17 Bit 5 - The Fifth Dimension CD-ROM 

                THE LATEST FROM 17 BIT SOFTWARE - By Bruce Laing

               © 1995, Bruce Laing for Megadisc Digital Publishing

   This is a review simply of 17 bits latest disks on cd rom and the
   differences and changes made since the release of "Phase 4".

   «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»

   ADVANCE MESSAGE
   
    Early in August 1995, I had received a letter from 17 bit Software in
   England announcing the future release of the next volume in 17 Bits
   archive and volume 3 of the Compendium Deluxe series (reviewed next MD).
    In late September, I finally purchased the CD and below are my thoughts
   about this latest addition to the long running series.
   
   
   WHAT'S ON THE DISK?
   
    This latest volume continues the archive from where "Phase 4" left off
   - This time the disk collection is from 3352 to 3870.
   
    As I mentioned earlier, there have been some major changes made.  First
   and foremost the disk copier which had been part of the earlier disk
   series has been replaced by a front-end similar to the Compendium series
   (IE.  an AmigaGuide style interface), the disk no longer boots (so CDTV
   and CD32 users will need to have an external floppy drive and workbench
   (CD32 owners will need the SX-32 expansion module and WB3.1).
   Thankfully Parnet and SerNet has been included so that you can link with
   proper Amigas (A500, A600, A1200, etc)
   
   
   WHY WAS IT SO?  - or Why the changes?
   
    Well since the release of "Phase 4", 17 bit released its first CD-ROM
   made by themselves (Compendium Deluxe Volume 1) and at the time I
   thought that the next collection from their general PD list would be
   released by 17 Bit themselves instead of Almathera (who produced the
   series up to Phase 4).
   
   
   A FIRST!  NO COMPLAINTS!!
   
    In previous reviews, I found some fault with the package one way or the
   other.  However this time, I couldn't find a thing wrong with the
   package.

   
   FINAL THOUGHTS
   
    The collection continues the tradition of the series using the new
   interface (the main menu is set up like the normal 17 Bit catalogue
   disks - listed by category and a complete list) If you have bought the
   previous volumes, then this is an absolute must for your PD collection.
   This CD should be available everywhere by the time you read this.
   
   
   My Score - 8.5 out of 10!
   
   
   The CD - 17 Bit 5 - The fifth Dimension
   
   Publisher - 17 Bit
   
   RRP - Around $60
   
   Available from:
   
   UK - 17 Bit Software, PD Soft and other suppliers (UK RRP £19.95 plus
   postage)
   
   Australia:  It should be available now by the time you read this from:
   
   Computer Man, Amadeus Computers, Emerald Creative, MVB Computer
   Supplies, Computer Affair, Don Quixote Computers, Sigmacom, Megadisc,
   etc.
   
   © Bruce Laing, October, 1995
   
   P.S.  My thanks go to Robert Crossley, Nicky and all at 17 Bit for the
   CD!
   
   «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»  45  «»