                Welcome to On Disk Monthly!

On Disk Monthly has been publishing monthly software for
nearly seven years. In those early days we had another name
(Big Blue Disk) and our programs didn't utilize a lot of
graphics, but we gave our subscribers quality software at a
fraction of the typical commercial price...just like now.

Our software is in use by thousands of people on thousands
of computers world wide. In age, our subscribers range from
six-year-old elementary school students to 70-something
retirees, and their wide variety of interests are well
matched by our six categories of content (see below for
details).

Where do you fit in? Right where you are...in front of your
computer, running the latest issue of On Disk Monthly! We
not only want you to enjoy ODM, we want you to participate
in it. If you have comments, please make them. If you have
suggestions, we can't wait to hear them. And if you have
questions, we want to answer them.

That's why we've tackled some of the most common new
subscriber questions by listing them and our answers below.
If you have questions that this section (or our User Guide)
doesn't address, please call our toll free technical support
hotline at 1-800-831-2694.

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    WHAT COMPUTER SYSTEMS DOES MY ODM SOFTWARE SUPPORT?
ODM software is designed to run on any IBM PC or 100 percent
compatible that has at least 640K of RAM and CGA or better
graphics capabilities. Our software does not support
Hercules and monochrome (text only) systems.


       WHAT GRAPHICS MODES DOES ODM SOFTWARE SUPPORT?
All graphic software published by On Disk Monthly currently
includes at least two sets of graphics: one for CGA
(four-colors) and another for EGA (16-colors). When you run
an ODM program, the program's graphic detection routines
determine which set of graphics to display--choosing the
highest level that your computer will support. For example,
if you have a computer with a VGA graphics card, our
programs will display in EGA graphics mode. If your monitor
is an EGA, VGA or SVGA monitor, our software will run as
expected.

A problem can occur, however, when a computer's internal
graphics card is higher than its display ability (monitor).
For example, if our software detects a VGA card, it will
attempt to display EGA graphics--even if you've got a CGA or
monochrome monitor hooked to your computer that can't
display EGA graphics. We've built several "command line"
switches into our software to allow you to run our programs
at your highest level if you have a system like this.
Instead of just typing "GO" at the DOS prompt, type:
GO /C - to force our software to run in CGA mode
GO /M - to force our software to run in monochrome mode
GO /E - to force our software to run in EGA mode
GO /V - to force our software to run in VGA mode

NOTE: These same "switches" also are active when launching
individual programs. To run the Print Shop Viewer in CGA
mode, for example, you would type "PSVIEW /C" at the DOS
prompt. Be sure to put a space between the program name and
the "switch." For a complete list of the switches available
for any program, type the program name, followed by a space
and "/?".


    HOW DO I COPY THE ENTIRE ISSUE OR A SINGLE PROGRAM?
At the main menu (the screen with all the program icons),
use your mouse or the arrow keys/Enter to select the COPY
button at the bottom left. A copy "dialog" box will appear
on the screen. A dialog box is an overlay that requires a
response from you before it will "go away."

You must decide: 1) what drive you want to copy
to--generally "C" is your hard drive, while "A" and "B" are
your floppy drives; 2) what "path" or subdirectory you will
copy to; and 3) what to copy (the entire issue or a single
program). Use your mouse or press Tab to move between these
three sections. Click or press Enter when you've made your
choices.

NOTE: ODM will NOT allow you to copy an issue to your root
directory (C:\) (without naming a subdirectory). If you do
not specify a subdirectory, ODM will supply one (the default
directory showing when you begin this procedure) and the
items you copy will copy into that subdirectory. ODM
also will not allow you to copy to the drive you are using
to run the issue. For example, if you are running your
original disk in drive "B," you cannot copy to drive "B."
This protects your original disk from accidentally being
overwritten during its own copy process. We strongly suggest
that you copy each issue to your hard drive, then run the
copy instead of your original disk. This accomplishes two
goals: A) you'll enjoy the maximum performance of each
program; and B) you'll preserve the integrity of your
original disk, which generally has very little free space
for data entry, etc.


       WHAT TYPE OF CONTENT CAN I EXPECT EVERY MONTH?
Each issue of ODM contains programs/features that fit the
following categories:

FEATURE OF THE MONTH - Our showcase program may be a
  commercial-quality program that is jam-packed with
  features...or a task-specific program that we think is
  really useful.
ARTWARE - ODM's ArtWare alternates between .PCX format clip
  art and Print Shop images. If you don't like Print Shop or
  don't own one of the Print Shop programs by Broderbund,
  don't worry...you'll get great .PCX graphics on every
  other issue. .PCX graphics are compatible with most paint
  programs, many word processors and most desktop publishing
  programs.
CUSTOMWARE - One of our favorite categories, this one will
  give you cool "stuff" that will customize your computer.
  Shouldn't it do what you need and want it to do?
GAMEWARE - You'll receive an exciting new game on every
  issue. ODM games range from strategy games to card games
  and even to arcade-style games.
HOMEWARE - This category gives you programs that you can use
  at home on your home computer. Sometimes these programs
  will work equally well in an office setting.
OFFICEWARE - Many of you also use your home computer for
  business...or use ODM programs on your office computer.
  Whatever your work habits, OfficeWare will provide you
  with some programs that will be "at home" in either
  setting.
SPECIAL - Some issues may also contain special programs,
  program updates or demos that don't fit in any of the
  categories listed above.

Every issue contains the following DEPARTMENTS: Behind the
Scenes (who we are), Contents (printable program
descriptions for your files), Editor's Corner (our picks and
more), Marketplace (special deals for you), New Subscriber
Welcome (this text), Report Card (you rate each issue), User
Guide (how to use our menu), and our Warranty & Liability
message (what's what). NOTE: You may print any department
by pressing F5 while viewing the text on screen.

A separate button, labeled "Just for Fun," is a monthly
section that contains a Monthly Chuckle (cartoon), and at
least one of our word puzzles (Super Crossword, Word Finder
or Word-Up!) as disk space permits.


            WHERE ARE THE PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS?
The instructions to any program are available from within
the program. Simply press F1 once you've successfully launched
the program. Then follow the on-screen directions for
printing the Help text. Some of the more complex programs
will include installation and step-by-step instructions to
make using the program as easy as possible.


           WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?
Pick up the phone and call our technical support department
toll free at 1-800-831-2694 as soon as possible. We'll guide
you through the problem over the phone. If that's not
possible, we'll investigate the problem, find an answer and
call you back. We're committed to providing good service to
important folks like you!

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