=============================================================================  NEWS FROM THE STATES - S.M. Oakland ============================================================================= >>>PROGRAMMING CanDo 1.5 ($149.95), by INNOVAtronics, is an upgrade version of this inter- active software authoring system. New features include not only AmigaDOS 2.0 and A3000 compatibility, but also database functions, multiple screen or window support, an updated interface, and support for floating point mathematics. As always, the applications created with CanDo may be used in 'stand-alone' form on any Amiga, independent of the original CanDo program. A "test drive" version of CanDo 1.5 is available from INNOVAtronics for $10 plus postage. F-Basic 4.0 ($99.95), by Delphi Noetic, is an updated version of the origi- nal enhanced, compiled BASIC. New features include an ARexx port, auto- matic checksums, an improved editor, separately compiled modules, WorkBench icon arguments, mouse motion, and high-level gadgets. The package also provides a 200 page manual and a sample program. F-Basic Source Level Debugger 4.0 ($59.95), by Delphi Noetic, is just what the title says: software for debugging F-Basic 4.0 programs at the source level. Functioning within a full-windowed WorkBench interface, the user may view and alter 68000 arrays, memory, registers, records and variables; set breakpoints on the source lines; trace one source line at a time; and, of course, halt execution. It is also useful for those wishing to make use of accelerators and co-processors in their programs. ReSource v5 ($150), by the Puzzle Factory, is an upgraded version of the well-regarded Amiga disassembler. It now includes an on-line help facil- ity, provides 900 menu functions, supports base-relative addressing and user-defined structures, and can output either 68000 syntax or the new syn- tax created for the M68000 family. Fully compatible with Macro68 assem- bler, ReSource is able to run on any Amiga, but is also able to detect and adjust for the presence of a '020 or '030 processor. Rexx Plus Compiler ($150), by Dineen Edwards, supplies the user with both an Intuition and a CLI interface for compiling ARexx programs. The result of using this compiler are several: (1) faster execution of ARexx pro- grams, (2) elimination of Eternal library lookups, (3) most errors are found within a single compile, (4) uses Rexxplslib.library, Rexxmathlib.library and Rexxsupport.library as built-in functions, (5) calls to other ARexx programs directly from other languages are possible, (6) listing facilitates the discovery of constants, symbols and nesting levels, as well as references to them, and (7) the easy discovery of logic errors by observing the nesting levels. The program is compatible with WorkBench 2.0, ARexx 1.08 or higher, and requires 1 MB of memory. >>>UTILITIES Maverick V3 ($39.95), by Software Support, is an upgrade of the famous archival backup program. Its features include: "Hypercopy", for fast, easy, error-free duplication; "Parameters", over 100 custom parameters for backing-up difficult disks; "OverRide", for deprotecting a program so it can be installed on a hard drive; "Inspector", an MFM track editor with both macro capability and whole track or whole data-block modification capacity; and "Backup Buddy" support (see below). Software Support releases new parameters every three months, and registered users may sub- scribe to this service to keep their duplicating abilities up to date. And advance users may incorporate their own custom copiers into the program, being accessible directly from Maverick's control panel. For $149.95, registered users of Maverick may also purchase the "Backup Buddy", a modified Golden Image floppy drive with special circuitry able to defeat those tricky 'long-track' programs (it can also be used simply as an extra floppy drive). Secretary ($49.95), by Expert Systems, is scheduler and desktop organizer reminiscent of "Nag" and "Who! What! When! Where!". It includes a month- at-a-glance calendar that allows the user to enter to-do, schedule, and reminder items through the year 2055; and graphically displays on a hi-res screen any openings in the schedule. The calendar function also allows for the printing of a weekly schedule, for those looking for carry-along remin- ders of things to be done. Secretary's other main function is to supply an address book that allows up to 2 addresses and 5 telephone numbers for each person. The phone list can be sorted by name or company, and printed with or without address. Both the calendar and address book modules allow for full or partial searches of their respective databases, and as one might expect, the address book function is capable of generating mailing labels as well as telephone lists. The Ambassador ($79.95), by Consultron, is a file transfer utility that greatly enhances communication between the Bridgeboard and the Amiga. Viewed from the Bridgeboard side, the program allows use of the Amiga floppy drives as MS-DOS drives and, when the Ambassador version of the PC virtual hard drive partition is used, it provides up to a 100-fold increase in speed. From the Amiga side, the Ambassador behaves like "CrossDOS", transparently 'translating' many MS-DOS data files into a format readable by Amiga programs. It also permits Amiga access to any hard drive parti- tions created by the Bridgeboard (e.g., JLink or MakeAB files). The pro- gram is AmigaDOS 2.0 compatible, supports both PAL and NTSC displays, and owners of CrossDOS may upgrade to the Ambassador. The Buddy System for AmigaDOS v2, by HelpDisk, supplies a friendly, on-line reference to the features and intricacies of WorkBench 2.0. Using the exclusive "AniMouse" instructor, the Buddy System provides optional visual demonstrations of AmigaDOS features, complete with spoken narration and printed captions. And with a point-and-click interface, summoning help couldn't be easier. =============================================================================  NEWS FROM THE STATES - S.M. Oakland =============================================================================