        *    *    *    M A I L B A G    *    *    *
                    On Disk Monthly #82

                          ASK ODM
                          -------

Dear ODM:     I have been a subscriber since issue #72 and am 
very happy with your product.  I have recently become 
interested in programming and would like to see some 
programming tools and tutorials on future disks.  I currently 
only program in GWBasic, which will do anything you want but 
it's slow.  I would like to learn other programming languages 
and was hoping to see some tutorials.     

I have been having one problem with ODM.  It won't allow me to 
copy your programs onto a floppy disk.  Most of the time I can 
make a RAMDISK and copy onto that, and then copy to my floppy, 
but in some cases, like issue #78, BUDGETEER won't allow me to 
even do that.  I don't have a hard drive and I would prefer to 
be able to copy my favorite programs onto my floppies so I 
won't have to go through the ODM menu each time I want to 
access a program.     

I was also wondering if you had any plans to get into programs 
for modems.  You ask on the report cards about modem type 
but so far I have not seen any type of communication program 
and I didn't see any in the back issues.  I hope to see some 
in the future.     

Finally, my wife really enjoyed the Tetris type games like 
circuitry and would like more of that type of game, as well 
as some card games.

                             Kevin Woyach

                        *    *    *

Dear Kevin:
Thank you for your letter.  Hmm... How to respond...  Well, 
let's start with your first comments about programming.  

Here at ODM we used to have a section reserved for 
programmers, but it was costing us too many subscribers.  Many 
people are so intimidated by technical things that putting a 
single programming utility on the disk was threatening to 
them.  We decided that we would discontinue publishing pure 
programming utilities and I intend to stick by that decision.  
You also mention that you don't have a hard drive.  I don't 
want to be too discouraging, but I could not imagine 
programming without a hard drive.  I heartily recommend that 
you purchase one if you are serious about programming.  I also 
recommend looking into taking classes at a local university, 
particularly in Pascal or C. 

As for your problem copying files from ODM to another floppy,  
this would be difficult if you had only one floppy drive, but 
should not be a problem if you have more than one.  Either 
way, you can always use the DOS copy command to copy any files 
from any disk to any other.  To be honest with you, the copy 
feature of ODM is designed to copy files to a hard drive, not 
to floppies, which is probably why you are experiencing 
difficulty. 

                             Sean Golden - ODM Product Manager

                        *    *    *

To:  Tim Choate, President

Dear Sir:
I appreciated your P.S. that you would like to know why I did 
not renew my subscription.  I liked the programs I received 
from Softdisk and how they were packaged.  I believe you are 
doing a fine job.  However, I have an older PC with an 8088 
processor and no VGA.  For that reason I cannot take full 
advantage of your offerings.  I plan to resubscribe after I 
purchase a new PC.  I would not recommend that you change your 
offerings to accommodate people with obsolete PCs like me. 

                             Sincerely,
                             Peter Hofmann

                        *    *    *

Dear Peter:
I'll answer this for Mr. Choate.  I appreciate both the tone 
and the content of your letter.  I am glad you have enjoyed 
your subscription.  You will be happy to know that Softdisk 
Publishing does not intend to let 'obsolete' computers like 
yours be stranded as we move to VGA and high density drives.  
We are planning to release a CGA version of ODM at the same 
time that we move to VGA, so you will be able to enjoy games, 
productivity programs, puzzles and other content that you have 
become accustomed to, all designed to run on CGA systems.  I 
think you'll be pleased. 

                             Sean Golden - ODM Product Manager

                        *    *    *

To: Ronda Faries

Dear Ronda:
I've been a subscriber for almost a year, and the only reason 
I still am is the occasional gem you publish.  Change 
Directory + (#75) was immediately moved into my DOS directory, 
as was Edit Meister (#72).  Other than those two the rest of 
the pickings are quite slim.  Print Shop Utilities (#71) was 
useless until I got Print Shop recently so I was glad to have 
the extra graphics around and look forward to more.  A few 
programs could be more helpful with a little added 
flexibility.  

Jacket II should sort and print the files by subdirectory, not 
intermingled.  

Personal Calc 2 should have macro capability, which would make 
my Quattro files compatible.  

CDIR should have a sort capability.  

Edit Meister should be able to load more than *.txt files from 
the command prompt.  

Swiftview has to have the colors changed every time.  It also 
should give file size/remaining to read.  

DOS Manager should be able to access a .PCX viewer program to 
display .PCX files.

Problem Programs:

Personal Calc 2.0, after I received the 'fixed' disk, still 
doesn't work correctly.  Now it ignores the 2,4,6,8 keys on 
the keypad instead of inserting garbage like it did 
before.

Form Fill still doesn't work with the .FF file report cards.  
After the first value is entered, the alignment gets messed 
up.

Ideas:

In mailbag #78 you wanted feedback on a 'starter disk.'  
Several things can be tried. 

1. Install on hard drive a menu program, PSutil, PCX Viewer, 
Word Up, and any other recurring sections.  These programs 
average better than 200K a month now.  The monthly disk could 
include a data file for the menu, plus the programs of the 
month.  The menu program could be configurable as to the 
location of the needed programs.

2. Load the starter disk into a directory with a small program 
to call up the monthly disk, passing parameters as to the 
location of Wordup, PSView, etc.

3. Modify the menu to ask for the location of needed programs 
as they are invoked.

4. Compressing text files into a single package can't 
hurt.

Programs needed include a self loading, password and virus 
protection menu that can use the icons in your menu and/or 
Windows.  Another is a utility that will run a program once a 
month or week when I boot up.  To run CDP /scan weekly is the 
intent.  I also would like something to  read and edit the 
cardfiles in Windows 3.0.  If I can find one, I can dump 
windows completely and gain mega disk space back.

                             Hopefully you can help. 
                             Ken Kupsky

                        *    *    *

Dear Ken:
Whew!  Hold it, let me catch my breath.  

Okay, let's go.

I hope you don't mind if I don't share your view as to the 
enormous futility of our program selection, development and 
publication.  I have only been with On Disk Monthly since 
issue #76, but I think we have published more than a few 
'gems' since then, including Budgeteer, Knight Life Chess, 
Cribbage, Where Am I, Tiles of the Nile, and much more.  From 
the report cards I have read, most of our subscribers seem to 
appreciate our efforts a little more than you, but more on 
that later.

Your comments on adding flexibility to some of our published 
programs are well noted, if somewhat ambitious.  Adding macro 
capability to Personal Calc 2.0 may be a desirable thing, but 
I am overwhelmed by the power that Personal Calc 2.0 already 
has, especially considering the remarkably low cost.  I'm not 
sure it is fair to compare Personal Calc 2.0 (at about $1.00) 
and Quattro (at about $450.00) but I'm used to it.  I'll pass 
your suggestions along nonetheless.  

Edit Meister HAS the capability you asked for.  If you are 
confused about how to use it, call our Technical support line 
(1-800-831-2694) and they'll walk you through it.  

DOS Manager does indeed have the capability to launch a .PCX 
Viewer, or any other program.  

The problem you noted with Form Fill is actually a mistake in 
the report card .FF file.  That has since been corrected; Form 
Fill itself is not the problem.  

You are the first (and so far only) person who has reported 
further problems with Personal Calc 2.0 and the numeric 
keypad.  I'll pass your letter to the person who worked on the 
upgrade.

I appreciate your comments on the starter disk.  VERY GOOD 
suggestions, I must say.  I have passed your suggestions up 
the chain of command, and I am still working to get a starter 
disk created.  I think your desires will be satisfied if I can 
get a commitment to allow me to create one.  Wish me 
luck.

Thanks for writing.  We need more letters like yours. 

                             Sean Golden - ODM Product Manager.

                        *    *    *

Dear Ms. Faries:
Thank you for your interest in my comments upon the previous 
disk that I received, and for the Issue #78 disk that was 
included in with your note.

Unfortunately the new disk was received damaged in the mail - 
the sliding metal shutter was bent, which made it impossible 
to use.  However, I decided to try to repair the damage, and 
did so successfully, although I had to be careful in removing 
the disk from my computer as the metal shutter now is above 
the surface of the plastic case.  I enclose the disk for your 
inspection.

I read one of your correspondent's letters on the disk, and 
the comment that is made therein is one with which I fully 
agree.  The material is too simplistic for my liking.  Having 
said that, I would also say that if I could have used just one 
of the musical PCX images on its own, I might have thought 
that the disk was worthwhile for these images alone.  As it 
is, however, I can only seem to see the whole page of images, 
and cannot even print them as I get the message that my 
computer memory is not big enough.  I am wondering if I fully 
understand the help file.

As to the other programs on the disk, there is really nothing 
there that I would use:
I can do what Budgeteer will do using Lotus 123.

Super Spiro is just another screen saver, and Windows provides 
me with that.

Conflagration is just another game suitable for children. 

MemPlus can be found in DOS 6.

Memo Writer is also in many existing software programs that 
are on my hard drive,  Templates are provided in Word for 
Windows, which I am using to type this letter. 

                             Yours Sincerely,
                             Robert Conway

                        *    *    *

Mr. Conway:
As much as it bothers me to admit it, there is a 
certain type of person to whom On Disk Monthly will not 
appeal.  You seem to be exactly that type of person.  I am 
pleased to say that you are the exception, not the rule.  Your 
comments about the simplicity of ODM and your further comments 
about the software you currently own reveal several things.

1.  You don't mind paying a lot of money for computer 
software.  The programs you mentioned in your letter (Windows, 
Lotus 123, Word for Windows, DOS 6) total to several hundred 
dollars of your hard-earned cash.  Yes, you may be able to 
duplicate the functionality of On Disk Monthly for a hundred 
times the cost.  I'm not sure you came out on top.

2.  You don't like games.

3.  You purchase the 'latest and greatest' software as soon as 
it is available.

You claim that you can do what Budgeteer can in Lotus 123--I 
disagree.  Lotus 123 does not automatically convert pay 
periods or bill payment between monthly, weekly, quarterly, 
etc., which is precisely what makes budgeting so difficult to 
many people.  I can create an accurate budget quicker and 
easier in Budgeteer than you can in Lotus 123, no question 
about it.

You say that Windows offers screen savers so you have no need 
for Super Spiro.  Well I must say, that explains the enormous 
success of After Dark.  I was wondering.

You say Conflagration is only 'suitable for children.'  I 
wonder if you think ANY game is 'suitable for adults.'  I 
do.

Yes, the functionality of MemPlus is available in DOS 6, if 
you want to pay for it.  Many people won't, yet with MemPlus 
they will have, in your own words, some of the functionality 
of DOS 6.  (Okay, I admit it.  We got caught on this one.  DOS 
6 came out just as we completed development of MemPlus.  We 
decided to publish it anyway.)

I can write memos faster with Memo Writer than you can with 
Word for Windows.  Pshaw!  I can write and PRINT a memo before 
you can finish LOADING Word for Windows.  A lot of people like 
to get their memos done quickly and easily.  Word, whether for 
Windows or for DOS, is not generally considered to be the 
fastest program to learn, load or operate.

One final comment.  You could have purchased ODM #70, with PCX 
'Rangler, and you could have used Rangler to do exactly what 
you wanted with our clip art.  The text file accompanying the 
clip art stated that very clearly.  I hardly think the extra 
ten bucks kept you from using our clip art, so you might want 
to take another look at it. 

                             Sean Golden - ODM Product Manager 

                        *    *    *


                          LETTERS
                          -------


Dear Ronda:
I'm not certain whether you're the person I should be 
writing to, however, since I feel I have come to know 
you through reading the 'Editor's Corner' in past 
years, I am directing this letter to you.

I've been a subscriber of Big Blue/On Disk Monthly since issue 
#34.  After a year or so, I purchased all the back issues, 
giving me a complete collection.  While I have not found every 
program exactly to my liking, it is quite obvious that I 
thought enough of your product to continue subscribing.  After 
all, every program can't be every subscriber's cup of 
tea.

Recently, while working in Windows, I discovered a program 
whose name I didn't recognize.  In checking it out I 
inadvertently changed my security system password.  Voila, I 
was denied access to my computer the following morning.  After 
spending several hours trying to resolve the problem I gave up 
and called Softdisk.  Since your technical support staff had 
not yet arrived, I left a message briefly explaining my 
problem.  Within a couple of hours, a Jackie Bowman returned 
my call.  She understood my plight, knew exactly what to do, 
and quickly helped me resolve the problem.  This was done in a 
very efficient and professional manner and without making me 
feel markedly stupid.  Her attitude and demeanor reminded me 
of the individuals who used 'to earn' Employee of the Month 
awards when I was at the National Board of Medical Examiners.
I decided then and there that I would indeed renew my 
subscription to On Disk Monthly and hope that with such 
professional assistance, I will finally find an answer to my 
query.

                             Sincerely,
                             Paul Lee Brading
                        
                        *    *    *

To ODM Mailbag:
On ODM issue #79, Dale Burrows asked a number of questions, 
including one on how to print the cartoons in the Just or Fun 
section.  You answered that there isn't a way to print out the 
cartoons at this time and that you are working on a solution.  
I have enclosed a printed copy of the techtoons from issue #79 
and here's a solution on how to print it out if you have a 
printer that emulates an IBM ProPrinter:
1:  From the DOS Prompt:  Change DIR to DOS, CD\DOS & ENTER
2:  Type GRAPHICS /R and ENTER
3:  Start ODM as usual (At prompt type 'GO' and ENTER)
4:  Select Just for Fun
5:  After cartoon appears on screen, press the PRINT SCREEN 
key and the printer will print out the cartoon.
6:  If you have DOS 6.0, type HELP GRAPHICS for more 
information.
7:  Because you are loading the Graphics.exe 
program, you will need to re-boot the computer to run the 
chess program on the issue.

Note to Ronda Faries:
I have been receiving ODM since Issue 18 and I think you are 
doing an excellent job since Jay left, since he seemed to be 
slanting ODM for only 'state of the art' power users.  Thanks 
for keeping ODM 'something for everyone' including all 
platforms from 8086 to 80486.  Keep up the good 
work!

                             Sincerely
                             John Michaels

                        *    *    *

Dear Friends:
While the overall quality of the programs you provide us 
subscribers with is excellent, every once in a while you 
produce a gem that out-shines the rest.

The latest gem to cross my desk is 'The QuoteWright.'  It 
seems that you have anticipated a need that hasn't quite 
crystallized yet, but will be needed in the not-too-distant 
future.

This program is great.  It's easy to use and even 
easier to learn.  The interface is far superior to those you 
have employed in the past and I hope to see it in future 
programs.  Now for a program suggestion:  How about a freeform 
database to be used for researching term papers and reports?  
Fields would include Author, Book Title, Magazine Name, 
Article Title and Article Topic.  The notes field would take 
up the rest of the record with each record taking up a full 
screen.  Sorting could be done on any field with printouts 
being in that order.  Naturally it would use an interface 
similar to The QuoteWright.  I think quite a few high 
school and college students would thank you for this program.  
I've been looking for a data base like this for quite awhile 
and haven't been able to find one I can afford.  Thank you for 
another great issue.  I look forward to many years worth of 
great issues to follow.

                             With many thanks,
                             Hal Flint

                          --END--
