Sarasota PC Monitor

Review Chairmans Industry Comments (03/02)

Reviewing Software

by Herb Goldstein, Review Editor

E-mail comments, suggestions, etc. to Herb Goldstein at: revieweditor@spcug.org

TIRED EYES? Are you two inches away from your monitor trying to read icons and Windows text? One thing that might help is increasing the Windows font size for windows and icons. To do this, right-click your desktop and select properties. Select the Settings tab, and click the advanced button. From the drop-down menu, select Large Icons and click apply. You may be prompted to restart your computer.

GET MEMORY NOW! There's no better way to pep up your computer than adding additional memory. Windows users should have nothing less that 128MB. I recommend 256MB. Memory prices are currently the lowest they have ever been due to an oversupply occasioned by depressed computer sales. That situation is not going to last long and may have very well terminated by the time you read this. As computer sales pick up and memory producers slow down (something that has already started), memory prices will climb. In fact, by the time you read this, you may have already missed the boat.

Adding RAM makes your PC work better because it makes data instantly available. If you start a task and your PC has insufficient unused RAM to handle the job, Windows copies a dormant task to a swap file on your hard drive, freeing RAM for the new task. Switch to a swapped-out task, and Windows makes it trade places with some other dormant task, causing a significant performance hit.

For the lowest prices I've seen, go to crucial.com, the biggest mail order memory suppliers. Local retailers have some excellent bargains as well. Don't hesitate. Now is the time! In fact, it may already be too late.

XP USERS should download Microsoft's free PowerToys for Windows XP. It contains a dozen cool utilities, including the Power Calculator, Webcam Timershot, and Virtual Desktop Manager. There's a copy for you at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,18220,tk,sbx,00.asp

NEWER IS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER. The latest release of a program is frequently not as good as what it replaces, and that seems to be happening more than ever of late. Take Internet Explorer 6 as a case in point. I have received numerous complaints of late from members who have switched and are beset with problems they are unable to solve. Unfortunately, they are seeking advice from the wrong source. I don't use IE6, and for several good reasons. Firstly, I am entirely content with IE5.5, so what is the advantage of trying to fix something that "ain't broke?" Secondly, I read the reviews thoroughly before I leap and have found none of which that claim a significant advantage of IE6 over 5.5. Last, but far from least, I use cookie crushing software, none of which will work with IE6. Yes, IE 6 has a feature that will tackle cookies, but it is tepid, weak, and far from a match for available cookie elimination shareware.

According to Cnet, numerous bugs and problems have been reported in IE 6. If you want more info, go to http://www.cnet.com/software/0-3227883-8-8580844-1.html http://www.cnet.com/software/0-3227883-8-8580844-1.html.

144 MILLION GB, ANYONE? Current humongous hard drives have reached a 160 GB size. These monsters are currently featured by several hard drive manufacturers and cost between $300-350. Big as it seems, that's only a drop in the bucket compared to what's coming. New technology will increase drive speeds by 50% and capacities of 400 GB some time next year. Not long after, a new 48 bit addressing system will change the equation drastically, allowing drive capacities of up to 144 petabytes...That's 144 million GB!

THE KING IS STILL THE KING! As far as I am concerned, PC-Cillin has always been the leading anti-virus product. Recently, more than one member has arrived at the same conclusion by virtue of their own experience. As a case in point, a member using Norton Antivirus recently could not boot his machine because of 2 viruses he had contracted. Norton identified them but would not remove them. McAfee did the same. PC-Cillin identified and promptly cleaned both viruses and brought our member back in business in no time flat. Results count!

Trend Micro is providing an urgent reminder to transition your product(s) from pattern files that number in the 900s ("900 series pattern files") to those now numbering in the 200s ("new pattern file series"). Trend Micro products that are still using 900 series pattern files for virus protection are not capable of deploying the latest virus protection updates from Trend Micro. It is imperative that you update your Trend Micro products now. Remaining 900 series pattern files 995 to 999 are available from technical support by special request only in case of virus alerts and can no longer be downloaded from Trend Micro's Website.

If you have already transitioned to the new pattern file series, please ignore this reminder. If not, you need to update to the new pattern file series immediately in order to ensure the most effective operation of your Trend Micro product(s). Please visit Trend Micro's Website for vital information on how to update your Trend Micro products now: http://solutionbank.antivirus.com/solutions/scanengine55.asp. At this site you will find step-by-step instructions for upgrading your particular Trend Micro product. If you need additional help, contact information for Trend Micro's technical support is also available at this URL.

ASSIGN DRIVE LETTERS. Are you running into problems when you try to change the letter of one of your drives, or install a new one? Letter Assigner remembers drives by their serial numbers or by the labels, thus providing protection against letter changes after repartitioning or connecting new drives. It also prevents problems that may occur when Windows' directory is located on a drive other than C, and the drive changes its letter. Letter Assigner also allows you to easily view and change device properties for each drive. It provides a direct way to invoke these properties by simply double-clicking on the drive letter-instead of going to the Control Panel/System/Device Manager and searching for the drive among all the system devices. Version: 1.1.2 Price: Free Download Letter Assigner now at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,15520,tk,hsx,00.asp

MPOWER There are many programs that don't let go of the RAM that they use when you're running them, eventually depleting your system's memory resources. MPower cleans and defragments your system's RAM, giving more stability to your PC. It also monitors the performance of hardware components like CPU speed, CPU load, and hard disk read/write speed. CPU load and memory status can be displayed on the active window title bar or on a tray icon. Version: 1.1 Price: Free Download MPower now at mindbeat.com SPYBLOCKER 4.75. Surfing the Web is no longer the free-and-easy experience that it used to be back in the earlier days. Now you have to be wary of pop-up windows, ad banners, invisible tracking bugs, cookies, and other privacy-robbing nuisances that could pose a potential threat to your online security. SpyBlocker effectively monitors this type of Web activity and allows users to control or block the ads and tracking systems, plus it removes ads from most ad-supported software. It's free and works in all versions of Windows http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-3356727-108-75483.html.

AUDIOCRUSHER MP3s are all the rage now-but how long will that continue? AudioCrusher lets you encode your CDs into any major format, including MP3, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, and WMA. This free CD ripper can retrieve artist and title information from the Internet. It can, of course, also play your CDs and audio files. You can also select the bit rate and a channel mode (stereo, mono, and so on). Note that the only encoding formats built into the software are RAW audio, WAV, and WMA. To encode your music in MP3 and other formats, you'll have to download and install the encoding engines, some of which are available at the vendor's Website. Version: 1.2 Price: Free Download AudioCrusher now at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,16900,tk,hsx,00.asp

GET COMPUTER SMART. Is something puzzling you about your computer, hardware or software? Here are 3 great reference sites that will give you an easy education on the computer topic, problem or procedure of your choice. Put them among your favorites. They will answer lots of curiosity, problems or questions for you.

  1. pcguide.com
  2. karbosguide.com
  3. http://www.mkdata.dk/click/index.htm

SICK OF SPAM? Try SPAMWEASEL. This junkmail-busting freeware utility will K.O. spam according to both objective and personal criteria, deleting or archiving it while placing an optional warning notice on any suspected spam mail it allows through to your mailbox.

When suspect spam mail is marked for rejection, you can delete it at the ISP even before it reaches your mailbox.

Alternatively, Archive Viewing allows you to collect and divert unwanted mail away from your active mailbox and action or delete it at leisure.

The program arrives preconfigured, collects mail from multiple POP accounts, uses powerful and flexible rules to identify spam and permits a range of user-defined actions including passing, blocking, labelling, deleting, archiving, viewing, sorting and re-delivery, and works with any client.

Features: Easy to install, Powerful rules, Highly configurable, Archive viewing Mail management, Free of charge. You can get it at http://www.mailgate.com/products/spamweas/sw_feat.asp

AARP MEMBERS are entitled to a 10% discount on AOL. Be aware that we are not advocating AOL, just the discount. You will need to send an e-mail to aarp1@aol.com giving your name and AOL screen name, AARP membership number, and a request for the AARP member rate on the AOL standard unlimited plan. Your bill will go from $23.90 a month to $21.51 and takes 4-6 weeks to process. For further info, call (800) 466-2255.

MICROSOFT LAUNCHES MAPPING SERVICE. The venerable mapquest.com, computerdom's favorite service that creates maps and directions that take you from here to there has new competition. Microsoft has recently launched its new mapping service at mappoint.msn.com. According to PCWorld, one unusual MSN MapPoint feature is a phone-based direction service. Dial 1-800-555-TELL, tell the automated voice-recognition service where you are and where you want to go, and it will read back to you the same directions you'd get from the Web service.

Microsoft is touting the XML-based service's speed and user-friendly interface, but admits it does not yet have everything you get from MapQuest maps. Specifically, at launch you don't see the route marked when you generate a map showing directions between two points: Only the start and finish points are marked.

WHO KNEW WINDOWS COULD DO THAT Transform your operating system with this dazzling array of secret shortcuts, speed tricks, and special settings: pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,52643,tk,cxba,00.asp

DON'T SHARE COOKIES WITH STRANGERS Want to keep thieves out of your PC's cookie jar? Grab fixes for the latest flaws in Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player: pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,73828,tk,cxba,00.asp

MPOWER There are many programs that don't let go of the RAM that they use when you're running them, eventually depleting your system's memory resources. MPower cleans and defragments your system's RAM, giving more stability to your PC. It also monitors the performance of hardware components like CPU speed, CPU load, and hard disk read/write speed. CPU load and memory status may be displayed on the active window title bar or on a tray icon. It's free at mindbeat.com

Microsoft has recently launched its new mapping service

EASY SPEEDUP FOR YOUR DRIVES. Are you interested in some faster performance without spending one dime? There's a good chance you can speed up your hard drives, CDs, CDRs and DVDs-for free-with Windows' almost-hidden DMA setting. Doing so can make your drives as much as 15 percent faster, and reduce the load on your CPU by as much as 40 percent. But despite this easy-to-obtain speed benefit, some new systems still ship with the older, slower, non-DMA disk and CD/CDR/DVD access enabled; and many readers who could manually enable DMA access haven't done so. Here's the scoop with DMA, including how to see if it's working on your system; and if not, what to do about it!

DMA is "direct memory access" (sometimes also called "bus mastering"); a way a part of your computer to bypass the CPU and take a short cut through the system that can significantly speed operations. In Windows, you can see your drives' current DMA settings by right-clicking on My Computer, then Properties, then Device Manager. Next, click on Disk Drives, then on your hard drive(s) - you may see a nonspecific name such as "Generic IDE Disk Type 01"-then on Properties, and then click on the Settings Tab. See if the DMA box is checked.

Next, follow the same steps for the CD-ROM(s) listed in your Device Manager. Even if you have a system of reasonably recent vintage, there's an excellent chance you'll see an *UN*checked DMA option in the dialog box in one or both places. That's because non-DMA drive operations avoid possible compatibility issues. By choosing slower, more-conservative settings, system vendors can save themselves some support calls.

FRESH DIAGNOSE. Check out this free utility at http://www.freshdevices.com/freshdiag.html. Fresh Diagnose analyzes and benchmarks the system, evaluates CPU and hard drive performance, provides video system and mainboard information, and does other useful chores as well.

SEND TO If you have several folders into which you frequently save files, you can save some time by adding these folders to your "Send To" list. Here's how this works: Within explorer, find and open the Folder called "Send To" located in the Windows directory. Open a second Explorer window, and find the folder to which you frequently copy data.

Right-click and drag this folder to the Send To folder and create a shortcut. Close the Send To Explorer Window. Find and right-click a file that you want to copy to the folder you just moved to "Send To." Open the Send To menu, and you should see your folder in the list. Select this folder and your file will automatically be moved to this location.

PUT QUICKEN DATA WHERE IT BELONGS. Most of us like to put the data files we create in any program into a data directory or subdirectory separate from the program itself. This greatly simplifies backups and organizes the data in a more intelligent manner. By default, quicken insists on placing your data files where it wants, usually in the program folder itself. You can easily force Quicken to place your data where you want. Just go into Windows Explorer, find the data file (qdata.qdf) in your Quicken directory or one of its subdirectories, and drag it to the new location of your choice. After moving it, double-click on it in your new location. It will open in Quicken and thenceforth be saved in that new location.

EASYOFFICE. Save money with this free suite of office tools. EasyOffice includes word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications.

EasyWord is compatible with Microsoft Word .doc, Adobe PDF, HTML, and .zip files; and it includes English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Swedish, medical, and legal dictionaries. EasySpreadsheet is compatible with Microsoft Excel, and lets you e-mail spreadsheets with one click. Both of these applications include a feature that reads your text to help you catch mistakes. EasyOffice also includes EasyPresentation, which lets you create slide presentations, and its EasyContactManager helps you produce customized form letters and track appointment dates. EasyContactManager's lists can be exported in Excel format.

Price: Free Download EasyOffice now at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,17720,tk,hsx,00.asp

A GREAT DOWNLOAD MANAGER! Speedup your downloads, resume broken downloads, download scheduling, and more. All this and it's free too! Get it at http://www.speedbit.com.

FILE SPLITTER. Use this freeware to copy and move large files onto floppy disks. It will split a large file into consecutive pieces, each of which will fit on a floppy disk. Get it at pcworld.com.

FREE SECURITY APPS. Here are some free apps that will help you maintain privacy on your computer,

1. SECUREIT PRO Let's face it: We're all curious. If we're left alone in a room with a computer, most of us will want to poke around and see what's on it. The free SecureIt Pro will protect you from this pernicious, if understandable, curiosity. This application locks your computer when you're not there, preventing anyone else from accessing your desktop. You can set multiple passwords so that more than one user can unlock a computer, and even use a floppy disk as a "key" to lock and unlock SecureIt Pro. Keys and key combinations can be disabled, such as Ctrl-Alt-Delete, Alt-Tab, the Windows key, and the Ctrl-Esc key combination. SecureIt Pro can also detect cold boots and log incorrect password attempts. Download SecureIt Pro now at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,17380,tk,hsx,00.asp

2. ABI-CODER In a perfect world, you can trust people to stay out of your business (and your files). But since we live in the real world, you'll want to check out ABI-Coder, a free file encryption program that allows you to encrypt files and folders with 448-bit Blowfish and 168-bit 3DES encryption algorithms. It also allows you to create self-decrypting files, so you can send or transfer encrypted files to people that do not have ABI-Coder software installed on their computers. It even changes the icons of encrypted files, allowing you to easily see which files are secured.

Price: Free Download ABI-Coder now at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,16980,tk,hsx,00.asp

3. LLOYD'S FILE PRIVACY. Encrypt and decrypt files and folders using this free password protected program.

LFP gives you privacy for any and all files or folders that you select on your computer. Probably there are some files in your computer that you don't want others to see, such as business records, personal letters, mailing lists, pictures, etc. This may be especially true if your computer should be stolen. The files are encrypted such that only you can decrypt them, and both processes are very easy and lightning fast. Everything, including a tutorial, is included in the download. If you install this program, then decide you don't want it, follow the simple uninstall procedure given. Get it at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,16980,tk,hsx,00.asp

4. SURE DELETE. Here's a freebie that will absolutely, positively wipe every trace of a file, directory, or drive of your choice so that it is unrecoverable by any means and gone forever. It's easy to use and does a super job. Get it at http://www.wizard-industries.com/software.html http://www.wizard-industries.com/software.html

PowerDesk Utilities is perhaps the most powerful free utility you can find anywhere.

FREE UTILITIES. These downloads will make your life at the keyboard much easier and more productive than before. They'll tweak your system, fix bugs before they get you, and replace Windows's pitiful file manager.

  1. POWERDESK UTILITIES is perhaps the most powerful free utility you can find anywhere. It acts as an amazingly useful file manager, and includes a great built-in compression tool, too. This new, free version of PowerDesk includes the full-featured PowerDesk File Manager. You get single- or dual-pane file management windows, a file finder, zip and unzip capabilities, plus many new enhancements. If you have QuickView or QuickView Plus, you can view many types of files, too (QuickView comes free with Windows 95, 98, and NT). The viewer pane can be positioned at the right, bottom, or floating. If, after trying PowerDesk, you want even more utilities, you can buy PowerDesk 4 Pro for $19.95 from www.ontrack.com.
  2. XTEQ X-SETUP lets you customize Windows by giving you control over countless system settings, including many that are buried deep in the operating system. With it, you can change the appearance and behavior of Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows, Microsoft Office, and even tweak the performance of your video card. Zdnet.com/downloads
  3. BIGFIX gathers information about the latest bugs, viruses, and security alerts from the Internet, then checks your system to see if it's been infected. If it has been, BigFix alerts you, and then fixes the problem if you tell it to. zdnet.com/downloads

FREE DIGITAL PHOTO ENHANCERS. Got a ton of pictures lying around on your PC that you want to spruce up, but don't want to spend big bucks (or any bucks at all) for the privilege of fixing them? Here are some excellent free apps that will do the job. Look for them at zdnet.com/downloads

  1. IRFANVIEW is one of the most popular downloads of all time on ZDNet, and my personal favorite with good reason. It views graphics in all major formats (and many minor ones). It also lets you edit graphics, directly grab images from scanners and digital cameras, do batch conversions, create slide shows, and a whole lot more.
  2. ABRACADABRA combines an image viewer with a text editor. It views many major graphics formats and lets you zoom in and zoom out. Plus, it includes an HTML viewer, and doubles as a file launcher.
  3. DIGITAL CAMERA ENHANCE is a great, simple tool for improving and editing digital photos. It adjusts color balance, gets rid of the dreaded red-eye effect, removes extraneous visual noise, and more.

Help Kids Learn Math Online

Here are some excellent sites that will help take the mystery and pain out of math for kids from 1st grade through high school. Do your favorite kids a favor and introduce them to these sites that make learning math fun.

BRAIN BUILDER-MATH. The author claims that this game includes more than 500 million puzzles (go ahead, prove him wrong) that build skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The game includes three levels of stomach-churning math problems: basic, intermediate, and advanced. It costs $15, but you can try it out for free. Download it here: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,7504,tk,sbx,00.asp If you want more algebra, fractions (no, no please, no), or percentages, visit the company's Website at: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/softwar1.html.

MATH ASSAULT II. Are your kids fourth- to ninth-grade students? They'll probably enjoy Math Assault II, a free DOS-based learning program that uses word problems to help students learn math. With about 500 problems, it eases their way through decimals, fractions, ratios, and anxiety-causing percentages and proportions. Try it on for size: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,2350,tk,sbx,00.asp.

WELCOME TO ALGEBRA ONLINE Haven't had enough math? Welcome to Algebra Online is a pretty incredible site. For instance, type an algebraic formula you're having trouble with and the site simplifies it for you. There's also help with calculus, equations, and matrices, all words that send shivers down most spines http://www.algebra-online.com.

GOMATH. This must be the premier spot for online tutorials. It's a stunning site that covers geometry, physics, and SAT math. It even provides free online math help for K-12 http://gomath.com.

QUIA. Vying with GoMath for the tutorial championship is Quia, another stunning site. This site offers 20 categories of math problems using Java games to keep the kids interested (and probably you as well). BTW, Quia is short for Quintessential Instructional Archive http://www.quia.com/dir/math/.

QUICKMATH. Here's where to go to get answers for math problems in algebra, graphs, and other mathematical equations http://www.quickmath.com

A+ MATH. Are you (or your kids) struggling with basic math, geometry, and fractions? Try A+ Math. It's ideal if you're still using your fingers to figure out addition and subtraction http://www.aplusmath.com/.

More Good Stuff for the Kids in Your Life

Youngsters need to develop motor skills-for instance, hand and eye coordination. Others need to make sense of spatial relationships. Here are some good games selected by PC World's respected Steve Bass that can enhance a child's skills in both areas. Unless otherwise indicated, all of these games are available for a free trial period, and can be purchased if you find them useful:

ANIMATED PUZZLES games can boost a youngster's ability to think spatially. It supplies more than 50 jigsaw puzzles, and each can be scrambled into 12, 24, 48, or 96 pieces. When the puzzle's completed, the player is rewarded with a 3D animation. The game costs $15, and a free trial can be downloaded from: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,7381,tk,sbx,00.asp

SEAN'S MAGIC SLATE. This spatial development coloring game for 3-to-7-year-olds relies on moving, sizing, deleting, and reflecting objects on ready-to-color or randomly colored backgrounds. It's free and available at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,4587,tk,sbx,00.asp

ANIMATED COLORING. For $15 this game provides the chance to play around with animation and, for the younger set, differentiate among 1000 colors. Once the picture is colored in, a click animates it, bringing it to life with sounds and motion. Check it out

the free trial at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,8022,tk,sbx,00.asp

MOJOWORLD is a 3D terrain generating program that, whether you're an adult or computer literate teenager, will knock your socks off. The free Transporter lets you explore, modify, and fiddle with digitally rendered planets. If you spend a while (easily half the day), you can begin modifying the planet's characteristics and create your own movies of it. This, folks, is a time killer par excellence. Be warned: The software is an 8MB download and you need a PC with a 600-MHz processor, a 16MB 3D graphics board, and 200MB free on your hard drive. Get the Transporter at: http://www.pandromeda.com/page/create/downloadtransporter.html.

Once you've got the Transporter, download SinewWorld, a neat-o planet, here: http://www.fractalworlds.com/downloads/worlds/SinewWorld_mix.zip

DINO TILES. This matching game helps enhance pattern recognition and memory in 5- to 9-year-olds. The player is shown a series of digital dinosaurs, each accompanied by sounds and music. The goal is to click on the tiles that match. Free to try, $10 to keep, and available at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,2349,tk,sbx,00.asp

Youngsters need to develop motor skills

FINDERS KEEPERS. In Finders Keepers, a $4 program (really!), the player flips cards over one at a time. If the picture matches, the program responds with a happy child's voice; otherwise the player is encouraged to try again. Check it out at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,3603,tk,sbx,00.asp

ANIMATED BEGINNING PHONICS. This is a nifty program for youngsters in kindergarten, first, or second grade. For $22, Phonics shows them the difference between beginning and ending sounds, middle short vowel sounds, and upper- and lowercase letters-something many adult email writers have trouble grasping. Children get help figuring out words and letters with sound and more than 200 3D pictures. Download a free trial here: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,8335,tk,sbx,00.asp. Once you've tried Animated Beginning Phonics, visit the company's Website for more learning tools: http://www.flixprod.com/software.html

ASTRO-MANIA. This game helps you explain the planets, stars, and universe to kids without embarrassing yourself. It costs $15 to use it through infinity or forever, whichever comes first. Download a free trial version from: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,7673,tk,sbx,00.asp

ALLY 2: BEN FRANKLIN ADVENTURE. Besides flying a kite during a storm, what else was Ben Franklin famous for? (Nope, not just for being on the back of old half-dollars.) Ally 2: Ben Franklin Adventure is a card game that lets you learn about Ben's time period and his 13 virtues. Correct answers earn points and an opportunity to discuss Ben Franklin with the kiddies. The shareware version has five levels; once you register, you can view all 55 levels, including chats with other historical characters. Free to try, $20 to keep, and available at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,8347,tk,sbx,00.asp To give yourself an edge, check out Ben Franklin Facts before you play the game: http://www.franklinbusybody.com/facts.htm. SHAKESPEARE TRIVIA If the kids are in high school, there's a good chance they're reading Shakespeare (or at least trying to). You might be able to help cajole them into paying more attention with the Shakespeare Trivia game. The author's taken 37 plays, 1200 characters (not the ASCII kind), 400 scenes, and 500 quotations, and created questions to see how much you know. Free to try, $20 to keep, and available at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,4588,tk,sbx,00.asp

MUSIC AND SPELLING A MUSICAL TUTORIAL. Take the youngsters on a musical tour and maybe help them grasp the fundamentals of treble, bass, and chords. The Musical Tutorial, a $20 program, lets you and your musical progeny learn how to count time and play scales, while getting hints along the way. You can also print chords and scales, and listen to a Beethoven classic. Get it from: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,3001,tk,sbx,00.asp

ANIMATED SPELLING . For $20, Animated Spelling lets children hear a word and try to match it up with a word on screen. A second game helps kids learn how to spell the words. The program has more than 700 words, with almost 70 animations that reward correct answers. Download a free evaluation copy from: http://www.flixprod.com/spelling. html :

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Copyright 2002. This article is from the March 2002 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/

The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. has 1,300+ members and was established in 1982. We are members of the Assoc. of PC User Groups (APCUG), the Florida Assoc. of PC Users Groups, Inc., and we are members of the America Online Ambassador Program.

See http://www.spcug.org for all reviews from the Sarasota PC Monitor, go to the Newsletter Section.