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       Software Shopper Online    December 1994    Vol. 5  No. 8
       "Your Shareware Source"

SOFTWARE SHOPPER Contents:

   []  Editor's Notes: Playing Through the Holidays
   []  Shareware Reviews: Five of the season's coolest games!
   []  FYI: DOSKEY Timesavers (a quick tip)
   []  Featured Selection: Our pick of what's new
   []  New Releases: New shareware programs
   []  New Versions: Updated shareware programs
   []  FormGen's Top 10: Hot sellers in shareware
   []  What Is Shareware?: A cheerful explanation of try-before-you-buy
   []  About the Catalog: A note on Software Shopper's database

Entire contents copyright 1994 by Falsoft, Inc.

PCM -- The Premier Personal Computer Magazine -- is intended for the 
private use and pleasure of its subscribers, and reproduction by any 
means is prohibited.

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Editor's Notes     \|/     by Lauren Willoughby
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                    PLAYING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

   Warm up your joysticks, game boys and girls, because the elves at the 
shareware toy factory have been working overtime to bring you a cool 
holiday extravaganza.

   Run this one by your eyeballs: picture yourself as a 90-foot robot 
duking it out against another metal monster (the computer or even a 
human opponent) in the terrific new game from Epic MegaGames -- One Must 
Fall 2097. If you like karate/combat-style arcade games, check it out! 
This is a game that'll make your typical pre-teen Nintendo-head go 
steady with the PC.

   Next!

   Imagine yourself as a tough rabbit out to save the girl AND the 
galaxy in Jazz Jackrabbit, another must-see new title from Epic 
MegaGames. (You're pink, and you've got a gun.) For frantic run-jump-
shoot action, Jazz Jackrabbit is the season's best.

   Next!

   And lo, the programmers at Copysoft bring us tidings of race joy -- 
yes! yes! A racing simulation has finally made its way to shareware -- 
Skunny Kart. (Darn, it's about time. And, darn, it's good.) Remember 
Skunny, the dashing hero squirrel? You can choose to be Skunny or one of 
his many animal pals as you take the wheel of a turbo-charged go-cart. 
Game play is fast, furious and hilarious. You'll think you're at the 
arcade. Split-screen action means you can even play against another 
human-type person.

   Next!

   Attention, Lemmings fans: no it's not a Lemmings shareware game. The 
folks at Virgin Interactive (makers of the CD-ROM game 7th Guest) have 
ventured into shareware waters with an evaluation version of their 
latest game, Cannon Fodder. It'll remind you of Lemmings, though, the 
way it looks and plays. Your job is to corral a bunch of tiny soldiers 
over a frozen landscape, killing enemy soldiers and blowing up their 
buildings. The Virgin Interactive people certainly work graphics magic 
with just a few pixels.

   I could go on and on, but then you'd have no incentive to check out 
the "New Releases" section. Trust me. Great games are afoot!


>>[ DOOM and Gloom, and a Strange Phenomenon ]<<

   I guess you've heard by now -- DOOM II is out, but not in shareware 
(sigh). The guys at id have hit the big time, and it's the commercial 
life for them. Congratulations, guys! But please don't forget us little 
people the next time around.

   Fortunately, for a shareware 3-D fix, we still have Wolfenstein 3-D, 
Ken's Labyrinth, Blake Stone and good ol' DOOM Part I: Knee-Deep in the 
Dead. Speaking of Wolfenstein and DOOM-esque 3-D games, I've discovered 
a weird phenomenon that manifests itself after a prolonged play session 
in 3-D Land: uncontrollable strafing in large, open spaces. There I was 
at the mall, booking it to Sears, when my legs began side-stepping past 
all the store entrances, darting me around corners and back again. I 
just couldn't help myself. Has this happened to anyone else?


>>[ Playing the Hits ]<<

   For quite a while now, the nice people at FormGen have been faxing us 
shareware Top 10 lists, "compiled from unit sales of evaluation disks by 
the leading disk vendors around the world." What say we type up and 
include that information here? OK, let's do it! Look for November's list 
somewhere in this section.


>>[ A Serious Note ]<<

   This game-playing has got to stop! There's more to shareware than 
games, you know! Next month, we're gonna get down to business. Yep, 
we're gonna get serious with word processors, spreadsheets, databases 
and serious stuff like that. But until then, have fun! Play games! Enjoy 
the holidays!

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

Shareware Reviews
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GAMES! GAMES! GAMES!

   <>  Jazz Jackrabbit
   <>  Laser Light
   <>  Literati Lite for Windows
   <>  One Must Fall 2097
   <>  Skunny Kart 3-D

                                 -=*=-

                       <>  JAZZ JACKRABBIT  <>
                 This Little Bunny Carries a Big Gun!

   Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. The latest arcade hero is a pink 
bunny rabbit. Don't laugh! (Well, OK, you can laugh a little. <G> Hey, 
if a hedgehog can kick butt, why can't a bunny?) This bunny is tough, 
he's fast, his name is Jazz, and he's starring in Jazz Jackrabbit from 
Epic MegaGames.

   If you're a fan of platform (run-jump-shoot) arcade games, you can't 
miss this one. And if you're making mental comparisons to Epic 
MegaGames' other platform-style arcade games -- Jill of the Jingle and 
Xargon -- stop! stop! stop! While those games are good, Jazz Jackrabbit 
is in a league of its own. Jazz Jackrabbit's animated characters are 
larger, something on the order of Sega, and the game play is faster and 
smoother (like Sega). The character somehow feels a little more solid 
through the controls.

   The scenario? 'Tis noble indeed. The evil turtle emperor, Devan 
Shell, kidnaps the beloved rabbit princess, Eva Earlong. and if that's 
not bad enough, he's also terrorizing the galaxy with his goons. And so 
it's Jazz to the rescue, shooting the bad guys, hopping among the 
levels, seeking out secret areas, and grabbing stuff for points whenever 
possible. The fate of the planet Carrotus rests in the paws (feet?) of 
one lone rabbit. You're advised to shoot everything: "If it moves, shoot 
it! (If it doesn't move, shoot it anyway!)" Bad things will be after 
you, like Turtlettes and BumblingBees -- don't let them touch you.

   Jazz Jackrabbit is fast. It's so fast, the programmers included a 
slow-motion mode for people who get dizzy playing at regular speed! The 
animation is great, the graphics are cartoon-quality-cool, the sound is 
awesome -- what can I say? This is THE arcade game of the season. Kids 
and adults both will love it. Try it! Register it -- you'll get five 
more episodes!

   To Play Jazz Jackrabbit you need a 33MHz 386 or faster CPU, 4MB of 
RAM, a hard drive and VGA. A sound card and a joystick are recommended. 
(The Gravis Gamepad is supported.)

             | Software Shopper Ordering Information  |
             | Jazz Jackrabbit  HD0064  1 Disk  $8.00 |

                                 -=*=-

                         <>  LASER LIGHT  <>
                     Cool Logic Game With Lasers

   There's something about a good creative problem-solving game that 
ignites the imagination. When you finally build a solution out of the 
pieces you're given, you're filled with a sense of accomplishment sort 
of like you've just built a house, solved a monster calculus problem, or 
written a program. I think that's the attraction of programs like Brix 
and Heartlight (two great graphical problem-solving games from Epic 
MegaGames) -- and even Tetris. They give you an abstract, graphical way, 
outside the realm of mathematics, to solve complex problems.

   We just got in a good new problem-solving logic game -- Laser Light 
-- from a company called Pixel Painters. In it the problem you must 
solve creatively is that of shooting a laser beam at a target. The laser 
and the target both appear on the screen, and the laser never points 
directly at the target. You can't move the target, and you can't adjust 
the aim of the laser. So what can you do? You're given a set of mirrors 
and other tools you can drag and drop onto the playing grid to direct 
the laser beam to the target.

   In the beginning levels, there is only one laser and only one target. 
As you advance, Laser Light will throw multiple targets at you. If the 
targets outnumber the lasers, you add splitters to your repertoire of 
skills. To make it challenging, the game allots you only so many mirrors 
and splitters per level.

   When you think you have the solution, "throw the switch" to fire the 
laser(s). If all targets are destroyed, you may proceed to the next 
level. If they aren't, it's time to retool. You'll want to solve each 
puzzle in as few tries as possible for higher scores.

   Logic Puzzlers will definitely want to add Laser Light to their 
collection. To play you need a 286 or better CPU with 640K of RAM, VGA 
and a Microsoft-compatible mouse.

             | Software Shopper Ordering Information |
             |  Laser Light   DC9407   348K   $6.00  |

                                 -=*=-

                  <>  LITERATI LITE FOR WINDOWS  <>
                       "Scrabbling" for Points

   Looking for a game that doesn't require trigger-finger reflexes? Word 
games more your style? Don't mind the computer making you feel dumb? 
(Tired of all these questions?) MVP Software has the program for you in 
Literati Lite for Windows. If you like Scrabble (TM), you'll love 
Literati Lite. Same premise, and nearly identical game play. Literati 
Lite's board is colorful and attractive.

   (For the benefit of the one or two people out there who don't know 
how to play Scrabble, it goes like this: you're given a rack of letter 
tiles, which you place on a board to form words and earn points. Each 
letter is assigned a point value, and you have opportunities to increase 
your score by having your word intersect double/triple letter/word 
squares. Got it?)

   You could round up three of your buddies to play on the computer, but 
most likely it'll just be you against the CPU. I must warn you, the 
program plays tough. You might shrink away from a rack of tiles that 
looks like this -- QXRTKZE -- but I wouldn't be surprised if the 
program's dictionary had a few entries to handle it. And I wouldn't be 
surprised if the program found a way to arrange the word to take 
advantage of triple letter and word scores. (Sigh.)

   Yes, this program will make you feel dumb. MVP Software brags that 
Literati Lite was "written by real smart people for real smart people." 
You'll need Windows 3.1 and VGA to play, along with a dash of humility.

        |       Software Shopper Ordering Information      |
        | Literati Lite for Windows  HD0059  1 Disk  $8.00 |

                                 -=*=-

                      <>  ONE MUST FALL 2097  <>
                 "One Must Play" This Combat Game

   The year is 2097. The world's governments are mere puppets to mega-
corporations, and to one corporation in particular -- World Aeronautics 
and Robotics (WAR), which has a lock on the robotics industry with the 
human-assisted robot (HAR), vital to space travel and modern military 
defense. Piloting a HAR is like inhabiting a new body, a super-powerful, 
gigantic, METAL body. Your brain "jacks in" to a supercomputer, which 
aligns the remote robot's senses to your own. Its eyes are now yours; 
its powerful muscles are yours to flex. But you're not just a thrill-
seeker, no. You're one of the few executives qualified to fill a high-
ranking WAR position on Ganymede. And the powers that be have decided 
the position will be filled by the one best able to control a HAR in 
one-on-one combat. And in every duel, of course, one must fall . . . 

   That's the scenario of One Must Fall 2097, a new game developed by 
Diversions Entertainment and published by Epic MegaGames. Pretty heavy 
stuff, huh? If the programmers ever decided to give up programming and 
take up writing, they could probably find success penning science-
fiction novels. The docs are so enjoyable to read, you might find it 
hard to tear yourself away to play the game. I did.

   When I finally closed out the docs I was blown away by the game. Wow. 
One Must Fall 2097 is the best one-on-one combat game I've seen for the 
PC. It's like a cross between Rock-'Em-Sock-'Em Robots and a no-holds-
barred kick-boxing tournament -- with superhero, comic book-style 
graphics, cool animation, and metal-on-metal sound effects.

   When you're on the offensive you can punch and kick. Kick high! Kick 
low! Kick your opponent's head with gusto! With a bit of practice you'll 
be able to step in and wham-wham-wham your opponent, then leap away from 
the counterattack. When you're on the defensive you can block, duck and 
jump to escape crushing blows. Each match is divided into two or three 
rounds; you must win two of three rounds to advance.

   To some extent One Must Fall 2097 feels a little like a role-playing 
adventure. You get to choose your pilot's character. Do you want to be 
Crystal, a 23-year-old engineer who suspects the position on Ganymede 
would gain her the secret of her parents' mysterious death? Or would you 
rather be Christian, her brother, who hates WAR but vows to pursue the 
Ganymede project if only to protect his sister from a sinister plot? You 
could be Steffan, a bratty but ambitious 17-year-old -- or the 
mysterious Angel, who came out of nowhere. Each has his or her 
particular strengths and weaknesses.

   Before matches you get to watch conversations unfold between your 
character and your opponent -- each reveals little bits of information 
that add drama to the game. You'll find yourself playing hard to win 
just to learn more about your character and the others. And you'll want 
to win so you'll look good on the news updates. Yes, after every match a 
sports announcer breaks in with video highlights. (Try to be the one 
shown waving to cheering crowds . . . not the one that's crumpled to a 
pile of bolts.)

   Besides getting to choose your character, you're also allowed to 
choose your robot. The Jaguar is a sporty model that boasts speed, 
dexterity and the dreaded "100-Ton Concussion Cannon." The Chronos is a 
contender with its ability to teleport itself out of harm's way -- or in 
an opponent's face for the kill. Then there's Thorn, a model with a 
powerful kick and wing-like appendages barbed with deadly spikes. Each 
robot, too, has its particular pros and cons.

   I enjoyed One Must Fall 2097 on all levels. Play it! If you like 
games like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter, you'll love it! And if you 
get tired of crushing the computer (or having it crush you), invite a 
friend over to duke it out in the human-vs.-human mode. Requirements 
include a 386 or faster CPU (a 486 or better is recommended), 4MB of 
RAM, VGA and a hard drive.

            |    Software Shopper Ordering Information    |
            | One Must Fall 2097  HD0065  2 Disk  $12.00  |

                                 -=*=-

                        <>  SKUNNY KART 3D  <>
                  Vroom! Vroom! Skunny's Got Wheels!

   You never really notice a void in a software category until it's been 
filled. For years the commercial software market has tossed car- and 
motorcycle-racing simulations at an eager public, yet in the shareware 
market there was a gaping hole. But no longer. Copysoft, maker of the 
humorous "Skunny-the-squirrel" arcade action games, steps in with Skunny 
Kart 3D. It's about time!

   Copysoft plays it for laughs -- road hazards include such things as 
banana peels and ghosts that hover over the asphalt -- but the design 
and game play are impeccable. The cartoon-quality animation, while very 
funny, is also smooth and fast. (Sometimes it seems too fast, so be 
careful with ham-fisted steering.)

   The "3D" in the title means the game uses first-person perspective. 
Actually, your perspective is just behind your tiny animal driver (you 
can choose to be Skunny or any of his seven other pals). When the light 
goes green, the race begins -- and you're off. The race courses are full 
of hairpin curves, and if you take them at top speed, you'll probably 
skid.

   Besides watching for the next turn, you must also keep your eyes 
peeled for pickups -- items that, if you run over them, can impede your 
progress or give you a boost. If you want to skid out of control and off 
the course, pick up a banana peel (not recommended!). Pick up guided 
missiles if you like to drive offensively. Run over coins to pick up 
extra points, and look for magenta clocks to shave seconds off your 
time. The screen is very noisy, colorful and BUSY, what with the pickups 
and the other drivers roaring past you or falling behind. At different 
levels you can broaden your racing experience by driving underwater or 
jumping over obstacles.

   Steering is not so easy, at least not using the keyboard. When I see 
a pickup ahead, I tend to oversteer in my excitement. What usually 
happens is, I end up running over a bad pickup by mistake. (Whatever you 
do, avoid the teddy-bear pickup -- it's vicious! It'll hang onto the 
back of your kart, "scratch" the living daylights out of your poor 
driver, and slow you down considerably.)

   Probably the most exciting feature of Skunny Kart 3D is that it 
offers a split-screen mode for two players. Joysticks are recommended 
for the dual-player mode.

   A young cousin recently enticed me to play one of his Super Nintendo 
race games (I think it was called F-1 Race), and I couldn't help but 
notice how much more fun Skunny Kart 3D is.

   To play Skunny Kart 3D you'll need a 386 or better system with 4MB of 
RAM, a hard drive and VGA. A joystick and sound card are recommended. 
(You'll need a Sound Blaster or compatible card to enjoy the funny sound 
effects and music.)

              | Software Shopper Ordering Information |
              | Skunny Kart 3D  HD0055  1 Disk  $8.00 |

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

FYI
~~~

                          DOSKEY TIMESAVERS

   DOSKEY, a TSR program found in DOS 5 and 6, does three important 
things for us command-line hounds: it lets us press the up arrow key to 
recall and re-execute DOS commands we've typed before; it lets us edit 
commands without having to Backspace over them; and it lets us enter 
multiple commands at a single DOS prompt. You separate the commands by 
pressing CTRL-T, and that control character shows up as a paragraph 
symbol ( ) at the DOS prompt. So a sample multi-command would look 
something like this:

c:\LETTERS> REN *.DOC *.TXT  COPY *.TXT D:  DEL *.TXT

Poof. All the commands run as if you had executed them from a batch 
file. To perform this DOSKEY magic, all you have to do is type DOSKEY at 
the prompt to load it into memory (it consumes about 4K of RAM).
   If you find yourself using this timesaver often, consider loading it 
from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so you'll always have it available (to do 
that, put the word DOSKEY on a line by itself in the file, save and 
reboot).

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

Featured Selection
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Our pick of the best of what's new in shareware. We're offering
   these programs at half off our normal distribution costs until 
   December 30, 1994. Want the whole bunch? We'll send them to you for
   $20 -- that's an additional $4 savings.

Jazz Jackrabbit
This little bunny carries a very big gun
      Watch out, Sonic, here comes Jazz -- a bunny rabbit with an
      attitude! This is one of the best arcade games to come down the
      pike in a long time. It's fast, huge and funny, and the cartoon-
      type graphics have to be seen to be belived! When the evil
      turtle emporor Devan Shell rabbitnaps the beloved princess Eva
      Earlong, Jazz comes to the rescue (hopping mad!). Here's your
      objective in a nutshell: Collect everything; if it moves, shoot
      it ("if it doesn't move, what the heck -- shoot it anyway!");
      and find and shoot the checkpoint signs. Jazz Jackrabbit
      features ultra-fast-scrolling 256-color graphics, rocking
      digital audio with surround sound, and hot action from Epic
      MegaGames. You'll definitely want a Gravis Ultrasound or Sound
      Blaster/Pro or compatible for this one. Plays like Sega, only
      better! (Please order on 1.44MB format only: the zipped file is
      1.4MB big.) [See the review in this issue.]
Requires: 33MHz 386+ CPU, 4MB, VGA, hard drive
File No.: HD0064    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: [NOT $8]   BUT $4

Laser Light v1.02s
Cool logic game with lasers. We like it!
      Laser Light looks like an arcade game, but it's all logic and
      strategy. The goal is to hit one or more targets with a single
      laser beam, and you can't adjust either the target or the laser.
      What you can do is strategically arrange a series of mirrors and
      splitters to get the job done. To make the game even more
      challenging, you can go after pieces of fruit for bonus points,
      creating detour paths with mirrors to get them. If you love
      problem-solving games like Brix and Heartlight, you'll love
      Laser Light too! [See the review in this issue.]
Requires: 286+ CPU, 640K, VGA, MS Mouse
File No.: DC9407    Size: 348K      Dist. Cost: [NOT $6]   BUT $3

Literati Lite for Windows
How many points is 'Q' worth?
      Do you like Scrabble<TM>? If so, you'll LOVE Literati Lite from
      MVP Software. It's a crossword board game for one to four
      players. Rack up points with double and triple letter and word
      scores. Features two skill levels, a built-in dictionary, cool
      background music and nice graphics. The computer plays tough.
      "Written by real smart people for real smart people." [See the 
      review in this issue.]
Requires: Windows
File No.: HD0059    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: [NOT $8]   BUT $4

One Must Fall 2097 v1.1
Don't be a 98,000-pound weakling!
      Transformers, Mechwarriors, Street Fighters, Mortal Kombat, Rock-
      'Em-Sock-'Em Robots. If your pulse quickened at the mention of
      anything in the previous sentence, boy, does Epic MegaGames have
      something for you! It's called One Must Fall, and it's the best
      one-on-one fighting game in shareware (or even the PC realm),
      period. The fighters are robots, biiiiig robots, and you can
      play against the computer -- or grab a friend for a head-to-head
      grudge match. Underlying the kicking, leaping and punching is a
      plot rich enough to support a meaty SF novel. In fact, if you
      read the docs first, you may have to tear yourself away from the
      scenario and character descriptions long enough to play the
      game. But do play the game! It's a blast. There are several
      'bots and pilots to choose, each having unique strengths and
      weaknesses. The game plays better on faster systems. You'll want
      a Sound Blaster or compatible sound card to hear the music and
      metal-on-metal hits. Crunch! (Please order on 1.44MB floppies;
      there's too much data to fit on two 1.2MB disks.) [See the review
      in this issue.]
Requires: 386+ CPU, 4MB RAM, hard drive, VGA
File No.: HD0065    Size: 2 Disk    Dist. Cost: [NOT $12]  BUT $6

Patience 10 v.4.01
10 popular, addictive solitaire games!
      CoCoWare brings you 10 solitaire card games you can play from a
      single menu: Accordion, Canfield, Dimaryp, Eliminate, Golf,
      Klondike, Nestor, Pyramid, Stacker and Vegas. Each game has its
      own best-scores table, and an on-disk user's guide covers rules
      and strategies for all 10 games. An undo function is included,
      and a mouse is supported. The programmers make good use of
      colorful ASCII characters for the game screens. This game can
      be played from a 360K floppy disk on just about any PC system.
      Highly recommended!
Requires: 512K and DOS 3.1+
File No.: NV9391    Size: 185K      Dist. Cost: [NOT $6]   BUT $3

Skunny Kart v1.0
High-speed arcade racing game!
      If you've been searching through the shareware realm for an
      arcade race-driver simulation, Skunny Kart looks to be just
      about your only choice -- fortunately, it's a good one, rivaling
      what we've seen out there in Nintendoland! One- and two-player
      modes are offered, and you can set the overall game speed
      depending on the speed of your computer. The graphics are
      cartoon-quality, and you get your choice of which "animal" to
      race as. You can choose to be fast (like Skunny the squirrel) or
      slow (like the hippo). Since this is a racing comedy, road
      hazards include things like banana peels, a flock of ghosts and
      vicious teddy bears. If you have a Sound Blaster or compatible,
      you'll enjoy the music and comic sound effects. [See the review
      in this issue.]
Requires: 386+ CPU, 4MB, DOS 3.0+, VGA, hard drive
File No.: HD0055    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: [NOT $8]   BUT $4

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

New Releases
~~~~~~~~~~~~

------
GAMES!
------

Cannon Fodder
A hot game from the Seventh Guest people
      Cannon Fodder is an arcade game from Virgin Interactive
      (publishers of the 3-D CD-ROM game Seventh Guest) that is
      distributed exclusively by MVP. It's war, and your little pixel
      soldiers must kill the enemies and destroy their buildings. The
      graphics and animation are fantastic! You use the left mouse
      button to move your soldiers, and the right button to aim and
      fire. This game looks like the commercial game Lemmings from
      Psygnosis -- you must move a bunch of tiny characters around the
      screen, having them perform tasks -- but the resemblance is in
      looks only (these joes act in unison, and they either move or
      shoot). It's a lot of fun, and the witty animation just may
      crack you up. Cannon Fodder is the first shareware game to offer
      a CD registration option. War has never been so much fun!
Requires: 386+ CPU, VGA, hard drive, mouse
File No.: HD0061    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Desert Storm Command
Kick the sand from your boots, soldier
      Couldn't get enough of the Gulf War? It's back in Desert Storm
      Command, a hot arcade game by MVP Software. This game is packed
      full of pluses: 256-color graphics (featuring video-captured
      animation of real actors), explosive digitized sound effects and
      a sizzling musical score. Supports most sound cards. When you
      kill a bad guy, he falls in a shower of blood; parents may want
      to switch to the "bloodless mode" if children are going to play.
Requires: 286+ CPU, VGA, mouse
File No.: HD0060    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Electranoid
Like Arkanoid and Breakout, but better!
      Electranoid was designed to close the book on Arkanoid-style
      programs, and it does. Not only do you smash bricks, but you
      battle the enemy fighters with lasers, missiles, and just about
      anything you can throw at them! Lots of action, lots of fun,
      lots of special "power pills," and lots of cool music and sound
      effects (Sound Blaster or compatible required)! With all its
      speed and graphics, Electranoid is small enough to play from a
      360K floppy disk, but a hard drive is recommended.
Requires: 386+ CPU, 2MB RAM, VGA, EMS, MS Mouse
File No.: DC9406    Size: 262K      Dist. Cost: $6

Jazz Jackrabbit
This little bunny carries a very big gun
      Watch out, Sonic, here comes Jazz -- a bunny rabbit with an
      attitude! This is one of the best arcade games to come down the
      pike in a long time. It's fast, huge and funny, and the cartoon-
      type graphics have to be seen to be belived! When the evil
      turtle emporor Devan Shell rabbitnaps the beloved princess Eva
      Earlong, Jazz comes to the rescue (hopping mad!). Here's your
      objective in a nutshell: Collect everything; if it moves, shoot
      it ("if it doesn't move, what the heck -- shoot it anyway!");
      and find and shoot the checkpoint signs. Jazz Jackrabbit
      features ultra-fast-scrolling 256-color graphics, rocking
      digital audio with surround sound, and hot action from Epic
      MegaGames. You'll definitely want a Gravis Ultrasound or Sound
      Blaster/Pro or compatible for this one. Plays like Sega, only
      better! (Please order on 1.44MB format only: the zipped file is
      1.4MB big.)
Requires: 33MHz 386+ CPU, 4MB, VGA, hard drive
File No.: HD0064    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Jigsaw Puzzle v1.1
Puzzling on the 'puter
      InTime's Jigsaw Puzzle is one of the most realistic conversions
      of table-top puzzles to the computer screen. Its pieces are
      actually "cut" in jigsaw-type shapes instead of being merely
      rectangles. You get five puzzles to solve, plus a save feature
      so you can later pick up the pieces where you left off!
Requires: 512K, DOS 3.1+, EGA/VGA, 700K disk space
File No.: DC9409    Size: 202K      Dist. Cost: $6

Laser Light v1.02s
Cool logic game with lasers. We like it!
      Laser Light looks like an arcade game, but it's all logic and
      strategy. The goal is to hit one or more targets with a single
      laser beam, and you can't adjust either the target or the laser.
      What you can do is strategically arrange a series of mirrors and
      splitters to get the job done. To make the game even more
      challenging, you can go after pieces of fruit for bonus points,
      creating detour paths with mirrors to get them. If you love
      problem-solving games like Brix and Heartlight, you'll love
      Laser Light too!
Requires: 286+ CPU, 640K, VGA, MS Mouse
File No.: DC9407    Size: 348K      Dist. Cost: $6

LineWars II
3-D space arcade game. Kill! Kill! Kill!
      LineWars II is a 3-D space arcade game in which the object is to
      complete your mission of protecting star bases while killing
      enemies and blowing up lots of asteroids. There's no strategy
      required, just lots of shooting. The graphics are terrific: real-
      time, lightsource-shaded planets and asteroids (which spin
      slowly and realistically). VESA and S3 accelerated VGA cards are
      supported (though a 386+ CPU is required for those modes).
      LineWars II can be played one-player, or two can play over a
      modem, or up to eight people can play over a network.
Requires: 286+ CPU, hard drive, VGA
File No.: HD0062    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Literati Lite for Windows
How many points is 'Q' worth?
      Do you like Scrabble<TM>? If so, you'll LOVE Literati Lite from
      MVP Software. It's a crossword board game for one to four
      players. Rack up points with double and triple letter and word
      scores. Features two skill levels, a built-in dictionary, cool
      background music and nice graphics. The computer plays tough.
      "Written by real smart people for real smart people."
Requires: Windows
File No.: HD0059    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

MVP Bridge for Windows
Great bridge game: Try it!
      A terrific bridge game for Windows! The DOS version won major
      industry awards, and the Windows version is even better. Even if
      you've never played bridge before, this program's online help
      and optional hints will have you playing like a veteran. When
      you register (for $39.95), you receive Eddie Kantar's Bridge
      Companion for Windows.
Requires: Windows 3.1, mouse
File No.: DC9404    Size: 348K      Dist. Cost: $6

One Must Fall 2097 v1.1
Don't be a 98,000-pound weakling!
      Transformers, Mechwarriors, Street Fighters, Mortal Kombat, Rock-
      'Em-Sock-'Em Robots. If your pulse quickened at the mention of
      anything in the previous sentence, boy, does Epic MegaGames have
      something for you! It's called One Must Fall, and it's the best
      one-on-one fighting game in shareware (or even the PC realm),
      period. The fighters are robots, biiiiig robots, and you can
      play against the computer -- or grab a friend for a head-to-head
      grudge match. Underlying the kicking, leaping and punching is a
      plot rich enough to support a meaty SF novel. In fact, if you
      read the docs first, you may have to tear yourself away from the
      scenario and character descriptions long enough to play the
      game. But do play the game! It's a blast. There are several
      'bots and pilots to choose, each having unique strengths and
      weaknesses. The game plays better on faster systems. You'll want
      a Sound Blaster or compatible sound card to hear the music and
      metal-on-metal hits. Crunch! (Please order on 1.44MB floppies;
      there's too much data to fit on two 1.2MB disks.)
Requires: 386+ CPU, 4MB RAM, hard drive, VGA
File No.: HD0065    Size: 2 Disk    Dist. Cost: $12

ShadowForce
Adventure in the 22nd century
      The year is 2110. Earth and its colonies are in chaos as
      organized crime takes over governments and terrorists
      relentlessly attack cities. Then Earth Central Command steps in
      with a plan to gain control and uphold the law using its new
      secret weapon: a team of enhanced humanoids called the
      ShadowForce. The elite team's first mission is to investigate
      the shutdown of Icarus, a government AI and genetic warface
      facility. Controlling the ShadowForce, you'll discover the awful
      secret behind Icarus and encounter the deadly Overlord.
      ShadowForce is a graphical adventure game with feel of the old
      text adventures. By MVP Software.
Requires: 286+, 640K, DOS 3.3+, hard disk, VGA
File No.: HD0067    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Skunny Kart v1.0
High-speed arcade racing game!
      If you've been searching through the shareware realm for an
      arcade race-driver simulation, Skunny Kart looks to be just
      about your only choice -- fortunately, it's a good one, rivaling
      what we've seen out there in Nintendoland! One- and two-player
      modes are offered, and you can set the overall game speed
      depending on the speed of your computer. The graphics are
      cartoon-quality, and you get your choice of which "animal" to
      race as. You can choose to be fast (like Skunny the squirrel) or
      slow (like the hippo). Since this is a racing comedy, road
      hazards include things like banana peels, a flock of ghosts and
      vicious teddy bears. If you have a Sound Blaster or compatible,
      you'll enjoy the music and comic sound effects.
Requires: 386+ CPU, 4MB, DOS 3.0+, VGA, hard drive
File No.: HD0055    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

XATAX v1.0
Sideways shooter. Smooooooth!
      XATAX is coming and only you can stop it! It's an awesome
      sideways shooter with ultra-smooth full-screen scrolling
      landscapes and dazzling 256-color graphics. "It's the epitome of
      all Nintendo-style shooters." You will battle waves of aerial
      assaults while entering the depths of XATAX. Watch out! XATAX
      has sent two major boss mutants to stop you! You'll want a Sound
      Blaster/Pro for this one. (Yep, you read the requirements right:
      a 486 or better CPU is required.)
Requires: 486+ CPU, 4MB RAM, VGA
File No.: HD0063    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Stardate 2410.2: Crusade in Space
Build up fleets and conquer the galaxy!
      This is a game of "spaceploitation," with you as Emporor of the
      galaxy, commanding a force of powerful staships. Your objective
      is simply to conquer or colonize every planet in the galaxy.
      Build up your fleets, plan and execute your strategy, and
      conquer! (Be careful, your enemies share your goals.) Cool
      graphics, sound effects and a rousing musical score by MVP
      Software.
Requires: Windows 3.1
File No.: HD0066    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

--------
GRAPHICS
--------

CompuLog v1.00a
Database of graphics, with thumbnails
      CompuLog allows you to catalog all the graphics files on your
      hard, floppy and CD-ROM disks into a single, searchable
      database. By assigning one-letter classification codes and
      keywords that describe the subject matter, you can select and
      sort images into groups of similar pictures. Images may be
      viewed by selecting from a screen full of image thumbnails. A
      flexible keyword selection routine supports wildcards. From
      Canyon States Systems & Software, the CompuShow people.
Requires: DOS 3.0+, VGA or VESA-compliant SVGA
File No.: DC9408    Size: 139K      Dist. Cost: $4

Crystal Walls Trial Version v1.0
Fred! Look! The wallpaper is MOVING!
      No, don't adjust your monitor: your wallpaper really IS moving
      (that is, if you've installed Crystal Walls). Crystal Walls
      replaces static Windows wallpaper backgrounds with continuously
      animated, 3-D wallpaper scenes, or "worlds." The retail version
      of Crystal Walls offers 18 active worlds, of which this 30-day
      trial version has two: Earthrise (moon's-eye view of the earth
      as it comes over the horizon) and Koi Pond (an overhead view of
      swimming carp). If you like Windows gadgets and graphical
      doodads, you can't miss Crystal Walls. The retail version sells
      for $49.95.
Requires: 25MHz 386+, Windows 3.1, 4MB of RAM, VGA
File No.: HD0054    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

--------
BUSINESS
--------

COLLECT v1.04
A collections module for MED#1
COLLECT is an accounts receivable collections subsystem for MED#1 (a
medical office management system for physicians, our ID# JN1006). It
allows physicians to print aging reports for receivables as well as
bills. The shareware version imposes a 100-patient limit.
Requires: 640K, DOS 3.3+ and MED#1 (JN1006)
File No.: DC9402    Size: 328K      Dist. Cost: $6

Colorcube v2.1a
Colorful, multidimensional views of data
      Colorcube interfaces with database data, 1-2-3 data, or ASCII
      files, allowing users to do two things: 1) view data from any of
      three perspectives; and 2) quickly analyze this data graphically
      by using colors to represent ranges of data values. It creates
      multidimensional views of data in a row-column-page form. Then
      it converts the data into a color bar a page at a time where the
      row-column cells of the matrix are converted into colors based
      on the relative rank or value of the cell. The end result is a
      "contour map" of the data, which allows users to easily spot
      extremes.
Requires: 500K disk space
File No.: DC9410    Size: 164K      Dist. Cost: $5

Investor's Edge v5.0
Investment portfolio management program
      Investor's Edge handles 200 accounts of stocks, mutual funds,
      bonds, fixed-dollar denominated and appreciable-dollar
      denominated investments. Provides a general notepad and a
      notepad for each account. Records all investment transactions.
      Provides for automatic reinvestment of earnings. Screens and
      prints individual investment reports, portfolio reports with
      various breakdowns, asset allocation report, net worth statement
      and others. Graphically presents risk balance in portfolio.
Requires: 640K, hard disk, printer
File No.: DC9405    Size: 356K      Dist. Cost: $6

MED_ICD9 v1.05
Physician, trash thy ICD-9 code books
      This program allows physicians and billing staffs to use the
      computer to locate ICD-9 codes instead of having to flip through
      large code books.
Requires: 640K, DOS 3.3+
File No.: DC9403    Size: 236K      Dist. Cost: $6

Medlin Windows Payroll
Easy-to-use payroll writing program
      Medlin Windows Payroll is a payroll accounting program that
      offers built-in tax tables for federal withholding and all 50
      states. It manages up to 500 employees and 32,000 paychecks per
      year. It supports tips, medical insurance, 401K plans, cafeteria
      plans and up to eight other income types. Lots more! It's
      designed to be so easy to use you won't need to read the manual.
      Shareware users are allotted 30 days to evaluate the program.
      Registered users receive a W-2 printing program.
Requires: Windows
File No.: DC9411    Size: 345K      Dist. Cost: $6

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

New Versions
~~~~~~~~~~~~

------
GAMES!
------

MVP Word Search for Windows
Seek and find in Windows
      Like word-search puzzles? Try this one from MVP Software. It
      comes with many puzzles you can solve, plus you can let the
      program create word-search puzzles from your word lists -- and
      print puzzles for "offscreen" solving. Words can be found up,
      down, left, right, and in any of the four diagonals. MVP
      Wordsearch for Windows makes good use of the Windows
      environment and includes an original MIDI sound track and cool
      sound effects to accent your successes. Teachers, this program
      may be of special interest to you if you spend much time
      creating activity puzzles.
Requires: Windows 3.1 and VGA; printer optional
File No.: AU9420    Size: 249K      Dist. Cost: $6

MVP Bridge v2
Always a foursome for bridge here
      If you like to play Bridge, or you would like to learn, you'll
      like MVP Bridge from MVP Software. Featuring VGA graphics,
      Sound Blaster support, and strong play, MVP Bridge is one of
      the best shareware Bridge games developed (it's also been voted
      one of the top games, period, by two well-known magazines).
      It's easy to learn and use. In Version 2 the best gets better
      with improved bidding and card play.
Requires: 286+ CPU, 640K, VGA, MS mouse
File No.: JN9402    Size: 262K      Dist. Cost: $6

Patience 10 v.4.01
10 popular, addictive solitaire games!
      CoCoWare brings you 10 solitaire card games you can play from a
      single menu: Accordion, Canfield, Dimaryp, Eliminate, Golf,
      Klondike, Nestor, Pyramid, Stacker and Vegas. Each game has its
      own best-scores table, and an on-disk user's guide covers rules
      and strategies for all 10 games. An undo function is included,
      and a mouse is supported. The programmers make good use of
      colorful ASCII characters for the game screens. This game can
      be played from a 360K floppy disk on just about any PC system.
      Highly recommended!
Requires: 512K and DOS 3.1+
File No.: NV9391    Size: 185K      Dist. Cost: $6

Patience Abroad v1.01
Nine more popular solitaire games!
      Just you and your computer again, eh? Why not take a crack at
      nine more solitaire games from CoCoWare? This time the focus is
      on foreign flavors: Beleaguered Castle, Tower of Hanoy, Monte
      Carlo, Weddings, the Great Wall, Russian Patience, Sir Tommy,
      Four Kingdoms and Florentine. Also features onscreen rules and
      mouse support. This game can be played from a 360K floppy disk
      on just about any PC system.
Requires: 512K and DOS 3.1+
File No.: NV9392    Size: 192K      Dist. Cost: $6

Pickle Wars
Whimsical, wacky game!
      Can you save your beloved Arcadia from the dastardly invading
      Pickle race? Will you locate the ancient weapons in time? Will
      our hero and heroine discover each other? Find out in Pickle
      Wars, from MVP Software. The game features parallax scrolling,
      256-color graphics, cinematic sequences, a whimsical musical
      score, digitized sound effects and more. Joysticks and Sound
      Blasters are supported.
Requires: 286+ cpu, hard disk and VGA
File No.: HD0011    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

--------
BUSINESS
--------

Bottom Line Accounting v3.0
Taking care of business
      Bottom Line Accounting is an eight-module accounting package
      designed for small- to medium-sized business users having
      little or no accounting knowledge. (Integrated modules include
      payroll, point-of-sale, accounts receivable, accounts payable,
      inventory, etc.) Features online help screens and pop-up, on-
      the-fly data entry. It allows pre- and post-dated transactions
      as well as global and recurring transactions. No monthly
      closings are required. Includes a range of reports and graphs.
      It also performs payroll calculations and prints W-2s and
      1099s. ASP author. (Formerly SS ID# OC1023.)
Requires: 386+ CPU, 4MB RAM, DOS 4.0+, hard disk
File No.: HD0058    Size: 3 Disk    Dist. Cost: $14

METZ Phones v5.50
Address/telephone manager
      METZ Phones is an address and telephone manager for networks
      and individual users. It offers multiple-user support for
      company-wide or workgroup access to a central database.
      Certified Microsoft Office-compatible, it works and looks like
      Microsoft Office. Features include: multiple notes, unlimited
      phone numbers, user fields, flexible data import/export, label
      printing, envelopes, reports, online help and more. This is a
      functional trial version of a retail application. (Formerly SS
      ID# UW1003)
Requires: Windows
File No.: HD0052    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

ZIPKEY
Directory of ZIP/area codes & time zones
      ZIPKEY is a complete city-level directory of five-digit U.S.
      ZIP codes, three-digit telephone area codes, and time zones,
      combined with a keyboard-enhancement program. You can use it to
      look up ZIP codes on the fly. But ZIPKEY comes into full power
      when you use it memory-resident: you can call ZIPKEY from
      inside your word processor or database, type a five-digit ZIP
      code, and fool the program into thinking you've typed any or
      all of the following: the city name, the state (its name or
      abbreviation), the ZIP code, area code, the time zone, and any
      other combination of fixed keystrokes. ZIPKEY holds data on
      more than 42,000 ZIP codes and 30,000 cities. The data is
      updated every month for registered users; the data in the
      shareware version is constrained to be at least six months old.
Requires: 256K, DOS 2.0+; hard disk recommended
File No.: AP1057    Size: 346K      Dist. Cost: $6

--------
GRAPHICS
--------

CompuShow 2000!  v1.05a
Look at GIF, PCX, BMP files and more!
      The popular CShow graphics file viewer gets even better in this
      current incarnation: it has adopted a desktop-style CUA menu-
      driven interface with pull-down menus, windows and radio
      buttons. Plus it has an autoconfiguration feature that
      automatically recognizes and configures the program for your
      particular graphics card with no effort on your part! (Supports
      just about every video card.) It's really easy to use, and it's
      stocked with features. There's a slide-show function, masking
      functions, a complete file manager, and support for images in
      these graphics formats: GIF, RLE, PCX, PIC, IFF, BMP, TIFF,
      IMG, JPEG, Targa, ColoRix, MacPaint and DR Halo.
Requires: a floppy drive and a graphics card
File No.: HO1015    Size: 211K      Dist. Cost: $6

CompuShow v8.76a
Versatile viewer, famililar interface
      This is the original CompuShow, with the custom (but friendly)
      interface you've grown to know and love. (If you like CUA-style
      menus, dialog boxes and windows, check out CompuShow 2000!, our
      SS ID# HO1015.) CompuShow is a graphics file viewer par
      excellence. It'll let you look at images in any of these
      formats: GIF, RLE, MacPaint, PC Paint, PC Paintbrush, ColoRIX,
      EGA Paint, IMG, Dr. Halo, Targa, IFF/LBM/HAM, BMP, TIFF and
      JFIF (JPEG). It also supports graphics cards from Hercules and
      CGA all the way through Hi-Color SVGA.
Requires: floppy drive and graphics card
File No.: HO1032    Size: 209K      Dist. Cost: $6

METZ Corporate Screen Saver v1.0
From .BMP file to animated screen saver
      METZ Corporate Screen Saver allows you to place any .BMP bitmap
      image at the center of an exciting Windows screen saver!
      Imagine your company's logo or a scan of your face bouncing
      around the screen. That's right -- bouncing! You can assign the
      .BMP image to do a number of things: fade in and out with the
      "blinds" effect; bounce over the top of the Windows display, or
      erase what's underneath as it bounces; display calendars for a
      full year, or just three months (or just this month); accompany
      a message; explode; or do something else equally exciting. This
      is a fully functional trial version of a retail program.
Requires: Windows 3.x
File No.: DC9401    Size: 360K      Dist. Cost: $6

-----------
PROGRAMMING
-----------

A86/D86 v.3.72
Popular assembler/debugger
      A86 accepts assembly language source files and transforms them
      directly into either .COM files executable under MS-DOS; .OBJ
      files suitable for feeding to a linker; or object files
      starting at offset 0, suitable for copying to ROMs. A86 is a
      full-featured, professional-quality program. D86 is the A86
      complement Debugger. New features in v3.72 of A86 include an
      INCLUDE directive, a listing facility, an END operand value,
      the removal of a limit on the length of a source file, the
      REF/DEF operators, macros in an A86LIB library, and more. The
      registration of $80 includes both A86 and D86; to register just
      one of the programs costs $50.
Requires: DOS 2.0+
File No.: PA1001    Size: 324K      Dist. Cost: $6

------------------
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
------------------

METZ Dialer v3.01
Speedy autodialer for Windows
      METZ Dialer gives you the ability to quickly and accurately
      dial phone numbers using your Hayes-compatible modem. With a
      user-definable hot key, you can dial numbers directly from
      within any Windows application. Dialer will also keep a list of
      your frequently used names and numbers on hand, letting you
      dial even more quickly.
Requires: Windows, a Hayes-compatible modem
File No.: UW1006    Size: 347K      Dist. Cost: $6

Qmodem Test Drive v4.60
Full-featured telecommunications
      Qmodem Test Drive is a fully functional telecommunications
      program designed to prodive full communications to any PC and
      modem. (While it's fully operational, it's not the same as the
      commercial version. The registered, or commercial, release
      includes additional enhancements and functions. The commercial
      version is also available in DOS or Windows flavors.) Test
      Drive features include a dialing "phone book," scripts,
      logging, and upload/download protocols such as Zmodem and
      Ymodem Batch. According to Mustang Software, "Version 4.6
      contains only cosmetic fixes to correct spelling and contact
      information. It is otherwise identical to Version 4.52."
      (Formerly SS ID# TT1003.)
Requires: a modem
File No.: HD0056    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

Wildcat! Test Drive v2.61
Complete BBS
      Wildcat! Test Drive is a working evaluation version of
      Wildcat!, though it is not the latest version of the registered
      software and lacks some features found in the registered
      version (like internal file-transfer protocols and the
      capability to run doors). A prospective BBS customer will be
      able, using Test Drive, to set up and operate a Wildcat! BBS
      system for testing. According to Mustang Software, "Version
      2.61 is a very minor update to v2.6 released 9/30/92."
      (Formerly SS ID# TB1001.)
Requires: Two MB RAM, hard disk
File No.: HD0057    Size: 1 disk    Dist. Cost: $8

---------
UTILITIES
---------

METZ Lock v3.34
Windows "crimebuster"
      A security application for Microsoft Windows, METZ Lock
      password-protects the system to prevent unauthorized use. It
      even disables CTRL-ALT-DEL reboots. METZ Lock can be customized
      for your particular needs, and it also works with Novell and
      Banyan passwords.
Requires: Windows
File No.: UW1007    Size: 330K      Dist. Cost: $6

Metz Task Manager v.2.03
Replaces the Task List & Program Manager
      METZ Task Manager is an award-winning replacement for the
      Windows' Task List and Program Manager. It takes the place of
      Windows' Task Manager whenever you press CTRL-ESC, double-click
      on wallpaper or click on the "Switch To" Control Box option.
      Just like Task Manager, it pops up a list of current
      applications you can jump to, but instead of just showing you
      the programs' names, it also shows their icons and places a
      group of handy utilities just a button click away. METZ Task
      Manager includes a file-finder utility, a mini file manager, a
      scheduler to perform routine tasks for you (when you're not at
      the computer), a menu-type launcher, a text-search utility
      (finds files based on text strings inside files) and more. A
      handy feature is the grid of nine blank buttons onto which you
      can drag icons for quick launching of the applications you use
      most. You can also browze Program Manager's groups for quick
      icon-click launches. (Formerly SS ID# FE9112)
Requires: Windows 3.x
File No.: HD0053    Size: 1 Disk    Dist. Cost: $8

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

FormGen's Top 10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                             November 1994
                   These figures are from October.

                                 -=*=-

                          APPLICATIONS TOP 10

Rank|Months|     Title (Author)              |  Description             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1     7    PKZIP/PKUNZIP (PKWare)            File compression utility
 2    45    ViruScan (McAfee Associates)      Virus detector
 3     2    WinZip (N. Mak)                   Windows ZIP file manager
 4     1    Snooper (J. Vias)                 PC System Analyzer
 5    21    EnVision Publisher (Software V.)  Desktop publisher for DOS
 6     2    WinPak (Rhode Island Soft Sys.)   Screen savers for Windows
 7     3    Phantom Screen (NeoSoft)          Screen-blanking utility
 8     1    Cross-Stitch Designer (R. Scott)  Windows pattern designer
 9     1    Home Plan (C. Herndon)            Floor plan designer
10     1    Uninstall for Windows (J. Yabion) Windows utility

                                 -=*=-

                         ENTERTAINMENT TOP 10

Rank|Months|     Title (Author)              |  Description             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1    10    Blake Stone (Jam Prod./Apogee)    3-D action adventure
 2    10    DOOM (id Software)                Heavy VR combat game
 3    10    Duke Nukem II (T. Replogle/Apogee)Arcade game
 4    11    Epic Pinball (Epic MegaGames)     Video pinball game
 5     7    Raptor (Cygnus Studios/Apogee)    Arcade game
 6    10    Xargon I (Epic MegaGames)         Arcade game
 7    13    Halloween Harry (SubZero/Apogee)  Arcade Game
 8     1    Jazz Jackrabbit (Epic MegaGames)  Arcade platform game
 9     3    Hocus Pocus (M. Voss/Apogee)      Action platform game
10     1    Zone 66 (Epic MegaGames)          Arcade game

                                 -=*=-

                           EDUCATION TOP 10

Rank|Months|     Title (Author)              |  Description             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1     4    Beginners Guide to the Internet   Internet tutorial
                         (Suarez Associates)
 2     2    Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet Internet text
                         (Electronic Frontier)
 3    27    PC-Fastype (Trendtech)            Typing tutor
 4     4    Amy's First Primer (Motes Educ.)  Preschool learning game
 5     7    Bert's Dinosaurs (T. Wierenga)    Children's coloring book
 6    21    Math Rescue (K. Crowther/Apogee)  Arcade-style math game
 7     1    Earth-Centered Universe (Nova As.)Windows astronomy program
 8    27    Word Rescue (K. Crowther/Apogee)  Arcade-style reading game
 9     1    C++ Tutor (Coronado Enterprises)  C++ tutorial
10     1    Adventure Math (Epic MegaGames)   Math teaching program

-=-------------        -=*=-     -=*=-     -=*=-        -------------=-

What Is Shareware?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                          WHAT IS SHAREWARE?
                           HOW DOES IT WORK?

   Shareware operates on the "try before you buy" system. Authors allow 
their programs to be copied and passed around, among friends, over BBS 
systems or through services such as Software Shopper.

   If you find a shareware program is of value to you and you intend to 
keep and use it, then you must register the program with the author (pay 
a fee -- the amount varies). Registration gives you various benefits, 
depending on the author. (Common benefits include printed manuals, newer 
versions and support if you happen to run into problems.) The fee also 
helps motivate authors to improve their programs and develop new ones.

   No part of the money collected by Software Shopper, or any other 
service, goes to the program authors. Those charges are strictly 
copying, handling and shipping fees, and they are non-refundable. The 
author gets paid only when you send in your registration fee. We supply 
all copies of Shareware programs on both 5-1/4- and 3-1/2- inch disks, 
although there is an extra charge of 75 cents per disk for 3-1/2-inch 
(720K) format.

   Programs are separated into subdirectories on a disk when we make up 
special orders for you (most of our orders are special orders). A short 
instruction sheet is packaged with the disk, but your disk label tells 
you the name of the subdirectories.

   Generally, our orders are processed within 24 business hours of 
receipt. Due to volume, we may run a day or so behind from time to time. 
Our business hours are generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday.

   We disclaim any damage that any of the software in Software Shopper 
may cause and cannot guarantee that any particular system follows sound 
business practices.  Our sole liability, in any event, consists of a 
refund of the copying and distribution charge we make for providing 
software to you. 

   We invite and solicit your comments and suggestions about Software 
Shopper and the Shareware which we make available through it. Our 
shareware library contains many more programs than appears in this issue 
of Software Shopper.  If you have a specific need, please contact us on 
our Customer Assistance line, (502) 228-4492.  We will do everything we 
can to try to help.


   Falsoft, Inc. is an approved vendor and associate member of the 
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure 
that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve 
a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member 
directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you 
resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide 
technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP 
Ombudsman at 545 Graver Road, Muskeg, MI 49442, or send a CompuServe 
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007, 3536.

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About the Catalog
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   The rest of Software Shopper Online is our database or "catalog" -- 
the majority of the shareware programs in our archives, which are 
neither new nor updated this month. While you'll see more than a 
thousand programs listed in the database, please keep in mind that more 
is coming! We're still in the process of converting records, so future 
issues will be more complete. If your favorite shareware title is 
missing from the database now, it will probably soon be added.

   Also, a note about how the database is structured. There really is a 
method to the madness! We divided the database into 32 sections: 16 
broad categories for DOS and the same 16 broad categories for Windows. 
(Categories include Business, Education, Games, Utilities, etc.) Each 
rather generic category is in turn broken down into smaller 
subcategories -- for example, "Business" is broken down into Accounting, 
Contact Management, Personal Finance and others.

   When you read the database, it will look like each category starts 
out nicely in alphabetical order -- but then does several A-Z cycles! 
The reason for this is that the subcategories are also in alphabetical 
order. Yes, we COULD have separated the database into distinct 
subcategory files, but your SysOps would have wanted to murder us for 
making them deal with hundreds of files instead of the slightly unwieldy 
32! As long as you know the subcategory structure is there, you should 
have no trouble finding the kinds of programs you're interested in.

   Enjoy!

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