Word Finder Plus - Spelling Checker/Thesaurus/Dictionary
                         Copyright 1990 David Batterson

     Word processing programs routinely come with spell checkers these days.
Some software publishers call them dictionaries but they aren't, since you can
only check and correct spelling, not check definitions.
     Most popular WP programs also contain a thesaurus, but some have a
relatively small number of synonyms.  There are also stand-alone programs,
which comprise a spell checker, a thesaurus, or both.  An excellent one is Word
Finder, which I reviewed previously here.
     I've completed reviewing a beta test copy of Word Finder Plus Ver. 1.00
from Microlytics.  It has been released in Europe, but is not being distributed
in the U.S. at this writing.
     The advanced Word Finder Plus now provides real-time spell checking
(beeping and/or highlighting errors as you go), as well as dictionary
definitions (although they are short).
     NOTE:  I have a minor objection to the term "thesaurus" as used by
software companies.  While one definition of thesaurus is a "book of selected
words, or specialized vocabulary," a second definition is "a book of synonyms
and antonyms."  That's the definition many people accept.
     My worn copy of "Roget's Pocket Thesaurus" contains BOTH synonyms and
antonyms.  You still cannot look up antonyms in Word Finder Plus.
     Words are so precise.  Two words can describe the same thing but there's
always a slight difference.  Take the word dog, for instance.  Word Finder Plus
provides these synonyms: canine, mongrel, mutt, pooch, hound, puppy and pup.
     They are synonymous, but not exactly the same thing.  Well, enough of
splitting [dog] hairs.  Speaking of hair, I checked Word Finder Plus for
"hairy."  It didn't come up with "hirsute," as expected.
     Word Finder Plus is compatible with most word processing programs,
including WordPerfect, WordStar, Microsoft Word, XyWrite, DisplayWrite,
PC-Write, PFS:Write, and many others.
     In the simple setup program, you can copy the dictionaries to a RAM disk
(if you use one).  This will speed up Word Finder Plus.  When you run Word Find
Plus, it automatically checks for expanded memory, for use by the thesaurus and
definitions modules.
     If there isn't enough (or any) expanded memory, it uses hard disk
swapping.  If hard disk space is lacking, it then uses conventional memory.
     Pressing <Alt>H brings up a window with the Word Finder Plus main menu.
The main commands are Correction, Thesaurus, Screen Check and Definitions.
These are also individually selected with <Alt>C, <Alt>T, <Alt>S and <Alt>D,
respectively.  The hot keys can be changed in the setup program.
     When viewing synonyms, you can enter a new word to look up, by simply
typing any letter from a to z.  A smaller window appears.  You then type in the
rest of the word beginning with that letter, and press <Enter>.
     In the main menu, you can also select Add Word, Ignore Word, Program
Settings, Options Menu, and Flash Card (where you get a word definitions quiz).
     You remove Word Finder Plus from memory by pressing <Alt>H, choose
Options, and then choose Remove WFPlus.  Or simply type WFPLUS/R at the DOS
prompt.
     In the next version of Word Finder Plus, I'd like to see the addition of
antonyms.  That would be quite a challenge, but I think they could do it.
     For more information, contact Microlytics, Inc., Two Tobey Village Office
Park, Pittsford, NY  14534; 716-248-9620.
                                       #
     David Batterson would rather stroll through a dictionary than read the
sports page.  Send him some choice words via MCI MAIL: DBATTERSON.