I joined the Electron User Group at around EUG #7, towards the end of the paper copies. When Will Watts [Editor No. 1 - Ed] did a feature in Micro's Computer Mart, I wrote to him and received EUG #7 as an introduction. I liked what I saw and so paid for EUG #8.

Will then announced that EUG was to be disc-based from #9 on, so I took out my first of several subscriptions. At some point he also announced that back issues of the early paper copies were available and I then bought EUGs #0 to #6.

I had toyed with the idea of compiling all these paper editions of EUG, to disc, myself. But it wasn't really my forte and now I've been saved the bother by what's come along!

My first impressions were good. I'm always struggling for space in my 'office' (My computers are built into part of the wardrobe in our bedroom) and so the opportunity to have the early EUGs on disc, thereby getting rid of some paper, really appeals.

Obviously by studying them and categorising the contents, these original mags have been compiled onto discs in an entirely logical way, making each thing easy to find. In a paper mag, the order and type of article is not quite so important; sometimes an article may be used to fill an available space. Whereas on disc, a more structured approach is needed. Hence these new discs have familiar menus like Mailbag, Adverts, etc.

A by-product of the conversion to disc is that a program listing in the original mag becomes a working program. The 'typing in' stage is saved and anyone who wishes to experiment with these programs can do so more easily. The original "EUG Needs You" back cover is also converted into a "live" demo. (See EUG #50)

The only fault I found on the review copy was EUG #1 did not appear to be complete with articles called "Text File Saver", "Infect Your Elk" and "Saving Memory Direct" not on the menus. These need to be included to keep the magazine original and for the sake of completeness before the disc could be classed as a replacement.

I also feel that the front cover of the paper magazine (in particular that of the Electron machine on EUG #0) could probably have been utilised as an opening screen, and that an attempt should be made to convert the illustrations in the magazines so they too can be viewed. [John has submitted some digitised images to this effect and EUG #0 and #1 now incorporate them - Ed]

Overall then, I think in these two discs, we have the best of both worlds. The convenience of the disc and its structure coupled with the articles and features that made the early editions what they were. When issues #2 to #8 appear, I will definitely be in the queue to buy them.