Discusses tax preparation and planning programs for microcomputers, including how programs save time and money, how they may or may not perform calculations accurately, how they compare to services offered by professional tax preparers, and the deduction of software costs. Ten tax programs are listed and described. (MBR)

In order to help users make informed decisions when buying communications software, this article suggests that buyers consider communications software compatibility; software protocols for data transmission; software products offering compatibility with Telenet, Prestel, and Ethernet/XTEN; specific intended applications; and specialized features…

Discussion of science education in general and the possible role of microcomputers is followed by an evaluation of four software packages for seventh grade through college level. These packages are in the areas of genetics, prelab studies for chemistry, a science education game, and experiments in human physiology. (MBR)

Surveys the choices available in new 16-bit microcomputers which run the MS-DOS operating system and which are IBM compatible. The 18 microcomputers reviewed are divided into the categories of compatibles offering additional features, low-cost compatibles, sleeker and faster compatibles, and coprocessor boards that yield compatibility. (MBR)

Describes software packages for teaching writing, including Compupoem, an instructional package producing haiku-like poems; Poetry Writing, which suggests story lines and poem structures; Story Maker, which assists young writers in planning stories; Cognitive Organizers, which focuses on the classification process; and the author's program for…

Describes the currently advocated "process approach to writing," its advantages over traditional instruction, and the potential of the computer to simplify the process. Three word processing software programs designed to teach writing to elementary school children and a package of programs to teach writing to adults are reviewed. (MBR)