Editorial

I'm getting quite excited about the fact that next issue is Issue
50 of SynTax. It seems no time at all since Issue 1 but the
magazine is now quite different compared to how it was then - a
single-sided ST disk with only about 300K of information on it.
Long-term readers will know that John Barnsley co-edited the first
3 issues and though it was my idea to start SynTax, I wouldn't
have had the courage to do it on my own. So I owe John a big
thank-you for his initial support.

But, here we are, at Issue 49, teetering on the edge of a big
number (it's a bit like hitting one of 'those' birthdays!).  I'd
like the magazine to continue from strength to strength through
the NEXT 50 issues. Any suggestions for the future will be very
welcome. For starters I am planning to do a new paper Index for
next issue to replace the current SynDex. I also decided to only
print machine-specific library listings in the magazine (ie PC in
the PC version but not ST and Amiga etc) from now on. Most of you
are single machine users and I can always send an extra file to
anyone who needs it. It gives extra space in all versions of
the mag which could be better used.

Talking of future plans, Alex is getting on really well with the
next incarnation of SynWin, a Windows 95 specific version known as
SynWin 97. It already has lots of great features such as a search
option which will allow you to search all the issues of SynTax on
your hard drive for, say, the word Dungeon and will then list all
the issues which contain reviews, articles, solutions or hints
with that word in the title and then LOAD the issue you want! It
also has a floating toolbar and menu a la MS Office. Now, Alex
wants to know what features YOU would find handy. Don't be shy,
speak up - you're the ones who are going to be using it so you
might as well let us know what you want! What would make life
easier when using SynWin?  Write in to me and I'll let him know or
you can email Alex direct at darkside_of_the_moon@msn.com

One other thing I can mention now is that the program will have 6
small icons on the menu bar, one each for Information, Reviews,


Articles etc. These images are 16 by 16 pixels (they can also be
16 high by 32 wide) and in 16 colours. The only other restriction
is that the bottom left pixel MUST be set to transparent. There
will be a default set but we thought it would be fun if readers
contributed a set for an issue.  Maybe you could think of an
adventure theme to use? If you have any to send in, I'd love to
see them. They'd be about 1K each so there's a few points in it
too!

SynTax has been very busy over the last 2 months because I got a
very good deal on a full page b&w advert in Total PC Shareware
(and I do mean VERY!) plus a company profile which took up another
full page (in colour this time) so I've had a lot of enquiries and
we've also gained some new readers who I hope will go on to become
regular subscribers. The regular PC Mart adverts and mentions of
course continue to bring in a steady stream of enquiries.

Every issue another ST or Amiga user gives in and upgrades to a
PC.  In the past I haven't made a charge for changing back issues
because I could just copy the PC version onto their old disks but
now with the PC version going to high density disks since issue
39, I have to completely replace the disks if I provide the full
version with screenshots. From now on, then, issues up to and
including Issue 38 can still be recopied free of charge, and from
39 onwards they can also be replace FOC as long as you're willing
to have a DD disk without pix otherwise I will have to change a
nominal œ1.00 a disk if you want the full caboodle. Please add
return postage in all cases.

Talking of screenshots, are you enjoying them? What about the maps
- are they useful? Tom Lorimer has sent in a photo of himself and
Flora for this issue so please, let's have some more readers'
photos to print. It's great to know what you look like.

I finished Torin's Passage and have started a review but not
finished it. My planned reviews of some new games I bought haven't
materialised either ... maybe next issue. I did get round to
installing the Settlers 2 Mission Disk and am finally making


headway in Scenario VIII - about time too! Theme Hospital was
going well up to the 4th job that I was given when it all went
horribly wrong and despite retarting several times, I still
haven't completed that section. Maybe, as with Settlers 2, having
a break from it will help. I'm still bashing away in MtG too.

Finally, the Adventurer's Convention will be held in Birmingham
in October. This time it will be on Saturday, 11th October 1997
from 9am to 6pm at the usual venue, the Royal Angus Thistle Hotel,
St. Chad's, Queensway, Birmingham B4 6HY. This will be its eighth
year and though I haven't attended myself, I've heard it's a
really good day out. Some people make a weekend of it and book a
room to stay at the hotel who will offer a good rate. A Murder
Mystery Event (MME) is also being held there that weekend and it
is possible to book a room at a reduced price and attend both the
MME and the Convention. Regular SynTax readers will have already
been posted details about the event, but for those who haven't and
want more details, contact Larry Horsfield, 40 Harvey Gardens,
Charlton, London SE7 8AJ. Tel: 0181 244 8989. Email
larry.horsfield@explosion.nemesis.co.uk. Tickets for the
Convention are œ8 per person after 31st July (before that they are
only œ7 each).

See you in September. Maybe we'll have some summer by then?

                                   Sue












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