Each issue of Astro*Talk will include tips on current astrology programs. If you've discovered any special tips or tricks to get the most out of your software please contact Jeff@thenewage.com. This month tips come from Jeff Jawer of Matrix Software:

Jeff Jawer, Matrix Software
Program:   Win*Star and Win*Star Plus

The Quick*Wheel (QWheel) is one of the most useful modules of Win*Star. It can function independently of Win*Star and is also used to augment other components of the program. The Astro*Clock in QWheel is a real-time chart for the present time (using your computer's clock) and whatever location you set as your default in Win*Star. You can set the Astro*Clock to update every second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 minutes. I like the 10 second interval since it's quite dynamic, but doesn't make the computer work constantly as with the 1 second interval.

You can get rid of the button bar on the left side of the screen by pressing the up arrow above it. You reopen the button bar by clicking the down arrow. There are two tiny buttons at the top of the bar. Clicking on either one will toggle the buttons below them revealing two columns of controls. One of the coolest things you can do with QWheel is to set up a bi-wheel with the live Astro*Clock moving in real time around a natal chart. First start up the Astro*Clock. Then toggle to the left side buttons by clicking on the little blue wheel at the top left.

Click on the bi-wheel button (4th from the bottom) to select bi-wheels. Then go to the bottom button (with the floppy disk and yellow arrow) that opens up a list of all your Current Charts. Click Chart A if you want the natal chart on the outside of the bi-wheel or Chart B if you want it on the inside. Select the chart you want and there you have it. If you want to reverse the Current Chart and the Astro*Clock just click on the 3rd button from the bottom with the two red arrows.

With QWheel if you ever want more detailed information about a planet or house cusp just click on it. Its position will then be shown in degrees, minutes and seconds of arc.