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This is an unusual filing program in that it can only be used for indexing, not for lots of different information.

The reason for its name is that it is a computerised version of a real card filing system. Each card has 32 numbered holes at the edge, and a corresponding heading; for example, in a photograph index the first hole may represent "monochrome", the second "colour" and so on. If that card represents a colour photo, a V-shaped notch is cut between the second hole and the card edge. If all the cards are put together, and a pin put through hole number two, all the cards representing colour photos will drop out.

As a computer version, V-Notch is quite elegant. It is written mostly in BASIC but works reasonably fast and is presented pretty professionally. The manual is comprehensive and covers most problems, although I found it confusing at first. At the back of the book are extra program routines to type in for full size printer owners and to save the whole program to microdrive. I think these should have been options from the main program, although in general it is user-friendly.

I have a few reservations. I think it is going to be too limited for many people - you can't use it for filing addresses or anything like that. It's also rather pricey. But if you think it suits your needs, quite a good buy.

P.S.