The Whole Earth Software Catalog is a useful reference guide to a wide range of Personal Computer (PC) products, but it is not a “modernized” version of the Whole Earth Catalog (as one might assume from the title and developers involved in producing this newer publication). As a software catalog for computer oriented readers, the Catalog should be a good fit. Organization is a critical aspect of the Catalog, including several multi-level indexing schemes, which stands in contrast to the usual randomized style of the older Whole Earth Catalog. It is this difference in approach that will probably prevent its wide acceptance into the general consumer marketplace. Meanwhile, it will compete head-to-head with other publications that are aimed at people involved in the computer field.

The Catalog begins with 15 important pieces of advice for a first-time buyer of personal computers (e.g., “acquire as little software as you can get by with, and stick with it”). Next, other popular books on buying PCs are reviewed, followed by charts that guide a shopper in estimating the cost of a configured system. In order to make the Catalog reader aware of rapid changes in the field, the Catalog describes various magazines that should be examined for different PC product interests. Updates to the Catalog will also be available via a magazine format known as the Software Review Quarterly.

The Catalog reviews well-known hardware systems in just a few pages, and concentrates most of its 200 pages on software. Software is divided into several categories, including: playing, writing, analyzing, organizing, accounting, managing, drawing, telecommunications, programming, and learning. Out of 1900 programs in the Whole Earth software library, the Catalog contains recommendations for 362 programs. These reviews are quite good, and each review appears to consistently concentrate on important evaluative criteria. Some of the reviews are extensive and include sample inputs/outputs of the package being reviewed.

Overall, the Catalog is a handy reference source for information on personal computer products and related issues. Other reviews of the Catalog (e.g., see Engineering Manager, January 1985, p. 74; Hardcopy, March 1985, p. 179; Management Technology, February 1985, pp. 72-73) have acknowledged the in-depth research and organization that is to be found in this guide. But be warned that you may be disappointed if you assume that this is a truly “hip” Whole Earth perspective on computing.