Previous Next

The blurb inside the cassette box tells you that Draw is "an implementation of a sub-section of the Logo language, principally its turtle graphics". Off-putting, isn't it?

I had two or three programs to review and left this one until last as it sounded as dreadfully dull. This was a mistake, as I soon discovered. I loaded the program and turned to the tutorial section of the excellent little manual that comes with the cassette. This led me through all of the programming techniques available with Draw. Written simply and clearly, it was a pleasure to use, unlike some of the other manuals I've come across.

By the time I'd read and worked through it on my Electron, Draw wasn't off-putting, it was fascinating. At one level, the program allows you to produce pretty patterns on the screen, quickly and easily. At another level, it introduces the beginner to the basics of programming using a simple graphics-orientated language. The fact that it is so much fun to use encourages experiment and learning.

The whole thing is menu-driven, which means that your Electron gives you a series of choices and you can take your pick. This allows you to get any of the commands by one or two keystrokes, making the program very pleasant to use.

It's educational, it's fun and it's easy to use, being one of the nicest programs I've come across in a long while. If you're looking for something that's both out of the usual and entertaining then Draw might just be it.

Trevor Roberts