                     On Disk Monthly's
                         Issue #80
        *    *    *    M A I L B A G    *    *    *

                          ASK ODM
                          -------

I own, and enjoy using, the ODM Indexer. May I suggest, as
I'm sure many of us subscribers use it, that you include an
ODMISSUE.BID file on each subsequent issue which we can
merge into the database of programs. As a further service,
how about filling in the data gap from issue #65-#68 and #73
through the latest issue?

An additional request: will you please reinstate the file
names service? In the "olden" days you included the file
name for each program, along with that program's description
and other details.

The crossword program on issue #75 was GREAT! Please keep it
going with more puzzles, etc. As with the INDEXER, possibly
you could include a new puzzle now and then or you could
persuade the author to turn it into a functional program
with which we could develop puzzles.

                                  Phil C. Kopriva
                                  San Francisco, CA

RESPONSE:  As promised, we've provided you with files that
update ODM Indexer (published on issue #64). There were
updates on issue #68 (for #65-#68), issue #73 (for #69-#73)
and issue #77 (for #74-#77). M. Friedman of Freehold, NJ,
also wrote, asking about an upgrade for ODM Indexer. We have
discussed upgrading the program itself (adding mouse
support, etc.) at some point in the future, but it has not
yet been planned for an issue. Also, a handful of
subscribers have claimed that the update files will not
work. We've discovered that they're right--the ODM Indexer
(#64) files WILL NOT update the Big Blue Indexer that was
published on issue #53. Why not? They're two different
programs, regardless of any visual or title similarities.

Next, we DO list the main file name, as well as list all
accompanying files, as part of our COPY dialog box. Just
"arrow" up and down the list of programs to copy (on the
left) and at right you'll see the program name after "Main
File:" and a list of any accompanying files below the size
information.

You will see more crosswords on future issues, and you
aren't the only subscriber who has requested a way to "make"
crosswords. We did Super Crossword in house and do have a
program that enables us to type in crosswords--although the
program isn't "polished" enough to publish. It does not
generate or create crosswords for you; it simply allows you
to enter words and their clues in a 13x13, 15x15 or 17x17
grid. Would you want a program that enabled you to type in
previously created crosswords?

Finally, your letter also mentioned that you wrote us
earlier this year, but received no response. I try to answer
as many letters as possible on each disk, but I usually only
publish one letter per question or topic. Some letters are
forwarded (or copied) to other departments for action. For
example, technical support problems that demand and deserve
immediate action are forwarded for a response from that
department since it might be a couple of months before your
letter would appear in the Mailbag. Why so long? We're
finishing up the "next" issue about the time you receive the
current one, and by the time your letter reaches us, it may
even be too late to publish your letter in the upcoming
issue. And, we might have just published a letter on the
same topic in the previous issue! It sounds like we need to
drop a postcard in the mail to let you all know that we've
received and have read your letters.

                        *    *    *

Klondike works, but the pointer is two inches to the right.
Can you send me a copy that works? If I still need an
updated mouse driver, can you supply it?

                                  Eric Roffe
                                  Yonkers, NY

RESPONSE: I'm not sure if you're having problems with our
original Klondike game, or Klondike2 (issue #71). If you're
referring to Klondike2, the problem no doubt stems from your
mouse driver. I'm sorry to say that we cannot "supply" an
updated driver for you. Try contacting your computer or
mouse manufacturer, computer store or local BBS. Why doesn't
your driver work? It was probably produced before the VGA
resolution used by Klondike2 (320 x 200) was available, and
therefore it does not "recognize" the resolution.

                        *    *    *

                          LETTERS
                          -------

I'm happy to see you really do hear us out there. When I
sent my letter to you and got a quick answer I was
surprised. You fixed my problem with Jacket II on issue #76,
but on issue #77 the game called Tiles of the Nile has a
problem. My mouse is only active on the left hand side of
the screen. Please look into this matter for me.

All the programs are a big savings to me because your
programs work better sometimes than store bought. The report
card on issue #77 wasn't in Form Fill (.ff) format. Why not?

                                  Michael A. Julian
                                  Sierra Vista, AZ

RESPONSE: Looks like you have the same problem as Mr. Roffe
above--an older version of your mouse driver. Tiles of the
Nile contains two sets of graphics (320x200 CGA and 320x200
EGA). The EGA graphics are "tweaked" from 640x400 EGA
graphics. The program is able to "fool" your mouse into
thinking that the 320th column of pixels is at the far right
edge of your monitor. Your older mouse driver doesn't
"understand" and interprets this as being the exact middle
of a 640 pixel-wide screen. Hence, you only have mouse
control on the left side of the screen. Finally, Form Fill
was published over six issues ago. 1) Many recent
subscribers do not have it. 2) There hasn't been much extra
space on our 360K disks. 3) Unfortunately, if we substitute
the .ff file for the .txt file, all those form-creation
characters are visible, making the Report Card nearly
indecipherable. We hope to add a way to complete the Report
Card from within the menu to our next upgrade of the menu
system.

                        *     *    *

Big news! Softdisk has discovered Windows!

I have been a Softdisk and BBD/ODM subscriber for years and
enjoy each issue. I think, however, the issues are somewhat
weighted in the direction of game players and programmers
and are on double density disks, limiting the amount of
material in each issue.

On the IBM level, the world has gone to Windows and I was
happy to see two Backdroppers (wallpaper) on issue #77. A
close friend, John Hebert, told me last week that he would
allow his subscription to lapse, because for too long a time
you "have been re-issuing tired old utilities and games on
double density disks." He and I believe you have fought the
migration towards Windows and the new world it has opened.

I am, however, happy that you agree Windows exists and am
writing to request that your programming contributors devote
some time to developing utilities for Windows. And, to that
end, may I suggest that you develop and include on each high
density issue, not only Print Shop images, borders and
fonts, and .PCX graphics, but also sounds (.WAV files),
.BMPs (wallpaper) and True Type fonts for Windows.

Most importantly, I also would like to see the Electronic
Christmas Card, a really delightful program, upgraded to VGA
color graphics. I think the program is great, but the
primitive graphics are a minus. Also, I would like to see
such programs designed for Valentine's, Easter, July 4th and
Thanksgiving holiday periods. You might also consider
additional programs centered around Mother's Day, Father's
Day and Halloween holidays. To be able to utilize animated
graphics, personal messages, and music to communicate with
friends and business associates during those seasons would
be TERRIFIC!

                                  Donald J. LeBlanc
                                  Houma, LA

RESPONSE: Sounds like you're going to love Birthday Card,
which was under development long before your letter arrived.
Apparently, great minds DO think alike.

                        *    *    *

Have used Check Tracker for several years, so when it showed
up on disk #75, I update my .EXE and .HPL files with the
newer version. I could find no difference except that it
starts each program with a copyright page that I can't get
rid of. This is not a great way to update programs.

Also, I have noticed that you are duplicating many Gamer's
Edge programs on ODM. If you are going to do this, then
there is not much sense in subscribing to both of them. I
feel rather strongly about this. With the exception of the
duplication of Gamer's Edge games, I like your ODM disks and
consider them a good value. Keep up the good work.

                                  Steve Russell
                                  Round Lake, IL

RESPONSE: We did fix several bugs in Check Tracker, but made
the most changes to its companion, Credit Card Tracker
(added mouse support, fixed bugs, etc.). We fixed some
things that you may not have noticed...or hadn't yet had a
reason to notice. For example, one of the things we fixed, a
date problem, would only have become apparent when your
computer reached the year 2000. This new Tracker duo should
last you well into the 21st century.

Finally, the truth about the game duplication problem you
mention is that a "very behind" Gamer's Edge department
snapped up games created for On Disk Monthly by On Disk
Monthly staff members or submitters--before we could place
them on issues of ODM. Keep your subscription to On Disk
Monthly; Gamer's Edge has not been the tremendous success
that we hoped it would be.

                        *    *    *

I'm a visually impaired (actually legally blind) reader.
It's nice that I've found that some of your programs also
work with print enlarging software that I run. However, the
new version of Klondike (Klondike2 on issue #71) doesn't
work well for me at all; I keep losing the cursor because
there isn't enough contrast between it and the cards or
background. Any suggestions? I can play the version that 
came on the Bonus Disk I got when I first began my 
subscription so it's no big deal, but it's got me curious.

                                  Karen Broderick
                                  Raleigh, NC

RESPONSE: Try forcing Klondike2 to run in CGA mode (black &
white only) by typing "KLON2 /C" at the DOS prompt. The lack
of contrast that you describe is probably the result of
Klondike2's VGA color palette.

                        *    *    *

I use GeoWorks Pro and Quattro Pro to manage my operating
system, so many of your programs do not help me. On your
bonus disk, I like the label printer. Klondike, I already
have in GeoWorks. I don't mean to cut you down, because you
do many times better than I could, but your graphics have
some distance to go before you are in their ball park.

Murder in the Museum would be more interesting if I had a
list of acceptable verbs. For example, I find myself in a
dark room; I have a flashlight, but can't turn it on.

I liked Check Tracker on ODM 75. I copied it to my hard disk
and use it daily. I think Check Tracker is worth what I paid
for the three-month subscription, so if I find a program I
like every three to four months, it's a good buy.

                                  Charles Auvil
                                  Newport News, VA

RESPONSE: Don't forget that you can call our technical
support department toll free at 1-800-831-2694 when you run
into problems.

                        *    *    *

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

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