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Evaluates the fourth version of Netscape's Navigator World Wide Web browser. The Navigator as part of a suite of Internet products called Netscape Communicator; The three major areas of improvement in Navigator 4.0.

Evaluates the computer software program called `Dragon NaturallySpeaking,' from Newton, Massachusetts company called Dragon Systems. The software enabling the author to write on his personal computer without touching the keyboard; Dictation software; Requirement of a Pentium 133 processor; Cost; Drawbacks of the program; Using its own proprietary word processor, as the worst flaw.

Reviews the $500 color inkjet printer from Hewlett-Packard, called PhotoSmart photo printer. Assertion that it is essentially a digital darkroom; Intended for the hobbyist market; Amount of desk space it occupies; Its installation; Other features.

Reports on the so-called electronic concierge, a computer service that provides cultural and social information to users based on their inquiries. Sites on the Internet with information on dining, arts and entertainment in various localities; Companies providing these services including CitySearch and Microsoft Corp., with its Sidewalk program; Competition for services between software companies and newspapers; How CitySearch and Sidewalk perform.

Evaluates Apple computer's Newton eMate 300. The computer not available on the retail level; Belief by the reviewer that it is not a very good school computer; Why the eMate is doubly cursed; The computer's appearance as exciting and different at first glance; Its keyboard; The clever touches.

Opinion. Asserts that the computer industry suffers from two cultural attitudes that aggravate computer users. Belief by people in high-tech that it is OK to sell products or services with known defects; Belief in the science-project mentality, thinking of customers as trial-and-error testers; Admission by Intel that its Pentium II debuted with 24 known defects; Microsoft, as the most outrageous example of a high-tech firm ignoring its customers' interests.

Focuses on the popularity of low-end desktop publishing where average people on average computers are using inexpensive software to develop documents for small businesses and organizations. Description of PressWriter, from Broderbund, and i publish, from a start-up firm called Design Intelligence; Evaluations of both products.

Considers how television networks are trying to set up World Wide Web sites in cyberspace. Evaluation of the two all-news cable networks, CNN and MSNBC as extensive news sites; How they are competing with each other and with newspapers and electronic news providers for the attention of Internet users; Advantages of each site.

Evaluates the Web sites of three prominent United States newspapers, `The New York Times,' `The Wall Street Journal,' and `The Washington Post.' Discussion of how these newspapers are faring on the Internet; The author's view that the `Journal' features the best balance of print content and new material.

Opinion. Provides potential buyers of a personal computer (PC) with the author's recommendations for the minimum specifications needed in a new one. Assumption that the consumer will want a PC that can run most new software for three years; Features to discuss such as processor, memory, hard disk, CD-ROM, video, moden, connectors and brand names.

Describes the Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), the new disk that is expected to replace both the compact disk (CD) and the DC-ROM for storage. The disk's ability to hold more types of material than just videos; How they are constructed and encoded; Features.

Discusses `push' technology, resulting from some of the companies that control much of the World Wide Web trying to broadcast material to personal computer screens. Idea being to seize user's attention, just as television does; Concept pioneered by PointCast Inc. of Cupertino, California; BackWeb Technologies as another contender for the push program; The author's review of the technique.

Reviews the computer software program from Screenplay Systems of Burbank called Dramatica Pro, which is described as a creation and analysis tool that can help writers. Software available in versions for Windows and Macintosh; Features; The software's one big drawback; Cost.

Evaluates the first of the so-called 56K modems. The $219 Sportster model from U.S. Robotics; Use of the company's 56K technology, called the X2 system; Good and bad news about the modem; Reasons; Suggestions to the user.

Evaluates Microsoft's $95 Outlook 97 program. Its productivity software, which merges a couple of existing product categories; A personal information manager, featuring a calendar and address book program; Features and functions; Comments about the product's drawbacks.

Evaluates Packard Bell and Compaq Computer's 1999 Pentium models. Differences; How Compaq has designed an entirely new machine; Packard Bell's price tag on a model based on 1996 design.

Explains the new computer acronym, MMX, as describing the MMX home computer by Hewlett-Packard. The MMX computers containing the modified version of Intel's Pentium processor, the chip that is the brain of most new personal computers; Testing; Prices; Evaluation.

Discusses the advantages of on-line telephone directories. Advantages of Internet versions in contrast to those directories available on CD-ROM; Details of the Web addressbook.

Describes Microsoft Network (MSN) which has relaunched itself. How its on-line service is radically different from the product it introduced in 1995; Opportunity to present itself as an alternative to its main rival, America Online; Its performance, in the wake of a membership surge since July 1996.

Contemplates what Apple Computer's Macintosh operating system, the software that controls the way the computer works, will mean for Mac users, particularly families and small business. The author's opinion that buying a Mac is a relatively risky investment for these consumers; Promises of Rhapsody; Author's previous praise for Macs; How the company chose a corporate, not a consumer solution for its problems.

Contemplates what Apple Computer's Macintosh operating system, the software that controls the way the computer works, will mean for Mac users, particularly families and small business. The author's opinion that buying a Mac is a relatively risky investment for these consumers; Promises of Rhapsody; Author's previous praise for Macs; How the company chose a corporate, not a consumer solution for its problems.

Evaluates the new version of Microsoft's Word. Disclosure of a serious drawback which may dissuade some users of earlier versions form upgrading; Best new features of Word 97; Its worst flaw, as the methods of storing work in files.

Reviews the `World Book Encyclopedia,' which has been released on CD-ROM in January 1997. The reviewer's positive assessment of this product; Giving Microsoft's `Encarta' some serious competition; Cost of the encyclopedia after a rebate; Comparison of `World Book' and `Encarta.'

Looks at two desktop computers that have built-in flat panel screens instead of monitors. High-end model from Compaq; Low-end, lower-priced machine from Monorail; The author's evaluation of the Monorail PC and Compaq Presario 3020.