Windowswise Learning System: the Ultimate Windows 3.1 Learning Tool; Wordperfect Features I--Time Savers: Making Macros With Wordperfect

Peter Chimicles' 2-tape WindowsWise Learning System offers a comprehensive overview of the Windows 3.1 environment aimed at beginning and intermediate level users. The first volume shows viewers how to install Windows; learn mouse fundamentals by playing solitaire; create, edit, and print files with Windows built-in low power word processor Write, and use the clock, calendar, and cardfile. Volume 2 covers Windows' clunky File Manager; looks at the built-in graphics program Paintbrush, examines various options for fine-tuning in the Control Panel (fonts, desktop wallpaper, etc.), and introduces the more complex functions of OLE (Object Linking & Embedding) and the Object Packager. Windows' communications program (Terminal) and multimedia capabilities (Media Player, etc.) are not addressed. The format is simple: Chimicles reads the script (occasionally too fast) while the camera cuts to dead-on shots of the computer screen with occasional zooming. The video quality is fair and sometimes poor with washed-out looking blurry text. The picture-in-picture format, quality animation, and crisp graphics that characterize top of the line computer software instructional videos are not on display here. Basically, the program provides a good introduction, but the use of the video format is only fair. Libraries with large holdings in this area might want to consider, but also keep in mind that Microsoft plans to release an update of Windows this year.WordPerfect Features I has WordPerfect certified instructor Norma Leone (whose WordPerfect: Introduction I was reviewed in our December 1992 issue) teaching viewers how create, edit, and manipulate macros (a recorded string of commands which can be implemented with few keystrokes) using the DOS 5.0 or 5.1 version of WordPerfect. Leone's instruction is clear, the screen is easily readable, and the program is true to its title: good macros are real time savers. Leone shows viewers how to create macros for a letter closing, memo, and letterhead, and demonstrates the Alt-Letter, Named Macro, and Pause Command modes of creating macros. a good choice.WindowsWise Learning System is an optional choice for larger computer software video instruction collections. WordPerfect Features I is recommended. (R. Pitman)