by Brian Grainger: brian@grainger1.freeserve.co.uk

My request for new contributors last time did bring some results. Alasdair Davis, who uses a BBC Master, contacted me and his piece on COMAL for the BBC Micro is included here.

Earl Dallas also sent a contribution. In the past Earl has reviewed software for performing backups. This time he discusses a useful type of backup device, which is not often considered because of price. Earl suggests buying second hand so have a look at his piece on DAT drives.

Despite contributing last time Alan Crease did find time to consider the latest trend - Internet connections that all almost totally free. His Thoughts and Tangents are devoted to that issue. I, myself am totally confused about the real cost of these so-called free service and I am drawing up a table of the various services announced. Maybe next time, if all these proposed services come to fruition, I will include the table in the Journal so that members can make their own choice.

The 4th part of the Windows 95/98 Registry series makes its appearance in the E-Journal and discusses the various user related keys.

Ken's regular contribution discusses programs he uses to aid file upload from his machines and introduces some more links on the Internet to have a look at.

I look at Windiff as the second in my series on useful tools for Windows and finally I discuss the detrimental effect on e-commerce of recently introduced/proposed regulations.

Quite a variation in subject matter there. Enough to satisfy all tastes. Keep the articles coming. The deadline for next time is quite close to the end of the month so there will be no leeway to extend it. Start writing now!

Deadline for the next issue is 25th May 2000. 

The Editor: brian@grainger1.freeserve.co.uk