PRODUCTIVITY AND MORE

    >>> BUSINESS

    BarProA 3.0, $199.95, by MegageM, is an improved and upgraded version of
    MegageM's bar code reader and printer.  New features include the ability
    to read and write more bar code formats -- UPCA, UPCA+2, UPCA+5, UPCE --
    and also to print or store IFF image of Codes B, C, CodeBar, Code25,
    Code39, Code93, Code251, and the US Postal Service zipcode bar codes. 
    The program is now AmigaDOS 2.0 compatible, and possesses an ARexx
    interface for external control.

    >>> COMMUNICATIONS:  MODEMS

    IDS Multiboard, $249.99, by Intercore Development, is a multi-user BBS
    capable of handling up to 32 users at the same time.  In fact, users may
    confer in up to 4 separate CB channels, exchanging on-line messages in
    privacy.  Other features include a full-featured CB simulator, real-time
    user editing, remote access by CLI, and an open architecture for future
    improvements -- the IDS was obviously designed to meet future BBS
    requirements, as well as those of the present.

    SupraFAXModem Plus, $199.95, by Supra, is essentially the Supra 2400
    Plus with FAX capability added. It is able to transmit/receive fax at
    9600 bps; data at 2400.

    SupraFAXModem V.32, $299.95, by Supra, is the next step up in FAX
    modems:  it is able to transmit/receive both FAX and data at 9600 bps
    without compression; 38,400 bps with (V.42 compression).  Other features
    include caller ID, status display, optional voice transmission, and
    CCITT V.42, MNP-2-5, and MNP-10 data compression and error protocol
    support.  Last, the SupraFAXModem V.32 is also a group 3 FAX machine,
    able to process Class 1 and 1 commands as well.  And Supra includes with
    each machine the Australian GP-FAX software, which allows the user to
    send and receive faxes in IFF format, making them much sharper than the
    usual.

    SupraFAXModem V.32bis, $399.95, by Supra, is currently Supra's top-of-
    the-line modem.  With the same hardware and software features as the
    SupraFAXModem V.32 (above), the V.32bis version is different in only one
    crucial respect:  SPEED!  The SupraFAXModem V.32bis is able to
    transmit/receive FAX and data at speeds up to 14,400 bps without
    compression; 57,600 with compression.  Wow!

    >>> COMMUNICATIONS:  NETWORKS

    Amiga Client Software, by Oxxi, is a software package allowing Amigas to
    be connected to a Novell NetWare network.  Of course, the Amiga owner
    must also install a LAN Arc-NET or Ethernet card, and have Novell
    NetWare software (2.15 or later).  The Amiga user is then able to use
    his or her computer as the full-featured Amiga it is -- multi-tasking,
    and all -- but also is able to take complete advantage of the wide
    variety of network functions and utilities, as well.  These include: 
    security, concurrent file sharing, file management, login management,
    printer functions, network accounting, mail and message exchange, etc. 
    Pricing is per node:  $199 for one node; $499, for up to five nodes;
    $899, for up to ten nodes; $1299, for up to twenty nodes; and $1799, for
    up to 50 nodes.

    CNet v 2.0 BBS, $129.95, by Beverly James Products, is a fast, friendly,
    powerful, and multi-tasking BBS for all models of Amiga, and both
    AmigaDOS 1.3 and 2.0.  The Bulletin Board System is able to provide
    multi-user conferencing, visual editing for ANSI users, major file
    transfer protocols, and password-security for up to 24 external nodes or
    phone lines.  Sysops may choose to add ARexx or C external programs for
    additional power or fun.  C-Net is easily installed and configured,
    requires 1 MB of RAM, and may be used either as a home-BBS or as a node
    in a FIDO or UUCP distributed network.

    ENLAN-DFS, $349, by Interworks, is a distributed file system for Amiga
    users.  It is Ethernet based, and provides peer-to-peer networking, with
    peripheral, file and disk sharing previously unavailable to Amiga users.
    With a transparent design, its other features include password security,
    and optional read-only access to system and designated files.

    COMMUNICATIONS:  RADIO

    Scan, Version 2, $149 for single radio; $199 for dual radio, by Future
    Scanning Systems, is a hardware/software combination enabling the Amiga
    to control Icom HF/VHF/UHF radio scanners (they must support Icom's CV-I
    port).  Capable of scanning over 2000 channels per minute, Scan Version
    2 provides the user with fully automated scanning, logging and scanning-
    radio control -- with scan speed settings, scan delays and monitor time
    limits providing intelligence to the program.  Scan is also able to
    control any tape recorder that has a remote control:  the Amiga can then
    use its speech capability to announce the frequency and time of a hit
    (and the user's comment), and have it recorded on audio tape.  The
    program multi-tasks, provides a hi-res graphics display of its
    activities, and can be configured to suit a variety of needs and
    purposes.

    >>> DATABASES

    Notebook, $39.95, by Black Belt, is a fast, friendly, free form database
    and idea organizer designed to look like a standard three-ring notebook.
    The 'paper' in this notebook may be blank, lined or graph paper -- with
    or without 3-ring holes -- but in any case, it is paper the user may
    fill with text (in any font), IFF picture, structured drawing, and
    whatever else s/he usually puts in a notebook.  Icon-driven, requiring 1
    MB of RAM, and opening ONLY on an interlaced screen, Notebook provides a
    place for you to store all of those bits and pieces of paper usually
    cluttering your desk; its powerful search engine will quickly help you
    to find them again.  It also supplies a place for you to doodle and
    dream and 'think' on paper, a great place for you to store all of those
    random thoughts and sketches of yours.  And with a list price lower than
    that of many 'discounted' programs, Notebook is a 'must have' for anyone
    wanting to organize their desk -- and their thoughts.


    >>> DESKTOP PUBLISHING:  PRINTING

    LBP-4 Plus, $1545, by Canon, is a compact laser printer capable of
    printing 4 pages per minute at 300 dpi resolution.  The unit includes 9
    built-in scalable fonts, 16 built-in bitmap fonts, 512K of memory
    (expandable to 2.5 MB), and both serial and parallel ports.  Best of
    all, it has a slot for an optional 'plug-in' PostScript cartridge
    containing 39 Adobe typefaces.

    LBP-8, $2495, by Canon, is a faster, more powerful version of the
    preceding laser printer.  Though only slightly larger than the LBP-4,
    the LBP-8 is capable of printing 8 pages per minute at 300 dpi
    resolution.  And like the LBP-4, it includes 9 scalable fonts, 16
    bitmapped fonts, serial and parallel ports, and PostScript cartridge
    slot.  Unlike its little brother, however, the LBP-8 is not only fast,
    but includes 1.5 MB of memory (expandable to 4.5 MB) and twin paper
    cartridges.

    >>> DESKTOP PUBLISHING:  PROGRAMS

    ADDesign Layout & Forms Templates Volume 1; $44.95, by ADDesign, is a
    collection of templates for PageStream2.  Some templates are simple,
    others quite elaborate; all may be used as 'stock' forms to be altered
    as the need arises.

    BitMap Editor for PageStream, $99.95 (included in a bundle with
    PageLiner and HotLinks -- see below), by Soft-Logik, loads IFF or GIF
    graphics files (either directly, or exported from PageStream), and
    displays them in 15-shade gray-scale.  Though they are displayed in
    gray-scale, the images retain their full palette of color even if the
    user opts to edit them with the tools provided in BitMap Editor for
    cropping, filling, cutting and pasting, etc.  The BitMap editor is
    intended to be used with Soft-Logik's HotLinks program, which
    automatically inserts images manipulated with the Bitmap Editor into a
    PageStream document.  One megabyte of RAM is required.

    HotLinks, by Soft-Logik, is an independent data-exchange program for the
    easy transfer and integration of text and images from external sources
    to and within a PageStream document.  As noted above, HotLinks is
    included in a software bundle that also includes a library, the BitMap
    Editor described above, and PageLiner.

    PageLiner, by Soft-Logik, is the last of a troika of programs by Soft-
    Logik for users of PageStream.  The program is an all-purpose text
    editor for creating or editing text; it includes a spelling checker, as
    well.  And in case you've forgotten, PageLiner is part of a $99.95
    bundle of software that includes the BitMap Editor and HotLinks.

    PageStream 2.2, $299.95, by Soft-Logik, is the latest version of the
    popular desktop publishing program.  Among its newest features are: 
    support for the HotLinks data exchange program [surprise!  :-) ], an
    enhanced printer driver and import module, plotter support, and
    increased friendliness.  Registered owners of versions 2.0 and 2.1 can
    receive this upgrade for free; owners of previous versions may obtain it
    for $100.

    Professional Page 3.0, $295, by Gold Disk, is the prize winning
    competitor to PageStream for 'Best of the Amiga DTP's".  This latest
    edition is faster and friendlier than ever, with over 30 automatic
    functions (called "genies") to automate many of the program's more
    routine functions, such as mail merge, envelope addressing, grid and
    table creation, and the use of different text formats such as
    subscripts.  Additional new features include auto-titling for larger
    pages, enhanced color separation (and under color removal algorithms),
    text import from most Amiga word processors, easy graphics import from
    Professional Draw, and -- perhaps most valuable of all -- and Undo
    button.  Gold Disk has added enhanced graphic handling, support for
    Adobe Type 1 fonts, and scalability for any font in 0.125 pt.
    increments. Also included are 5 new AGFA Compugraphic scalable outline
    typefaces, thus raising the total to seven.


    >>> DESKTOP PUBLISHING:  SCANNING

    MergeIt/Scanning Tray, $149, by Migraph, is a blend of hardware and
    software that enables the user to scan full page graphics (using
    Migraph's, AlfaData's or Golden Image's hand scanner) and merge them
    into one integrated image.

    MetaScan, $?, by Metadigm, provides Professional Page users an interface
    for loading an image directly from an Epson ES-300C scanner (or its
    equivalent) directly into the program.  Scaling is automatic; the user
    only need invoke the MetaScan function genie within ProPage, and the
    image will be scaled precisely to fit in whatever 'box' awaits it. 
    MetaScan also supports ImageMaster, ImageMaster F/C and Image
    Professional by Black Belt.

    Optical Character Recognition (OCR), $299, by Migraph, is the FIRST OCR
    software available for the Amiga.  What is OCR?  It is the ability for
    computer to recognize scanned text, manipulate it and save it as an
    ASCII textual file.  OCR hardware and software has been available to Mac
    and PC owners for many years; it has taken until 1992 for Amiga owners
    to enjoy the same privilege.  With an Omnifont engine said to be able to
    recognize roughly 98% of all scanned text (the available linguistic
    databases include Dutch, English, French, and German), the software is
    able to work with the AlfaData, Migraph or Golden Image hand scanner to
    scan-in text, load-in IMG or TIFF images or create multi-page
    dictionaries based upon the same kinds of characters (e. g, Greek or
    mathematical symbols).  The OCR unit requires 2 MB of RAM and a hard
    drive for proper operation; the Omnifont engine is able to recognize
    more than twenty of the most common typefaces, and can be trained to
    recognize others.

    Scan & Save, $20, by Migraph, provides an AlfaData, Migraph or Golden
    Image hand scanner the ability to scan and save an image to disk on an
    Amiga.

    Touch-Up 2.0, $?, by Migraph, is an improved version of Migraph's hi-res
    image scanning and editing software.  Usually bundled with Migraph's
    hand scanner, the program now provides a custom screen, automatic image
    loading upon startup, user specification of the degree of overscan, and
    an image viewer for previewing gray-scale, monochrome, color or HAM IFF
    images.

    >>> DESKTOP PUBLISHING:  TUTORIALS

    I-Koen Design Guide to PageStream 2, $6,95, by I-Koen, is a twenty page
    reference guide filled with charts for such things as the fill styles,
    line styles, object effects, and half-tone screens available in
    PageStream 2.  Also provided is a list of keyboard equivalents (to menu
    or mouse commands) and examples of PageStream and PostScript fonts.


    >>> FINANCES

    LPCalc, $49.95, by Solid Gold, is a linear programming calculator
    suitable for both large and small businesses.  The program has a user-
    interface like that of a spreadsheet, but behavior like that of a
    command-driven program.  The user need only load the appropriate
    financial or manufacturing template, enter the necessary data, and then
    save or print reports as desired.

    Home Front 2.0, $99.95, by Designing Minds, is a home finance and
    management program powerful enough to be used by small businesses.  The
    program supplies the user not only the ability to keep track of finances
    (it supports up to 99 accounts, 1000 categories, and up to 32,500
    transactions before compacting), but also provides functions for loan
    analysis, cost forecasting, home inventory, name and address book,
    recipe management, and tax assistance.  The program is easily installed
    on a hard drive, supports both graph and check printing, automatically
    backs-up data or makes routine transactions, and has a new graphic user-
    interface.

    >>> TEXT- AND WORD PROCESSORS

    Excellence 3.0, $49.95, by Micro-Systems, is an upgraded version of the
    powerful package intended to replace Word Perfect as the word processor
    for Amiga power users.  Each package contains two versions:  one for use
    under AmigaDOS 1.3; the other for use under 2.0.  New features include a
    number of WorkBench 2.0-updates: improved user interface,
    AppIcon/AppMenu support, ECS hi-res Productivity mode support, and ARexx
    compatibility.  Other improvements of the WYSIWYG program are:  spelling
    checker support for languages other than English; up to 8 columns per
    page; automatic save at user-specified times and improved speed and
    friendliness.  Excellence is PAL and NTSC compatible, includes Table of
    Contents and Index generation, a 140,000 word dictionary, Grammar and
    Style Checker; Footnote generation; and built-in PostScript support. 
    Output may be NLQ draft, Graphic, Draft and PostScript, while the
    program is able to import files created with Scribble -- as well as
    ASCII text and IFF graphics.  The program requires 1 MB of RAM.  And
    since Excellence 2.0 lists at $199.95, the $50 price quoted above is
    either a misprint by my sources, the price for Excellence owners to
    upgrade to Version 3.0...  or one heck of a good deal!!!

    QuickWrite 1.1, $75 (upgrade for $15 -- and the original program disk),
    by New Horizons, is an upgrade of the QuickWrite word processor
    described in Issue 20 of NewsFlash:
        "QuickWrite ($75), by Gold Disk (sic), is an entry-level word
    processor
    for those who do not need or want the complexity of the firm's
    "ProWrite"
    word processor.  Operating on as little as 512K, QuickWrite gives the
    user a
    "WYSIWYG" display, ARexx macros, mail merge, a 50K word spell checker,
    automatic updating of time/date markers, and several import/export
    options
    -- including upward compatibility with ProWrite, and the ability to
    import
    and export "Professional Page" text files."
        Version 1.1 of QuickWrite sports the WorkBench 2.0 3-D look, in
    keeping with Commodore's interface guidelines, together with greater
    compatibility with AmigaDOS 2.0.  Moreover, the program now includes an
    auto-save feature (which saves the user's work at regular intervals,
    minimizing loss), the loading/saving of preferences, greater ARexx
    compatibility, public screen usage, and macros.  I must also reiterate
    that QuickWrite is by NEW HORIZONS, since I wrongly ascribed it to Gold
    Disk in Issue 20 (and I KNEW better).

    Rashumon 1.2, $150 (DTP version for $200), by HarmonySoft, is a word
    processor that simultaneously supports a number of languages, including
    Arabic, English, Hebrew, and Russian.  Version 1.2 is an upgraded
    version of the program, available either as a pure word processor or as
    a word processor/desktop publishing program (this latter allows the
    incorporation of graphics with text).  In either case, Rashumon features
    support for multiple fonts (of course!), including proportional spacing;
    an improved, intuitive GUI (graphic users interface); faster scrolling
    and editing; NTSC and PAL display options; up to 8 colors (from a
    palette of 4096) in any document; full math support; the ability to read
    text back (aloud); a built-in database; and a save IFF option.  The
    program requires a minimum of 1.0 MB of RAM, though 1.5 is suggested
    (and more is even better!); use of a color printer is also encouraged.

    Wordworth 1.1, £129.99, by Digita, is British-made, graphics-based word
    processor similar to ProWrite, Excellence and Final Copy.  The program
    allows the writer to import, size, scale and drag pictures from
    DeluxePaint within the program -- with the text then flowing
    automatically around the picture(s).  Wordworth permits users not only
    to mix graphics with text, but also to mix various fonts -- Amiga fonts,
    Compugraphic fonts, or Wordworth enhanced fonts -- all on the same page,
    and then display a preview of what the page will look when printed. 
    Wordworth requires 1 MB of RAM, supplies its own PostScript printer
    driver, and includes both NTSC and PAL versions in the package.




                    USEFUL STUFF... AND SOME FUN!


>>> BOOKS AND TUTORIALS -- GENERAL

Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual:  Devices, $28.95, by Addison-Wesley, is a
revised and updated (AmigaDOS 2.0) manual showing programmers how to use the
Amiga system device interfaces.  Containing an introductory section for
those new to this aspect of programming, the 582 page book proceeds to cover
such topics as the Console, the enhanced Clipboard, Timer, Keyboard, and
Trackdisk.  Other topics include the SCSI device, Amiga resources, and a
complete listing of the IFF specification.  If your intent is to take
advantage of the most advanced I/O features of the Amiga, then this work is
a MUST.

Amiga Text Editor Quick Reference, $7.95, by Vidia (don't you just love
their prices?), is a twenty page reference guide for the keyboard
equivalents and macro languages for eleven different Amiga-based text
editors.  Among these are CygnusEd, DME, TxEdPlus, TurboText, Uedit, and
MEmacs.  If you are a person who uses several editors on your Amiga, this
inexpensive reference could save you many hours of trying to find command
references in an editor's documentation.

AmigaDOS Inside and Out, $24.95, by Abacus, is a revised edition of Abacus'
reference guide to AmigaDOS.  Updated for WorkBench 2.0, the 318 page manual
will guide you through all standard AmigaDOS command functions and syntax,
ARexx programming, and the art of writing command scripts (in either
language).  Also included is helpful advice about multi-tasking, using the
Shell, and how to use some of the utilities included with AmigaDOS.

ARexx Cookbook, $29.95 (companion disk for $9.95), by Whitestone, is a
tutorial guide to the ARexx language on the Amiga, written by Merrill
Callaway.  The book adopts a tutorial approach, beginning with simple
standalone programs and then advancing to complex interactive control
programs.  Covering over 600 topics, the book treats with thoroughness such
vital areas as arrays, string handling and parsing.  It even discusses the
ARexx control of PostScript, a subject not mentioned in any other book on
ARexx.  A companion disk is available for an additional $10; it not only
includes the programs described in the book, but contains many extra ARexx
scripts.  After working through "The ARexx Cookbook", a user will have the
knowledge and skills necessary to customize his/her Amiga programs and
working environment.

Introduction to Workbench 2.0, $25, by No Budget Productions, is a two-hour
educational videotape -- and a disk of Public Domain programs -- designed to
familiarize Amiga users with the latest version of the operating system:
2.0.  Among the subjects covered are the new menu bar, preferences, and WB
2.0 tools.  Demos are also included where appropriate.

Mastering the Amiga - Beginners, £19.95, by Bruce Smith Books, is a step-by-
step combination of book and disk (containing PD programs) intended to guide
the Amiga novice through the many facets of the Amiga operating system,
software and hardware.  The book covers the topics in a logical and thorough
manner, providing the reader with a solid overview of the Amiga system as a
whole, and reliable assists for investigating some areas in greater depth.


>>> CD-ROM

AB20 Amiga Archive on CD-ROM, $24.95, by Walnuts Creek, is a multi-megabyte
collection of utilities, editors, applications, hypertext tools,
communications programs, animations, demos, pictures and plotter programs
taken assembled from the files of the famous (but now defunct) AB20 Internet
Amiga Archive.  The disc is in ISO-9660 format, an includes all of the
Usenet archives comp. sources and comp.binaries.amiga.

AsimCDFS, $80, By Asimware Innovations, is an Amiga-compatible CD-ROM file
system capable of reading discs in CDTV, HighSierra, ISO-9660 and MacIntosh
HFS formats -- even those with non-standard block sizes.  It supports a wide
number of SCSI controllers; in fact, any controller that conforms to
Commodore's Host-SCSI standard.  Also included in the package are: 
FishMarket, a CD-ROM filled with the disks of the Fred Fish collection; and
AsimTunes, a software module that allows you to play music CD's from your
CD-ROM drive.


>>> CDTV

Falcon, $79.95, by Spectrum Holobyte, is a combat flight simulator
containing 36 different missions over three theaters of combat.  You are the
pilot of an F-16 Falcon fighter plane, who must successfully complete all 36
missions for to complete the game.  Cockpit controls, flight behavior and
weapons systems are all accurate, making Falcon a joy for aviation buffs
everywhere.

Fantastic Voyage, $49.95, by Centaur, is an enhanced version of the already
popular Amiga disk-based game.  In an recent edition of Newsflash, it was
described as follows:  "Fantastic Voyage ($49.95), by Centaur, is based on
the 1966 Oscar winning movie "Fantastic Voyage".  It places you in the
experimental submarine 'Proteus', which is injected into the bloodstream of
a dying scientist.  Your mission is to destroy a bloodclot in his brain, but
to get there, you must fight your way through his body's natural defenses,
while navigating through a tangled maze of blood vessels.  The game features
8-directional scrolling, detailed animations, several skill levels, original
music, and "organic" sounds and graphics unlike anything ever heard or seen
before on an Amiga.  Turn up the volume, and make your neighbors wonder what
on earth is going on next door!"  The CDTV version is just like this -- only
better, with enhanced sound, graphics and animations -- and for the same
list price as the disk-based version!  CDTV, anyone?

Guinness CDTV Disc of Records, $49.95, CDTV Publishing, is a compendium of
over 6,000 world records -- and their achievers -- brought to life through
animation, photographs, digitized sounds, and special effects.  It
constitutes and audiovisual tour through the world-famous book and its
subject-matter.

Learn French with Asterix, $?, by Microdeal, is a CDTV educational program
for English speakers ("Anglophones") wishing to learn French.  The disc
provides more than 30 hours of instruction in French, including 60 minutes
of spoken French from 30 different characters.  Also included are 400
cartoon drawings, 1500 French vocabulary terms, and a complete English
translation for all text.  If is not enough, the program is also compatible
with the Voice Master CDTV interface (see below), allowing the user to
record and listen to his or her efforts to speak French.

NASA...The 25th Year, $24.95, by 24.95, by Troika Multimedia, is a 50-minute
CDXL movie detailing -- and illustrating -- the history of manned space
flight.  The viewer can watch the 10 frame/second, quarter-screen movie from
beginning to end, or jump directly to any one of 12 segments/topics.

PsychoKiller II, $?, by On-Line Entertainment, is a sequel to the innovative
CDTV game PsychoKiller I (duh!).  As described in an earlier release of
Newsflash, PsychoKiller I is "an interactive story that uses real actors,
digitized photos and sampled sound to lure you into the battle of wits and
more with a psychopathic killer -- all this while trying to rescue his
selected victim... and preserving your own life in the process!"  The sequel
pushes the envelope of CDTV even further, using state-of-the-art, full
screen video, animation, digital audio, special effects -- and, again, live
actors. The plot line is this:  the psycho killer has returned to kill
again, while two psychic detectives attempt to capture him.  But madness is
on the loose, and the hunters may become the prey.  You must try to outwit
the killer, save his potential victim(s) and not lose your own life.  This
game is definitely not recommended for young children.

Ultimate Basketball, $49.95, by Context Systems, is a multi-media simulation
of 5-on-5 basketball.  You can join in the game, coach from the sidelines,
or simply watch the computer play against itself.  The experience is so
complete, with cheerleaders and a half-time show, you'll only miss the beer
and hotdogs.

VidDISC, $25 - 200K, by Merit Software, is a video-based CDTV development
service by Merit.  Resulting applications are said to be more akin to those
of CD-I (an improvement!), than CDTV.  Available services include:  script
writing and analysis, talent foreign language translation, content analysis,
audiovisual production, programming, periodic updates and CD duplication.

Voice FX, $29.95, by Microdeal, is a software adjunct for use with
Microdeal's Voice Master.  The real-time CDTV program supplies the user with
the ability to modify sound for 11 different effects, including raising or
lowering its pitch, echo, chorus, reverberation, ramp, robot, or stereo
qualities.  The software also permits users to play and sing along with
their music CD's, Japanese style.

Voice Master, $59.95, by Microdeal, is a microphone and CDTV interface that
allows CDTV owners to record or playback sound through the CDTV system -- or
to augment the sound already included in a given program.  The unit is
especially useful when combined with such software as Voice FX or Learn
French with Asterix.


>>> UTILITIES

Ambassador, $79.95, by Consultron, is a program for enhanced communication
between Amiga and Bridgeboard.  Using Ambassador makes file transfer far
easier:  the Bridgeboard can access Amiga-mounted floppy drives as MS-DOS
drives, and (virtual and real) hard drive partitions may be access much more
quickly.  Similarly, the Amiga can transparently access MS-DOS formatted
media or Bridgeboard/Ambassador created hard drive partitions.  The program
runs on any Amiga with a mounted Bridegeboard or Sidecar.  It is AmigaDOS
1.3 and 2.0 compatible, and requires Janus 2.0 or higher.

Ami-Back 2.0, $79.95, by Moonlighter Software, is an upgraded version of
what is touted as "the fastest hard disk backup program for the Amiga."  In
Issue 20 of NewsFlash, Ami-Back was described as follows:
    "Ami-Back ($79.95), by AmiComp Software Development, is a fast,
friendly, multi-tasking backup utility for Amiga users.  It allows multiple
configurations for a wide variety of backup options, including writing to
floppies, HD floppies (Commodore standard), other hard drives, and SCSI
tape drives.  These backups may be complete, incremental or selective --
with up to 100 file exclusion conditions per backup.  It also contains a
user-configurable scheduler for unattended backups, with a log file to
document the background scheduler activities.  The chief limitation of
Ami-Back is that it works only on Amigas using Workbench 2.0 (or greater);
those using 1.3 should use a different backup program."
    With version 2.0, some of these limitations have been cleared up:  for
instance, the package now includes TWO versions of Ami-Back, one 1.3-
compatible, the other 2.0-compatible.  Other new features include automatic
support for high-density 1.76 MB floppy disks (installed in some A3000's by
Commodore), wide and friendly tape drive and DAT support, support for
AmigaDOS hard- and soft- links, data compression with no speed loss, a "911-
Recovery" mode that recovers lost data without the need for utility programs
(e.g., DiskDoctor, FixDisk, LastHope, etc.), online help, and password
protection of data.

CrossDOS 5.0 Plus, $59.95 (upgrade for $20), by Consultron, is the latest
version of the popular Amiga-MSDOS file transfer program.  The new version
supports the 1.44 MB floppy drives and 20 MB floptical drives becoming
common in the PC world, as well as MS-DOS partitions on one's Amiga hard
drive.  The user interface has been redone, and such common commands such as
'format' and 'diskcopy' work on disks or partitions of either format --
i.e., the diverse commands have been merged into one unified command.  Also
improved are error handling and the support utilities.  The package
currently includes Consultron's "CrossPC" PC-XT emulator (see below).

CrossPC, $39.95, by Consultron, is a program that emulates a PC-XT
completely in software.  Unlike many current PC emulators, CrossPC will run
on BOTH 68000-equipped and 68020/030/040 equipped Amigas (a version with a
code optimized for the faster processors is also available).  Requiring a
minimum of 1 MB of RAM, CrossPC emulates in software the CGA and Monochrome
PC video modes; can boot from an MS-DOS hard drive or partition; uses the
Amiga keyboard, serial, parallel and mouse ports; is closely integrated with
the CrossDOS filing system (so data can be accessed from either CrossPC or
the Amiga) and multi-tasks with other Amiga programs.  It may be purchased
separately or as part of the CrossDOS 5.0 Plus bundle.

Doug's Color Commander 2.0, $49 ($29.95 direct from Seven Seas; upgrade for
$10) by Seven Seas Software, is an improved version of the screen utility
for grabbing, shading and swapping colors.  Unique to the Color Commander is
the ability to change all color registers -- brightness, greenness, or
redness or saturation -- at once.  Alternately, the user may change a subset
of the color registers simultaneously; change the contrast in any picture
with a key stroke or two; recolor IFF files or save any file as an IFF file;
or change the colors on the screens of other programs.  Doug's Color
Commander provides only limited HAM support, but does support many other
displays, including low resolution, hi-res, interlace, half-brite and
overscan.  This latest version is no longer copy-protected, but is
compatible with WorkBench 2.0.  Other new features include a screen save
delay and screen printing.

Flicker Free Video Preferences, $29.95 (owners of the original Flicker Free
board may purchase it for $15), by ICD, is a program that allows the user to
adjust the scan rate of his/her monitor, raising it to a maximum of 100.2 Hz
to reduce eyestrain, or lowering it to a minimum of 49 Hz for a larger
display area.  The program additionally permits the adjustment of the
overscan area to maximize the display size, and to adjust the number of
colors under WorkBench 2.0 from 2 - 16.  Flicker Free Video Preferences
works not only with FFV-equipped Amigas, but also with the A3000 and Amiga's
with the A2320 display enhancer.  It is also compatible with AmigaDOS 1.2,
1.3 and 2.0.

Hard Disk Organizer (HDO), $44.95, by Display Systems, is a menu program for
Amiga owners of hard disks.  With it, users may start games or applications
with a single click of a mouse button.  Each menu item can be programmed
with up to 8 AmigaDOS commands; assigned one of 10 different colors; and
swapped with one another with a click or two of the mouse.  An unlimited
number of menu items is possible and each may be password protected for
security. The program as a whole may be iconified for easy access; and a
pause command is included for easier multi-tasking.  The Hard Disk Organizer
program is compatible with both AmigaDOS 1.3 and 2.0, allows both NTSC and
PAL displays, and comes with an advanced user's manual.

Quarterback 5.0, $75, by Central Coast/New Horizons, is a powerful new
upgrade of the best-selling backup program.  Among its new features are: 
WorkBench 2.0 support; ARexx and macro support; optional data compression;
streaming tap support; support for up to 4 floppy drives in backup/restore
operations; 3-D graphical appearance; optional encryption or password
protection; and faster backup/restorations.  Files may be selected as
directories, sub-directories or as individual-selections for backup/restore;
wild card and pattern-matching have been improved; and all time/date stamps,
file notes and protection bits are retained during restoration.  And like
Ami-Back above, Quarterback too claims to be the fastest backup and
archiving program for the Amiga.

XCopy Tools, $79.95 (upgrade for $40), by Cachet, is a completely rewritten
update to XCopy Professional.  The toolset contains six different utilities:
Cyclone, a bit copier that allows the user to make backup copies of copy-
protected software; Express, a hard drive backup program; QED, the once-
shareware text editor and word processor; XCopyPro, a speedy copy program
for disks non-protected disks; X-It, a security utility to protect the
user's floppies from unauthorized use; and XLENT, a directory utility
program.  The package also includes a rewritten disk-based manual.  About
the only tools this set lacks are a disk-editing program and a disk
optimizer... not a bad gift for the Amiga novice.

Workbench Management System 3.0, $49.95, by TTR, is an enhanced version of
the popular program 'dock' for the Amiga.  Completely rewritten in assembly
language for increased speed, the WMS allows the user to set up an unlimited
number of resizable buttons for launching games, programs, animations and
other applications with a single click of a mouse button.  Completely multi-
tasking, the WMS now allows multiple panels of buttons to be created for
increased security or organization.  Version 3.0 also features drop-down
menus, hot keys, and flexible button configuration in snap-to-fit windows. 
If this is not enough, the package includes 6 companion utilities: 
Calender, MemoEd, Telemate, DirBrowser, Squeezebox, and Decisive Environment
Unit (sounds like the name of one of Frank Zappa's children!).