First look at: geoChart


    geoChart v1.0 by Berkeley Softworks is a powerful tool for creating charts 
with GEOS 64 or 40-column mode GEOS 128.  The charts can be printed or exported 
to other GEOS applications as photo scraps.


What's in the box?

    : An ad for Q-link.
    : An ad for geoWorld.
    : An ad for LaserDirect
    : geoChart User's Manual, 116 pages, perfect-bound.
    : geoChart User's Manual Erratum, a single sheet instructing GEOS 128
      owners on how to use the product.
    : Product registration card.
      and, of course,
    : geoChart.

What's on the disk?

    geoChart is distributed on one `flippy' 5-1/4" diskette.  Side One 
contains geoChart v1.0 and Note pad v2.0.  This note pad is identical to the 
one included on the GEOS 64 2.0 package,  and can be used to create text 
scraps.  It is included in geoChart to serve as a quick and easy editor for 
creating text scraps for input to geoChart.  GEOS 128 2.0 users will prefer to 
use the Note pad that came with that package, although the can use either.
    Side Two contains a non-interactive `demo' for GEOS 2.0.  In the past, GEOS 
product disks usually had their reverse side filled with new printer drivers.  
It appears that BSW is now going to use this space for advertising `demos' 
instead.


Required/recommended hardware/software:

    - Commodore 64 or 128, any model.
    - Compatible monitor.  Note that geoChart is a 40 column-only application.
    - One 5-1/4" drive (1541 or 1571).
    - Blank 5-1/4" floppies.
    - Supported GEOS input device.
    - GEOS 64, 1.2 or later,  or GEOS 128, any version.  Both flavors of GEOS
      2.0 work perfectly with this package.

  Additionally, the following is recommended:

    - Any version of geoWrite, geoCalc and/or geoFile.
    - Additional drives (1541, 1571, or 1581, if supported by your GEOS).
    - GEOS supported printer.


Features:

    geoChart accepts input from text scraps.  Any text scrap-creating program 
may be used to create these scraps.  The Note pad 2.0 Desk Accessory is 
included with geoChart to provide a quick and easy means of creating scraps.  
The User's Manual includes specific instructions for creating scraps for 
geoChart with geoCalc, geoWrite, geoFile, and Note pad 2.0.

    geoChart supports any standard font.  MegaFonts are not supported.  Each 
chart may have multiple fonts, the number depending on what type of chart is 
being worked with.  Sizes up to 24 points are supported.  All the familiar 
`styles' are supported.

    A variety of chart types are supported:
    : Area          - Each set of values is represented as an area.  Areas may
                      be transparent, allowing other areas to show thru, or
                      opaque.  Each set of values receives it's own shading
                      pattern.
    : Bar           - Each value is represented by a horizontal bar.  Each set
                      of values receives it's own shading pattern.
    : Column        - Each value is represented by a vertical bar.  Each set
                      of values receives it's own shading pattern.
    : Line          - Each value is represented by a large shaded point.  Lines
                      connect each set of values.  Points are shaded to show
                      group.
    : Pie           - One set of values is represented as a circle, with each
                      individual value presented as a shaded wedge.
    : Point         - Each value is represented as a large point.  Each set of
                      values receives it's own shading pattern.
    : Scatter Point - Each value is represented as a large point.  Each set of
                      values receives it's own shading pattern.  Labels are
                      removed to permit precise determination of X and Y
                      coordinates.
    : Scatter Line  - Similar to Scatter Point, but with lines connecting the
                      points of each set of values.
    : Unibar        - One set of values is represented as a large bar, with
                      each individual value presented as a shaded rectangle.
                      A sort of rectangular pie chart.

    Text may be edited from within geoChart.  Patterns may be assigned to 
different values.  The background grid may be varied.  A wide variety of chart 
display options are provided.  A variety of number formats are supported, 
including dollar amounts and leading-zero suppression.
    The charts may be printed to any supported GEOS printer, or may copied to a 
photo scrap for import into other GEOS applications.  Printed geoCharts take up 
about 1/8th page.  Photo scraps may be copied in three different sizes, due to 
limitations in the size that certain applications will accept.  Supported sizes 
are for geoWrite, geoPaint, and a full-screen size, which is acceptable to 
geoPublish.  The geoWrite and geoPaint sizes are achieved by reducing the size 
of all elements, rather than by reproducing only a portion of the chart.  The 
geoPaint and geoWrite scraps are displayed when created.


Problems:

    No problems were encountered during my "first look".  It would be 
surprising if the first release of any program of this complexity were truly 
bug-free, and I have no doubt that some problems will surface, but this seems 
to be quite a solid program.

Quibbles:

    It seems cruel to criticize this package for this when it supports so many 
different kinds of charts, but an `exploded' option for the pie charts would 
have been a nice touch.
    While not as complex as geoPublish, a geoChart file can have an awful lot 
of graphic elements.  These are redrawn during many operations, resulting in 
the program being slower than it needs to be.  Some attention to avoiding 
redrawing that which has not changed would be a good thing in a future release.
    An option for manual data entry, and editing, would be appreciated.

In conclusion:

    geoChart is a powerful tool for creating charts.  While it is probably of 
greatest use to geoCalc users, it is appropriate for anyone who wishes to chart 
data from GEOS.  It is capable of producing very professional results.  This 
product was rumored, and later announced, some time ago.  It's good to see that 
the wait has, by and large, been worth it.


Ed Flinn, CBMART Sysop, 76703,4032

