                     On Disk Monthly's

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                          LETTERS
                          -------

Have you ever considered a separate version for Windows
users? I for one would use your programs much more if they
were in a Windows format.
                                  Drew Westcott
                                  Sparta, MI

RESPONSE: We have considered it. We need some statistics.
How many current subscribers would be interested in
subscribing to a Windows only product? Write if you're
interested.

                      *    *    *

I'm writing because of a letter in Mailbag from Sharene
Matsumoto. Her question was about the 3's, 2's and D's in
Family Tree 3.0 reports. I had the same thing happen to me.
I didn't go to my printer manual to correct it. While in the
print mode, I answered NO to the question about IBM graphics
and good-bye to those characters. The report looked great. I
really like the Family Tree 3.0 program.

Klondike2 Solitaire (ODM #72) is a great game, but I find
that the play area is very small. Is there a way to enlarge
the area like you can do in Windows and GeoWorks? In the
upper right corner there is a box to click to enlarge the
area of play. I enjoy playing all the Klondike card games
very much. This is the best so far.

I like the new look of the menu and they way you can use the
mouse to move about. I think you all should take a bow for
your hard work in keeping updated. Thanks for a wonderful
product.

                                  Ivan M. Eye
                                  Machesney Park, IL

RESPONSE: Sharene and I thank you for the Family Tree 3.0
tip. And, thanks for your kind words about Klondike2 and our
graphic menu. I'm sorry to say that you can't "enlarge" the
Klondike2 play area. The Windows and GeoWorks environments
make that possible. Our "environment" is DOS and the ability
to resize a "window" on the fly isn't a DOS feature.

                      *    *    *

I believe I have the answer to Sharene Matsumoto's question
about .PCX files and GeoWorks. I shared her trouble with
importing the clip art, while the entire file would import
nicely. My solution was to experiment by saving the same
"clip" in different video modes (using PCX 'Ranger from
issue #70). I then entered GeoDraw and "viewed" each clip
until I found one that wasn't garbage. The magic resolution
for me was 320 x 200 x 16.

Also, I would like to take a moment to say I appreciate your
disk greatly. I have to concur with others who say they have
found a single program that was worth the subscription
price.

Finally, here are my "to die fors." I noticed you are asking
about sound card type in the Report Card. I have seen one
program so far, Poker Squares, that utilizes that
information. I own an Adlib sound card and look forward to
seeing more support. I would also like to see a musical
keyboard (like Soundmaster 64 for Commodore 64). I don't
really care for the specialized databases you have been
publishing. I would find a generic, all-purpose database
(like PFS:File) to be much more useful.

                                  Ken Jarrett
                                  Sand Springs, OK

RESPONSE: More help for Sharene! I'm sure she appreciates it.
Counting "Morphose" on this issue and "Circuitry" on issue
#72, there have now been three games with sound support.
Enjoy! Being somewhat musically inclined, I also would enjoy
some music programs. However, since our survey and Report
Card results tell us that a small percentage of our
subscribers have sound cards, we haven't yet developed any
of these types of programs. We do hope to publish a good,
"general" database, but we will continue to publish task-
specific databases for those subscribers who prefer to use
them over the time-consuming task of designing their own.

                      *    *    *

I own and use a Leading Edge Word Processing program (v.
1.3) and have been exceedingly happy with the product.
Recently I purchased a new printer to use with the LEWP
program. The new printer, A Citizen GSX-130 is a 24-wire dot
matrix unit. Currently, when a document is placed into
memory followed by a request to print the document, the
result is a double-spaced document with longer printed lines
than requested (a disregard for the right margin setting).
When the LEWP program was installed on my hard disk, the
user's guide provided code words to be used in the print
program to set the printer. The printer that I replaced
was a Star Micronics NP-10, which had been modified to use
IBM graphics and uses the printer code word EPSONFX.

I have tried to write Leading Edge to request product
assistance and was informed that my letter was
undeliverable. The result is my computer is full of
documents that I am unable to print using my new printer. I
need either an update for my program or simply need the
code word for my system.

                                  Walter E. Paulsen
                                  Fremont, CA

RESPONSE: It just so happens that I use a GSX-130 every day,
so I am familiar with your new printer. I am not familiar
with your word processor, however, I know that Leading Edge
is no longer in business. If you know how to change the
printer code word, you might try substituting EPSONLQ (which
the GSX emulates) for EPSONFX, but I suspect the LQ series
was developed AFTER your word processor. My other suggestion
is that you contact Citizen (Santa Monica, CA) about your
problem.

                      *    *    *

I was pleased to read the description of Print Shop
Utilities and find that it could convert Apple and Commodore
Print Shop files to IBM files. Following the instructions in
the Help file, I couldn't get it to work. The program has
worked fine for converting "old" Print Shop to New Print
Shop files, etc.

After I put the disk that contains the Commodore files in
drive B, it apparently reads the disk, but the files are not
displayed on the screen. When asked to select, it states
there are no files to select. Can you help me with this?

I also found that when playing Klondike2, the mouse arrow
will wrap around and the mouse will act dead. You can use
the keyboard to continue or unwrap the mouse prompt. Is this
normal?

I have one other question. Do you have or will you have a
program like "Print Shop Utilities 5.0" that would print
.PCX images in a sheet of 40-50 images so I could catalog my
PCX disks.

                                  Victor Sacks
                                  Lakewood, CO

RESPONSE: I'm afraid that the Apple and Commodore conversion
was not explained in nearly enough detail. My fault. The
program WILL read those Print Shop files, but it will only
read them from an IBM formatted disk. Therefore, the problem
is how to get the graphics onto IBM disks. I understand that
a commercial program called "Big Blue Reader" does this for
the Commodore (will format an IBM disk in a Commodore 1571
or 1581 disk drive). "Big Blue Reader" is available from
Sogwap Software of Decatur, IN, for around $30. The best way
to get Apple files onto an IBM disk, according to our Apple
experts, is to upload them from an Apple to a BBS, then
download them to an IBM.

You aren't the only subscriber who has had mouse problems
while running Klondike2. You should be able to solve this
problem by installing the latest version of their mouse
driver. If you aren't sure how or where to find the latest
version (usually on a local BBS), you can call our technical
support office for advice.

                      *    *    *

There's been a slip up somewhere, Ronda. I put the
WORDUP.EXE from ODM #71 on a floppy along with the files
from issues 71, 69 and 66, intending to hold it in filebox
until the grandkids came to visit. While they play games on
Grampa's 286 machine, the adults can visit. My youngest
grandson is not yet 3, but he knows how to type "GO."

Anyway, Word Up on #71 doesn't recognize any word file but
the one on #71. I think you kids can do better.

Oh, yeah! I'm going to have to order another 5.25" floppy
file cabinet; I can't stuff any more in the one marked BBD
that I'll have to rename ODM. What happened? Big Blue
bluster at you?

                                  Walt Stevenson
                                  Pittsburg, KS

RESPONSE: Walt, you're absolutely right. There HAS been a
slip up. Namely, we haven't gotten around to redoing Word Up
into the program it should be--one that will read files from
any issue and give you hours of enjoyment. Here's the scoop.
Word Up was conceived as being a regular, one-time-through
quiz not unlike those you'll find in many magazines. After
all, I was a magazine editor for over five years. We
certainly didn't have any idea that Word Up would reach its
current level of popularity. Some folks say they simply must
have regular Word Up "fixes." Look for an updated version on
a future issue--complete with a mousable interface. Oh,
yeah. You were also right about the "bluster" factor.

                      *    *    *

Your "HouseHold" inventory program was a great help in
filing an insurance claim for appliances damaged in August
when lightning struck a tree in my yard. I was fortunate
that my home computer was not affected. I was able to
quickly enter data from other records and compile an
itemized listing to help support my insurance claim. Thanks
for a simple, easily understood, and useful program.

In using the program, an idea for an improvement came to
mind and an apparent print-out problem came up. Can the
program be made to call up an existing "record" and save it
as a NEW "record" without loss of the first one? This
capability would certainly be a time saver in entering data.

Also, in attempting to print out either a single "record" or
a page of multiple "records," the description field would
not print correctly for the first or only record. By adding
what I call a "null record entry" in such a manner that it
can always be made the first "record" in any search or sort
listing, I found I could still get useful print outs with
minimal waste. (His first record is "AAAAAA.")

Did I do something wrong or is this a glitch which others
have also encountered?

                                  Lew Aston
                                  Goose Creek, SC

RESPONSE: I'm glad that "HouseHold" has been so useful. Your
suggestion for a "duplicate record" function has been noted.
The program does not have that ability at present. The print
out problem you found has been reported by other
subscribers, but you're the first one (to my knowledge) to
come up with such a simple and clever "solution." We DID fix
the printing "bug" on our Special Intro issue version of
HouseHold. A copy is on its way to you.

                      *    *    *

This past year I ordered back issue #23. I was interested in
the "Video Pro Titler." This program delights my wife and I
no end.

My problem is this: I have not been able to find, through
any of the computer suppliers, the "video display adaptor
with the composite video output jack" described in the
program's "read it" file. Hoping you can help.

                                  Robert V. Hamer Sr.
                                  Mission, TX

RESPONSE: If you have an EGA or better monitor, this program
will not work for you because your monitor does not have
"output" capabilities. If you have an older CGA monitor that
has an "output jack" in the back or on the side, all you
need is an RCA cable (probably available at your local
appliance store) to connect your monitor directly to your
TV/VCR.

                      *    *    *

Last May I found a pretty good deal at Tandy. I bought a
20MB hard drive for $145.00. I installed it myself and to my
surprise it worked. I have enjoyed it very much.

There is one problem I have had. As I copy, move and delete
files on my hard disk, it becomes fragmented. This slows up
the hard disk a lot. The only answer I have come up with is
to format the hard drive. Of course, all of my files must be
backed up on floppy disks.

I hear there is a defragmentation program, but the one I got
from shareware has a 55-page manual that must be printed. It
is very hard to understand. I know that Norton Utilities has
one, but it is too costly for me. Do you have any ideas?

                                  Jack P. Pruitt
                                  Ocala, FL

RESPONSE: I chatted with the ODM staff for ideas. Basically,
we feel that the only defragmentation programs that we would
recommend are of the more expensive, commercial type. Why?
Because your hard disk, like ours, is too important to place
at the mercy of some potentially buggy defragmentation
program produced by "Joe Hacker." In addition to Norton,
you might look at the defragmentation programs offered by
Parsons Technology and PC Tools.

                      *    *    *

I wish to express my comments concerning several of your
recent program releases. When I first received your monthly
disks, I felt a few of the programs had merit (GeoTutor,
Slide Glide) and I could find some use for them in the
future. The majority, I felt, were of no use to me. My
opinion at the time was to discontinue receiving your
monthly disks.

Then I received issues that contained "Loan Accelerator" and
"Home Refinancer." I was very pleased to find that imputing
our history of home mortgage payments into Loan Accelerator
(some containing excess prepayment amounts) resulted in a
matching principal balance between your program and my bank!
I expected to be close but not to the penny!

I must also say thanks for including "Nucleon" on one of
your monthly disks. It's a neat game and a few folks have
become "addicted" to playing it all the time. Of course, I'm
immune, but I had to load it onto my hard drive so others
could play it with ease.

                                  Ronald C. Griffith
                                  Peoria, AZ

RESPONSE: Glad to hear we're giving you some useful and fun
software!

                      *    *    *

I am sorry, but at this time, I do not plan to renew my
subscription. I have several reasons. Since you have changed
"Big Blue," it has changed way too much to say it is still
the same "publication."

The new menu is VERY slow and too time-consuming to pull up.
I have a 386 machine--it's pretty fast and I still have to
wait until the entire menu scrolls down to make a choice.
The old simple way of typing the documentation is not
available as it used to be. Some times there are no docs to
type, just on-screen help, and I did appreciate the hard
copy to refer to while in the middle of a program.

I have a VGA monitor, but others I know say that in mnay
instances, the CGA is the same choice as MONO and the
graphics are not very good for them.

On ODM #70, I imported a .PCX file I already had. I got a
double image, both on the screen and on the printer. How,
then will this be a handy program? If just with YOUR .PCX,
that will not be of much help to me. I use New Print Shop
all the time. I got some great graphics from ODM in the
past. Haven't seen many lately.

                                  Janice A. Hutton
                                  Siloam Springs, AR

RESPONSE: Whew! Where to begin? Let's tackle your comments
in order. Our graphic menu IS slower than it used to be when
it was text mode only. One text screen occupies about 4K.
One CGA graphic screen requires 16K and one EGA screen 64K.
Obviously, a faster machine will load any of those screens a
little faster than a slower one. However, the main thing
that makes our menu seem "too time consuming" is your floppy
drive. Hard drives access and display data or graphics up to
40% faster than most floppy drives. I urge you to copy just
one issue of ODM to your hard drive, then compare the time
it takes to load our menu or any program against the time it
takes from your floppy drive.

Practically all our programs now have printable
documentation. There are two cases where this may not be
true. First, a program may be extremely simple in concept
and will only contain a screen or two of non-printable help.
If you've just got to have documentation, use "Print Screen"
or use DOS's "Graphic" command to capture the screen(s).
Second, a program may not have print capabilities and we may
not be able to add them. This is particularly true in the
case of game "engines" or software that was not developed in
house.

Sometimes the CGA and monochrome graphics ARE the same, but
only because we have been forced to use hi-res, two-color
(B&W) CGA graphics in order to do CGA versions of programs.
We don't develop separate CGA and EGA versions of our
programs. Each graphics program has one set of "guts" and
two sets of graphic screens (EGA and CGA). Our built-in
system detection routines determine which set is displayed.
You may "override" those routines using the command line
parameters found in the Help text of our programs. Why don't
we use more four-color CGA graphics? The difference between
medium EGA resolution (640 x 200) and CGA four-color
resolution (320 x 200) is often too great--everything won't
fit on a four-color CGA screen.

This resolution problem, not to mention subscriber requests
for higher resolution graphics (VGA and even SVGA), is one
of the reasons why you'll find a survey in the Editor's
Corner department. We are considering making On Disk Monthly
an EGA/VGA product, which means that we would no longer
actively support CGA when developing graphics programs.
Please take time to fill out and return the survey. Your
response will help determine ODM's future format.

Finally, while developing PCX 'Rangler we discovered that
all PCX files are not created equal. Why? Different draw and
paint programs often save files differently. The effect you
described is caused when 'Rangler incorrectly interprets a
file. We have made a few corrections to 'Rangler since it
was first published, including one that may correct your
problem. If you'd like a copy, just call our toll free
number.

                      *    *    *

On the "Brain Teaser" quiz on disk #68, I don't understand
the answer to question #10. In your answer you say "D"
(diagonal left). It starts with a horizontal, then two
diagonals, then a vertical. In my opinion, if either
diagonal left or diagonal right is correct, then we do not
see enough of the series to form a pattern. Please help me,
I'm confused.

                                  Larry King
                                  Naples, FL

RESPONSE: The correct answer is "D." The first block shows
an object resting at a 90-degree position (horizontal). If
you think of that position as a starting point, the two
following blocks show a 45-degree rotation to the left, then
a 45-degree rotation to the right. The fourth block is a new
90-degree "starting" position (vertical). If you imagine
rotating it 45-degrees to the left, you get answer "D."

                      *    *    *

Your issue #56 of Big Blue Disk had a program titled
"Abstract Art II." This is one of the nicest programs you
have distributed--in my opinion.

I have listed it on my menu and, with just four or five
strokes, I get a display which is a screen saver. The color
and graphics are amazing. The user has great control in
varying the display.

Has there been an update to his program? One desirable
improvement would be the ability to save settings that would
hold after exiting the program. The addition of sound would
be wonderful--especially if the user had as much control as
he has with the color and graphics.

                                  Joseph M. Bistowish
                                  Nashville, TN

REPONSE: Thanks for the compliment. We haven't updated this
program and I honestly can't promise that we will. I can
promise that we'll keep your ideas in mind!

                      *    *    *

                   Mail your letters to:
                     Attn: Ronda Faries
     ODM Mailbag, 606 Common St., Shreveport, LA 71101

              Or fax them to: 1-318-424-0174

NOTE: Letters and Report Cards used in On Disk Monthly's
Mailbag are edited for clarity and length.

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