** Review CD 0.5 page / 309 words **

Atari Forever Volumes 1 & 2
Reviewed by Colin Monro

** CD1.GIF: Vol 1 cover scan **
** CD2.GIF: Vol 2 cover scan **
** CD3.GIF: Combination paste up (my preference) **
** Darryl, do what you can! **

These two massive collections consist of clip-art, good-quality photographic images, tasty backgrounds, MOD and HSN sound files, utilities ranging from the Apex animation players to archivers - a useful jamboree bag of bits and pieces.

The two disks have that made-for-a-Bulletin-Board feel about them. The clip art range consists mainly of frames, textures, symbols and flourishes to add extra touches to DTP layouts, and is supplied in a variety of formats: PCX, IMG, CVG and EPS. Only a few Atari programs support EPS but the inclusion of freely scaleable vector formats will be welcomed by most designers. There's also a separate collect of GEM images - ideal for use with Kandinsky. Collections of Public Domain library disks are also included but sadly there's little in the way of English catalogues so trial and error or evening classes are skills required to navigate these disks.

Two special mentions have to be made. First there's a collection of German railway pictures (in the "Bahnphotos" folders on each disk). I've no idea why they're included but this beautifully scanned collection of colour and black and white photographs covering all aspects of the German railways will delight railway enthusiasts.
Secondly there's a large collection of vintage postcard pictures which are of high enough quality to print out and use as the real thing! However do read and observe the copyright notices...

Ideally these CD-ROMs should be bought together - they complement each other perfectly. Train-spotters won't be able to live without both volumes!

** Product boxout **
Atari Forever Volumes 1 & 2
Publisher: Eu-Soft
Supplier: 16/32
Telephone: +49 (0)1634 710788
Email: 16/32@premier.co.uk
Cost: £19.99 each + P&P (1.50p EU destinations)
Pros: Some vector images included, a must for train spotters!
Cons: Not aimed at an English audience
Rating: 80%
** end boxout **