete with the QuickZoom focusing tool Intuit 
   introduced in version 2 for reports and graphs.  Eighteen different 
   measurements of investment performance is included, ranging from simple 
   dollar income to return on investment and internal rate of return. The 
   reporting capabilities are more extensive.  QuickReport allows instant 
   transaction reports from the register of accounts, easier report 
   customization, preview of reports before printing, and even the ability 
   to copy reports to the Windows clipboard in tab-delimited format for 
   pasting into other applications.

        The accounts register now has a pop-up calculator to accompany the 
   pop-up calendar, and a "split percentage" capability that allows a single
   transaction to be allocated by percentage to two different expense 
   categories.  Of particular interest to users of version 2 are two simple
   functions that were omitted in that release:  the register now has a 
   maximize button, and transactions can be copied and pasted between the 
   registers of different accounts.
   
        Financial planning and budgeting is beefed up with planning graphs 
   and worksheets, budget spreadsheet printing, and a planning calculator 
   for loan re-financing.
   
         Quicken Companion 2 links tightly with Quicken 3.  Its most notable
   addition is a complete home inventory application.  Handy for projecting
   insurance needs and keeping records for claims--not to mention an easy 
   way to calculate net worth--the module can be used for details like 
   serial numbers, dates and locations of purchase, and warranty 
   information.  With the links to Quicken, new purchases can be easily 
   added to the home inventory file.

        Also linked to Quicken is the tax estimator feature.  All 
   tax-related information entered into Quicken can be transferred to the 
   Companion's Tax Estimator.  The data can be transferred literally, or the
   module will annualize the information to estimate projected earnings and
   tax liabilities.

   COMPETING PRODUCTS
   ------------------
         Certainly there is competition--for example, Computer Associates
   International's recent entry, Kiplinger's CA-Simply Money.  But Quicken 
   dominates the field.  Consider these statistics:  Quicken has an estimated
   70% market share across all platforms; Quicken claims about five million
   users, and of those 1.5 million are small businesses; Quicken outsells 
   its closest competitor by 14-to-one.

        Quicken is designed to be painless to learn for those not yet 
   familiar with computers, but that doesn't mean it's excluded from the 
   preference of power users.  "I used Simply Money for a while last year,"
   says Arthur John, a Certified NetWare Engineer and information services 
   manager for a large Texas corporation.  "But I went back to Quicken even
   before the release of version 3.  It's a solid program.  The new features
   cement that decision."

   PROBLEMS
   --------
        Problems are scarce.  The best I can come up with are feature 
   omissions, not failures of the features included.
   
        For one, Quicken should have a security feature for accounts.  In a
   typical household, Quicken serves to do more than manage finances:  it is
   a valuable educational tool.  Giving younger family members their own 
   accounts--cash and checking, if applicable--promotes an effortless 
   way to instill basic money management and budgeting techniques.  No 
   accounting required.  But password protection that hides the central 
   household accounts is advisable.

        The register lacks a sort control.  It would be useful to be able to
   organize, or filter, the screen display when commingling different series
   of check numbers (as is the case if you opt to buy checks from Intuit and
   let the program print them for you), and when reconciling ATM and EFT 
   transactions with the bank statement.  You can accomplish this by viewing
   a Quicken report of the register, but this does not allow interactive 
   data entry while viewing.

        If you write checks on your money market account, Intuit suggests 
   setting it up as a regular bank account.  However, this doesn't allow 
   inclusion of the money market account in investment reports and graphs.

   OPINION
   -------
        At $69.95 recommended retail, Quicken scores a perfect ten for 
   overall value.  Intuit, and Scott Cook, have developed a reputation for 
   delivering a well-thought-out product.  Installation is worry-free, and to
   demonstrate the program's consideration for new computer users, following
   installation the first dialogue box asks if you would like a tutorial on
   using Windows; pass on that and you get a chance to go through a basic 
   Quicken tutorial.  As you use Quicken, unobtrusive little help windows 
   pop-up automatically to explain what function you are performing and what
   options are available.  

        Add to the user friendliness the fact that there is likely no more 
   universal application a home computer can perform, and you have the 
   reason Intuit has gone from a garage business to an important player in 
   the software marketplace.

   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        This may well be the only time you see me give a ten to a 
   documentation rating.  I freely admit this area is a pet peeve of mine.  
   But, despite the fact the font used for headlines in the Quicken 
   Companion manual made me dizzy, I have to applaud Intuit for extending 
   their quality planning to include the documentation.
        
        Quicken has a printed manual that is as comprehensive as any you'll
   find in applications costing three times as much.  The "Getting Started 
   Guide" is a slim and unintimidating tour through installation and basic 
   functionality.  After browsing that, you also have the 390-page, nicely 
   indexed "User's Guide."  Moreover, you'll find a good, on-line help 
   utility with a convenient glossary that has entries covering everything 
   from "401(k)" and "Active Window" to "VGA" and "Wallet Checks."

   TIPS
   ----
        The current release as of this printing is version 3.0 release 7.  
   You can find out what the release number is for your version of Quicken 3 by 
   holding the SHIFT key and clicking your left mouse button on the About 
   Quicken...  option in the menu bar.

        If you perform regular backups of your hard drive, you don't 
   necessarily need Quicken to do these for you.  You can turn off the 
   periodical backup warning by setting AutoBackup to =0.  You can turn off
   the feature that actually saves files to a backup directory by setting 
   AutoCopy to =0.  These are the defaults of your QUICKEN.INI file (which 
   should be located in your windows directory):
   
        [Quicken]
        AutoCopy=1
        AutoBackup=1

   SUMMARY
   -------
        Intuit's recent acquisition of ChipSoft, with its solidly-placed 
   TurboTax product, is an indication that future versions of Quicken may 
   focus on that growing segment of small-business users.  BIS Strategic 
   Decisions agrees with the market assessment, saying that 1993 ended with
   39 million small businesses and work-at-home vocations.  This would be an
   explosion of 260% from 1991, the massive growth due in part to the 
   downsizing of large corporations.
   
        So look for even more improvement in tax handling and other 
   business-related functions in the future.  In the meantime, Quicken does
   an admirable job of record keeping for the small business, and it remains
   the class of the field in personal financial management software.


	Ed Williams has been professionally involved with computers and 
   data processing for over a decade. Hes been writing about computers and 
   business almost as long.  In addition to PC NEWS Review, Ed has written 
   for MicroTimes, Computer Monthly, Computer Currents, the Orange County 
   Business Review, and the Los Angeles Times, among others.  Presently, Ed 
   is an Information Services consultant, in addition to being a writer.



9. 1993 TIME COMPACT ALMANAC and TIME MAN OF THE YEAR                REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Bob Garsson


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   1993 Time Compact Almanac:  $99.95
   Time Man of the Year:       $39.95

   Compact Publishing, Inc.
   Box 40310
   Washington, DC  20016

   (202) 244-4770


   PRODUCT EVALUATION (same for each CD)
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:      9
   Graphics:         9
   Innovation:       5
   Sound:            8
   vs. Competition:  -
   Usefulness:       3
   User Friendly:    8
   Compatibility:    -
   Reliability:     10
   Value:            5
   Documentation:    8
    
   OVERALL           7.2


   1993 TIME COMPACT ALMANAC
   -------------------------
   QUICK SUMMARY:   A good product for history buffs, news junkies and the 
                    like who want to know what happened around the world 
                    from 1988 through 1992.

   PROS:            Easy to use, although the search feature leaves a little 
                    bit to be desired.

   CONS:            If you need to be absolutely sure of your facts, better 
                    check them somewhere else, too.

   THUMBS:          To the side
 
 
   TIME MAN OF THE YEAR
   --------------------
   QUICK SUMMARY:   A good product for history buffs, news junkies and the 
                    like who want to know about Time Magazine's Man of the 
                    Year from Charles Lindbergh in 1927 to Bill Clinton  in 
                    1992.

   PROS:            Easy to use and well put together.

   CONS:            Includes full text of every issue for 1992, which 
                    duplicates material on the Time Almanac CD..
 
   THUMBS:          To the side

   MINIMUM          MPC compatible CD-ROM drive and sound board (optional),
   REQUIREMENTS:    1 MB of hard drive space, Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions
                    (MSCDEX) version 2.2 or later.

   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:             8 MB 386/33
   Drive:           211 MB IDE Seagate IDE hard drive with Stacker.
   Video:           Groundhog Graphics VGA; Seiko monitor.
   System:          MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1; Stacker 4.0
   CD-ROM:          NEC CD-ROM Reader with Trantor Controller


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Two new CD--ROM disks related to Time magazine seem to be of limited
   use unless you are a news junkie (like me), historian, a lover of 
   biographies or simply are interested in what transpired during certain 
   periods in the 20th century.
   
        One disk is the Time Almanac 1993; the other is Time Man of the 
   Year.  There is a certain amount of overlap between the two.  And be 
   forewarned:  accuracy is in the eye of the beholder and users need to 
   check carefully before accepting entries as fact--but more about that 
   later.
   
        Installation is a breeze and automatically creates an icon for 
   starting the program.

   TIPS
   ----
        If your monitor doesn't support 256 colors, the Almanac will detect
   this on installation and ask if you want to change the system's color 
   palette for optimal viewing of graphics.  The recommended answer is to 
   allow the Time Almanac to use the palletized VGA display driver.
   
        The Almanac is simple to use and reading the manual isn't a 
   necessity.  The contents screen is the first to appear when you open the
   Time Almanac and buttons take you quickly to each of the six main areas.
   
        The first of these is the complete text of each issue of Time 
   magazine for the years 1989 through 1992.  The section on Time highlights
   includes selected article from the magazine, by year, for the 1990s and 
   1980s and by decade from the 1970s to the 1920s, including an extensive 
   section covering every presidential election since 1924.

        The Time Portraits section has articles, videos and photo essays on
   11 major Time cover subjects in the 20th century.  Newsquest is a current
   events quiz with more than 1,500 questions taken from issues of the 
   magazine.
   
        Finally there are two Almanac sections with extensive articles, 
   tables and maps.  The United States section has a federal directory, 
   complete profiles and census data on the people, government, economy and
   environment of each of the 50 states illustrated with full-color state 
   maps.  The World section contains the complete 1992 CIA World Factbook 
   plus US State Department notes on more than 200 countries, illustrated 
   with full-color maps.

        This is where those with a penchant for accuracy need to be careful.
   The Almanac includes information on all federal officials elected in the
   fall of 1992, including senators and members of the House of 
   Representatives, and even members of President Clinton's cabinet. 
   Unfortunately, Time editors did not worry about such up-to-date accuracy
   when it comes to state governments.  On checking my own state of North 
   Carolina, for example, I find no mention of the governor and other 
   officials who were elected in the fall of '92, but rather a list of those
   state officials whose terms ended with that election.  I would assume the
   same holds true for officials of other states which elected their 
   officials at the same time.  To me, this makes the Almanac untrustworthy.
   State officials for those states, such as New Jersey and Virginia, which
   did not hold gubernatorial elections in 1992 would, presumably, be 
   accurate, while the Almanac would be inaccurate for those states that did
   hold such elections.  Time would have better served its Almanac users by
   investing in the time and effort to make certain that all information was
   accurate as of whatever date it may have chosen--the end of 1992 would 
   have been best.

        Searching also is not as simple as one might like.  I need, for 
   instance, to dins out the proper postage for a letter or postal card 
   going from the United States to Canada.  A search on the keyword 
   "postage" brought no results.  A search on the keyword "postal" did find 
   some related entries; first class postage within the United States, third
   class postage, express mail and special handling and size standards for 
   domestic mail.  The postal rate for letters going out of the country is 
   nowhere to be found, however.  While Time could not include everything, 
   of course, it seems that finding what does exist could be made simpler 
   and more complete.
   
        Turning to Time's Man of the Year (MOY) CD, minimal system 
   requirements are virtually the same as for the Almanac.  The manual does
   note on this disk that if an audio adapter is not present, the videos can
   be played but will not have the accompanying sound.
   
        The MOY disk includes the cover stories from every Man of the Year 
   issue--starting with 1927's Charles Lindbergh through 1992's President
   Bill Clinton.  Also on the disk is the full text of each 1992 weekly 
   issue (this duplicates what is on the Almanac disk) and articles, videos 
   and photo essays on 11 major Time cover subjects of the 20th century.
   
        Each disk allows the user to copy text and graphics to the Windows 
   clipboard, put bookmarks in place for future reference, and the user can
   write or delete notes using the annotation feature.  All articles and 
   graphics can be printed, but will include the appropriate copyright 
   notice which Time says must be included with any further use of the 
   materials.  Articles and graphics also can be saved to disk, but again 
   will include a copyright notice.
   
        Each disk has an extensive on-line help file, including a section on
   troubleshooting.  The manuals also list a non-toll-free telephone number
   for registered users needing support.
   
        I would neither recommend for or against someone purchasing these 
   disks.  If you have a use or a need for them, then go to it but be aware
   of the fact that inaccuracies may exist.


	Bob Garsson is a freelance writer with many years of experience in 
   newspapers and non-fiction writing.  He is highly familiar with many 
   aspects of PCs and Windows.



10. WINSLEUTH GOLD PLUS 1.1                                          REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by James Klaas


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $99.95:  Retail
   $49.95:  Upgrade
   $49.95:  Competitive Upgrade

   DorSoft Inc.
   5241 Lincoln Ave., Suite B5
   Cypress, CA  90630

   (714) 236-1380
   (714) 236-1390:  FAX


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:         8
   Graphics:           10
   Innovation:          9
   Sound:               -
   vs. Competition:     7
   Usefulness:          6
   User Friendly:       8
   Reliability:         5
   Value:               5
   Documentation:       7
   
   OVERALL              7.2


   QUICK SUMMARY:   In-depth Windows system utility with extensive memory 
                    and port checking abilities.

   PROS:            Easy to use and friendly interface makes using it 
                    pleasant.
   
   CONS:            Most users won't be able to use its best features.  

   THUMBS:          To the side

   MINIMUM         
   REQUIREMENTS:   4 MB of hard drive space.  


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:         12 MB 386SX/25
   Drives:      330 MB & 125 MB Seagate IDE hard drives, 110 MB Hard Card
                120 MB Tape Drive
   Video:       WD90C11 Western Digital chipset (800x600x16)
   Other:       16 Bit Sound Card w/ Joystick
                Greyscale hand scanner


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        WinSleuth Gold Plus is a comprehensive set of Windows diagnostic and
   analysis tools for the expert computer user and programmer.  The manual 
   is an excellent source of education for the aspiring computer hacker.

   FEATURES
   --------
        WinSleuth Gold Plus divides the task of system analysis into six 
   different categories: "System", "Environ", "Disk", "Video", "Memory" and
   "Ports".  There is also a section specifically aimed at making peripheral
   installation easier.
        
        WinSleuth Gold Plus is easy to use with a friendly interface.  The 
   Conflict Finder and associated utilities help the user to detect problems 
   when adding peripherals and tracking down existing problems.  It has 
   extensive hardware and software testing utilities as well as benchmark 
   tests for the major computer components. One of the truly practical 
   features of WinSleuth Gold Plus is the Disk Utilization utility.  Disk 
   space usage is displayed as a percentage numerically and graphically for 
   each directory relative to the total amount of disk space used.

   COMPETING PRODUCTS
   ------------------
        Only a few other diagnostic tools have as many utilities as 
   WinSleuth Gold Plus.  The tools for the expert are more comprehensive 
   than any other Windows package.  No other product has as much memory 
   reporting and testing as WinSleuth Gold Plus.  It doesn't have any 
   unrelated utilities to make working in Windows easier like PC Tools or 
   Norton Desktop for Windows, two of the more popular utilities for 
   Windows.

   PROBLEMS
   --------
        Most people will be interested in the extensive sections on 
   inserting peripherals and upgrading their PC.  WinSleuth Gold Plus 
   utilities for finding occupied DMA (Direct Memory Access) and IRQ 
   (Interrupt ReQuests) channels are inadequate for testing on some cards. 
   This program failed to find any of the peripherals that use software 
   switches rather than jumper switches to set IRQ and DMA.  I would like to
   see improvement in this area because the program would be more valuable 
   if this feature worked as promised.
        
        The CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT Tune-Ups have a lot of potential.  
   The Tune-ups offers general suggestions for increasing standard memory. 
   Unfortunately the suggestions are so general that they are almost 
   useless, especially if you are already running MemMaker (which is one of 
   the suggestions it makes).  If this was bundled with its own memory 
   management tool it might actually be useful.
        
        WinSleuth Gold Plus tests memory usage by grabbing a block of 
   addresses and asking the user if the machine crashes.  While I did not 
   have an occasion to experience this behavior, I think that there are 
   better ways to accomplish this task.  I thought that this method was 
   rather peculiar and dangerous to data.
        
        WinSleuth Gold Plus offers a conflict finder to help find hardware 
   conflicts when adding peripheral cards or when peripherals don't work 
   right. The conflict finder makes its own bootable floppy and records the 
   conflicts as they pop up when the system reboots.  I was unable to get it 
   to work because it has problems with DOS 6.2.  I was unable to contact 
   Technical Support (a toll- free call) the first day I called,  but I was 
   able to reach them easily on the second day I tried.  Technical help was 
   courteous and knowledgeable, but their solutions did not fully solve my 
   problems.  I did not have the opportunity to call them back for more 
   hints.

   OPINION
   -------
        WinSleuth Gold Plus is like many systems reporting utilities, in 
   that it cannot correctly identify what is actually running in a computer.  
   Other than the components recorded in the system BIOS chip, it could not 
   correctly identify one single component in my system.  The shining 
   exception to this is the multimedia detection utility.  That utility 
   relied on the drivers installed in the system and not actually on the 
   hardware installed.  I think that it is ludicrous that these utilities 
   cost $100 dollars or more when a little diligence the user and a piece of 
   paper costing less than a cent can do just as good a job.  WinSleuth Gold 
   Plus does deserve more credit for its memory reporting abilities, but 
   these are of little to no use to the average person who just wants to add 
   a CD-ROM and a sound card.
        
        These problems are why I don't give WinSleuth Gold Plus a very high 
   rating.  In some areas it was better than the competition.  None of the 
   other utilities work any better or especially well for detecting 
   peripherals.  All rely on whether or not drivers for the devices are 
   installed rather than querying the hardware itself.  Granted, polling the
   hardware is a very difficult task, but then the utilities shouldn't claim
   to be able to detect all the hardware attached to the computer.

   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        The better half of WinSleuth Gold Plus is the thorough documentation
   which acts like a dictionary of computer terms with the software there to
   provide specific information on your computer.  The manual touches on 
   every aspect of the hardware.  There are even wiring diagrams for 
   loopback test plugs used to test the serial and parallel ports.  If you 
   don't want to make the plugs, they are available for $25.  I was able to
   find the parts to make them for less than $10.
        
        On-line help simply describes what each function does.  You need to
   consult the excellent manual for more in depth descriptions.  The manual
   also provides a background for the more technical details.  In addition 
   there are  two appendices, one of which is great for the aspiring 
   hardware hacker.

   SUMMARY
   -------
        Many of the gee-whiz graphics and some of the more mundane features
   worked fine but the real meat of the program, and its main selling 
   points, including conflict resolution, failed to work properly. 
   Additionally some of the really hard core tests will be of little help to
   the average user.  The tests for finding what Windows modules are loaded
   will be great for programmers as will the byte by byte testing of memory,
   but they are virtually useless to the weekend hacker.



11. WIZMANAGER                                                       REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Grant Fritchey


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $39.95:  Retail

   Mijenix
   6666 Odana Road, Suite 326
   Madison, WI 53719

   (608) 277-1971 (voice/FAX)

   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:         8
   Graphics:            6
   Innovation:          8
   Sound:               -
   vs. Competition:     6
   Usefulness:          8
   User Friendly:       6
   Compatibility:       8
   Reliability:         8
   Value:               7
   Documentation:       8

   OVERALL              7.3


   QUICK SUMMARY:   Button bar, macro language and a command line interface
                    for File Manager.

   PROS:            Buttons speed up standard functions and the command line
                    interface gives you the speed of DOS in moving files 
                    around

   CONS:            The buttons take time to memorize and the interface can
                    be a little confusing at times.

   THUMBS:          To the side

   MINIMUM          580 KB of free hard drive space.  WizManager will only
   REQUIREMENTS:    run on 16 bit Windows systems (OS/2 & Windows NT are 
                    excluded).


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:         16 MB P5/60
   Drives:      Western Digital 528 MB IDE Hard drive
   Video:       ATI Ultra card with a CrystalScan 1776 LE monitor


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        WizManager is an add-on utility for File Manager that adds a button 
   bar and a command line interface.  The buttons add speed and ease of use 
   to your file and directory manipulation.  If you're into doing a quick 
   batch copy or a copy from a deeply nested directory, the command line 
   interface will provide you with the same satisfaction as DOS without 
   having to open a DOS shell.  The program is very easy to install and 
   customize.  You can have it up and running in a matter of minutes.  Best 
   of all, it's available on-line so you can "try before you buy."

   FEATURES
   --------
        WizManager configures File Manager so that it has a toolbar.  As you 
   move your mouse across the buttons, a small tab will appear just below 
   the pointer to let you know what that icon does.  You can scroll through 
   a very large default set of icons by clicking the right mouse button or 
   by using the scroll buttons provided.  Most of these buttons provide 
   one-click access to options and functions that File Manager already 
   supplies.

        A few of the buttons perform functions that you may wish File 
   Manager already had.  For example, you can instantly set up a vertically
   tiled selection of windows (File Manager itself only tiles horizontally).
   Some of the new commands are also automatically setup as menu selections.

        To the left of the toolbar, is a small text box that contains a 
   command line interface.  This is not a direct connection with DOS, rather 
   these commands interact with DOS from the File Manager.  Over a hundred 
   different commands can be typed into the command line interface.  Most of 
   these are typical DOS commands like COPY, MOVE, CD and DIR.  Some of the 
   commands are for controlling WizManager and Windows itself.  You can even 
   change the normal File Manager file trees from the command line.  An 
   extension of the command line is the ability to make scripts by stringing 
   together a series of commands.  A sample in the manual will prompt the 
   user to delete *.BAK files and then launch Word.

   COMPETING PRODUCTS
   ------------------
        I haven't seen any other File Manager utilities.  WizManager 
   definitely improves the regular old File Manager.

        I have used the File Manager replacement that comes with PC Tools 
   from Central Point Software (CPS).  It has a button bar and a command 
   line interface.  WizManager brings the standard File Manager to a level 
   near that of PC Tools.  However, the PC Tools File Manager replacement 
   deals directly with ZIP and ARC files, which is a very useful function.  
   But the $179 price tag of PC Tools only makes sense if you buy it for all 
   the other features and not just the File Manager replacement.  If that's 
   all you're looking for, then WizManager is a better buy.

   PROBLEMS
   --------
        Currently, Mijenix reports only one problem with WizManager. 
   Apparently the drivers for the Orchid Fahrenheit and Diamond Viper card 
   don't work well.  They also had problems with other older video drivers,
   but updating to the latest drivers for your board seems to fix them all.  
   I didn't experience any problems with the install, the operation, or the
   removal of the program.

   OPINION
   -------
        The program is very easy to use.  The word intuitive is overused and 
   overrated, but if you know DOS and the File Manager, using this program 
   is indeed intuitive.  The command line interface works very well and if 
   you're one of those people who've been dragged kicking and screaming into 
   Windows and refuses to learn the File Manager on principle, check this 
   out.  It will give you all of your standard DOS commands exactly as 
   you've been accustomed to.

        The button bar works extremely well, but the icons take some time to 
   memorize--especially since there are so many of them.  The tag at the 
   bottom makes it possible to find what you want, but you have to read each
   button.  This is mainly a matter of an adjustment period, but worth 
   mentioning.

   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        The manual is very professionally laid out for a small product from 
   a small company.  The material is organized quite clearly and will help 
   you over any learning humps that you might hit.  There are plenty of 
   screen shots that will show you as well as tell you what you need to do.
   The last half is composed of a command reference, detailing the command 
   line and script language.  The on-line help is an exact copy of the 
   printed manual--but without the screen shots.  If you purchase the 
   retail version, you get technical support and a subscription to the "Tips 
   and Tricks for File Manager" newsletter.

   TIPS
   ----
        The command line can be a trifle confusing to use if you focus too 
   much on the File Manager tree.  Just above the command line is the 
   directory that the command line is addressing.  You can address commands 
   to the tree by preceding them with a semi-colon (i.e.:  COPY ;*.EXE).

   SUMMARY
   -------
        WizManager adds some needed functionality to the File Manager with 
   not much effort on your part.  It can be a bit confusing to use and other
   products do most of what it can do and more.  Because you can "try before
   you buy" by downloading this program, it's worth checking out if you want
   to enhance the power of the standard File Manager.



12. WORDPERFECT 6.0 FOR WINDOWS                                      REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Bob Garsson


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $495:  Retail
   $129:  Upgrade for WordPerfect users
   $149:  Competitive upgrade
   
   
   WordPerfect Corporation
   1555 N.  Technology Way
   Orem, UT 84057-2399
   
   (800) 451-5151
   (801) 222-5077:  FAX


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:         8
   Graphics:            9
   Innovation:          8
   Sound:               -
   vs. Competition:     9
   Usefulness:         10
   User Friendly:       9
   Compatibility:      10
   Reliability:         9
   Value:              10
   Documentation:       8
   
   OVERALL             9


   QUICK SUMMARY:   WordPerfect has long been one of the top three word 
                    processors and Version 6.0 for Windows does nothing to 
                    change this.

   PROS:            Too numerous to mention, with many new features and 
                    innovations.

   CONS:            Lacks means to convert to or from files in the Microsoft
                    Word 6 format.

   THUMBS:          Up

   MINIMUM          14 MB of free hard drive space for minimum install;
   REQUIREMENTS:    31 MB for complete installation.


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:         8 MB 386/33
   Drive:       211 MB IDE Seagate IDE hard drive with Stacker.
   Video:       Groundhog Graphics VGA; Seiko monitor.
   System:      MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1; Stacker 4.0


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        My first word processor was for the TRS-80 and my second was 
   WordPerfect 4.2.  Both were good word processors, but both were exactly 
   that and no more.  WYSIWYG didn't exist.  Today, word processors are 
   becoming ultra-sophisticated applications that are moving ever more 
   closely toward eliminating the need of most users for additional 
   applications, such as desktop publishing programs, drawing programs, 
   spreadsheets and the like.  WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows comes closer to 
   that than anything else I've seen.

   FEATURES
   --------
        There are more features than I can cover without taking up all of 
   the available space in this publication, so I'll just touch on a few of 
   the major ones.

        One of the most interesting, I think, is the tables feature, a new 
   item on the main menu.  It includes advanced spreadsheet capabilities 
   such as nearly 100 formulas, numerical cell formatting, automatic 
   recalculation, data fills and named ranges.  There are dozens of borders,
   line styles and fill patterns for table design.  This feature may well 
   eliminate the need for a separate spreadsheet application for a great 
   many WordPerfect users.
   
        The WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows interface is intuitive and virtually 
   all elements are customizable, including the button bar, power bar, ruler 
   bar, status bar, keyboards and menus.  The button bars can be displayed 
   on any screen edge or as a floating palette and the power bar lets you 
   select the features you use most from among 81 options.  Feature bars 
   provide context-sensitive tools with nearly 20 options.

        Another nice feature is the availability of 70 predefined 
   templates--WordPerfect express docs--which are custom document templates
   for such things as newsletters, fax forms, memos and the like.  You can 
   easily edit these or create your own.  Other new features include 
   coaches--similar to Microsoft's Wizards, although not as versatile--but 
   they do teach you how to perform a variety of common tasks; WordPerfect 
   Draw and charting and easy-to-create graphics, including rotation of 
   images and text wrap.  It also includes Grammatik 5, Textart and 25 new 
   TrueType fonts from Bitstream and 150 pieces of clip art.

   COMPETING PRODUCTS
   ------------------
        WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows meets or exceeds the competition well. 
   It lacks a few of the features, for example, of Microsoft Word for 
   Windows, but it also has a number of features not easily available in 
   Word, such as watermarks and hypertext for electronic publishing.  I 
   imagine one can expect each of the applications, including Ami Pro, to 
   continue to leapfrog each other as each succeeding version matches 
   features available in the others and comes up with a few new ones as 
   well.

   PROBLEMS
   --------
        When I tried to use a few of the features, WordPerfect came up with 
   a message saying the feature could not be accessed, probably because of 
   insufficient memory.  When I clicked on the okay box, a GPF resulted. Liz 
   Tanner of WordPerfect Corporation assured me that the GPF problem has 
   been corrected in maintenance release 6.0a (see summary for more info).
   
        If Adobe Type Manager is not installed and running, a message saying
   it is needed appears on opening the application.  Tanner says this 
   message also will be eliminated in the maintenance release.

        I also experienced problems trying to open the help file and the 
   message said only that the call to Winhelp failed.  This, too, was caused
   by low memory, but no explanation appeared on screen.
   
        For me, the lack of a converter for Word 6.0 files was a problem and 
   Tanner indicated that such a converter will not be in the maintenance 
   release either.  One is expected at some future date and likely will be 
   available through the on line services such as CompuServe.  As a fix, 
   Tanner suggested saving files in Word 2.0 format and then opening them in
   WordPerfect.  This worked all right.  What did not work was saving the 
   same files in WordPerfect 5.0 format.  These files did not open properly.
   Furthermore, Word 2.0 files did not always open as expected and some 
   formatting was changed.

   OPINION
   -------
        All in all, however, WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows is a more than 
   usable product and even though I generally work in Word for Windows, I 
   can see several instances in which I will find WordPerfect to be the 
   preferred word processor.  The folks in Orem can be proud of their 
   product.

   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
         The printed manual is very good and quite complete, but so is the 
   on-line help file, which means it is rarely necessary to go to the 
   printed pages.

   SUMMARY
   -------
        Without question this is one of the top three word processing 
   applications on the market.  Ahead of the competition in some ways behind
   in others, but each word processor company leapfrogs the other as new 
   versions are released.

        The 6.0a patch is available via ftp (on the Internet) at 
   ftp.wordperfect.com.  It is also available for free to registered 6.0 
   users by calling (800) 451-6161.


	Bob Garsson is a freelance writer with many years of experience in 
   newspapers and non-fiction writing.  He is highly familiar with many 
   aspects of PCs and Windows.



13. WORDPERFECT INFORMS                                              REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Bob Garsson


   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $495.00:  Retail


   WordPerfect Corporation
   1555 N. Technology Way
   Orem, UT 84057-2399

   (801) 228-9916
   (801) 222-5077:  FAX


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Product Evaluation:
   Ease of Use:         8
   Graphics:            8
   Innovation:          7
   Sound:               -
   vs. Competition:     -
   Usefulness:          6
   User Friendly:       8
   Compatibility:      10
   Reliability:         9
   Value:               6
   Documentation:       9

   OVERALL              7.9


   QUICK SUMMARY:   WordPerfect InForms is a tool for creating forms to be 
                    printed or used electronically.

   PROS:            Comes with 111 pre-designed forms that can be used as is
                    or modified.

   CONS:            An on-line tutorial might make it easier to learn.

   THUMBS:          Up

   MINIMUM          19 MB of free hard drive space available for standard
   REQUIREMENTS:    install, and 15 MB for minimum install.


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:         8 MB 386/33
   Drive:       211 MB IDE Seagate IDE hard drive with Stacker.
   Video:       Groundhog Graphics VGA; Seiko monitor.
   System:      MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1; Stacker 4.0


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        WordPerfect InForms allows the user to create forms, fill them in 
   and either print them out for duplication or distribute them 
   electronically.  WordPerfect InForms also can be linked to a variety of 
   databases, making it a convenient front ends for that purpose.

   FEATURES
   --------
        Designing forms of any type when it's intended to print them out is 
   a simple proposition in almost any application, particularly word 
   processors such as WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows and Microsoft Word for 
   Windows.  If this were the only feature distinguishing WordPerfect 
   InForms from the others, there would be no need for the application.
   
        WordPerfect InForms distinguishes itself in two ways, I think. 
   First, because it is specifically intended for the purpose, it makes 
   designing a form a fairly simple proposition.  The form can be set up 
   quickly and exactly as needed.  Graphics can easily be added, whether to
   simply improve the looks or for any other purpose.
   
        More importantly, forms can be designed for use electronically so 
   they can, for example, be distributed to all employees via company e-mail
   and then returned in the same manner.  To this end, the electronic forms
   can be "signed," making any tampering of the protected forms easily 
   detectable.  The WordPerfect InForms package includes an application 
   named Security, which sets up a database to store information about users 
   who are authorized to sign forms.

        Using the electronic forms, users can save collected information 
   directly into a database.  Eliminating time-consuming duplicate data 
   entry.
   
        Electronic forms also can contain calculations.  WordPerfect InForms 
   supports more than 120 functions and 10 system variables that let the 
   user utilize arithmetic, databases, date/time, financial, statistical, 
   text and other formulas.  Calculations not only will allow the user to 
   add a filled-in form to a database with the click of a button; they also 
   can be used to hide or show certain portions of a form depending on the 
   data entered by a user.

        WordPerfect InForms also contains a third application called Filler.  
   This is for users who need to fill in forms created with the Designer 
   package, allowing them to look up and edit database information from 
   within Filler.
   
        Using Filler makes it easy to fill in the forms, access any database 
   linked to the form, print the form, print records from the database and 
   send the completed forms via e-mail.
   
         WordPerfect InForms is designed to interact, of course, with any 
   other WordPerfect product.  However, it also integrates with most 
   non-WordPerfect products, including Lotus and Microsoft mail 
   applications. It can link to virtually any database, including but not 
   limited to Btrieve, Clipper, dBase, FoxPro, Oracle, Paradox and SQLBASE.


   OPINION
   -------
        A major asset of WordPerfect InForms is the inclusion of 111 forms 
   designed either for print use or electronic use.  These are ample and I 
   surmise most users will find them adequate as is without further 
   modification.  They include forms for a variety of subjects including 
   banking and mortgage, financial and accounting, insurance, office, 
   personnel, real estate, shipping and receiving forms and travel and 
   expense forms.


   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        There is extensive documentation, with a thick manual for Designer 
   and a smaller separate one for Filler.  On-line help, however, is 
   complete and the user should have little reason to go to the printed 
   pages.  One thing I like about the on-line help is a section entitled 
   "How do I...," which shows the user how to utilize specific parts of the
   application.

        The first part of the Designer manual contains 86 pages devoted to a 
   tutorial on using the application.  The Filler manual is almost entirely 
   devoted to lessons.  Although these work well, I find an on-line tutorial 
   to be easier to work with and follow.

   TIPS
   ----
        Some disk space can be reclaimed (about 175 KB) by eliminating the 
   files in the Learn directory after using them.

   SUMMARY
   -------
        An application of value to anyone seeking an easy way to come up 
   with forms that can be printed or mailed electronically.


	Bob Garsson is a freelance writer with many years of experience in 
   newspapers and non-fiction writing.  He is highly familiar with many 
   aspects of PCs and Windows.



14. COMMWORKS                                                        REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Richard F.  Daley

   PRODUCT INFORMATION:
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   $199.95:  Retail
   
   Traveling Software, Inc.
   18702 North Creek Parkway
   Bothell, WA 98011
   
   (206) 483-8088
   (206) 485-1736:  FAX


   PRODUCT EVALUATION
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ease of Use:          8
   Graphics:             -
   Innovation:           6
   Sound:                -
   vs.  Competition:     7
   Usefulness:           9
   User Friendly:        7
   Compatibility:       10
   Reliability:          9
   Value:               10
   Documentation:        7
   
   OVERALL               8.0


   QUICK SUMMARY:   An all-in-one software suite for communications needs: 
                    file transfer (via LapLink V), FAX send/receive, remote
                    access to another computer, terminal.  The printed 
                    documentation is adequate.

   PROS:            LapLink V is the best file transferor on the market.

   CONS:            The other programs do not match the quality of competing
                    programs on the market.
               l
   THUMBS:          To the side

   MINIMUM          The suite requires a Hayes compatible Modem 1200 baud
   REQUIREMENTS:    or higher (9600 recommended) and a Class I, II or CAS
                    compatible FAX (optional for FAX use).  Complete 
                    installation requires 6.5 MB of free hard drive space.


   TEST SYSTEM
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   CPU:         8 MB 486 DX2/66
   Drives:      340 MB Conner IDE drive with HLC-3000SP VL bus controller
   Video:       Diamond Viper video card with 1 MB video RAM
   System:      MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1
   Modem:       Gateway Telepath 14.4 FAX/Modem


   OVERVIEW
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        CommWorks is a suite of applications billed as a complete solution 
   to all your communications needs.  This suite includes LapLink V, LapLink
   Remote Access, LapLink Alert, TS FAX and TS Online.  LapLink V is a file
   transfer program designed primarily to transfer files between a laptop 
   computer and a desktop computer through a special cable or over a 
   network. However, desktop to desktop transfers are possible as well.  
   LapLink Remote Access requires a cable or modem connection and allows you 
   to access drives and printers on a remote computer from within any 
   Windows application.  LapLink Alert informs you when a file, e-mail or 
   fax arrives on your machine.  TS FAX sends and receives faxes.  TS Online 
   is a terminal program which allows you to log on to major communications 
   services as well as your local BBS.

   FEATURES
   --------
        LapLink V is a top rated file transfer program.  It is the star of 
   this software suite.  Its intended use is to facilitate the transfer of 
   files from a laptop computer to a desktop computer.  This transfer is 
   done either via a special cable available from Traveling Software, over a 
   modem or via a network connection.  None of the other programs in the 
   suite match the quality of LapLinkV.  However, they are all reasonable 
   programs.
   
        LapLink Remote Access is a remote access program which allows you to 
   use printers and disk drives on a remote computer as if they were 
   attached to the local computer.
   
        LapLink Alert is an alarm which runs in the background.  The alarm 
   sounds to let you know when a file, e-mail or fax arrives at your 
   machine.
   
        TS OnLine is a terminal program which you can use to connect to 
   on-line services as CompuServe or a BBS.  It allows transfer of files and
   e-mail from the remote computer.

        TS FAX sends and receives faxes.  Sending a fax is as easy as 
   printing from any application.  And incoming faxes are stored on your 
   hard drive as a graphic image.


   COMPETING PRODUCTS
   ------------------
        There are many competing products for all of the programs in this 
   suite.  LapLink V is at the top of its class.  TS FAX and TS Online are 
   about average members of this group in comparison to similar programs 
   that I have seen and used.  I cannot compare LapLink Remote Access with 
   other remote control software as it is the only member of this class I've 
   used.

   PROBLEMS
   --------
        There were no real problems in installing the software or in using 
   it.  The only real complaint I have is that the only documentation for 
   the scripting language is in a Windows help file.  There is a brief 
   overview/tutorial in the manual, but no printed documentation.  For me, 
   that is a real problem in getting an overview of the scripting language.

   OPINION
   -------
        I will keep LapLink V and LapLink Remote Access on my computer.  I 
   wish that the LapLink V program was a native Windows program (it runs in 
   a DOS window).  However, I didn't experience any difficulties with 
   operating LapLink V within Windows.  I will not keep TS FAX or TS OnLine 
   on my computer.  I prefer WinFax Pro to TS FAX and CrossTalk for Windows 
   to TS Online.  WinFax Pro has a smoother interface and gives better fax 
   transmission and quality than TS FAX.  I think that CrossTalk for Windows
   has a more powerful scripting language than TS Online.  Since I write a 
   lot of complex scripts automating my communications tasks, I found the 
   scripting language for TS OnLine too limiting for my needs.  If you don't
   need complex scripting, then TS Online is easier to use than CrossTalk 
   and contains all of the features needed in a communications program.  
   LapLink Alert is not a program for which I have any real use.

   DOCUMENTATION
   -------------
        The manuals are adequate for all of the software.  None of them are
   outstanding.  I had some difficulty making contact with another computer
   over a large Novell network.  I called Traveling Software's Technical 
   Service department.  After a surprisingly short wait, I spoke to a 
   pleasant engineer who gave me some hints that didn't work for my 
   situation.  I called again and received some additional help that still 
   didn't solve the problem.  My local network guru finally solved the 
   problem.  To be honest, the technical support people did not have enough 
   information about the LAN setup to make the connection work.

   SUMMARY
   -------
        CommWorks is an excellent value if you need even two or three 
   programs in the suite.  Apart from LapLink V and LapLink Remote Access, 
   the programs are not the best of their genre on the market.  The rest of 
   them are, however, adequate for most communications needs.
   
   

15. PNR'S BOOK CORNER                                                REVIEW
   ========================================================================
   by Robert M.  Slade


   "The WordPerfect 6 Print & Presentation Kit", Solomon, 
   1993, 0-201-62261-0, 
                          US: $28.95 / Canada: $37.95

   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
   1 Jacob Way                  P.O.  Box 520
   Reading, MA   01867-9984     26 Prince Andrew Place
                                Don Mills, Ontario  M3C 2T8
   800-527-5210                 416-447-5101
   617-944-3700                 Fax: 416-443-0948
   
   or
   
   5851 Guion Road
   Indianapolis, IN   46254
   800-447-2226
   
   
        If you are a rank newcomer to the publication of presentation 
   documents, this is a reasonably good start.  The first part of the book 
   covers some of the basics of design.  The material is simple, and mostly
   common sense.  It is by no means extensive:  the author starts the book 
   by boasting that she has no training in design, and, unfortunately, it 
   shows.  It also assumes that you have access to extensive resources in 
   the way of printers, scanners, clip-art and fonts:  there is no 
   discussion of how to "make do" or maximize what you may have.
   
        If you are not a WordPerfect user, not to worry.  Part 1 has nothing 
   at all to do with WordPerfect.  Part 2 does, but you won't be missing 
   much.  Part 3 supposedly does, but you should be able to figure out how 
   to do it in your system.
   
        If you *are* a WordPerfect user, you won't be getting an awful lot 
   of presentation help here.  Many of the aspects that are discussed in 
   detail aren't related to desktop publishing (such as how to use the 
   button bar).  Those aspects that are important to publishing seem to have 
   a surprising lack of detail.  The aspect of "boxes" (which is what 
   WordPerfect uses for graphics and many special effects) is covered in a 
   scant twenty pages, despite its vital important to presentation.  The 
   material seems to be little more than a reworking of the manual.  There 
   is nothing in the way of tips, tricks, shortcomings, or workarounds. 
   (Wordperfect users had also better be using version 6.0:  although, as 
   with other program users, you may be able to figure it out, there is no 
   reference to earlier versions of the program at all.)
   
        The third part of the book gives supposed samples of things to do 
   for yourself.  Again, this section has little to do with the WordPerfect
   program, and is pretty standard boilerplate stuff.  An outline for a 
   brochure, for example, suggests printing in landscape with narrow margins
   and three columns for a "three-fold" page.  Not exactly rocket science.
   
        Those who are just starting out in desktop publishing with 
   WordPerfect 6.0 may find some tips here.  Those who have turned out a 
   newsletter to their own satisfaction probably don't need it.
   
   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1994   BKWP6PPK.RVW  940121
   
   -=-=-=-=-
   
   
   "Hacker's Guide to Word For Windows", Leonhard/Chen
                          US: $39.95 / Canada: $51.95
   
   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
   1 Jacob Way                  P.O.  Box 520
   Reading, MA   01867-9984     26 Prince Andrew Place
                                Don Mills, Ontario  M3C 2T8
   800-527-5210                 416-447-5101
   617-944-3700                 Fax: 416-443-0948
   
   or
   
   5851 Guion Road
   Indianapolis, IN   46254
   800-447-2226
   
   
        This book will not appeal to the corporate types.  Even granting 
   that the authors have provided a warning symbol for the worst of their 
   lunacy (a little figure who appears to be going "booga-booga" at you), 
   the bulk of the text is very informal, perhaps even flippant.  This will 
   be amusing to fans of Monty Python, bemusing to the rank novice, mildly 
   irksome to those looking for a reference, and completely unacceptable to
   the buttoned-down mind.  The authors state that this work is for those 
   who have learned to love Word for Windows, and you'd likely have to love 
   the program to put up with some aspects of the book.
   
        Pity.  Because beneath this carefree exterior is an incisive 
   analysis and presentation of Word.  The authors state that this book is 
   not for newcomers to Word.  This is not quite true.  For those familiar 
   with computers and text editing concepts, section one is an excellent 
   introduction to the program, covering the oddities of the Word "paradigm"
   with succinct clarity.  Word was the forty-seventh word processor I 
   learned, and it took me a full month to realize the information carried 
   in those indistinguishable paragraph markers.
   
        But that is only the first section.  And the first half of the 
   section at that.  The remainder of section one re-opens the question of 
   who, or what, this book is for.  First there is the title.  A "hacker", 
   in computerdom, usually refers to a programmer:  a *good* programmer.  
   The authors keep insisting, though, that the book is for *anyone*.  Then,
   they launch into a long, though entertaining, story of the writing of a 
   program.  The story is laced, alternately, with comments of "See? Isn't 
   it easy?" and chunks of C-like code ending with a program which, when 
   completed ... doesn't work.
   
        Section two gets back to the user level with a grab bag of tips, 
   bugs, tricks and self-praise for the DocCruiser program.  We also have 
   further evidence for the hacker mindset in statements such as "fun is 
   better than useful." Certainly they haven't wasted a lot of time on 
   thinking of how you would refer to all of this information. (Fortunately,
   the index is fairly substantial.)
   
        Having stated that the book is not an introduction to WordBASIC, 
   section three seems to be precisely that.  This is not an overview for 
   those who have no experience with programming:  all the jargon is there,
   and little is explained.  However, most of the time you can figure out 
   what you need to know about how to work in WordBASIC.  If you don't 
   understand a group of commands, you aren't likely to need them, at least
   not right away.
   
        Section four is a reference list of WordBASIC commands.  As the 
   introduction to the section states, this is the heart of the book.  The 
   commands are listed, and extensively described, including bugs and errors
   in the original documentation.  Again, while this is ostensibly technical
   information, it is not difficult to read or understand the entries.
   
        Section five is again a rather unfocussed collection of information 
   on WinWord fields and bookmarks, and Windows WIN.INI file settings.
   
        It is difficult to share the authors' enthusiasm for a program so 
   bug-ridden and poorly supported by the documentation.  Given the starting
   premise that a word processor is a tool for manipulation, storage and 
   printing of text, one comes away from the book with feeling that you 
   could spend your life exploring the intriguing byways of Word for Windows 
   ... and still not get any work done.  This is not a word processor, this 
   is a toy with a word processor as a front end.
   
        At the same time, one can see, after digging deeply enough, that 
   there are a number of very powerful functions.  Unfortunately, relatively
   few of them have much to do with text.  Flipping through the command 
   reference at random seems to turn up one text oriented command out of 
   every five.  (This may, of course, be unfair to the program.  After all,
   it does "select" for commands which the authors are more interested in 
   ... or those which have more bugs.)
   
        If you use Word for Windows extensively, this book is very likely a 
   worthwhile investment.  If you *must* use Word for Windows, this book may 
   save you some peace of mind ... *always* a worthwhile investment.
   
   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKHGTWFW.RVW  930915
   

   Differing opinion from Bob Garsson, assistant editor:

     I have been using this program for years Winword 2 is far from
   bug-ridden and the same goes for Winword 6. Winword, WordPerfect
   and Ami Pro all have macro languages. It is one of their fortes. The
   average user may never need them, but the power user will and the macro
   languages allow for customization of the application to make it do
   exactly what the user wishes. The book in question is designed for the
   power user more than anything else and does--very well--the job it
   is intended to do.

   -=-=-=-=-
   
   
   "CompuServe CIM Running Start", Campbell, 1993
                          US: $17.95 / Canada: $22.95
    
   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Sybex Computer Books         Firefly Books
   2021 Challenger Drive        250 Sparks Avenue
   Alameda, CA   94501          Willowdale, Ontario  M2H 2S4
   
   800-227-2346
   510-523-8233                 416-499-8412
   Fax: 510-523-2373            Fax: 416-499-8313
   
   71650.2556@compuserve.com
    
   
        Let's review this on the basis of the cover blurbs.
   
        "Exclusive Two-Part Format, Designed to let You Get the Most Out of 
   CompuServe."  The two-part format is a tutorial and a reference section.  
   Hmmm.  Somehow that format sounds vaguely familiar.  However, if you need 
   this tutorial to get you started, I doubt that you are ever going to get 
   the most out of CompuServe.  Remember, this is a tutorial on how to use a 
   graphical interface, which is, itself, an aid to a menu interface. "If 
   you want to add an address to your address book, just press the Add 
   button when you are in the Address Book Screen!"
   
   
        "Nine Simple, Step-by-Step Lessons to Help Make You a CompuServe 
   Ace."  Simple? Yes.  Ace?  See above.  Let us suppose, though, that this
   book is aimed at the complete and utter computer neophyte.  There is 
   nothing here about the really hard part of communications: setting up the
   modem and making the first few calls.
   
   
        "Covers both WinCIM and DOS CIM."  On the inside back cover is a 
   sample screen from CIM for DOS.  There are twelve references to 
   differences between the two versions.  Otherwise, this is about WinCIM.
   
   
        "Special Bonus Offer!  FREE CompuServe Introductory Membership Plus 
   a $15 Credit towards Your Usage."  If there is anyone who has been 
   involved in the computer world for a while and hasn't had dozens of such
   offers--how did you avoid them?
   
   
        Now all of this may be amusing, but is it fair to the author? After 
   all, it is the publisher who decides on such things as the cover, and 
   often even the title.  However, what is really at issue to the "consumer" 
   is the book as a whole.  Campbell has done a reasonably good job.  The 
   material is fairly clear, and the work is well written, as far as it 
   goes.  However, the concept of the book, as a whole, is one that boggles 
   the mind.  Do people really need documentation for this?  Do they need a 
   third party book?
   
        A while back a friend and I were delving into CompuServe via WinCIM.  
   There were a number of "features" which we thought should probably be 
   there, but we couldn't figure out how to make it work.  This book was no 
   help either in terms of finding those features, or in terms of confirming 
   that they were or weren't available.  Third party books on systems 
   generally either help to mitigate the shortcomings of the existing 
   documentation, or teach more advanced "tips and tricks".  This book 
   doesn't, and there seems to be little chance that such is possible with 
   this topic.
   
   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKCSVCIM.RVW  931202 
   
   -=-=-=-=-
   
    
   "Concise Guide to Windows for Workgroups", Jamsa, 1993, 1-55615-505-0
                                 Canada: $17.95

   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Microsoft Press                      Macmillan of Canada
   1 Microsoft Way                      29 Birch Avenue
   Redmond, WA   98052-6399     Toronto, Ontario M4V 1E2

                                Elizabeth Wilson
                                416-963-8830
                                Fax: 416-923-4821


        Another "second source" set of documentation for Windows.  Note 
   please: Windows.  More than half of this book deals with functions and 
   features which are *not* specific to Windows for Workgroups.  The chapters 
   relating to the Control Panel and Accessories, for example, contain almost 
   no material relating to features other than those found in a stand alone 
   version of Windows.

        Which raises another point.  The cover blurb states that this book 
   covers "everything from installation to customization."  Well, given some 
   latitude in interpretation, that could be said to be true.  However, to 
   those who have worked with Windows, let alone those who have struggled 
   with the Workgroups part, installation and customization refer to those 
   times when the defaults don't quite work as advertised.  Instead, what we 
   get for "installation" here is a run through the screens of the 
   installation program.  As for customization; well, I'll be kind and assume 
   that they are referring only to the screen color changes you can make 
   with the Control Panel.

        It could be said to be concise.  There is no reference material.  
   There is no attempt to point out any "tips and tricks."  The material 
   appears to be a rewriting and reformatting of the standard Windows 
   documentation.

        The ultimate question is, "Why?"  Windows is supposed to be 
   "user-friendly." (Please, no unseemly laughter from you in the back, 
   there.)  Windows is supposed to be usable without documentation at all. 
   Why, then, this type of rehash from third parties?

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKCGTWFW.RVW  931201

   -=-=-=-=-


   "The Little DOS 6 Book", Nelson, 1993, 1-56609-056-3, U$13.00/C$18.00
    
   USA
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   PeachPit
   2414 6th St.
   Berkeley, CA   94710

   800-283-9444
   510-548-4393
   Fax: 510-548-5991
   tbooth@peachpit.mhs.compuserve.com


        For those that need an introduction to DOS that will take them up to 
   the intermediate level, this is a good choice.  It contains both an 
   introduction to DOS and a command reference.  It goes beyond the 
   cartoonish "beginning DOS" books that used to come with PC-DOS, but is 
   not as formidable as the full documentation or the DOS "bibles".

        One potential objection might be that the book concentrates very 
   heavily on DOSSHELL.  While command line options are given at every 
   point, the shell and its interface are given priority, and most of the 
   book deals with DOS through the shell.  If you want to learn the command 
   line interface, you will get the basic information here, but will likely 
   have to do a lot of practice to make up for the lack of examples.

        The organization is generally good, and useful for referencing 
   topics by subject.  Some of the organization is a bit odd:  the "Basic 
   Basics" chapter discusses floppy disks, the two physical sizes, some 
   safety tips about magnets and even discusses how to insert them in the 
   drives.  The discussion does not mention the two formats:  that is 
   explained in chapter six (for which there is no pointer in chapter one) 
   and even there, the book relies on the presence or absence of hub rings 
   to distinguish high density 5-1/4" diskettes.  (Some double density disks
   don't have hub rings either:  the most dependable test is that high 
   density media is slightly less opaque, and you can faintly see a nearby 
   bare light bulb, or fluorescent tube, through a high density disk.)

        The book has a fair number of useful tips, but misses a great many.  
   As only one example, the "/S" switch on the DIR command has rendered the 
   WHEREIS and SEEK utilities obsolete.  This is a very desirable function, 
   and one that can save users a lot of time in finding misplaced files.  
   While the switch itself is mentioned, there is no discussion of this use.

        A reasonable introduction for the intelligent beginner who wants to 
   begin to actually use the operating system--and at a reasonable price.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1994   BKLTLDOS.RVW  940103

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Learning the UNIX Operating System", Todino/Strang, 1987
    
   USA
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
   103 Morris Street, Suite A
   Sebastopol, CA   95472

   800-998-9938
   707-829-0515
   Fax: 707-829-0104
   info@ora.com


        "Learning the UNIX Operating System" is stated to be intended to 
   cover enough of the basics of UNIX to get a user started.  Generally 
   speaking, the book does just that.

        Chapter one is a fairly standard introduction in the "nutshell" 
   series, not so much an introduction to the topic as to the format of the
   book.  Chapter two is where it really begins, getting the user to log in
   and log out of the system.  Some attention is paid to familiarizing the 
   user with the command line interface.

        Chapter three is entitled, "Your UNIX Account", but what it really 
   covers is directory navigation, files and mail.  Chapter four seems to 
   cover some of the same ground in file management.

        Chapters five and six seem somewhat out of place.  They cover 
   redirection of 1/0 and multi-tasking.  While these topics are 
   unquestionably important to UNIX itself, it is difficult to see that the
   novice user would have immediate need of them.  If this book is aimed 
   beyond the novice level, then there are several topics left uncovered for
   which I, personally, would see a greater need.

        Chapter seven deals with the important issue of how to proceed 
   beyond the scope of this work.  The book concludes with a brief but 
   useful "cheat sheet" of commonly used commands.

        The book is labeled as a "single session overview", and very likely 
   an hour or two on-line with it would get most novice users "up and 
   running".  While those who are familiar with other operating systems may
   find some of the material tedious, the writing and examples are clear for
   any intelligent reader.  This book could be very valuable in getting new
   users "over the hump" when confronting UNIX for the first time.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKLRNUNX.RVW   930728

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Smileys", David W.  Sanderson (dws@ora.com) and Dale Dougherty, 1993,
                                 1-56592-041-4

   USA
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   O'Reilly and Associates, Inc.
   103 Morris St., Suite A
   Sebastopol, CA   95472-9902

   800-338-6887
   Fax: 707-829-0104
   info@ora.com


        "Smileys", otherwise known as "emoticons" (emotive icons), are the 
   "body language" and "intonation" of electronic mail.  It is tremendously
   easy, when using e-mail or bulletin board type communications, to say 
   something which you consider to be a minor and flippant aside, and have 
   it come across as a deadly insult.  Hence the "smiley"   :-)   a set of 
   characters which forms a "happy face" (view it sideways) to indicate that
   the writer is joking.

        David Sanderson has compiled an enormous list of these "typewriter 
   faces" since there are many variations on the basic smiley above.  To the
   basic "happy"  :-) , one can add sad  :-(  , apathetic or stern  :-|  and
   "cool dude wearing shades"  B-)  (which also works as a "Batman" 
   caricature).  A great number of the examples given in the book fall into
   the "caricature" category, and are fun, if not terribly useful.  (This 
   used to be a popular pastime at both UBC and SFU:  generating new 
   caricatures and characters.)

        As well as the enormous list of smileys contained in the book, pages 
   41 to 44 present you with an assortment of games using emoticons. 
   "Where's Smiley", on page 42, will be immediately recognizable as a 
   section of UUENCODEd material.  The fact that "smileys" pop up 
   inadvertently in miscellaneous material was the source of a humorous note
   recently on alt.folklore.computers in which a programmer lamented that 
   his C code was grinning at him  {:

        The explanatory text is minimal.  It does explain that smileys are 
   used to convey emotion; and particularly the fact that a particular 
   statement is made in jest.  Pages 24 and 25 begin to explore the fact 
   that electronic communication is fraught with peril for misunderstanding,
   but do not explore it in great depth.  Page 26 warns against overuse of 
   emoticons, but nowhere is the reader warned against the all too common 
   practice of sending a truly abusive message with some smileys attached.

        Had the book some more serious material, I would not hesitate to 
   recommend that it be standard practice for corporations to issue a copy 
   to every new user given an e-mail account.  As it is, the book is a 
   highly amusing piece with the potential to be used as a lead in to more 
   serious discussion.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKSMILEY.RVW   930506

   (Postscriptum:  commenting on the original draft of this review, David 
   Sanderson has stated that he plans to expand the next edition to include
   much more discussion of the etiquette and culture of e-mail.)

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Connecting to the Internet", Estrada, 1993
                                   US: $15.95

   USA
   ------------------------------------------------------ 
   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
   103 Morris Street, Suite A
   Sebastopol, CA   95472

   800-998-9938
   707-829-0515
   fax: 707-829-0104

   info@ora.com
   dlist-update@ora.com
    

        When I give my "Beginner's Guide to the Nets" talk, I know that one 
   question is inevitable.  "Great!  How do I get an account?"  Here, then, 
   is a book directed at answering that question.

        Of course, without the talk to precede it, some explanation of the 
   Internet is in order.  Estrada's explanation comprises the first three 
   chapters.  It is framed in the language and style of one addressing the 
   neophyte.  Viewed from that perspective, though, the contents may be a 
   little odd.  The non-technical reader doesn't need to know, in chapter 
   one, that the Internet is a packet- switched network using TCP/IP. 
   Chapter two talks about connection speed and gives some useful examples.
   The distinction, however, between the speed of the local connection and 
   the speed of the backbone is not as clearly specified.  Also, the 
   illustration of information as water may not be universally informative,
   given the necessity to keep converting books to gallons.  (I suspect, as
   well, that the measures for audio and video are a bit ...  
   conservative.)

        There is certainly room for a book for the computer novice who wants
   access to e-mail, electronic discussions and a few files from the 
   Internet.  There is also room for a book which gives technical details 
   about the Internet for those who are trying to attach mainframes, VAXen,
   workstations and even PCs in such a manner as to be fully part of the 
   Internet.  These two books need not be separate volumes, as the two 
   groups of explanations could be accommodated in one book if sufficiently
   carefully planned.  Apparently, this is what Estrada has tried to do. 
   However, some readers may find the use of "novice style" throughout the 
   book, even in those parts directed at the technical expert, to be 
   somewhat disconcerting.

        Chapter three approaches the issue of an Internet connection the 
   same way I counsel first-time computer buyers:  don't ask "what's best,"
   ask "what do I want to do?"  Clearer than the first two, this chapter 
   provides a good overview of the basic functions and services on the 
   Internet.  The discussion is quite brief (none of the mentions of e-mail,
   conferencing or "chat" refer at all to on-line etiquette), and there is a
   strong emphasis on multimedia applications.

        Chapters four, five and six deal with the selection of connections,
   via providers, dial-up and lease lines.  These chapters are generally 
   very good, and provide both checklist, and charts to help you evaluate 
   various services.  Given the previous non-technical tone of the book, 
   some of the inclusions (such as example "trouble tickets") may be odd, 
   but chapter six seems to indicate an eagerness to be of service to 
   technical types as well.

        Most of the rest of the book; most of the book, actually; is made up
   of two appendices which list providers through whom one can obtain 
   Internet access of varying types and degrees.  Appendix A is the Kaminski
   PDIAL list which describes those systems providing individual accounts 
   with access to the Internet.  While I have no reason to suspect the 
   integrity of the American portion of the list, I note that Canada is 
   represented only by a single company in Montreal.  Canada Remote Systems,
   Mindlink and CyberStore are notable by their absence.  The 
   "international" section has only three listings.

        Appendix B is a list of those providers offering dedicated line 
   connections, most likely for those wishing their own "domain".  This 
   DLIST is maintained by the author of the book.  The American emphasis is
   still strong, but there are signs of good efforts being made to expand. 
   Canada gets a whole section to itself, although BC is represented only by
   BCNet and Wimsey is unmentioned.

        There are still a number of areas missing.  Commercial on-line 
   services, such as CompuServe, GEnie, America Online and now (finally) 
   Prodigy provide e-mail links, although possibly at substantially higher 
   charges than one might see through other providers.  They are mentioned,
   but very briefly.  Any Fidonet board that offers netmail can send 
   messages to, and receive from, the Internet.  If there are no providers 
   locally, I often recommend checking with local universities and colleges.  
   Freenet is mentioned only in the glossary.  (In BC alone there is one 
   functioning Freenet and three "under construction".)

        Regardless of these flaws, this is bound to become a major reference
   work as more and more individuals and businesses seek access to the 
   Internet.  The coverage that this work gives to both the PDIAL and DLIST
   references will lead to feedback which will strengthen them for future 
   editions (as well as the on-line versions noted).

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKCONINT.RVW  930914

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Crossing the Internet Threshold", Tennant/Ober/Lipow, 1882208013
                                        US: $45.00

   USA                  
   --------------------------------------------------------
   Library Solutions Institute and Press
   2137 Oregon St.                               
   1100 Industrial Road, Suite 9
   Berkeley, CA   94705                 San Carlos, CA   94070
   510-841-2933
   510-841-2636                         Fax: 415-594-0411

   alipow@library.berkeley.edu jlo-lis@cmsa.berkeley.Edu
   rtennant@library.Berkeley.Edu


        This book is useful for newcomers to the Internet.  This book is 
   useful for trainers.  This book is useful for librarians.  Ultimately, 
   this book is most useful for those training librarians who are new to the
   Internet.

        The contents cover the basics as an introduction to the Internet. 
   There is an "Internetworking Overview" which is a bit long for a beginner
   but helpful for a trainer.  "Important Information for Beginners" is 
   important, but primarily to those needing either to get a connection to 
   the Internet or to keep current with Internet developments.  The 
   bibliography is generally sound and with helpful annotations.  (There are
   some gaps, such as no mention of O'Reilly and Associates "!%@::" (cf 
   BKDEMAC.RVW), but most of the other references one might name are more 
   recent publications.)  Three chapters cover e-mail, remote login and file
   transfers (ftp).  There are very helpful "fact sheets" on the basics of 
   related functions, such as archive and gopher, as well as projects such 
   as Freenet.  In addition, there are trainers' aids, and appendix 
   materials.

        A newcomer to the Internet might find this material a bit 
   disorganized, but very definitely helpful and useful.  It is heartening 
   to see the very strong emphasis on Internet etiquette and culture which 
   all too often gets short shrift, even in introductory guides.  The 
   grouping of discussion lists and electronic journals with e-mail is a 
   logical extension which is not always made.  The work is not limited to 
   the novice, though; many Internet users would find the fact sheets to be
   a handy quick reference.

        The material here was originally developed for a workshop and, 
   unfortunately, it is all too obvious at some points.  The Internet maps 
   and certain other materials could be useful in seminars, but have no 
   associated explanatory materials.  The exercises are useful but missing 
   information at certain points.  For example, the list of special 
   databases to try out does not always have full information on how to log
   in.  This would, of course, be supplied in the workshop, and can be 
   figured out by an experienced "net surfer," but it would be nice to see 
   more help for novice users.  The training resources, as well, would 
   require some work. The "Introduction to Networking" overhead, for 
   example, is far too cluttered, and, realistically, should be subdivided 
   into at least five parts.  This is, however, the first of a series of 
   related works.  As the material is subdivided, and the different 
   audiences defined, the material will undoubtedly improve.  The work shows
   a fundamental understanding and promise which bodes well for future 
   editions, once organization and isolated materials are improved.

        Still, the book is useful to all those parties mentioned in the 
   opening paragraph.  For those serious about Internet training, or the use
   of the Internet in a library situation, this should definitely be on your
   bookshelf.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKCRSTHR.RVW  931229   

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Exploring the World of Online Services", Resnick, 1993
                                US: $17.95 / Canada: $25.95

   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Sybex Computer Books         Firefly Books
   2021 Challenger Drive        250 Sparks Avenue
   Alameda, CA   94501          Willowdale, Ontario  M2H 2S4

   800-227-2346
   510-523-8233                 416-499-8412
   Fax: 510-523-2373            Fax: 416-499-8313

   71333.1473@compuserve.com


        The "world" part of the title is a bit grandiose.  One has come to 
   expect, unfortunately, that a particular work will cover either 
   commercial services or "the nets," but not both.  However, even dealing 
   strictly with commercial information services, there is still a lot of 
   room in the cover statement that the book "compares and contrasts the 
   most popular on-line services, including CompuServe and Prodigy".  The 
   *only* services included are CompuServe and Prodigy.

        The book certainly promises "the world".  Chapter one gives the 
   usual "all the business information in the known universe at the click of
   a mouse" pitch.  To be fair, Resnick does suggest a number of rules to 
   try to keep the costs down.  For example, she talks about "narrowing" a 
   search with added terms, but doesn't go into the complexity of setting up
   an appropriate data base search.

        Part one of the book (chapters two to ten) is the "how to" section 
   with part two being the "what's there".  Chapter two, for example, is 
   supposed to tell you about modems and communication software.  Except for
   a brief discussion of the pros and cons of generic terminal software 
   versus service specific "front ends", one wonders why the chapter was 
   included.  A section dealing with communications parameters finally comes
   down to, "Oh, it's all too technical, just use 2400,8,N,1 and it'll 
   probably work."  Chapter three talks about logging in:  Prodigy users get
   pretty short shrift here.  (In a section titled "Protecting Your 
   Password" the fifth sentence is enough to make any security types 
   shudder:  it advises, nay, commands! that you write down your password.)
   Chapter four purports to help you navigate the services:  it reminds you
   of the chapters in software manuals that give the basics of menu usage. 
   Chapter five talks about the various possible charging and surcharge 
   options but lacks specifics.

        Chapter six discusses e-mail.  This chapter could be used as an 
   example of most of what the book is--and isn't.  The contents are 
   mostly a sequence of commands for WinCIM, the Windows version of 
   CompuServe's own "front end" communication program.  Seven pages are 
   devoted to sending and receiving mail on CompuServe, less than a page on
   Prodigy.  Nowhere does it tell you how to send a message if you don't 
   have the CIM.  One page discusses the difference between public and 
   private messages.  Two pages purport to cover on-line etiquette:  this 
   seems to reduce to "don't advertise unless you pay" and "aren't smileys 
   cute!"  You are told that CompuServe can send e-mail to the Internet:  
   you are *not* told, as in most other places in the book, that it is a 
   surcharge, nor are you told how to do it.

        Chapter seven says that you can upload and download.  (It also 
   recommends that you use PKZIP version 2.04C.  I guess that, in the rush 
   to get the book out, the disasters of that particular version went 
   unnoticed.)  Chapter eight briefly looks at topical "bulletin boards" 
   (static conferencing), "real time" conferencing and chat functions. 
   Chapter nine discusses data base searching.  Again, Resnick promises more
   than CompuServe can supply.  Many of the examples of valuable information
   are taken from sources other than CompuServe, *all* of the instructions 
   are for CompuServe.  This topic, more than any other, promises big 
   dividends for business.  While there are some tentative observations 
   about having to learn where the information is and how to use it, the 
   reality is that data base access is an art in itself, and a lot of time,
   and money, have to be invested to start getting returns.  Chapter ten 
   lists some of the problems you may encounter trying to telecommute while
   traveling. Unfortunately, the list of horrors mentioned is not 
   exhaustive, as many traveling members of the on-line community can 
   attest.

        Part two concentrates more on the services and information that can
   be found in various places.  It starts off, however, with chapter eleven
   purporting to compare on-line services.  Given the complexity of the 
   offerings, a "spec sheet" type approach seems called for.  Instead, we 
   again get an anecdotal listing of various features.  Chapter twelve talks
   first about financial information services, then various on-line services
   other than CompuServe and Prodigy, and, finally, on-line brokerages. 
   Thirteen discusses making business contacts on-line; fourteen, electronic
   malls; fifteen, travel services.  Sixteen starts out with technical 
   support, then briefly lists some other on-line services, then gives us 
   some "pie-in-the-sky" speculation about future directions.  A final 
   appendix gives a few pages each to GEnie, American Online and Delphi as 
   "The Rest of the Pack".

        This book would have made a good magazine article.  With many 
   repetitions of the same text, a lot of WinCIM screen shots and large 
   print, it has been expanded to a book.  Considering the material that 
   could have been included, one can certainly see gaping holes.  On the 
   other hand, given the price of the book, it is certainly cheaper to get 
   an idea of what is available "out there" in here, first.  For business 
   people who are interested in getting into on-line systems in a big way, 
   this might be a start.

        It is by no means the final word.  Communication is still a 
   difficult process, likely because of the necessary number of entities 
   (communications software, communications port, cabling, modem, phone 
   line, phone service, etc.) involved.  Resnick's brief overview simply 
   does not provide enough information, and this extends to other areas of 
   the book as well.  Note also that many of the services, outside of purely
   commercial data bases, that are listed in the book can also be obtained 
   through local bulletin board systems, Fidonet, Freenet or the Internet, 
   at greatly reduced cost, sometimes even free.

        If this book contained more about systems other than CompuServe and
   Prodigy, it might have served as a vehicle for choosing among the various
   competing on-line services.  As it is, it might almost be worth buying 
   the user guides for the different systems:  they contain more 
   information.  And they can't be much more biased.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKETWOOS.RVW  930823

   -=-=-=-=-

    
   "The Internet Companion",    LaQuey/Ryer, 1993
                                US: $10.95 / Canada: $13.95
    
   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
   1 Jacob Way                  P.O.  Box 520
   Reading, MA   01867-9984     26 Prince Andrew Place
                                Don Mills, Ontario  M3C 2T8
   800-527-5210                 416-447-5101
   617-944-3700                 Fax: 416-443-0948

   or

   5851 Guion Road
   Indianapolis, IN   46254
   800-447-2226

   internet-companion@world.std.com tracy@cs.utexas.edu 
        tracy@mojo.ots.utexas.edu tparker@cisco.com


        It is difficult to know what is supposed to be "companionable" about 
   this volume.  Physically, it would be easy to carry it along with you.  
   You probably wouldn't want to, though.  This is not a guide for 
   explorations, either.  It does give one some background on the Internet,
   but it is not in a step-by-step fashion.  (How to access the Internet is
   the *last* topic to be covered.)  The newcomer to the Internet will more
   likely want to read it all (possibly at one sitting; it's small enough) 
   and look at the network gestalt.

        Chapter one, entitled "Why You Should Know About the Internet", 
   would seem to have the idea of "selling" the Internet.  The text is 
   interesting--but it is *what* you might want to know about the Internet.
   The "why" is mostly confined to sidebars scattered throughout the text. 
   Unfortunately these, if believed, might cause some disappointment when 
   newcomers actually confront the realities of the Internet.  One example 
   given is that of a medical researcher in Africa using satellite 
   communications and the Internet to support his work.  Most people in 
   remote locations, however, are cut off from the Internet if they do not 
   have dependable phone links:  the Internet depends on the phone rather 
   than replacing it.  Another example used comes from education where 
   students are supposed to become enthused by the information resources on
   the net.  All too often, however, the enthusiasm is generated by 
   commercial services which most educational budgets cannot support.  Some
   fascinating data is out there but, as the preface states, learning the 
   Internet requires some commitment.

        The second chapter purports to give you "the lowdown".  Again, there 
   is interesting background information, but most of it can be skipped by 
   those who actually want to *use* the net.  Even the section on 
   "acceptable use" deals only with the "commercialism" policy; a policy 
   which the authors admit is highly questionable in view of the actual 
   traffic on the Internet.  There is no attempt, at this point, to even 
   raise the issues of ethics or etiquette.

        Chapter three brings up the various types of interpersonal 
   communication, such as e-mail, distribution lists, Usenet news and 
   "talk". Again, there is a lot of detail here that isn't really needed, 
   and some aspects that are left out.  The organization of information 
   follows no apparent logical progression.  It would be difficult for a 
   novice to discern between generic and system specific information:  
   distribution lists are first discussed with "topic-request" Internet 
   servers, and then all over again with BITNET LISTSERVs.  Again, there may 
   be some disappointments for some explorers, as when the authors state 
   that Usenet keeps all messages, not mentioning that many sites now 
   "expire" news after a week or less.

        The last part of the chapter, dealing with "Netiquette", is a great 
   improvement.  Not merely a list of rules, it tells the reader *why* a 
   short reply might be offensive.

        Chapter four raises issues associated with finding information. 
   Again, there is a lack of organization, and some confusion between 
   generic functions, such as ftp and telnet; specific services, such as 
   archive and WAIS; and sites such as a specific Freenet or a supercomputer 
   center.  The listings are quite brief:  most will only get you to a site.
   From there on, "HELP" help you.

        Chapter five is supposed to deal with advanced Internet topics. In 
   fact, it is a loose amalgam of urban legends, security, Internet related 
   organizations and other topics.  The security isn't bad; even the few 
   paragraphs on viral programs are realistic.  There is a reprise on how to
   find someone's e-mail address.  This might have some advantages over the
   "Whole Internet" guide:  the authors include some information not listed 
   in Krol's work.  On the other hand, I have found that the usenet- 
   addresses server at MIT is far the most useful of all the services 
   mentioned.  Note also that they err in saying that partial names can be 
   used with it.

        Whenever I give a "beginner's guide to the nets" seminar, the one 
   invariable question is "how do I get access?"  This is what chapter six 
   tries to address, with limited success.  It's a difficult question, 
   certainly, but once again the lack of organization, and the additional 
   trivia added in, don't make the answer any easier.  It is actually 
   answered far better in the appendix.

        The appendix is the one section that you might want to keep handy 
   for reference.  It's quite short, which is good, because--you guessed 
   it--it could stand some logical order to it.  Yes, there *are* topical
   divisions, but it is sometimes hard to figure out from their headings 
   what you might need.

        This work is somewhat less technical than the UNIX biased "Whole 
   Internet Guide".  However, it goes too far in the opposite direction.  
   The authors boast that it was finished in less than two months.  It 
   shows. Companies which are getting into the Internet in a big way might 
   make this the introductory volume for new users:  it is generally upbeat
   and non-threatening.  However, help should be on hand when people 
   actually start using the net.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKINTCMP.RVW   930818

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Zen and the Art of the Internet", Kehoe, 1994, 0-13-083033-X

   USA                          England
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Prentice-Hall, Inc.          Market Cross House
   113 Sylvan Avenue            Cooper Street
   Englewood Cliffs, NJ         07632 Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1EB
   (515) 284-6751
   FAX (515) 284-2607

      or

   15 Columbus Circle
   New York, NY   10023
   800-428-5331

   phyllis@prenhall.com - Phyllis Eve Bregman
   70621.2737@CompuServe.COM Alan Apt
   Beth Mullen-Hespe beth_hespe@prenhall.com
   brendan@zen.org


        Kehoe starts out by quoting E.B.  White's exhortation to students of
   English usage from "The Elements of Style" with, "Get the *little* book!
   Get the *little* book!  Get the *little* book!"  Sound advice.  It 
   applies equally to those just starting out on the Internet.  "Zen" is a 
   mere pocketbook in comparison to some of the other telephone 
   directory-sized guides, but a pocket guide is usually what is needed. 
   Kehoe has done a marvelous job of presenting the essentials, plus a few 
   interesting tidbits, while holding off from reproducing reams of 
   resources from those already available on the net, itself.

        "Zen" is, itself, one of the very widely known and highly regarded 
   resources on the net.  It was also the first introductory guide to the 
   Internet published in popular book form.  Therefore, I am rather shocked
   to note that this third edition, copyright 1994, proudly boasts of over 
   50,000 copies sold.  I'd be delighted to do that well as an author, but 
   it indicates that the book is nowhere near as well-known in the general 
   populace as it deserves.

        I should, having given these accolades, admit to a decided bias:  
   this is my type of book.  Those who are not happy with concepts and only
   wish to know what button to press will find the book frustrating.  Mail,
   ftp, news, telnet and a number of other tools are covered, but Kehoe does
   not reproduce, wholesale, help screens from elm and tin.  Since the 
   specific programs you will use all have help features, Kehoe evidently 
   does not feel the need to waste paper explaining how to use a program 
   that you may not, indeed, need to use.

        Probably for the same reason, Kehoe does not reproduce an annotated, 
   or even expurgated, .newsrc file or "list of lists."  Some may say that 
   this is a lack on the part of the book and that it is less interesting 
   for not providing such a directory.  These resources are, however, 
   readily accessible on the net (Kehoe tells you where to find them) and 
   cannot, in book form, be anything more than an outdated and possibly 
   misleading first indicator.

        There is, of course, nothing wrong with the large guides with all of 
   their lengthy references.  As the same time, most newcomers will want a 
   gentler, smaller introduction, rather than being dumped into a vat of 
   data.  For those to whom the sound of few pages flipping is as music, 
   this is definitely your book.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1994   BKZENINT.RVW   940216

   Postscriptum:  sadly, Brendan Kehoe was recently involved in a major 
   traffic accident.  While the last report I saw (some time back) put him 
   out of immediate danger, recuperation is probably going to be a long 
   process.  In one of the network ironies, the flood of e-mail condolences
   to his personal mailbox has created something of a problem for friends 
   trying to help out.

   -=-=-=-=-


   "The Internet Connection:  System Connectivity and Configuration",
         Carl-Mitchell/Quarterman, 0-201-54237-4
    
   USA                             Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
   1 Jacob Way                     P.O.  Box 520
   Reading, MA   01867-9984        26 Prince Andrew Place
                                   Don Mills, Ontario  M3C 2T8
   800-527-5210                    416-447-5101
   617-944-3700                    Fax: 416-443-0948

      or

   5851 Guion Road
   Indianapolis, IN   46254
   800-447-2226


        The number of Internet hosts is doubling every year, and has been 
   each year since 1986.  That means that, during 1994, between two and 
   three million new Internet sites should hook up.  Addison-Wesley and the
   authors should make out like bandits on this one.

        This is a cookbook level set of directions for getting connected to
   the Internet.  For those hackers unfamiliar with cooking, cookbooks 
   assume that you are familiar with a lot of basic stuff and don't include
   it.  Quarterman and Carl-Mitchell are a bit kinder; while they don't give
   all the materials, they do tell you where to go to find them.  I suppose
   this book is more of a road map:  it'll get you there, but you may have 
   to do some scouting at various points.

        The book gives an overview of network functions and features, and 
   discusses types of access.  You are given contacts for registering your 
   site, and, in an appendix, a brief listing of contacts for getting 
   access.  There are technical guidelines for setting up IP, domain name 
   systems, electronic mail, Usenet news and search tools, as well as a 
   discussion of security issues.

        The Internet Providers list is a good start, but be sure to ask 
   around locally.  The Canadian listing put BCnet in Alberta and SASKnet in
   Quebec.  The sole provider given in the list for BC is the Victoria 
   Freenet, and, while it is a first rate system, they would be the first to
   direct you to other sites for full access.

        The software list, too, is quite limited.  It seems to assume a UNIX
   host and ignores other systems.  Yes, this is from a UNIX series, but 
   they did, in fact, promise software for MS-DOS and the Mac.  I assume the
   brief mentions of Eudora and KA9Q were meant to fulfill this obligation.

        Nonetheless, if you are setting up an Internet site and need 
   assistance, this is your first stop.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1994   BKINTCON.RVW  940105

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Internet for Dummies", Levine/Baroudi, 1993, 1-56884-024-1
   US: $19.95 / Canada: $26.95   BKINTDUM.RVW  940124

   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.    Macmillan of Canada
   International Data Group
   155 Bovet Road, Suite 310    29 Birch Avenue
   San Mateo, CA   94402        Toronto, Ontario  M4V 1E2
                                Elizabeth Wilson

   415-312-0650                 416-963-8830
   Fax: 415-286-2740            Fax: 416-923-4821

   dummies@iecc.com

        Generally speaking, most of this book is a good, basic overview of 
   the primary uses and tools of the Internet.  The ordering of material is
   sound, and the formatting and presentation is friendly and useful.  I 
   would, however, note some relatively important tips that are missing, and
   extensive material that has very limited usefulness.

        I have some problem with the "...  For Dummies" titles, but I have 
   no problems with the intent of providing an easily accessible "leg up" 
   for those who, as the Introduction has it, "have access to the Internet,"
   and, "are not interested in becoming the world's next great Internet 
   expert." With that in mind, I have no idea why the six chapters of part 
   one are even in this book.  Nobody except technical historians cares 
   about ARPANET.  Nobody even understands the phrase, "network of 
   networks."  And I solemnly promise you that nobody except IP routing 
   programmers have to understand the concept of dynamic rerouting.  Part 
   one is well written, and it may even be of interest.  But it is certainly
   not required reading and doesn't deserve this prior position in the book.

        "Not so!" I hear Levine cry (seconded by Ed Krol).  "Part one tells
   you how to get connected!"  Well, yes and no.  Chapters three, four and 
   five do go over some points, but I think the most apposite comment is the
   statement that "[g]etting SLIP or PPP configured correctly is a pain in 
   the neck."  It is a pain which Levine is obviously not willing to put 
   much space or effort into.  Not that I blame him at all, but it does 
   severely restrict the usefulness of these chapters.

        Following part one, however, the book improves immensely.  Part two
   deals with what might be seen as personal communications:  mail, mailing
   and distribution lists, Usenet news and the real time functions of talk 
   and Internet Relay Chat (IRC).  The various tools are well related where
   they intersect.  For example, both BITNET and Internet LISTSERVs, 
   although distinguished from one another, are discussed together.  A nice
   feature is the inclusion of a brief list of recommended resources for the
   user to try out (such as some well chosen distribution lists when 
   discussing LISTSERVs).  Parts three and four carry on to discuss the more
   advanced tools, first telnet and ftp, and then archive, gopher, WAIS and
   World Wide Web.

        Part five is a collection of quick tips for troubleshooting, short 
   cuts, and a little fun.  Part six is a set of resource lists.  The 
   software listing is very useful, and quite possibly worth buying this 
   book for, in and of itself, if you really want to make your workstation a
   part of the Internet.  The list of Internet providers is less so:  very 
   US-centric and woefully incomplete.  Chapter twenty-nine, listing sources
   of further information, gives contact information for three magazines, 
   three organizations--and none of the dozens of related books.

        A book for beginners cannot be exhaustive.  The choice of topics 
   must be made carefully, and you can't include absolutely everything.  I 
   am very glad to see a strong emphasis on the interpersonal aspects of 
   communication.  Although there is no chapter on netiquette, per se, there
   are a number of important tips strewn throughout the relevant chapters on
   mail and news, and they possibly have a greater impact that way.  Some 
   omissions, however, are rather odd.  The number one newbie mistake on 
   distribution lists is sending administrative messages to the list, 
   itself, rather than the LISTSERV.  Levine gives the correct information,
   but doesn't point out this common error.  Ftp-by-mail servers are 
   mentioned but the one specified only works for BITNET systems.  Under 
   "cool things to do" is listed "read a book"--but Project Gutenberg 
   isn't mentioned at all.  The suggestions about how to find e-mail 
   addresses on the Internet doesn't mention the most helpful that I've 
   found:  the usenet- addresses mail-server at MIT.  (It is mentioned in 
   the book--under ftp sites.)

        Some aspects of the book will be open to subjective reaction. There
   are numerous "well, maybe" errors, such as the statement that UNIX was 
   developed at Berkeley.  The "...For Dummies" format does not fit well 
   with this material.  The Internet cheat sheet, for example, is fine for 
   ftp and OK for news, but basically useless otherwise.

        Although it is evident that Levine is most comfortable in UNIX, the
   book does not have quite the UNIX bias as that of Krol (BKKROL.RVW) or 
   Dern (BKTIGFNU.RVW).  One prejudice that Levine does share with Krol is 
   the "whole Internet" elitism.  In a great many ways, the impression is 
   given that unless your machine has an IP connection, and you are running
   your own gopher, ftp, WAIS and WWW clients, you aren't truly on the 
   Internet.

        Overall, a good, solid intro to the Internet for beginners.
    
   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1994   BKINTDUM.RVW  940124

   -=-=-=-=-


   "The Internet Passport",     Kochmer, 1993, 0-9635281-0-6
                                US: $29.95 

   USA
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Computer Literacy Bookshops
   2590 North First Street
   San Jose, CA   95131
   408-435-0744
   fax: 408-435-1823
   info@clbooks.com


        This work is a fairly bare bones and no nonsense guide to the 
   Internet.  The book is orderly, and the explanations and illustrations 
   are clear.  Each chapter covers a single topic.  Each chapter ends with 
   additional references, most often on-line materials or sources.  The work
   is well researched and highly competent in most cases.  There is, in the
   early chapters, a gracelessness to it which lacks any kind of appeal. 
   What humor there is tends to seem somewhat contrived and sanitized:  a 
   topic on the hardware that connects computers on the Internet is 
   subtitled "Router Rooters:  'Go Internet Go!'"  Nevertheless, it is a 
   thoroughly researched and valuable reference for those interested in 
   using the resources of the Internet.

        Section one, which is also chapter one, is a brief introduction to 
   the Internet.  There is minor mention of the technologies and 
   organizations involved in the Internet, as well as brief mention of 
   Fidonet and UUCP.  The bibliography is a very solid list of valuable 
   titles, but would have had significantly more value with some annotation.

        Section two covers the basic tools and functions of the Internet. 
   The topics are well chosen, starting with e-mail, mail servers, mail 
   gateways to other networks and systems, telnet and ftp.  Chapter four 
   discusses mail etiquette.  This section, I am happy to note, gives more 
   space to the topic than is usual.  In the end, though, it comes down to a
   list of rules that reduce to "keep it short, keep on topic, be complete 
   and don't mess up."  It would be nice to see one of these essays tell 
   people how and why flame wars start, which might help to avoid them. 
   Chapter eight, following ftp, deals with file compression and archiving.

        Section three moves into the next level of sophistication, in terms 
   of communications, with group discussions.  As the book puts it, these 
   are the "Community Forums" of the net.  Chapters nine, ten and eleven 
   deal very clearly, completely and usefully with Usenet, BITNET, LISTSERVs 
   and Internet mailing lists.  I am noted for highly critical reviews:  I 
   find nothing of any substance wrong with this section, and recommend it 
   highly and without reservation.  Once again, the end of each chapter 
   gives useful directions on how to find out further information, 
   particularly the specifics of various LISTSERVs and mailing lists.

        Section four starts to look at the resources of the Internet as a 
   library, with electronic journals, books, catalogues and data bases. 
   Chapter fifteen is very similar to the catalog section of Ed Krol's work
   (cf BKKROL.RVW) with listings of sites and resources by topic.  Section 
   five deals with exploration and retrieval tools, such as archie, gopher,
   WAIS, WWW and directory services.  The final section contains two 
   specialized interests, the use of the Internet in public education, and 
   access to supercomputing facilities.

        The book concludes with several appendices.  The most interesting 
   are likely Appendix A, which gives suggestions of on-line sources of 
   information about the Internet, and, B, which gives a short list of 
   Internet access providers and methods.  The glossary is very well done:  
   not overblown with imposing numbers of entries, but good explanations of
   the important terms.

        The unprepossessing beginning of this work hides a very carefully 
   researched and well organized reference for those wishing to get into the
   Internet and its resources.  Less flashy than Krol, it should 
   nevertheless have a place on the desk of every serious Internet user.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKINTPSP.RVW  931118

   (Postscriptum:  this work is being kept up to date.  The edition I 
   reviewed was the fourth, and a fifth is planned for next year.)

   -=-=-=-=-


   "The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog", Ed Krol, 1992, 
   1-56592-025-2 krol@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu

   USA
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   O'Reilly and Associates
   103 Morris St., Suite A
   Sebastopol, CA   95472-9902

   800-338-6887
   Fax: 707-829-0104
   info@ora.com


        For those of us who have used the Internet for some time, the 
   enthusiasm of "newbies" can sometimes be tiring.  You get used to seeing
   articles, and hearing presentations, by those who are breathless with 
   excitement over the fact that they have received e-mail from someone in 
   another country.  Thus, having heard of this book with the rather 
   "California" title, I assumed I would be plowing through old material and
   trying to be kind in the review.

        The day I received the book, I had a use for an "Internet guide". I 
   had forgotten the site that allows posting from mail to the Usenet 
   newsgroups.  So, I decided to put it to the test.  I didn't find the 
   answer, but what I did find was a fascinating and useful resource, well 
   worth the time (and book price) invested by novice and devotee alike.

        About three quarters of the book is devoted to the user's guide. It 
   is likely impossible to give a "non-user" a true feeling for the "living" 
   Internet in a "static" book, but this definitely comes close. The 
   "catalog" is rather small, but not to be skipped, taking up about half of 
   the remaining pages, with the rest assigned to three appendices, a 
   glossary and the index.

        The user's guide contains fifteen chapters, implicitly divided into 
   four sections.  Although there are no explicit divisions, the preface 
   suggests different "sets" of chapters for different types of users.  The
   first four chapters deal with background material; the book, the 
   Internet, what, who and how; while chapter fifteen covers problems that 
   may arise. The next four chapters describe the functions of the basic 
   tools of the Internet; telnet (using a "remote" computer), ftp (copying 
   files from a remote computer to your local computer system and vice 
   versa), electronic mail (including electronic "periodicals") and the 
   Usenet "news" discussion groups; to which chapter fourteen adds "other 
   applications".  Chapters nine through thirteen are concerned with 
   "finding" different types of information; files (archie), people (finger 
   and whois), menus (gopher), related information (the Web) and anything 
   (WAIS).

        Krol, in the introduction, suggests that this book is for anyone who 
   wants access to the resources of the Internet.  This is definitely valid.  
   The vocabulary and style are accessible to any intelligent reader, even 
   without any background or familiarity with computers.  The examples are 
   clear and well chosen.  The range of material covered is "sufficiently" 
   complete:  the Internet is still "under construction", and probably will
   never be "finished", but the range of topics covered is enough for all 
   but the most specialized interest.  Indeed, the book is not only for the
   Internet novice.  I practically "live" on the Internet, and freely admit
   that much of the content was a new (and welcome) surprise.

        The book is not perfect.  Some "errors" are included.  These, for 
   the most part, were *not* errors at the time the book was finished, but 
   the Internet is a "moving target", and sites and groupnames do change 
   over time.  (I did find one mistake early in the book which, of course, 
   stood out in red for me, personally:  the repetition of the myth that a 
   "worm" differs from a "virus" in that a worm does no intentional damage.)

        I hesitate to say, though, that I have any "complaints" about the 
   book.  Those items that I might raise tend to fall into the misty areas 
   of personal opinion.  Speaking personally, then, I would like to see some
   "reordering" of sections of the book.  I feel that there is too much 
   technical emphasis too early on.  All of it is interesting, and much of 
   it is useful, even to the "user" as opposed to the programmer or "net 
   guru". However, while the technical material is well presented and clear, 
   it may tend to intimidate the newcomer.  It would be a pity if anyone 
   gave up halfway through chapter four, and never made it into the more 
   directly useful second section.  Even within the "section" composed of 
   chapters four to eight, I would suggest that mail and news are of more 
   interest to more people (especially newcomers) than telnet and ftp.

        Also, although Krol explains his choice of UNIX as an "operating 
   system of choice" for examples of various systems, it is my opinion that
   this is taken too far in certain areas.  It tends to demonstrate a 
   "workstation" bias which may be hard to understand for those, likely a 
   majority, who have access to the Internet only through terminal 
   connections or personal computer "dial-in" situations.  This is echoed in
   the emphasis on WAIS and the Web.  Although I would hardly recommend 
   eliminating the references to them, the amount of space dedicated to 
   these topics is likely lost on the majority of users who do not have 
   either dedicated or "SLIP" access, and therefore do not have access to 
   gopher, WAIS or Web clients (or Xwindows servers).

        I have, perhaps, been unjust with my opening illustration:  the 
   information about how to post to Usenet newsgroups from e-mail *does* 
   appear in the book.  However, I expected to find it in either the chapter
   on mail (which does cover "distribution lists", the electronic 
   periodicals of the Internet) or in the Usenet news chapter.  It appears 
   in neither, nor is it referenced in the index.  It *does* appear in the 
   "catalog", but how would you find it there?  (Hint:  look under "N".)  In 
   the same way I was surprised to find that chapter seven, in covering mail 
   and the distribution lists, did not mention the "list of lists", which 
   gives information about how to access specific lists.  Again, this is not
   mentioned in the index, either, although it does appear in the catalog --
   but only with directions on how to access it from WAIS.  (The dependence
   upon WAIS may limit the usefulness of the catalog.  In "Computing" WAIS 
   is used to access nine items:  ftp, telnet, gopher and e-mail combined 
   only give you sixteen.  In "Network Information" the imbalance is even 
   more pronounced; WAIS is used ten times, the others, combined, only 
   four.)

        The catalog can't really be considered a serious resource.  How 
   could it? Fifty pages is only enough space for an unformatted printout of
   the "list of lists" *or* a listing of the "backbone" Usenet newsgroups. 
   This would not leave space for explanation or any other resources. 
   Therefore the catalog should best be considered as, perhaps, a pointer to
   a general topic.  After you start making contacts, you can take it from 
   there.  The catalog is, however, a lot of fun to browse, and does, as 
   mentioned earlier, contain some very valuable information.

        These comments do not, however, take away from the overriding 
   importance and usefulness of the book.  The quote from "Communications 
   Week", used as a cover blurb, that it "...  will probably become the 
   Internet user's bible" seems, for once, not to overstate the case.  "The
   Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog" is a valuable resource for the 
   Internet "expert", and should result in the introduction of a great many
   newcomers to our present day version of cyberspace.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1993   BKKROL.RVW   930420

   -=-=-=-=-


   "Navigating the Internet",   Gibbs/Smith, 0-672-30362-0
                                US: $24.95 / Canada: $31.95 

   USA                          Canada
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
   Prentice Hall/SAMS Publishing
   11711 N.  College Avenue, Suite 140
   Carmel, IN 46032

   800-428-5331 
   Fax: 800-835-3202 

   rjs@lis.pitt.edu
   mgibbs@rain.org
   75600.1002@compuserve.com


        With this title, one would expect an emphasis less on introduction 
   and more on the search tools of the Internet.  This is not the case; what
   we have here, is, again, another introductory guide to the Internet.  The
   book leans quite heavily on the "Internet as ocean" metaphor in the first
   chapter, but thereafter abandons it.

        The choice and organization of individual chapters is reasonable, 
   but tends to be application specific rather than function specific.  The
   discussion of LISTSERV mailing lists gets a chapter of its own rather 
   than being combined with either e-mail, which is how you use them, or 
   Usenet news, to deal generically with conferencing or discussion type 
   activities.  The organization within chapters is somewhat discontinuous,
   with topics being discussed in two or three places within a chapter, but
   most chapters are short enough that this should not be a problem. 
   Coverage is not exhaustive; the topic on finding people does not list the
   extremely useful MIT "usenet-addresses" mail server; but should be enough
   to get a novice started.

        The tone is very light, at times flippant.  (The computer humor 
   literate will immediately recognize a description of a FORTRAN specific 
   ftp site as coming from the "Rambo Guide to Real Programmers".)  This 
   should not prove too much of a problem as most of the asides are clearly
   that, and could not be mistaken for directions.  Indeed, one story by 
   Mark Gibbs about carelessly reading a message and confusing "resent" (as 
   in taking offense) for "re-sent" (as in forwarding of a message) is a 
   fine object lesson in the importance of thoughtful reading of e-mail.  (I 
   am glad to see the extended coverage given to network etiquette.)

        One bad fault is in the proofreading, confusing ".ed" for ".edu" as 
   the educational domain, and calling the "rn" newsreader "nr".  The UNIX 
   bias is even more deeply embedded than with Krol (cf.  BKKROL.RVW) or 
   Dern (cf.  BKTIGFNU.RVW) and assumes that everyone is on a UNIX system 
   with Elm and rn.  Strangely, though, there seems to be an underlying 
   BITNET bias as well.  One example is the insistence that domain names can 
   be shortened as long as a unique version remains.  In the Internet this 
   would very much depend upon the (possibly multiple) domain name servers 
   between the user and the target system.  In BITNET, however, all sites 
   have unique machine names, and so the .BITNET domain can be dropped.  The 
   LISTSERV program discussed is also limited to the BITNET version, with no 
   discussion of the general differences between it and the Internet 
   version, and no mention of the JANET (UK) MAILBASE system.  Finally, 
   there seems to be an odd confusion between BITNET and Usenet, referring 
   to BITNET "newsgroups" and to Usenet as if it were an actual network.

        Nonetheless, the book is a handy introduction.  Appendix B is a 
   command reference for archie, elm, ftp, gopher, LISTSERVE, rn, telnet, 
   WAIS and World Wide Web (WWW).  There is also a tear-out reference card 
   for common mail gateways, ftp, telnet and gopher.

        Appendix E, the Internet Navigator's Gazetteer, is a resource guide.  
   It is a nice counterpoint to Krol's Catalogue.  Where Krol goes overboard 
   on WAIS, WWW and gopher, this Gazetteer is almost exclusively mailing 
   lists (most of them BITNET).  Many are outdated.  The listings are by no 
   means complete.  A complete list, of course, would be an enormous task, 
   and one which would be out of date before it ever saw print.  
   Nevertheless, in my own searching I could find no entries for computer 
   communications, data communications, or telecommunications, nor did I 
   find any for computer security.  I looked in vain for a general listing 
   on ecology, although I did find an ecology list under another topic. Part 
   of the difficulty lies in the practice of major headings with 
   subdivisions. The subheads can go on for pages, and the major topics are
   not "carried forward" to following pages.

        (I found a subheading of "Viruses" under the "Computer" topic.  I 
   noted two listings for VIRUS-L one of which had an obsolete address, and
   VALERT-L list, a list I'd never heard of which didn't seem to have much 
   to do with the topic, three listings for the cert.org ftp site, and one 
   for the VTC site at the University of Hamburg.  And there, at the end of 
   the subsection on Page 350, is your humble scribe's Quick Reference 
   Antiviral Review Chart.  Fame!)

        A substantial number of people will have access through UNIX 
   systems, and will have elm and rn available.  Even for those who do not,
   this work is a good guide.  The errors are not major, and the included 
   resources may be a very handy start.

   Copyright Robert M.  Slade, 1994   BKNAVINT.RVW   940110



16. THE MAILBOX                                                       MISC.
   ========================================================================
   Letters from PC NEWS Review Readers


   Dear Editor,

   I work as a freelance consultant in Hong Kong and have several years 
   experience with both PC's and unix systems.

   I just thought that I would share some of my experience

   Regarding Windows and W4WG, the deletion of the temporary files is a 
   must!  (cannot overstate that enough)

   I have several clients with small networks of W4WG.  If they leave the 
   temporary files around, then the machines will start to degrade after a 
   short period of time with all kinds of strange errors, program crashes 
   and the works.  Delete the files, and everything goes back to normal.

   This also applies to Windows.

   Deleting the temporary files is the first way to solve many Windows 
   problems.

   - Paul D.  Walker


   Sent via Internet

   -=-=-=-=-


   Dear Editor:

        In regards to "Flight Simulator 5.0" review, James Klass, March 
   1994 issue, your choice of expert input to evaluate this product was 
   extremely poor.  It would be difficult to pick a person who is less 
   qualified.  To quote:

   >  "I found the Cherokee simulation passable, and on my
   > dinosaur 386, it runs well enough to learn/practice instrument
   > scan for landings and IFR approaches," said Sean Long, a
   > private pilot with more than 80 hours logged and student in the
   > Air Force Flight Training program.  "This helped me enough that
   > every instructor I have ever flown with has commented that I
   > get info from the panel more quickly than most."

   You must remember that many prospective users of this product are 
   longtime aviation enthusiasts and even professional pilots, some, no 
   doubt, with many _thousands_ of hours under their belts.  To them, or to
   any other informed person, the opinion of a flight student with only 80 
   hours in the cockpit would be discountable at least, and at most 
   laughable and absurd.  It is amusing to imagine one of the hapless Mr.  
   Long's instructors, whom he is so sure that he is impressing, reading 
   this and taking it upon himself to teach him a little humility.

   It is also obvious that you unthinkingly capitalized the phrase "Air 
   Force Flight Training program", merely assuming this to be the official 
   name of the program in which Mr.  Long is enrolled.  The proper phrase is 
   in fact, U.S.  Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training.

   If you set yourselves up as software experts, you must make at least a 
   passing effort to become acquainted with the block of knowledge on which
   the software under review is based.  You have failed to do that in this 
   instance.  There will no doubt be some cringing at Microsoft over this.

   Sincerely,

   John I.  McClendon
   Captain, U.S.  Air Force
   (1800 hours)

   Sent via GEnie


   Editorial response:

        Thank you for your input.  We understand your concerns, however, it
   was our intention, and still is, to quote average users of the product. 
   Even though there may be a great number of professional pilots who use 
   Flight Simulator, we believe that the person quoted represented a middle
   ground between experts and novices.

        Furthermore, using your argument of how pilots with thousands of 
   hours under their belt would feel regarding the opinion of a flight 
   student, the quote regarding the student's experience had no other 
   bearing on the review other than to show that it is a useful tool in 
   flight instruction.  A point which you did not disagree with in your 
   letter.

        In this case, we feel it would not do justice to the majority of 
   readers if we had a trained pilot reviewing the software.  Those who want
   to pick up the title for fun, or just a little education, or for other 
   reasons would be at a disadvantage.  And Microsoft should have no reason 
   to cringe with a thumbs up and 7.7 rating.  That's pretty solid.

        As to the attribution: "Air Force Flight Training," this was 
   unfortunately an unintentional editing blooper that occurred under 
   deadline pressure.

   -=-=-=-=-


   Dear Editor,

        I'm relatively new to the virtual community, but I know a good thing 
   when I download it.  <g> My subscription to PNR-Windows is going out 
   today in the mail.  I am excited about the potential of electronic 
   publishing, and I wish you and PNR all the support possible.  I have 
   earlier responded to your ad in the current PNR_6 for volunteer ASCII 
   layout help also.

        Reading your feature column on tech support problems with your Morse 
   IDE Blazer controller card using 32-bit disk access, but not 32-bit file 
   access, I got curious and checked my library of Windows manuals.  I 
   couldn't find a single reference that indicated that 32-bit access 
   applied to files as well as sectors, but I did dig up a few references to 
   possible solutions you might want to try, if you haven't already.

        I really sympathize with you.  I made my first big mistake by buying 
   a '286 which couldn't access memory above 1 MB except in a RAMdisk. Then 
   I made my second mistake upgrading my processor to a '386SX by picking a 
   33MHz chip.  I soon read that Cyrix was making 286-to-486 and 386-to-486 
   upgrade chips.  When I called their order department, I discovered that 
   the 33MHz chip was the only model that Cyrix did not plan to support! 
   Hope you solve your Morse IDE Blazer controller problem...

   Sincerely,

   Roger T.  Imai

   Sent via GEnie

   -=-=-=-=-


   Hi,

        Just received my first copy of PC NEWS Review (Windows edition) and 
   would like to offer my congratulations on a job well done.  A number of 
   reviews, most notably the one on Stacker 4.0 by Ed Williams, have proved 
   to be very useful in determining which products I will invest my money.

        Despite time constraints and as a result of my favorable impression 
   of this newsletter, I would be interested in contributing a review at 
   some stage in the future and would appreciate advice on how to do this.  
   A very brief description - I am currently working towards a PhD in 
   molecular genetics and have experience on Windows, UNIX and Mac's.  I am 
   buying a 486DX/40 in the very near future and routinely use 486DX2/66s 
   and SUN4 X-workstations.  I don't claim to have an extensive knowledge of
   DOS or any other OS - I consider myself very much an "interface-level" 
   user but feel that perhaps I could bring a useful insight to a product 
   review.

   Cheers,

   Garry Myers

   Sent via Internet


   Editorial Response:

        We're glad you liked the last issue, and especially glad that you 
   are making informed buying decisions.

        If you (or anyone else) is interested in contributing just drop us a 
   line and let us know.  We'll send you information on how you can do so.



17. CLASSIFIED ADS                                                     MISC.
    ========================================================================
    Free to PC NEWS Review Readers


        Notice:  Copyright laws regarding software can be enforced.  Due to 
   the complexity of determining what software is legal or illegal, any and
   all liability for copyright violations shall rest solely upon the 
   advertiser.  BPC, its employees and officers do not in any way condone or
   knowingly participate in any such illegal activity.  Users who conduct 
   transactions with the advertisers do so at their own risk.  There is no 
   charge incurred upon users for advertising in the Classified Section.

        -------------------------------------------------------------

   -AD> Wanted:  Volunteers to help in ASCII layout of monthly PC NEWS 
                 Review issues.  Contact PC NEWS Review (see HOW TO CONTACT 
                 US section for address info).

   -AD> Place your ads here for free.  Worldwide distribution.

   -AD> Please contact us if you know of any events going on so we can 
        include information in our Events Calendar.



18. ABOUT PC NEWS Review                                              MISC.
   ========================================================================


   HOW TO CONTACT US
   -----------------
   Correspondence and products for review may be sent to:

   Mailing      PC NEWS Review
   Address:     15600 NE 8th Street Suite B1-412
                Bellevue, WA  98008

   Phone:       (206) 399-8700

   America Online:  OSTEELE
   CompuServe:      72662,1271
   Delphi:          OSTEELE
   GEnie:           PMC.INC
   Internet:        osteele@u.washington.edu
   NVN:             ODONOHUE

   DISTRIBUTION/REPRINTS
   ---------------------
        Users, Public Domain/Shareware organizations, and Sysops are 
   encouraged to freely distribute PNR (charges to the end user may not 
   exceed $5 per disk) in its complete published form.  Reprint requests 
   should be directed to the Editor.


   WRITING QUERIES
   ---------------
        There are numerous fringe benefits that accompany writing for PC 
   NEWS Review, contact the Editor for details.  Please do not send 
   unsolicited articles prior to offering a summary by mail or FAX.  
   Articles submitted must be the author's own work.


   LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
   ---------------------
        All written comments, suggestions, and questions regarding PNR are 
   read by the editors.  We reserve the right to publish and edit all 
   submissions.  You can indicate that information such as your name, city, 
   or state be withheld (we do not publish actual street addresses in any 
   case).

   PNR DIRECT
   ----------
        Direct subscriptions to PC NEWS Review are available on disk, via 
   FAX, or via e-mail.  Base rates via e-mail are $12 per year.  These 
   include news flashes sent in between issues.  On disk/via FAX: $24 per 
   year. Contact us for details.

   WHERE TO FIND PC NEWS Review
   ----------------------------
   America:     Download:  Windows Forum (in Reference section, subtopic:
   Online       Windows Topics Text).

                Discussion:  Windows Forums General:  PC NEWS Review:  
                Windows Edition.

   CompuServe:  Type "GO WINSHARE" PNR files are in the General Win Apps
                directory.

   Delphi:      In the New Arrivals section of the PC section.  (type GO 
                COMP/PC from the main menu, then type Databases, and enter 
                New Arrivals when the system asks for the topic)

   GEnie:       Download:  Windows Roundtable (page 1335), Library 11

                Discussion:  Category 20, Topic 46 in Windows Roundtable.

   Internet:    Type ftp 129.79.26.27 or ftp ftp.cica.indiana.edu.  Once
                you log on, the system will ask you for your name.  Type:  
                FTP.  Next it will ask you for your password.  Type in your
                name (i.e.  username@u.something.edu).

                Once you are at the prompt, type bin to switch to binary 
                mode.  Next, type:  cd pub/pc/win3/uploads.  Finally, type:
                GET PNR_x.ZIP (where x is the issue number).  To logoff, 
                type: BYE.  This will transfer the file to your local 
                directory.  If you have any questions about this process, 
                send us e-mail.  Older issues should be available in the 
                pub/pc/win3/misc folder.

   NVN:         In the Windows section (type GO WINDOWS, and select 
                option 3, Data Libraries).


   PC NEWS Review STAFF
   --------------------
   Editor:              Steven O. Steele

   Assistant Editors:   Ross Barclay
                        Bob Garsson

   Layout Director:	Roger T. Imai
  
   Staff Writers:       Reiner D. Bohlen
                        Jerry J. Davis
                        Grant Frichey
                        Bob Garsson
                        James Klaas
                        Ed Williams

   Contributing:        Alan Frayer
   Writers              Robert M. Slade
                        Joe Stoyack


   PUBLISHING INFO
   ---------------
   PC NEWS Review (PNR) is a monthly electronic publication with current 
   news and reviews of Windows related subjects.  All material Copyright 
   (c)1994 by Bolt Publishing Co. unless otherwise specified. All rights 
   reserved.  No material may be reproduced in any form without the express 
   written permission of BPC.  PNR does not accept commercial advertising 
   from companies whose reviews have appeared in recent issues of PNR to 
   maintain the integrity of the reviews.  Opinions expressed in PNR are 
   those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of 
   PNR or BPC.  BPC, its writers and editors, and PNR are not responsible 
   for any injury or property damage resulting from the application of any 
   information in PNR.


   TRADEMARK INFO
   --------------
      PC NEWS Review, News-U-Can-Use, Thumbs: Up, Thumbs: Down, and
   Thumbs: To the side, At-a-Glance, Book Corner, are trademarks of Bolt
   Publishing Co. (BPC) and PMC "Windows" is a trademark of Microsoft
   Corporation (MSFT).  PNR is an independent publication not affiliated
   with MSFT. MSFT is in no way responsible for the editorial policy or
   contents of PNR.
