
        *    *    *    M A I L B A G    *    *    *
                    On Disk Monthly #81

                          ASK ODM
                          -------

While running Form Fill (issue #73), when I enter the first
value, the lines get out of alignment. Hard to enter data
this way. Also, the program kicked me back to DOS with an
error message when I tried to save the file to a different
name and path. What's up?

When copying individual programs using the menu, if the
program to be copied is not selected before changing the
destination path, the program is copied to the path that
existed before. The copy code overrides the destination I
select. Why?

                                  Ken Kupsky
                                  Greenleaf, WI

RESPONSE: Your Form Fill problems are our fault. Form Fill's
purpose was to give you a way to easily fill out text forms
(with blanks) that you create with your own text editor. It
works great unless you want to set it up for tabular
data...like in the Report Card. To keep a line from wrapping
around (and going "wacky") you have to place a space in
front of it. At some point, the spaces in front of each
program name on the Report Card were deleted. Hence, the
mess you've described. We have not experienced the problem
you had while saving, so I really can't expound on that
without more information.

Other subscribers have wondered why they haven't been able
to load recent Report Cards (.TXT files) into Form Fill.
Answer: regardless of the size of disk you receive, we only
put together one 720K issue that will "split" onto two 360K
5.25" disks. We haven't had room for a second report card
(.FF file) on some recent issues.

Next, I'll tackle your copy problem. Since our copy function
allows you to copy a single program or the entire issue to
your hard drive, each item must have its own "default" path.
The default for each item is always "ODM" plus the issue
number. So, if "Entire Issue" is highlighted when you change
the path, you have only changed the path for Entire Issue,
and not the other individual programs listed below it. If
you use a mouse, highlight the program you wish to copy,
then change the path. The copy function also does not allow
you to copy ODM to your root directory (usually C:\). This
limitation protects subscribers from two possible serious
problems--accidentally copying ODM's menu program (MENU.EXE)
over your commercial or shareware menu program that uses the
same filename, and/or accidentally copying this month's
program-specific menu over last month's version (i.e., each
issue's menu is unique).

                        *    *    *

Your Print Shop Utilities 5.0 (#71) allowed conversion to
Print Master format. There is a program on the market called
"I Convert" which converts Print Shop or Print Master to
other formats, including PCX. Also, it's possible to
convert/transport graphics between the Commodore 64 and IBM
compatibles with the Big Blue Reader as you previously
mentioned.

I have all your BBD/ODM to present. I am puzzled. When I
typed "GO" for issue #69, the issue was totally in color,
but when I typed "GO" for issue #70, the logo and welcome
screens came up in color but the rest was in black/gray. I
backed out and used "GO /E" and the entire issue came up in
color. How come? ...And how do I get the ODM Librarian?

                                  Alice D. Dey
                                  Edgewater, MD

RESPONSE: For some unknown reason, issue #70's graphics card
detection routines didn't recognize your EGA card and
instead displayed the black and white high resolution CGA
graphics that CGA subscribers see every month. You did the
right thing: used the command line switch designed to handle
this problem. There are generally two reasons why ODM's menu
or programs won't display properly. First, our routines may
not recognize your graphics card for some reason. Second,
your graphics card may be better than your monitor (i.e.,
you have an EGA card, but have a CGA monitor), so when our
programs try to display EGA mode graphic, your monitor says
"NO WAY."

P.S. ODM Librarian was published on a special offer from ODM,
but the ODM Indexer program (which is essentially the same
thing) was published on ODM #64.  Incidentally, we intend to
update and republish ODM Librarian on an upcoming issue.  You
can order any previous issue of ODM as a back issue by 
calling our 1-800-831-2694 order number.

                        *    *    *

Why do all your games have to deal with devils, evil,
dungeons, et cetera? Why not just make them "games"--you
know, the things that you have to use your mind for, along
with computer skill? Your card games have been very good 
and the teasers are good, too.

Please leave the ghosts, gremlins and devils OUT completely!
Come up with some ADULT games. I do not mean sexy! I
mean on the adult thinking level instead of the teenager
level of arcade games I've seen thus far.

                                  Mrs. Pepe
                                  Lufkin, TX

RESPONSE: I'm wondering if you're an ODM subscriber or a
Gamer's Edge subscriber. We've only published one recent
game that your comments describe--The Catacomb Abyss Sampler
(#72). We prefer and generally publish games that are
addictive, fun AND make you think. Examples are Nucleon,
Circuitry, Finagle, Exclusion, Tiles of the Nile,
Conflagration, and this issue's PAPU! We also regularly
feature Word-Up, Super Crossword and Crypto Sleuth--all
adult thinking games.

                        *    *    *

I've been a pleased subscriber since issue #22, and use
several of your programs every day. Thanks for great
service.

Last Christmas I received a device for programming my VCR
and it's called VCR Plus+. It is slicker than a greased cat
on a hot tin roof! It's easier to use than the VCR's
internal programming. All one has to do is enter the number
showing in the TV guide for the program one wants to record.

What happens when there isn't any number? I'm out of luck,
and must revert to the drudgery of programming the VCR. My
question: is there any software that generates this special
VCR Plus+ number? If there isn't, would it be a good
project?

                                  John C. Bull
                                  Boca Raton, FL

RESPONSE: Amazingly enough, we were discussing this idea
just a couple of days before your letter arrived. We agree
it's a good idea, we just haven't had time to investigate it
yet. You may find it on a future issue!

                        *    *    *


                          LETTERS
                          -------

First, in reference to Juliet Brice of Miami, FL, (letter on
#76) who has a Panasonic KX-P2123 color printer. I have one
and love it. A lot of programs don't have this new printer
listed in their print driver lists yet. You have to pick a
similar one. For example, in "Banner Mania" I chose Epson
LQ-860. In "Keychart 2000" I chose Epson LQ-2550. In Windows
I chose the 2550 also, but made sure I selected COLOR with
the Options button in the Print Setup dialog box. So far,
the only program that I own which lists the 2123 is "Print
Shop Deluxe."

Keep the graphics on your menu. I like it! I find the old
version with read-it, run-it, print-it very boring. Just
keep doing what you're doing. It's fine. I even find good
things in things I don't like. For example, the Print Shop
images seem kind of lame now that I have Print Shop Deluxe,
but I saved the PSVIEW.EXE from ODM to view the ones I have.
It has a very interesting graphics interface.

On the .BMP format Backdroppers (Windows wallpaper)--good
work. I especially like the boxes one. I've made a few of my
own. I've found a square BMP works best--32 x 32 or 96 x 96
pixels.

Also, thanks for some old programs I got from my dad when
you were Big Blue Disk--UltPrint and Check Tracker--the
reason I started subscribing in the first place. Very simple
programs that do just what I want and no more. Especially
Check Tracker. My dad has "Quicken," but it does a lot of
junk I don't need. It's more complicated than I want to deal
with. That's all for now.

                                  Chip Schmidt
                                  Mission Viejo, CA

                        *    *    *

I wish the Catacomb creator would do another Catacomb like
the first one--NON 3-D. I loved the original but have never
liked the 3-D ones.

                                  Elizabeth Garrigues
                                  Wilmington, DE

                        *    *    *

Thank you for the fine job you are doing. It is not as easy
to produce ODM as people think. It takes a lot of hard work
to produce each issue.

As for the cost, I think they better look around. You can't
buy the kind of programming you find on ODM for the same
money anywhere. ODM programs are in the same ball park as
shareware. The good part is you do not need to pay a
registration fee. Now for the bad part. Your documentation
is often poor. I would like to see friendlier instructions.

I am a Windows user and I load my monthly issues in Windows.
Inside the window for ODM, each issue has its own icon. I
have had no problems running the programs from Windows
(MS-DOS seems to have solved this problem). I have a 386SX
25MHz, both floppies, a 130MB hard drive, SVGA monitor,
Windows 3.1 and 4MB of RAM.

I would like to see a version (monthly disk) for Windows
only. If you do, I will buy both. Unlike most people, I
think Windows and DOS are the best of both worlds.

ODM is to me a monthly magazine on a floppy with free
programs. I find it humorous, and I like the format in which
it is delivered. I really don't use the programs much, but
you can never tell when one of them might come in handy.
When it does, it might be worth a year's subscription.

For those out there who complain about the price, I have
programs that range in price from $.50 freeware to $795.
"Auto Cad" costs over $3,700. Ouch! The average cost of a
usable program is from $15 to $50. Keep up the good work
ODM.

                                  Delavan Lantis
                                  Casper, WY

                        *    *    *

Please advise your subscription department that I will
desire to renew my subscription as soon as a VGA version
becomes available. Your present graphics are good displaying
EGA, but I can imagine how much better they will be
displayed full VGA standard.

I'm a retired senior citizen on fixed income and have all
the computing power I can afford. I cannot afford to upgrade
to the minimum resources and capacity necessary to run
Windows 3.1 efficiently. My 386SX/25 is already faster than
I can keep up with most of the time. I'm running GeoWorks
Pro and finally learned how to use the GeoWorks DOS Manager
to replace my shareware menu shell. GeoWorks has finally
released version 2.0 (possibly too little and too late to
effectively compete with Microsoft). I have already ordered
my upgrade. It appears to me that with your experience
supporting PC compatibles with both DOS and Windows, using a
non-Windows graphic user interface, you could quickly
rewrite some of your better applications for GeoWorks and
tap a fairly large market nobody can reach at this time.

                                  John R. Dye
                                  Olympia, WA

                        *    *    *

I received your Special Introductory issue. It is
interesting. I like the programs. PCX Viewer is great,
except missing a method to cut one picture from many on a
page. Of course, it may not be meant to provide such
capability.

One of your letters from the Mailbag requested you add a
beginner and intermediate help department. Most people could
understand computers if they spent six months learning. Of
course, most people buy computers to save time. Not everyone
is a computer addict like me. I like to help beginners
because I remember the helplessness I felt when I stared at
a black and white C:\ prompt and thought it would be hard to
program my mouse.

                                  Gary Webster
                                  Woodstock, GA

                        *    *    *

Letters used in the Mailbag may be edited and shortened for
clarity and length. Please send your letters to:

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

                        * THE END *
