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

One of the ease-of-use features of Win*Star is that you can open many of its component modules without opening the whole program. This has a number of advantages. If your computer is short on power, it's less taxing to have one (or more) of Win*Star's modules open than launching the entire program. This is of particular importance if you like to keep several programs open at the same time, which can drain your computer system's resources. Another advantage is that you can access Win*Star modules directly from your desktop. (See Windows' help file or manual to find out how to do this for your version of Windows.) Almost any file in Win*Star with an .exe extension can be used in this way. If you're unsure of yourself take the precaution of copying the exe file to a temporary directory in Windows so that you can easily recover it in case of accidental deletion. If, for example, you're a frequent user of DayScan, you can put its icon on your desktop and launch it directly, without opening Win*Star. In fact, I keep DayScan, TimeScan, the graphic ephemeris, TimeTables ephemeris generator, Publisher's Assistant and Win*Star's Maps module on my desktop for direct access.

My favorite, though, is Quick*Wheel. When you keep its icon on your desktop you can instantly find out where the planets are right now. Make sure you've set up Win*Star for your location under Options/Current Place in the main Win*Star screen. If your computer clock is set correctly, opening QWheel will bring you the current chart for your location. If you want to watch the chart move in real time, select the Astro*Clock function within QWheel. You can reduce the size of Astro*Clock's window and keep it open on the corner of your desktop. Or, you can minimize it so that a single click pops it up instantly. Of course, you'll also have access to all of QWheel's features as well. To use all of Win*Star's features you'll need to open the main program, but there are times when all you want are specific modules. Putting their icons on your desktop takes advantage of Windows' features and gives you more flexibility and power in using Win*Star.