To start off this new feature, we have included three reviews made by your fave ed of some of the educational software currently available through Gumboot. It should be said, however, that our machines does not have a lot of educational software available, and from enquiries we have received it would seem that the potential demand is quite high.

Educational software really covers all aspects of learning, whether it is very basic spelling and arithmetic for young children or 'O' Level type subjects. There are a lot of keen Basic programmers within our ranks who would like to write some commercial software - so how about coming up with some educational titles?

With this sort of software, speed of execution is not a prime requirement, so that Basic is an ideal language to use. However, anyone contemplating producing educational programs needs to bear in mind that their software must be very user-friendly and capable of sustaining interest in the user, particularly if it is aimed at young children.

Meanwhile, if anyone has listings that come under the educational heading then please send them to us, preferably on a tape, and we will publish them on this page for the benefit of other members. Also, if any member feels that he or she has a special interest in this field and would like to take over editorship of this feature then please come forwards, there will be a warm welcome for you!

The best way to test educational programs for youngsters is to sit one down and see how they get on with it. Maths Magic is aimed at 5-11 year olds, but unfortunately, due to problems of expediency I have had a go with it myself (No funny comments please!).

My first impression was that anyone nearer the lower age range would not be able to use the program alone, as there are several questions thrown up by the computer regarding your name, level of difficulty and so on. However, as soon as they are shown a few times the youngest user may be able to proceed alone. Certainly, the important parts, i.e. the maths itself, are very easy to use.

There are ten levels of difficulty, and the sums range from simple addition - e.g. 2+3, to division tables - e.g. 132/12. The level seems irrelevant to the multiply and divide options as you choose your own table number anyway (up to 12).

Susan Drew, the author, has made great efforts to brighten up basic arithmetic. All sums are written on a blackboard by a very large "maths magician" who waves a wand from which a pretty star twinkles. If you get the sum right you are presented with a large reassuring tick and a positive sound effect, else you get a cross and a "negative" sound. If you get all ten right, the computer plays a little tune.

A very useful feature occurs on addition and subtraction up to level 4 - the problem is displayed graphically in counters, so that even a toddler who can count using his or her fingers can have a go.

I would imagine that Maths Magic would be an invaluable aid to any child in learning basic arithmetic up to the 12 times table, and would hold their attention a lot longer than pen and paper could.

First impressions on picking up the cassette were favourable. There was a very neat booklet inside which claimed that French Tutor would help me to 'O' Level and beyond. The loading instructions, however, are not too clear. After some frustration, I realised that you must load the first program with SYSTEM M. This sets up a special input routine. Tere are three further programs on tape and widely spaced two vocabularly sections and a verb section, which you CLOAD.

The input routine allows you to type in acute and grave accents which is a nice touch, and important for French spelling. Sadly, but not too importantly, there is no provision for a circumflex!

Now on to the tutor sections themselves. The first two are concerned with vocabularly, and are identical except that they have different sets of 500 words. You can choose to translate words (a mixture of nouns, verbs and prepositions but no adjectives as far as I could tell) either from French to English or vice versa. You are tested in batches of ten, and you are presented with a large tick or cross.

At the end of the batch, your total errors are listed and you are instructed to learn them! This test is generally single words, but where you are translating nounds into French then you must put un or une first.

Incidentally, I found a funny bug when it listed all my errors from English to French - it goes on to select one of them at random and re-test you, giving you a list of ten answers, only one of which is correct. It's obvious which is the correct one as there is always only one written in French!

However, these vocabulary sections work well, and would seem an ideal way to build up a large vocabulary. Some of the words are commonplace, but there are plenty of obscurities likely to pop up at 'O' level.

I found the very section a bit disappointing as there are only eleven verbs, albeit a well-chosen mixture of regulars and irregulars. All "persons" are catered for as are four tenses - present, future, conditional and imperfect. You have two options - a verb test or a list of the tenses or each verb. On the test you must enter, for example, "the first person plural of the present tense of faire" (nous faisons).

My overall opinion is that French Tutor would be very useful in learning a good sized vocabulary and verb endings. You can easily modify the programs to include your own words (helpful instructions are provided). It's a shame that you can't translate simple sentences and constructions, but maybe some clever member will fill that particular gap at a future date!

Gobbledegook is a name that is not terribly explanatory, but in fact it refers to Mr. Gobble, who is a rather big spider and a sworn opponent of whoever is running the program, and gooks which are really points scored.

The game is similar to Hangman, except that points are at stake. Also, you choose a subject from which the computer will select a word that you must guess - e.g. countries. The "game" will definitely appeal to children eight years and upwards as there are nice accompanying sound and graphics. For example, if you guess an incorrect letter, Mr. Gobble comes down on his thread and snatches the letter, increasing his score at the same time. The words stored vary from obvious to quite tricky, even for adults!

Gobbledegook is well thought-out and very user-friendly. You can modify the program listing very easily to include your own categories and words, so that there is plenty of mileage in this program.