Enigmatic Workshop Is Fun

now and I still don't have the faintest idea who it is aimed at.

I am convinced that it does its job perfectly, but there again it doesn't seem to have any pre-defined function. If all this sounds confusing, then it is a good reflection on this disc which is fascinating and great fun with little real purpose!

The scenario is a workshop with a choice of three shapes to work with - square, circle or triangle. A number of machines are available which can rotate, cut, stretch, paint the shape as it undergoes a strange metamor phosis before your very eyes.

The shape is first selected from the shelf page and then moved to the plan stage. Here the shape lies surrounded by the various symbols which represent the various machines available. These can be selected by use of the function keys as shown on the function strip which accompanies the program.

The drill bores a hole in the shape, placing a hole in the centre of the box. The shape has already been moved around in the box while on the plan page, and so the hole might not be central. A larger hole is made by subsequent presses of Return.

Painting is fairly obvious, with the colours all available except black. A rather interes ting effect results from the NOT function, which changes the shape under consideration from the shape itself to the mould around it. Shapes can be enlarged or reduced by the arrow keys and the squash machine.

Perhaps one interesting way to get to grips with the program is in the form of a game. It is possible to use the look feature to show the steps of evolution which the shape went through.

If one child were to play around with a shape and machines in any way so wished, then a really challenging problem would be to recreate the original shape from scratch. It then becomes an absolutely fascinating pursuit.

As I said at the beginning, there is no specific purpose resulting from this program but it is enormous fun all the same.

Phil Tayler