Packaging a program and book can enhance enjoyment and sales of both. Many book and magazine publishers are venturing into software, with or without the book/program link. In this case I fear the link duplicates rather then complements.

The idea, first published as a book in 1982, is one I'm a little uneasy about anyway. It was sold for children to record their secret thoughts about, for example, mum, dad, brothers and sisters, friends and even themselves. There's the obvious: height, weight, hair colour, eye colour and so on. And it checks for silly answers. Then there's favourite TV programmes, pop records, foods, etc, and most hated of same. But what about: Mum as I see here, the boring nag count? There is also a section for: diary dates, what I'd like for Christmas and so on. All good database stuff, and the secrecy of storage on tape, with password and security code, is far better than hiding the book. So, who needs the book?

A warning - if the new Data Protection Bill becomes law you will have to register if you record data on anyone outside your immediate family!

B.J.