                    HARVARD GRAPHICS 3.0 FOR WINDOWS
                     Reviewed By Wayne A.  MacLeod


	Harvard Graphics 3.0 for Windows is an exceptional full featured
presentation graphics package.  Requirements are: IBM compatible 386
PC or better.  Minimum 4MB of RAM, more is better.  At least 9.1 MB
of free hard disk space with a full install taking just under 24 MB
of hard disk space.  DOS 3.1 or higher and windows 3.1 or higher.
At least a VGA display.  Windows compatible mouse and Windows
compatible sound device if you desire multimedia playback
capability.
	My first impression upon preparing to install HGFW was, "24Megs
for a full install!" The installation process was painless enough
though and further scrutiny revealed that a fully functional install
can be performed in just over 9MB.  The only caveat is not to have
any memory resident virus detection programs loaded during the
installation, these can be safely re-enabled following the install.
The "extras", especially the "5 Minute Coach" are well worth the
disk space if you have it available.  The amount of space required
at first seems excessive till one remembers that as we demand more
and more from the products we use, those products will only get
larger.
	Software Publishing states that their research shows that the
number one concern for users of presentation graphics is "a product
that helps them create the most professional looking presentation"
with user friendliness and speed running close behind.  They have
certainly met those concerns in this release.  I have had limited
experience with presentation graphics, but found that after
completing the interactive tutorial and spending a little time with
the manual I was able to put together a presentation I would be
comfortable in using in a "real life" situation.  If you have never
used this type of software and really do not know what you are
doing, this program is the answer.
	You can start up the program and click on the Quick
Presentations and select from several categories of "pre-prepared
presentations" such as New Product Proposal, Quarterly Review and
Brainstorming Session.  These are templates for complete
presentations that allow you to click and replace the existing text
or graphics with your own with your own.  Even if none of the
included designs are what you are looking for, they are sure to give
you some ideas and assistance in getting out the presentation you
desire.  While being an excellent vehicle for those with little
presentation experience, the program provides the tools and power
for the most demanding user.
	Trying to give adequate coverage to all the features that
contribute to the ease and power of HGFW is beyond the scope of this
review, but some areas must be mentioned.  One such area is the
Harvard Graphics Advisor.  The Advisor consists of the Quick
Presentations, Quick Advice that gives you "how to" advice on
selection and use of styles, types of charts and output device
choices.  There is an interactive Design Checker that checks the
presentation for you and offers suggestions for improvement.  There
are Quick Tips and Design Tips available to assist you throughout
the creation of your presentation.  All of these features are
available via mouse click during all stages of your work.
	There is also an animation player that comes with 15 pre-made
animation clips to enhance your presentation.  Harvard F/X, a
special effects program that interfaces directly with HGFW and can
be installed during the initial HGFW install or separately at a
later time.  F/X comes with over 30 effects that can easily be
applied to your presentation as well as a full set of drawing and
modification tools.  It includes effects for text, objects and
bitmap art
	HGFW has a conference facility that allows a presentation to be
displayed on as many as 64 networked computers.  Control can even be
passed to another user over the LAN.  If you are using a MAPI or VIM
compliant mail system it is possible to transmit your work with just
a click of an icon.
	The program is well documented and has excellent on-line help
system as well as the Advisor and series of Tutorials.  Software
Publishing provides a full array of outside support services, from a
BBS to 800 and 900 pay support calls, to a CIS forum to a bi-monthly
journal called TechJournal.
	Again, this is a full featured program that emphasizes ease of
use for the new or casual user, but comes with all the power and
options that anyone should need to create powerful and professional
graphical presentations.

                       Software Publishing Corp.
                            3165 Kifer Road
                              PO Box 54983
                     Santa, Clara CA.   95056-8000
                             (800) 234-2500

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