The eighth in a series, this report reviews microcomputer software authorized by the Alberta (Canada) Department of Education from January 1988 through December 1988. This edition provides detailed evaluations of 40 authorized programs for teaching business education, computer literacy, databases, file management, French, information retrieval, keyboarding, language arts, life skills, logic, mathematics, music, problem solving, social studies, thinking skills, and word processing. Two of the programs are in French and English and one is in French. Both English and French subject indexes are provided, as well as an alphabetical index in which titles appear in the original language; evaluations are written in the language of the program. Each evaluation includes the program title; author(s); publisher; address; telephone number; grade level; topics; components; microcomputer compatibility (Apple IIe, Apple IIgs, IBM PC, and/or Macintosh); year produced; cost; subject area; and display language (English or French). Also included are descriptions and evaluations of content, instructional format, the technical system, technical characteristics, and documentation; the status of the program (basic, recommended, or supplementary); and purchase information. A summary of authorized courseware from January 1983 to December 1987 and lists of software unsuitable for authorization in 1988, software discontinued in 1988, and other print and electronic evaluation sources are also provided. (BBM)