FLEXIBLE PETS

This month CRASH Course winds its educational way over the latest offerings from two of the smaller software houses. Now it's over to that media megastar of The Highlands, the one and only Rosetta McLeod...

Teachers Pet Software originally started as a mail order supplier in May 1987. They drew their inspiration from ideas suggested to them from the schools in their area. TPS make a point of writing all their programs in BASIC - allowing their products to be examined and modified for specific uses. All the software is available on cassette or microdrive cartridge and each program costs £3.50, or £15.00 for a pack of five (a media conversion service is also available). Teacher's Pet are keen to hear from teachers or parents who have suggestions of subjects for new programs. You can contact Teachers Pet Software at 175 Craigton Road, Aberdeen AB1 7UA.

ABBREVIATIONS 1

This is is a simple little program aimed at the 9-12 age group, which tests children's knowledge of a variety of abbreviations. Solve all the abbreviations correctly and Colin Clever will reach the top of the class, before Dennis Dunce reaches the bottom.
In the first of two programs most of the abbreviations are simple: pto, mpg, AD and BC. But there are also a few testing ones like BEM, FO, RUC, and OHMS. When there is more than one answer to an abbreviation, for example PC could mean Police Constable or Privy Councillor, the computer will accept all the possible responses.

Abbreviations II uses slightly more difficult teasers like PAYE and WRNS, and this time the characters are Kati Clever and Denise Dunce! I felt that, although the presentation in Abbreviations I and II was quite attractive, the programs offered little enjoyment value. However, it does provide an alternative means of testing knowledge, and for some pupils it may act as a helpful resource for reinforcing abbreviations.