Examines features of currently available electronic spelling checkers to assist in purchasing decisions. Hardware considerations are discussed, and several standalone checkers for the IBM and Macintosh are described, as well as checkers included with word processing programs. Ordering information for the programs is included. (MES)

Suggests factors to be considered in planning for the purchase of a microcomputer, including budgets, benefits, costs, and decisions. Major uses of a personal computer are described--word processing, financial analysis, file and database management, programming and computer literacy, education, entertainment, and thrill of high technology. (EJS)

Discusses print quality, speed, print modes, buffers, and character sets of daisy-wheel and dot-matrix printers; briefly reviews features needed to print graphics and color; and presents a chart listing over 30 typical daisy-wheel and dot-matrix printers for comparison of features and price. (MBR)

Examination of the emergence of microcomputer word processing in the library environment highlights library applications, hardware considerations, evaluations of four word processing programs (Apple Writer II, Screen Writer II, Magic Wand, WordStar), and "nonperformance" factors that influence selection of word processing package. Ten…