** Utilities/1 page/600-ish words/4 grabs/Shiuming Lai **
** Review **
** Shiuming Lai **
** Utility **
** 90% **
** 1Mb memory, all resolutions 640x400 (ST high) and above, 
SpeedoGDOS/NVDI 3 or higher **
** Shareware **

** Headline **
Nicole et Papa

** Standfirst **
Shiuming Lai test drives some Gallic graphs

** Body text **
     Even at my tender age (which I don't intend to reveal here), 
I should know a lot better than to form preconceptions on the 
basis of a name. Fortunately I didn't let this get in the way of 
a fair trial, because hiding under this program's sober title, is 
in fact, a very well presented modern GEM application!
     Written across the channel by Bernard Le Tirant, Graph is 
best described as a page design package geared to producing graphs. 
There are some basic text frame facilities, and a whole host of 
options covering different styles of graph. The data can be 
imported or entered directly, and manipulated in a similar manner 
to a spreadsheet, assisted by a comprehensive assortment of 
standard mathematical functions in the calculator.
     Some of the graphs possible include the usual line and 
scatter, pie, histogram and so forth. Each of these has 
its own associated parameters to enable fine tuning, like the 
line graph, which can use spline-interpolation to make a smooth 
curve out of just a few points.
     Although there is a greyed-out option for 3D pie charts, the 
general style of graph and the amount of control allowed over 
them, suggests a more scientific use for the program. It could 
have been very useful if it were available just a few years 
earlier, in my school days (oops, nearly gave myself away 
there...)
     As a standalone program, Graph does its job admirably, 
however, it really comes into its own as a tool for simply 
generating graphs, to be imported into other specialised software 
such as Papyrus. This brings together the best of both worlds.
     Being a GDOS application, it is recommended to use Graph 
with either SpeedoGDOS or NVDI 3. Of course, this means nice 
vector fonts can be used, at various sizes. It works a treat with 
the latter.
     Editing particular elements of a page is achieved by 
invoking external programs. For example, I have Kandinsky set up 
as my preferred editor, for tweaking the GEM metafiles which 
constitute the actual graphs. I find this a sensible and 
efficient approach - why reinvent the wheel?
     Two versions of the program are supplied: one for standard 
STs, and the other for machines with a 68030 processor and 68882 
floating point unit. Operation is generally very zippy even on an 
ST and there are also enhanced features for users of MultiTOS and 
WINX.
     Unfortunately some minor window redraw bugs have appeared,
since the author "fixed" some earlier problems. As I said these 
are minor and to the best of my knowledge do not impede the 
performance of the program. Also, a few modern GEM conventions 
are conspicuous by their absence - the keyboard shortcut for 
cycling windows ([Ctrl]+[W]) springs to mind.
     It may not come as a surprise that Graph is shareware, after 
all, much of the best Atari softare available now is of this 
status. Rather more unusual is the fact nothing is restricted, 
you get the full package with all bells and whistles. Can't say 
fairer than that, can you? Given this evidence of trust on the 
part of the author, I'd like to encourage regular users to do the 
honourable thing. Previous versions were a steal at ten pounds, 
but even at double that now, it is fine value for money.
     Registrations (twenty pounds or equivalent) should be sent to:

     Bernard Le Tirant
     37 Av Alsace Lorraine
     38000 GRENOBLE
     FRANCE
** End of body text **


** Product box **
Product name: GRAPH 1.49
Pros: Good clear design, lots of features
Cons: Some things not yet implemented
Score: 90%
** End of boxout **



** Captions and images **

** MAIN.GIF **
Simply a breeze to use, even first time results are good!

** EDITMENU.GIF **
A bit of French polish in the layout selection menu.

** TOOLBAR.GIF **
Clicking the right mouse button pops up this handy toolbar.

** EXAMPLE.GIF **
Five-minute job.