                     On Disk Monthly's
                         Issue #79
        *    *    *    M A I L B A G    *    *    *

                          ASK ODM
                          -------

Thanks for your continued fine programs and service. After
75 issues, I guess it is about time I had some type of
problem.

I am trying to run issue #76 on my 286 Magnavox, which has
Windows installed. I escape from Windows and proceed with 
ODM disks. Jacket will not print out. Message says printer 
not detected, but when I do press F5, the printer gets the 
signal and at the same time displays the message "printer 
not detected." My printer works OK with other programs.

Freeform Database 2.0 just will not run at all.

Have you heard from other subscribers and already solved
these problems?

                                  Charles W. Tolman
                                  Scarborough, ME

RESPONSE:  We have corrected printing problems for both
Jacket II and Freeform Database 2.0 on issue #76. Please
call 1-800-831-2694 for a "re-mastered" issue. What
happened? We "improved" the level of error detection for our
printing routines. Unfortunately, a few printers didn't like
our "improvements." Note: some of you may have read about 
this in Editor's Corner on issue #78 and have already called
for the re-mastered issue. Finally, if you mean that 
Freeform Database won't boot at all, please ask to speak to 
Tech Support when you call for your re-mastered disk so we 
can figure out why. It runs fine on all our Quality 
Assurance lab computers.

                        *    *    *

As a novice--I mean a real novice, self-taught PC user--your
ODM is great for me. Since I don't have a hard drive, I have
a problem finding programs I like. My major problem now is a
label maker/printer program.

I really enjoyed the game Relix, although I'm not good at
it--yet. My daughter talks about a game she once played that
allows you to plan your life and tells you why your choices 
won't work, including how you wanted to be born--natural or 
C-section. Have you any idea what this is?

                                  M. Robinson
                                  Wilmington, NC

RESPONSE: I'm afraid no one here is familiar with the
program you've described. Readers, any suggestions? I have a
couple on other topics. You might like Label Meister (issue 
#73), and you might try slowing the lasso down in Relix 
until you get the hang of it (see the program's help text 
about slowing/speeding up the lasso).

                        *    *    *

There's a bug in Memo Writer 2.0. You load one template,
then you try to load another (different) template and the
load program does not display the DIR listing of template 
choices. You have to exit the program and restart each time 
you load a different template.

                                  R. L. Mason
                                  Chapel Hill, NC

RESPONSE: The "Load" function in Memo Writer 2.0 only loads
a previously saved file and the template used to create it,
not "blank" templates for writing a new memo. Select the
"Write" function (F2) to write a new memo and you'll get a
list of Memo Writer 2.0 templates from which to choose. You 
do not have to restart the program each time. Note: your 
templates MUST be in the same directory as the program 
(MEMOWRTR.EXE) in order for the program to "find" them. The 
"Load" and "Write" functions are described in the program's 
help text. Also, the last step in "How to Write a Memo" 
section explains WRITE vs. LOAD.

*    *    *

I have been a subscriber since #62. I enjoy the various
programs ODM offers. In issue #76, regarding the statement
in the Mailbag text about why there were only five programs
on ODM versus Loadstar, the answer was "do a DIR on our
recent issues and you'll see they don't have a 'K' to 
spare." Well, I did and there was 108,544 bytes (remaining) 
on #76....

Did I read this wrong? Is there any way that this space can
be used for other programs or games?

                                  Thomas McClelland
                                  Pennsylvania

RESPONSE: You didn't read it wrong. I just momentarily
forgot that some of you receive 5.25" HIGH DENSITY disks,
instead of a 720K 3.5" or two 5.25" 360K disks. Everyone
gets the same exact issue, no matter what the format. This
means that you'll have "extra" space on your issue, while 
those receiving two 360K disks may not be able even to 
create and/or save a new file on one or both disks due to a 
lack of disk space.

                        *    *    *

I have been a subscriber since issue #40. I enjoy the new
"touch and feel" of your software. The mixture of 
applications is terrific. Keep up the good work. I know that
your staff puts in long and hard hours. As a subscriber, I 
appreciate your work. I have no problem with the resolution 
(even though I have a super VGA monitor and am running the 
programs through Windows).

Can you please respond to the following requests? 1. Do you
know what format the New Print Shop files are in? I
would like to import them into FrameMaker. 2. How can the
New Print Shop images be used in the Print Shop Deluxe
program? 3. Is there a way to put all of my ODM disks in one
directory? I would like to review all of them. 4. How can I
print the cartoons?

                                  Dale Burrows
                                  Houston, TX

RESPONSE: To answer your first question, I haven't used
FrameMaker, and am therefore not very familiar with it, but
I strongly suspect you can't use New Print Shop images in
it. Why? New Print Shop format images can be used in our own
Print Shop Utilities 5.0, or New Print Shop, New Print Shop 
Companion and Print Shop Deluxe--all by Broderbund. I am not
aware of any other retail programs that support New Print 
Shop images, although there may be some shareware programs 
that do.

Second, you may load your New Print Shop images into Print
Shop Deluxe. Choose a project (stationery, greeting card, 
etc.) Select the "Add New Elements" command, then choose 
"New Print Shop Graphics" in the menu that pops-up. Next, 
select the size you want to add--small, medium or large. 
Note: New Print Shop images come in three sizes, but you 
may only add one size at a time to Print Shop Deluxe. Place 
the graphic on your document (greeting card, stationery, 
etc.) If "no graphic" appears on your screen because your 
New Print Shop images are in another directory, choose "Other
Libraries" and direct the program to the proper directory or
drive. A list of files will appear. Hint: you might want to 
copy your New Print Shop images into your PSDeluxe directory
before you select "Add New Elements."

Third, you may not copy all issues into the same directory,
but you could, for example, have an "ODM" directory
containing subdirectories for each issue. Why not? The ODM 
menu is composed of several parts--GO.EXE, MENU.EXE, 
SHOWTOON.EXE, etc. These executable filenames are the same 
on each issue, though the information connected to them is 
not--new menu copy, a new cartoon, etc. Therefore, if you 
copied a second issue into a directory that already 
contained an issue, you'd copy over or replace those files 
with the same filename, instead of having two copies of the 
menu. You might be wondering why you can't just change the 
filenames (for example, MENU.EXE to MENU79.EXE). Answer: 
because these programs reference each other throughout the 
computer code. If you change the name of them, the menu 
won't run. We don't give each set of menu files unique names
because it would result in a lot more work, create a higher 
chance for error during issue assembly and be a version 
numbering nightmare.

Finally, you cannot print the cartoon from our menu, though
we're investigating a way to allow you to generate a .PCX or
.LBM file containing the cartoon. If you do a DIR on the 
issue, you'll only find the SHOWTOON.EXE file--no separate 
cartoon. Why? The cartoon is compressed as a hexidecimal 
file and is compiled into the program itself. We're looking 
at the possibility of giving you a way to decompress it and 
save it for use in your paint program.

                        *    *    *

                          LETTERS
                          -------

I would like to commend you on a great program, Jacket II,
from issue #76 of On Disk Monthly. At first I thought I 
would never have use for such a program and then realized 
that all those original 3.5" disks were just laying in the 
original boxes without any type of dust protection. So I 
began using Jacket II and now have all my disks protected. 
Keep up the good work.

                                  Darrel W. Jones

                        *    *    *

As you can see, I'm using your Memo Writer 2.0 from issue
#76 (to write this note). Before, when I was writing I was
using Word Perfect. I liked it very much. When I started 
using Memo Writer 2.0, I knew right away the features were a
lot better.

My only complaint: Memo Writer 2.0 doesn't have a spell
checker or a thesaurus. You know us users are not perfect 
spellers. If you ever plan on updating Memo Writer 2.0, 
please include a spell checker and/or thesaurus.

                                  Frank Torres
                                  Aurora, IL

RESPONSE: It's a good idea, but one that isn't likely to
happen. Why? Compiling a good dictionary or thesaurus would
take a long time and a lot of effort. One "worth its salt" 
would have to contain at least 200,000 words and would be 
between 200K and 500K in size (uncompressed). I've read 
about a shareware program, called ShareSpell, that you might
want to download from your local BBS. It has a 112,000+ word
dictionary that allows you to add words, and it works with
ASCII files so you'd be able to spell check Memo Writer 2.0 
files saved as text files. A hard drive is recommended. If 
you try it and like it, remember to pay your shareware fee!

                        *    *    *

I am a new subscriber, and in reading your Mailbag, I must
add my comment: don't change a thing.

I also am writing in regards to a letter in ODM #76 from a
Juliet Brice of Miami, FL. I also have a Panasonic KX-P2123 
printer with the color option. For some time I was suffering
the same frustration described in her letter.

The KX-P2123 can emulate the IBM Proprinter or the Epson LQ
series printer. I discovered that once I started emulating 
the Epson, which is the factory default mode, I was able to 
get the color I was hoping for when I bought my printer. I 
use it with several programs and am very happy with the 
results.

                                  Roger Loudon
                                  Escondido, CA

                        *    *    *

Last month I wrote you about two programs available from the
"Print Shop Users Club." Since then I have ordered them and 
am sending you the page (from the PS Users Club newsletter) 
that describes the programs (The PS Editor Package and The 
PS Converter Package) better than I did.

In the Mailbag there was a person looking for a screen saver
program. The one I used to use was a shareware program 
called VGA Graphics. If ODM subscribers want to send me 
their name and address, I'll be glad to send them a copy of 
the original disk, as long as they tell me what type of disk
they use.

Also, there was a complaint about Word-Up. I hope you keep
it the way it is. These programs have helped me to improve
my vocabulary and understand more people when I talk with
them or listen to them.

I am using Memo Writer 2.0 for this. A great program, it
will be used a lot.

                                  Cliff Franklin
                                  20486 Dersch Rd.
                                  Anderson, CA  96007-8462

RESPONSE: Thanks for being so enthusiastic and for being
willing to share your knowledge. Though we don't usually 
publish complete addresses, Mr. Franklin's is above. Also, 
you may write for more information about the PSUC at P.O. 
Box 150, Renton, WA 98057. Finally, since Memo Writer was so
popular, we came up with additional templates on ODM #78. 
And since there was room on the issue, we included 
the program so brand new subscribers would be able to use 
them without having to purchase a back issue.

                        *    *    *

I don't normally get excited about games, let alone spend
the time to send something in writing, but I read the
Mailbag and this time I had to say something after reading
the input from Thomas Marino. I have been a member since 
issue #45. I have seen some really sad attempts at gaming 
software.

Now, when you have finally come up with some real quality,
people start complaining. First, there was Word-Up. While 
not exciting in its gaming techniques, it is: professional, 
pleasing to look at, easy for kids to follow, expandable and
it teaches something. Then there was Catacomb Abyss 
(Sampler). It is the first time I have seen a well done 
mouse-driven game. I can appreciate the game more since I 
finally made it out (of the Catacombs). The game has enough 
depth that I didn't do everything there was to do, so I am 
sure I will play the game many times and get better and 
better.

This issue (#74) gives us Finagle and Exclusion. Finagle is
good looking, fairly complex, fast moving. Exclusion has an 
excellent mouse driver, diverse formats and a real mind 
exercise.

As games go, these are great games and well done. I, for
one, hope you continue to keep them coming.

On the other side are programs. They are good, too.
Utilities and performance programs are always good to have.
But please, let's stay in the real world. I do not expect 
ODM to give me CorelDraw or WordPerfect. I bought DbaseIV 
when I needed a database. We cannot expect ODM to provide 
serious programs.

For instance, the Net Worth 2.0 program is a professional,
good looking and seems to work well, but I don't think a 
database is required to calculate MY net worth. And if I did
need one, I would have an accountant who would probably 
already have one. ODM programs are interesting and fun and I
don't want you to exclude them for games. I would like to 
see more utility programs and computer performance programs,
but for computer sake, don't listen to these purists and 
stop producing those super games.

                                  Ray Crum
                                  APO AE, NY

                        *    *    *

I have been a subscriber since issue #18. For the first two
years, I thoroughly enjoyed each issue and anticipated its
arrival. For the past year, the usefulness, menu system, 
unnecessary graphics, slow access speed, and yes, even 
quality has diminished.

My main problem with the current batch of your programs is
that I can do almost all of them faster and easier on my own
programs. These mini-programs you are sending us are fine if
we have no other full-service programs, but most of us have 
programs similar to mine (MS Word, Quattro Pro, Xtree Gold, 
etc.). I would like to see you develop more programs that 
enhance the ones most of us already use.

Print Shop graphics are fine, but enough is enough.
Templates for spreadsheets similar to the previous ones you
sent, additional fonts, more solitaire games (would be 
good). Most of all, eliminate all the fancy openings and 
menus and use the space for usable programs.

Another problem I have is that some of your programs will
only run if I load them from DOS 5.0 Shell. Why?

Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinions.

                                  Art Henoch
                                  Dillwyn, VA

RESPONSE: You should be able to run any of our programs from
the DOS prompt, which is how they are designed to run.
Please call our technical support staff for help in
resolving your problem. ODM programs have always been "mini
programs" as you call them. You won't find programs 
equivalent to Quattro Pro or MS Word on ODM. Why? Many of 
those programs were developed over at least a year of time. 
We must develop five or six programs monthly. It's also 
difficult to impossible to produce programs that are 
compatible with retail products since software companies 
don't exactly freely share their product's "secrets" with 
their competitors.

ODM's niche is entertaining and useful task-specific
software, as well as programs/utilities that allow you to 
customize and maximize your computer system. I know that I 
could use any one of several powerful, retail databases to 
reproduce some of the database-type programs that we've 
published on ODM. There are several problems with this
approach, to wit: 
TIME--how much do we have to spend learning to use the 
program and setting up the database?
KNOWLEDGE--a database is only as good as its design and a 
good design often hinges on a person's knowledge of or 
research into the topic at hand. 
AVAILIBILITY--we either have to publish "templates" which
require our subscribers to own the full-blown version of
the database, or we have to create self-running "programs"
which are usually ENORMOUS, reducing the space we have for
our other offerings.
LEGALITY--not all database programs allow full commercial
distribution of their code, without paying them a fee or
royalty, of course.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT--if we don't have full access to all of
the database's code we would not be able to correct some
of the problems that always seem to crop up in these
"commercial-quality" database programs at the last minute.
Our stand-alone programs solve these and other problems.

                        *    *    *

Letters used in the ODM Mailbag section may be edited for
length and clarity. Send your letters to:

                        ODM Mailbag
Softdisk Publishing, PO Box 30008, Shreveport, LA 71130-0008

                         ---END---
