As promised, this month's column is devoted to the good ol' BBC Micro. Over the past few months, 8-bit PD libraries have proliferated, and the quality of the software available is very high indeed.

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First off the starting blocks is Cotswold PD. Their 3D Spin is definitely the program you want to show nonchalantly to bragging Amiga owners. Accompanied by the Eurhythmics, it is a very impressive demonstration.

Music is something you'll never be short of, with many libraries having a choice of tunes and megamixes. BBC B owners should beware though, as many of the more elaborate sounds will only work on a Master with sufficient sideways RAM. As with commercial software, always give your system details when ordering.

Particularly noteworthy musical renditions can be obtained from the Yorkshire Boys, and there is a vast choice - as well as some funky seasonal offerings - from Red Shift. Procastinet hit the spot as far as I was concerned with a very professional user interface and superb rendition of Enola Gay.

Anyone who is familiar with the Mac and PC public domain will know that you can obtain some excellent applications and utilities. 8-bit PD have a well-programmed Systems Bank Account Manager which is a lot better than some of the commercial ones you can buy for the BBC Micro.

It is simple and intuitive to use, and you don't have to know anything about accounts. Even if you are only vaguely interested in keeping track of your ingoings and outgoings take a look - it's excellent.

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For those who like to twiddle, BBC PD have a selection of programs. Not for inexperienced BBC owners, there is a Letterhead Designer, Informant ROM - programmers only this one - Communitel screen converter and Spellchecker. There are answers to particular problems and are typical of the type of programs and needs that led to the setting up of PD in the first place.

Also look out for LogoSubset from Red Shift. You'll need to know something about turtle graphics, but with Logo now specified in the National Curriculum it's a cheap way to practise the basics.

Other homework short cuts can also be found: Curves plots the results of a series of equations such as R=1+COS(z); while Stephen Bodman offers help to Maths 'A' Level complex number problems, simultaneous equations as well as approximate integration using Simpson and Trapaisesium rules. Unfortunately, I don't have an address for Stephen, so if he can write to me again, I'll print the details next month.

As we're still in a Christmassy frame of mind I had to try the public domain libraries' selection of game. I was a little concerned though by some offerings I received from readers - just because you typed in a game from a magazine doesn't make it PD or allow you to distribute it or put it on a bulletin board. Enough said.

Procastinet gave me some interesting insights into the private world of the Sphinx who was responsible for Secret Garden, already seen on the Archimedes. BBC owners can also partake now.

Thanks for the hints guys. I'll try the apple tree again. Talking of hints and tips, BBC PD and Red Shift offer a selection of them for commercial adventures and so on.

Time for another buzz word - has anyone heard of PBM? Play-by-mail, as it suggests, allows you to play tactical and strategy games with people all over the country through a central office.

One of the best known is Blackpool-based KGC Games. In recent years, their biggest game has been It's A Crime. There is now a PD version for the Beeb called Urban War, and any wargamers out there should hasten to acquire a copy from HS Williams.

John Henson has some superb offers including The Bungle Brothers - your inept siblings were caught after a bank raid, and before they had told you where they've stashed their loot. You have to find out where in this text adventure.

In Stock Market, follow the bulls and bears as you try to make a million without going bust. Cells And Spells is a brilliant adventure game for first-timers with rooms of treasure and monsters. Easy to follow and no annoying parser to get used to.

8-Bit PD
BBC PD
Cotswold PD
JG Harston PD/Shareware Library
Robin Pike
Procastinet
Rafael Jay
The Yorkshire Boys
H. S. Williams

If you want further information send them a stamped addressed envelope and if you feel the urge to add your offerings they're always on the lookout for new programs and demos - as am I.