Discusses characteristics of two-dimensional (2-D) animation; highlights include character animation, painting issues, and motion graphics. Sidebars present Silicon Graphics animations tools and 2-D animation programs for the desktop computer. (DGM)

Describes GeoWorks, a new graphical user interface (GUI) that works on older, less powerful IBM PCs and compatibles. The PC/GEOS (PC/Graphical Environment Operating System) is explained, user friendliness is emphasized, comparisons are made to Microsoft Windows, and GeoWorks applications software is described. (LRW)

Discusses microcomputer-based graphics and describes software for Windows and other operating systems. Highlights include file formats for painting and drawing; sources of artwork, including clip art, scanning, and public domain images; examples; and graphics toolkits. A review of 26 recent articles on personal computers, other hardware, and…

Comparison of three microcomputer statistical packages, SPSS, SAS, and BMDP, focuses on ease of use, ease of learning, documentation, accuracy, similarity to the mainframe version, and speed. The results of eight statistical multivariate analyses used to evaluate their performance are given. (LRW)

BMDP/Diamond for Windows was developed as a stand-alone software package for initial data exploration and screening. The program uses advanced visualization techniques to allow one to examine the data from different perspectives, or to manipulate graphics to gain greater insight. Data can be checked quickly for a variety of characteristics. (SLD)

Discusses hardware requirements, functions, and applications of five information processing and desktop publishing software packages for the Macintosh: HyperCard, PageMaker, Cricket Presents, Power Point, and Adobe illustrator. Benefits of these programs for schools are considered. (MES)

Briefly describes some available database design tools and provides a detailed description and evaluation of the ER-Design Package, a sophisticated and comprehensive tool available on microcomputer. Some of the ER-Design functions evaluated include the main design module, diagram generation, conversion to relational schema, normalization of files,…

Provides a general review of the field of Computer-Aided Design Software including specific reviews of "Autosketch,""Generic CADD,""Drafix 1 Plus,""FastCAD," and "Autocad Release 9." Brief articles include "Blueprint for Generation,""CAD for Every Department,""Ideas…

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of integrated software, i.e., software that combines the functions of several independent programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, graphics programs, and desktop publishing so that users can work in a consistent and flexible computer environment. Microsoft Works, a well-known integrated package, is…

Reports on the advantages and disadvantages of desktop publishing, using the Apple Macintosh and "Pagemaker" software, to produce a high school yearbook. Asserts that while desktop publishing may be initially more time consuming for those unfamiliar with computers, desktop publishing gives high school journalism staffs more control over…

The use of a computer software package called "Exploring Measurement, Time and Money--Level 1" to help children explore many different arrangements of data and the effects of changing that data is presented. Activities which may be used to prepare students for this instruction are described. (CW)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using an Apple Macintosh in a high school journalism department. Details the software available in the categories of layout ("Xpress" and "Pagemaker"), word processing ("Microsoft Word"), and graphics ("MacDraw,""Cricket Draw,""MacPaint," and…

Reviews six computer software programs that emphasize drawing, science, and math skills: (1) "Brushstrokes" (Claris); (2) "Tempra Vision" (Mathematica); (3) "Draw to Learn" (Draw to Learn Associates); (4) "Coaster" (Disney Software); (5) "Rediscover Science" (Edunetics); and (6) "Rediscover Math" (Edunetics). (MDM)

Reviews three computer programs for the classroom: (1) Kid Pix, a graphics program; (2) GROUPwriter, for online conferencing for students in third grade and above; and (3) Just Grandma and Me, an interactive version of a Mercer Mayer story. (LB)

Describes a three-dimensional computer aided design software package, CADKEY, for demonstrating orthographic orthodirectional projection theory to a classroom. Provides several figures for showing the demonstrations. (Author/YP)