Computers: Feedback
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Your support makes all the difference.Consumer choice
For many computer-buyers who do not know a disk drive from a Mega Drive the first step is to buy a specialist magazine - only to find themselves even more confused, writes Nigel Willmott.
But as computers have been steadily entering the home as a consumer item, the consumer friendly Which? magazine has been increasing its coverage and testing of them. In its March issue it tests both computers and fax machines, including fax modem cards for computers.
Its report is of most use in explaining in simple terms what different types of system are capable of and what to look out for. It nominates as Best Buys, the venerable Amstrad PCW10 word processor and Amiga 1200 in the under pounds 500 bracket, and the Apple Performa 450 and IBM PS/1 in the over- pounds 500 bracket.
But it adds the rider that the PS/1 is 'an example of a 486 PC'. Since the main problem for most buyers is choosing between the plethora of brands of 486 PCs, Which? should probably be used as a starting point only.
On the box
Two years ago running TV or video pictures on a personal computer was a matter of spending a couple of thousand on extra hardware. Now an add-on TV/video card for a PC can be bought for under pounds 300.
Next week (28-29 March) the huge potential opened up by this convergence of technologies will be discussed at conference in London organised by the British Universities Film and Video Council. Speakers from Philips, Microsoft and ITN, film-makers and critics will debate aspects from aesthetics to technical standards. 'Putting Movies on Computer', 071 734 3687.
Here and now
I read with interest your item 'California Dreaming' (11 March) which details your reviewer's initial joy and later distress on using NetManage Chameleon for Windows.
I am sure you will appreciate that there are many different combinations of hardware and software, applications and operating systems which can interact in interesting ways.
Integralis (UK) is the master distributor for Chameleon. We are here in Berkshire and happy to help.
Justin Clark
Integralis (UK), Reading
0734 306060.