________________ CM . . . . Volume III Number 20 . . . . June 6, 1997

M&M's Software: Educational Shareware

URL: http://www.mm-soft.com/

Review by L.D. Steele.

Reprinted from the EdRes mailing list.

Description:

The site claims to be the "BEST" Educational public domain and shareware library in the known universe. While I don't know what kind of library they have on Beetlegeuse, this one is pretty good. The main page is straightforward with the following options:

  1. NEW listings & FREE STUFF!!
  2. Software Libraries
  3. What is Shareware / Public Domain / Freeware?
  4. Download a Text Version of the M&M Software Catalog
  5. Need BLANK Diskettes?

The software is available in both Windows and MacIntosh formats. Each has a brief description of what the program is/does, the subject levels, and average grade level of potential users. At the end of each description is a notation as to whether the software is shareware [sw], freeware [fw] or public domain [pd]. The "free stuff" listed is clip art, and an interesting elementary school Biology program (MacIntosh).

The Software Library is broken down into the computer systems (MacIntosh, PC DOS, Windows, and Apple II). The main page of each computer system gives the average requirements for using the programs. Within each section, it is then broken down by subject matter (Arts & Graphics, Computer Tools & Learning, games, Home Use, Language Arts, Math, etc.)

M&M Software offers to sell copies of the software found at the site for: 1-4 disks $4.95ea. 5-9 disks $4.45ea. 10-14 disks $3.95ea. 15-19 disks $3.45ea. 20 plus disks $2.95ea.

Evaluation:

Most of the software at the site is shareware, this means that the creator offers a free limited trial offer and then ask/requires the user to pay a registration fee. The programs offered varied from games to keep students occupied to useful learning tools. As with a lot of educational software, there are many more MacIntosh programs in each category than IBM compatibles. Schools, especially MacIntosh users, wishing to find out what educational software is available should go through the site.

Easy to navigate, and the pages are quick to download. The site's background is made up of "trains" that are 5.25" and 3.5" disks with details added. The background breaks up the bareness of the pages which are otherwise plain text and links. A "Search" tool would have been useful.

Overall: M&M software, like many new sites, is not a free service as the software must be ordered from the company instead of downloaded. What you are getting in this site is a well organized array of educational software that saves you time and energy. Copies of the software found at this site may or may not be found elsewhere. If you buy numerous programs, then it is also a good bargain.

DISCLAIMER: We do our best to verify the information in C-EDRES posts, but we do not guarantee accuracy nor agree with every opinion expressed. Please report inaccuracies to C-EDRES-request@unb.ca. For questions about this resource, please contact the site, not C-EDRES.

Copyright © 1997 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JUNE 6, 1997.

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