Tango for FileMaker 2.1.1 for Macintosh is a software tool for making FileMaker databases accessible through the Web. Tango works either as a CGI or as an API plug-in for Quarterdeck's WebSTAR. The interface that is created with Tango provides users with the means to query, enter, or edit information contained in a FileMaker database.

Tango makes it possible to share or collect information from any computer connected to the Web. This is a powerful capability, with significant import for any business or endeavor with an online presence. Individuals can use it to access their personal database information from any location, or to share it with others. Businesses, government, industry, schools, service organizations, and other database owners can use it for a wide range of purposes, including on-line registration, attendance reporting, on-line shopping, customer surveys, on-line catalogs, directories, etc.

The process of creating a Tango file involves opening the target database in FileMaker and then identifying that file as the Data Source. Tango provides an easy-to-use interface to drag and drop target fields into the Query Building window to indicate which fields will be searched, what the result screen will look like, and several other criteria related to how data is selected and how query results are returned.

Tango can access FileMaker data fields, including picture containers, through drag and drop simplicity. This latest version of Tango automatically converts PICT-formatted images in a FileMaker database into JPEG images for display on the Web, on-the-fly.

The file that is produced through the quick and easy query building process can be edited and enhanced using additional features in the Tango editor. HTML code can be added to produce effects which the editor does not otherwise support. $349

FontExpert is the best tool yet for computer identification of typefaces from a scanned specimen. All this program needs is a scanned sample of as few as two characters from a document document in order to recognize any of thousands of typefaces, from dozens of the world's finest type design houses. The recognition system is very tolerant, and can recognize characters from inexpensive hand scanners and from low-quality faxes. The result of the recognition process is a listing, in rank order, with a numeric confidence level, of all of the typefaces that the sample resembles. Each of the polled characters also returns a color-coded response to indicate how well it matches characters from typefaces that are listed in the results window. A character that returns a red color does not match any typeface in the database, one that returns yellow is similar to one or more typefaces in the database, and one that returns green is a definite or very close match. $249

Maintaining their position as the most capable word processor, Nisus Software recently introduced Nisus Writer 5.0. Previous versions of Nisus Writer have been famous for taking advantage of every new Mac technology from Apple. This version is no exception. Nisus Writer 5.0 is fully WorldScript savvy, supports text-to-speech, drag-and-drop, AppleScript, Apple Guide, QuickDraw GX, Macintosh Easy Open, and QuickTime.

In addition to supporting Apple technologies, Nisus Writer has the richest feature set of any word processor. The new version supports unlimited undos and redos, noncontiguous selection, HTML editing capabilities, several document translators, style sheets, and much more.

As if the included features weren't enough, the new version is also an OpenDoc container, allowing you to extend Nisus Writer's features even further through the use of third party parts.

Nisus Writer 5.0 is an extremely powerful word processor and is perfect for anyone who works with very large documents, HTML, or who just wants a powerful word processor with support for the latest the Mac has to offer.

Reviewed by Scott J. Kleper

No wonder it received the Macworld Best of Show 97. Eye Candy 3.0 (based on The Black Box 2.0 filter set) contains 21 amazing Photoshop filters: 10 from The Black Box (drop shadow, inner bevel, outer bevel, glow, glass, swirl, HSB noise, carve, cutout, and motion trail), and 11 new filters (fire, smoke, fur, chrome, perspective shadow, star, antimatter, squint, jiggle, weave, and water drops). Unique to Eye Candy is its previewing capability, which includes resizing and magnification from 6% to 1600%. A thumbnail view is provided for moving quickly to any part of the original image.

Each filter ships with at least 10 preset settings, and the user can save and restore an unlimited number of presets to reproduce any special effect.$199

If you're not yet convinced that OpenDoc is a better way of working, Digital Harbor's WAV might convince you. Billed as a "Work Processor," WAV is a web-enabled, OpenDoc-savvy, fully scriptable, and very affordable word processor.

Working with WAV really doesn't take much getting used to. Like all Live Objects, a new WAV document is created by opening a stationery file. Like any other word processor, you can begin typing immediately and have complete control over rulers, fonts, styles, etc. There are several enhanced features like context-sensitive clicking and columned text. However, the real power of WAV comes when you start adding other Live Objects.

In addition to CyberDog, WAV comes with sample Live Objects including C-TextBox (a tool for titles and labels) and LEXI (a multilingual spell checker). Embedding parts within a WAV document really flaunts the power of OpenDoc. If you're browsing the web with CyberDog and come accross a graphic you like, you can drag it into your WAV document and the graphic is fully editable with whichever graphic editor you have installed. OpenDoc makes it easy to include tables, charts, graphics, and even web pages within your documents.

WAV also provides a convenient FolderBay where you can store various Live Objects and clippings. My custom stationery has a folder with my signature, return address, and other items that I use regularly. WAV is a great tool to have and it's a steal at $49.95.

Reviewed by Scott J. Kleper

Until March 1, 1997 Windows users will have the opportunity to purchase the new version of FlightCheck for Windows for $249.00, a savings of $150. This software preflights native documents created by PageMaker, QuarkXPress, Quark Passport, FreeHand, Illustrator and Photoshop.

FlightCheck for Windows alerts the user to over 140 potential printing problems including important items such as: incorrect Printer settings, incorrect color usage, user-defined custom Traps, missing fonts or images, fonts that have been stylized from a Style menu, image boxes that have a background color of "None," improper resolution of images, and more.

Fetch, the image management program that was introduced by Aldus, then transferred to Adobe, has been acquired by Extensis, and updated with significant new features. Version 1.5 is PowerMac native, and incorporates flexible drag and drop capabilities that allow for rapid import of all kinds of digital media into and out of the program. Digital files in all common formats (more than 50 file formats including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, PageMaker and Acrobat, QuarkXPress, Macromedia FreeHand, TIFF, PEG, GIF, EPS, PICT, Kodak Photo CD, MIDI and other sounds, QuickTime movies, PDFs, and 3D) can be dragged from Fetch directly into PageMaker 6.5, QuarkXPress, ClarisWorks, and other applications that support drag and drop. The program includes the QX-Drag&Drop XTension which lets users place files directly into XPress documents.

A critical aspect of any program of this kind is the capability to add files quickly and easily. Fetch excels in this area by allowing for the addition of single files, folders, disks, or volumes directly into a Fetch catalog. Files can be located quickly by using a keyword, file name, location, file type or visual thumbnail. Images can be previewed at full resolution, and sounds and QuickTime movies can be played within the application.

An innovative new feature is the capability to catalog Web pages through the use of the free CyberViewer program, which works in concert with Netscape Navigator. CyberViewer automatically saves thumbnail images of viewed pages, which can then be double-clicked, either within its own application window, or within Fetch, to go to the target Web page. $99.95

Sundial is a series of CD-ROM software products that display time-lapse photography on the desktop. The first volume, Scenic California, presents a choice of ten QuickTime movies of California landscapes that slowly change during the day. The scene changes according to a special algorithm that synchronizes and changes the chosen scene with the current time, responding to the user's actual sunrise and sunset times. $29.95

CyberPress is a Quark XTension which represents a subset of Astrobyte's BeyondPress. It provides a fastpath for QuarkXPress users to repurpose their publication content for publishing on the World Wide Web. Users can easily export text as HTML, convert text into list styles, convert text to a table, convert text to an image (to maintain the look of a font or logo), and export images as GIF or JPEG. The program includes a copy of Adobe PageMill 2.0 which offers an environment for previewing and enhancing HTML documents with image maps, WYSIWYG frames and tables, textflow around images, animated GIFs, and much more. $149.95

Multi-Ad Search 3.1 simplifies the task of locating and retrieving files of all kinds (TIFF, EPS, MacPaint, SND, JPEG, GIF, PICT, RIFF, CIF, AIFF, AP Wire, Multi-Ad Creator, Photoshop, Freehand, PageMaker, Persuasion, QuickTime, PhotoCD, and more). Files may be located anywhere, on a local drive, network, an unmounted CD, or a removable disk. Files may be browsed either visually (from 12.5% to 800%) or as a text list, and include complete file information such as file name, volume, file size, source application, date, etc. The program supports cataloging of up to 160,000 compressed files with thumbnails created in either 1-, 8-, 16- or 32-bit depth. The program supports the conversion of Fetch 1.0 catalogs. $180

Multi-Ad Services, Inc., 1720 West Detweiller Dr., Peoria, IL 61615-1695, 309 692-1530.

The MIDI music format has achieved a respectable recognition factor and does an excellent job of representing music with a minimum of data. A lesser known format called MOD (modules) is even more compact. The compact nature of MOD data has made it the format of choice for the short, repetitive music tracks used in video games. MOD represents musical scores on the basis of two parameters: a set of samples (which represent instruments), and a set of patterns, which represent sequencing information which indicates which instrument is to be played on which track, and at what pitch.

Patterns are a matrix of data which makes the music. Each pattern is composed of a varying number of columns and rows with each command representing the instrument number, and values for pitch, effect, effect parameter and volume. A pattern is actually a group of tracks with a specified length, usually equal to 64 rows. Each track can play a different voice or note, and each track is independent of the others. An example of a pattern command would be:

04-C#3-0-00-25

This command is interpreted as the fourth instrument in C sharp in the third octave, at a volume of 25, without effects. Instruments are numbered from 1 to 64 and listed as a decimal number; pitch is listed from C-0 to C-9; an effect is listed in hexidecimal notation; an effect parameter is also listed in hexidecimal notation; and a volume value, is, again listed in hexidecimal notation.

Patterns are arranged in an order specified in an arrangement called the "partition." The partition is a set of 255 pattern numbers that indicate how the song will be played.

MOD music is composed using a computer keyboard, a MIDI keyboard, or by using one of several editors. MOD files are supported on most computer platforms, but may have reached the pinnacle of sophistication on the Macintosh, with the introduction of PlayerPRO, a music creator/player environment supporting up to 32 tracks. The program is compatible with MOD, MIDI, XM, MAD, MED, S3M, MTM, snd, WAV, AIFF, and AIFC. $99

The Kleper Report on Digital Publishing is (c)opyright 1997, Graphic Dimensions, Pittsford, NY. You may distribute this document, unmodified and in its entirety, provided that you do not charge for it. You may distribute portions of this document, unmodified, provided that you also include this copyright notice and subscription information.

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