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Periodically we ask our panel of experts to review a few items of software and comment on their observations. We include their comments here, the good and the bad, so that you can make an informed decision whether the software is something you would find useful in your collection. Who are these "experts"? They are volunteers with a broad computer background and they have agreed to "tell it like it is"; or, at least, how they see it. They serve without compensation, other than the satisfaction they receive in assisting others with their findings. Your comments about our reviews are always welcome.

Would you like to be a member of the Neat Net Tricks Software Review Panel?  Write jteems for details. NEAT NET TRICKS SOFTWARE REVIEW PANEL Brief Biographies Of Our Current Members Reviewer has been using computers since the mid '80s and has written many reviews for a computer user group as well as chairing the software review committee for that group. He is a retired general contractor and home inspector and currently owns his own company . He majored in broadcasting and journalism in college and enjoys online gaming, solving software problems, blogging and using online resources and knowledge bases without resorting to paid technical support. Reviewer started in computer science in 1966 with direct binary programming of a GE main frame computer. He progressed with the advancements in hardware and systems through Fortran IV, COBAL, Assembly, DOS, and various other program languages. With a primary interest and scholastic degrees in the medical field, he was a pioneer in the melding of these two sciences. He was instrumental in developing the first bar coded blood type labels to prevent deadly errors in mislabeling of blood products. He continues this melding of these two sciences today which enhance the treatment of patients. Reviewer uses computers daily at home and in his dental practice. His first computer class involved programming on punch cards and he has been involved with computing for all of his adult life. He designed and installed his Ethernet network through his home and office and taught a class entitled “Computers in Dentistry”. He has managed the Web site and email lists for his state’s Academy of Dentistry and is a product evaluator for a research firm. His computer interests include digital photography, Web design, security, tweaks, productivity software, research, and organization. Reviewer is Professor Emerita of English at a well-known university. She is Founding Director of a Center that was recognized by ABCNews.com's Wired Women as "the best resource on women and technology on the Web." Author of a book on Internet resources, she has taught courses about computers and the Internet, written articles about computer-mediated communication and online resources for women, and created highly acclaimed websites dealing with Internet resources. In 1991, she established and still runs an electronic forum for Women's Studies teaching and research that now has more than 5,000 subscribers in 47 countries. Her computer experience dates from the early 1980’s and she says she loves software that "helps me do things that I couldn't do (or do as efficiently) for myself." Since 1984, Reviewer has used Apple clones, CP/M, DOS, various Mac OS generations, and Windows from 3.1 on. He taught in several locations both overseas and in the Arctic, as well as helping inner-city children with reading and math learning disabilities. For several years he was a consultant, travelling from community to community to set up computer learning centers for children and adults. He worked several years in financial services and continues to use specialized software applications in his own business. Although he continues to rely on tried and true software programs, he enjoys the challenge of experimenting with new programs. He says he prefers shareware with good support over “the big guys”. Reviewer’s primary interest in computers comes from a practical/professional standpoint as a research scholar, professional writer, and university professor. While holding a degree in Computer Science with a specialty in HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) as well as five other advanced degrees, he spent most of his adult life as a New York-Broadway professional stage director choreographer, and actor in addition to working in both Film and Television. He currently holds the rank of Professor in the Departments of English, Film Studies, Theatre, Music, and Computer Science, holding a PhD in both English and Theatre History. He also works as a part-time consultant to several IT Departments and is a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and has been awarded the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician) certifications. He was instrumental in introducing computer-aided light design as well as CAD design into academic theatre in addition to introducing the widespread use of computers in the liberal arts curricula. His home system is an advanced and powerful Alienware system that serves as a platform for entertainment, Web research, desktop publishing, and multimedia. He began working with computers in 1977 with one of the first Radio Shack TRS80s and has since custom built seven computers. As a software reviewer he is particularly interested in software that outperforms other more widely known brands while leaving a much smaller footprint in the use of resources; software that seeks to improve the interactions between users and computers by making computers more usable and receptive to the user's needs; as well as software that is innovative and doesn't simply try to "reinvent the wheel."
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