Actively helpful... (Computeractive)

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Product:	Computeractive
Date:	14/07/00 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to understand and covering a wide range of issues.

Disadvantages: Uri Geller writes a column.

I have been getting Computer Active since it first came out.

I find it very useful for a non-technically minded person like me. When it explains how to do something, it is usually in step-by-step stages, often accompanied by photographs. The Work Shops cover a huge range of items, adding a drop-down box to your web page (must remember to try that), touching-up your photos, using spreadsheets...all sorts of things.

When it thinks a task is too tricky for the enthusiastic amateur, it points it out and doesn't try to lull you into believing that just because you read the magazine, you can do absolutely anything.

They have 2 or 3 pages called Kid's Corner, reviewing children's software, I don't always agree with what they say, but I find the price guide and relevant web page URL's very useful.

There is normally a good competition to enter, with useful prizes for PC fans.

My own favourite section is the Q&A, where readers pose their PC problems and Computer Actives experts put them right. It reassures me that I am not the only person to be confused sometimes, and very occassionally (when I know the answer to someone else's problem) it makes me feel very clever. There is also the opportunity for readers to supply solutions to problems, which I find interesting to read, even if I can't understand what they are saying most of the time.

The only part that I don't like, is Uri Geller's column, which I usually find a lot of pretentious clap-trap.

The magazine is a very reasonable £1.20 per fortnight, but bear in mind there are no "free CD-Rom's" to bump up the cost. It is even cheaper if you pay for a subscription in advance. 2 points to bear in mind if you do this:-

1) I am still waiting for the free software I was promised when I re-subscribed for a second time (it has been over 6 months and despite repeated phone calls, there is still no sign o
f the CD-Rom). I did e-mail Computer Active's own consumer section to see if they could help, but I received an automatic reply stating they don't deal with complaints about subscriptions to their own magazine...I wonder if that's because they think they's be snowed under with complaints...

2) 5 months before my subscription is due to be re-newed, I have received a letter asking me to re-subscribe...not paying attention, I almost did that and gave them my money, months and months before I needed to...I am glad I didn't, it's much better in my bank account than in theirs! So watch out for that.

I certainly recommend this magazine for the enthusiastic amateur.

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