                     On Disk Monthly's
                         Issue #77
     *    *    *    M  A  I  L  B  A  G    *    *    *

                          ASK ODM
                          -------

I have just discovered the "Mailbag" section and it is very
interesting. If I had found it earlier, it would have saved
me a lot of time. I currently have mixed emotions about my
ODM subscription. I am not a game "freak" and consequently
have not found very many programs which I can use. I hope
that this improves.

I do love the PRINT SHOP UTILITIES 5.0 included on ODM #71.
I have just obtained 5,500 New Print Shop images and I have
been using PSUTIL5 rather extensively. Due to this I have a
few suggestions/comments about the utility.

1) I have not been able to find (except as a special order)
one-inch labels. The most common label appears to be 15/16"
(0.9375). In fact, the LABEL MEISTER program on ODM #73 has
the 0.9375 label as the default. Also, you need the ability
to reduce the spacing between the lines on the label.

2) I sure would like a delete image function. Many of the
shareware disks that I have received have some duplicate
images on them. Presently, the only way to delete an image
is to move it to a "temp" file and then delete that file.

3) How do I get a copy of the ODM INDEXER or ODM LIBRARIAN
software?
                                  Harry F. Olson Jr.
                                  Fresno, CA

RESPONSE: The one-inch, one-across labels mentioned in PRINT
SHOP UTILITIES 5.0 are the same as the 15/16" labels you
mention. Measure from the top edge of one label to the top
edge of the label below it and you'll get a measurement of
1". Any program, including PSUTIL, that works with
"one-inch" labels automatically uses the 0.9375" measurement
as its printable area (as you noticed in Label Meister).

To solve your spacing problem, simply answer "yes" to the
"Does your printer stretch graphics?" question you are posed
by PSUTIL5. The graphic expands vertically during printing,
widening the spacing between the lines of text on your
label.

As you noted, PSUTIL does not have a "delete image"
function. Why? First, deleting one segment of a larger file
is always "risky," and second, there would be no means of
recovery if the wrong image was deleted by mistake. Moving
the image to another file, such as the "temp" file you
suggested, gives you a chance to discover your mistake or to
change your mind.

Finally, ODM INDEXER was published on ODM #64, with updates
on #68, #73 and this issue. You may call our toll-free
number and order those back issues. Altogether, these disks
will give you a complete back issue catalog on disk. ODM
LIBRARIAN was only available as part of a Special
Introductory issue sent to "bill me" customers.

                        *    *    *

Last November I enthusiastically used MY ENTERTAINMATE and
entered the information for 99 percent of my video
collection. The problem is, I received an urgent phone call
before I was finished and in my haste I hit escape until I
exited the program. Since I never saved the changes I had
made and the file was never "closed," I can't access this
information. I keep getting an error message saying that the
file is open. I know that it's probably too late to retrieve
my information, but can you tell me what to do in case I
foolishly do it again?

How do we know how many issues we have on our subscription?
                                  Maribel Sosa
                                  Biloxi, MS

RESPONSE: We aren't sure why you can't open your My
EntertainMate file. Not only does the program save your data
automatically, but it has a rebuild feature that should
repair a file damaged by a loss of power, etc. We will try
to salvage your data if you'll send a copy of it and your
program to us. Please send it to my attention (Ronda
Faries).

Apparently, there's no way to tell how many issues are left
on your subscription by your label. However, we do print a
renewal reminder at the top of your "x-card" (the sheet
that's visible through the envelop window) when the time
comes. You may call our Customer Service Department for
information about your subscription.

                        *    *    *

I was a Big Blue Disk user back during issues #43-#50. Since
I didn't have a hard drive back then, I didn't use many of
the programs. Since I have a new hard drive, I thought that
I would give you a try again. Boy is your new format hard to
follow. I like the old "read it, run it, copy it" format.
The new graphics are pretty, but I would much rather have
more descriptions on how to use them and install things.
Telling the user to put something in his AUTOEXEC.BAT file
and to consult his DOS manual is scary. DOS was so much
easier back when you only had two floppies. Save on the
graphics and icons (the menu is slower). Have a section (or
booklet) for new users explaining some of the stuff that you
experts take for granted--a simple "try it" example.

The program FINDME! PLUS does look interesting. How do you
guys keep track of all those TSRs and their hotkeys? Don't
you load a lot of new programs that you forget about? That's
one of my concerns. Some tips on setting up housecleaning
rules for hard drives BEFORE they get messy would be
helpful. Didn't you used to have a column on BBD about DOS
and computer tips? I liked that section--but you didn't have
it on all disks.

I had two error messages while running CHECK TRACKER and
CREDIT CARD TRACKER: Error 53 at pgm-ctr:156225 and Error 53
at pgm-ctr: 84868 (probably because I like to run my
original disks write protected). If it's more serious than
that, please let me know.

Well, I'll give you guys a try for three months. Just
thought you would like to know how you look to a new
subscriber.
                                  Heather Frese
                                  West Bend, WI

RESPONSE: It's true that things were much simpler back in
the days of a mostly text-based BBD and a two-disk version
of DOS. It's also true that we can write better instructions
and we're working hard to do just that. Hope you noticed
that all the issue #76 programs (RELIX! had a separate text
file) included printable help, and step-by-step installation
instructions or examples when necessary!

The older issues did contain a lot more text than recent
issues have, but back then there was a lot more free space
on each issue.  While some people enjoyed the text, many of
you said you'd rather receive more programs. We complied.
When we do split ODM into two different versions (CGA/EGA
and VGA/SVGA), you'll not only see a new, easier-to-use
menu, but perhaps some changes in this area as well.

In regard to TSRs (or programs such as FINDME! PLUS), you
can try doing what I do. I keep a list of the ones I install
on my system taped to my computer. Beside each, I list the
necessary hotkey and/or command line parameter(s) and note
which are TSRs. If you want to include the ODM issue number,
do so. Be sure to write down your TSRs in the exact order in
which they were installed. Why? Many TSRs can only be
uninstalled when they are the last TSR currently installed.
This means that if you want to free up memory or you just
want to uninstall a TSR you don't use, you'll have to
uninstall them by working from the bottom of the list to the
top. If you only want to uninstall one TSR in the middle of
your list, reinstall (in order) those following the one you
wanted to remove. Since everyone has a different
situation--memory, system configuration, hard drive size,
etc.--I wouldn't presume to tell you when or even exactly
how to do your "house cleaning." I personally only install
those programs I plan to use and I remove any that I don't
actually end up using. The only time I remove any of the
ones I like and use on a regular basis is when I need the
extra memory to run some other program. Just be sure that
you don't load so many TSRs that you can't run the programs
you use daily or weekly.

Finally, looks like your CHECK TRACKER and CREDIT CARD
TRACKER error messages either stem from write protected
disks or from not having your programs in the same
subdirectory as your program files. I strongly suggest that
the first thing you do when you receive a new issue is to
copy it--either by copying it to your hard drive and running
it from there or by duplicating your disk(s) and running
from the duplicate. Why? Some of our programs "write" to
themselves, to data files or to high score files when you
run them. Copying before you run will make the ODM
experience much more pleasurable and "error" free.

                        *    *    *

Am I the only one who can't get the PRINT SHOP VIEWER (#75)
to run without copying it to my hard disk?
                                  Cynthia L. Buchner
                                  Battle Creek, MI

RESPONSE: I'm not sure why you are experiencing a problem
with the PRINT SHOP VIEWER. I just ran it from the ODM #75
menu and experienced no problems. Please call our technical
support department at 1-800-831-2694 so that they can help
you determine the cause of this problem.

                        *    *    *

                          Letters
                          -------

Please ignore the people who write in to say, "don't do
games" or "don't do Print Shop images," etc. Of course
there will be programs that don't fit my uses--this is a
generic "magazine of interests" disk club! Even if you only
use one program, that ONE is worth the price of the issue or
more. If you start limiting program types, you start losing
subscribers. I don't care that an issue may not be
useful--the next one will be. Down the way, I pick up new
interests. And lo, I have just the program!
                                  Sherry Price
                                  Jasper, AL

                        *    *    *

Am I crazy or does this disk (#75) contain two file
viewers...a total duplication...and both useless to ODM
subscribers who have DOS MANAGER, which does everything
these two do and more? I'd really appreciate a reply. Save
my sanity with an explanation.
                                  George E. Woolfson
                                  Lowell, MI

RESPONSE: The purpose of FINDME! PLUS is to enable you to
find any file you need to locate. Once you've located it
with FINDME! PLUS, you CAN view it. The purpose of SWIFTVIEW
is to enable you to view any file--practically
instantaneously since you can specify the file from the DOS
prompt.

I use both of these programs extensively, utilizing their
different strengths...and I use them instead of DOS MANAGER
BECAUSE they are task specific. I think DOS MANAGER is a
great program (we wouldn't have published it otherwise), but
I use Windows to do the kind of management tasks at which
DOS MANAGER excels. I just find Windows to be more friendly.
However, when I'm sitting at the DOS prompt and want to read
a file, it's much easier AND faster to use SWIFTVIEW than
any other program I've found. The same goes for FINDME! PLUS
when I can't seem to locate a file. I think these programs
are actually quite complimentary to each other, as well as
to a more complex, full-blown program like DOS MANAGER.

                        *    *    *

Sorry to make you people try to figure out my problem with
your great programs. (Ted's first letter, in which he
explained that he couldn't run some of our programs from
DOS, appeared on issue #75.) With my PS/1 I cannot use the
DOS prompt through Windows to run your disk. I did not
realize that there was a difference between the DOS prompt
through Windows and without Windows. When all else fails,
READ THE DIRECTIONS. Thanks again.
                                  Ted Wojciehowski
                                  Lemont, IL

RESPONSE: The majority of our programs will run fine from
Windows. However, you will not be able to run the ODM menu
and most of our games from Windows. Why? Because Windows
takes over some of the same parts of your system and memory
that our menu and our games must utilize in order to run.
The same is true of other shell or menu programs such as
DOSShell. We're in the process of adding detection routines
for these shells to our programs--routines that will alert
you when a program will not run from one of these
environments.

                        *    *    *

I recently renewed my subscription. The improvements on your
disks are impressive. I do have several suggestions for a
"perfect" ODM:
1. On print outs, please reduce the number of lines to 60--
   so HP LaserJet printers or other lasers can print pages
   properly.
2. Your copy function on disk is great. However, there seems
   no way to copy some directions of programs to printers so
   they can be referred to when running programs.
                                  J.J. O'Driscoll
                                  Atlanta, GA

RESPONSE: We test all our print outs on a laser printer. And
our maximum line count per page is 59, not 60, just to be
sure. Of course, this won't be true for some of our older
programs or for programs designed for dot matrix printers,
such as a tractor-fed label printing program.

On this issue, all program directions are available and
printable from within each program. Simply run the program,
press F1 (our universal Help hotkey) and press the 
appropriate button to print the Help copy. You'll also find
examples and step by step installation instructions for
using many of our more complex programs.

                        *    *    *

I tried you when you were Big Blue Disk...and again, now. I
can't see any "slippage." Indeed you are keeping up with the
times, presenting us with some slick programming.

Many times, especially since you have updated versions, I
wonder just what issue my copy came from. I can't tell
without a long search. Here is my idea: why not code ALL
files to a particular issue?
                                  S. Trikes
                                  Farmington Hills, MI

RESPONSE: Thanks for your comments and ideas. Though
interesting, your coding idea is not really feasible. Why?
All ODM programs and their source code go into our source
code library. From there, some of these programs are passed
on to our foreign partners who, through licensing, publish
foreign language versions of ODM (such as PERIODISK in
France). Their numbering systems do not usually match ours.
Coding our files would create a lot more work for a lot of
people. Also, many ODM programs eventually are placed on
Softdisk's Download Superstore section of the Prodigy
on-line service.

Nearly all of our program updates are substantial enough to
warrant a title change, such as Jacket II, which also is
reflected in a new program version number. The only time
this isn't true is when the only change(s) to a program is a
minor "bug fix." While running a program, choose "About..."
(usually F9) to see a program's version number. From the DOS
prompt, type the program name, followed by a space, then
"/VER" (for example, JACKET2 /VER).

                        *    *    *

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for clarification and content. Each letter must include a
full name, city and state in order for it to be considered
publishable. Please specify which section, "Ask ODM" or
"Letters," in which you'd like your letter to appear. Please
keep your letters brief and to the point.

                   Send your letters to:
    ODM MAILBAG, PO BOX 30008, SHREVEPORT, LA 71130-0008
