Software Express
£29.99
How many programs can you think of that can be
described as truly original? Almost every program nowadays, whether
game or business, is based on something someone else has already
written but, as far as the ST goes at least, you really haven't seen
anything like The Election Program.
Before you moan on about boring politics let's be
honest. Even if you don't actively follow politics, the General
Election results are fascinating, interesting and even exciting
aren't they? Be honest, you either watched the box or read the
papers, didn't you? If you have even the remotest interest in
politics or statistics or just trivia then I guarantee that you will
find The Election Program interesting or even exciting. I did and I
couldn't care less who gets into power!
The program is basically a huge database of the
results of the most recent General Election (the version reviewed
came out before the 1987 election and so refers to 1983) which it
presents in any fashion you choose. You can look at the country as a
whole or break it down into different areas. Facts and figures can
be presented as plain text or graphically illustrated by
constituency in a superbly colourful graphic manner that should be a
lesson to anyone writing database software. With this approach,
anything can be made to look interesting. You can select details of
any constituency in the country which will, in addition to giving
the appropriate results, show a map of the constituency in its area.
You can play at swingometers by changing the percentage vote of each
party to see what effect small or large swings might have and can
watch the results in superb dynamic fashion 'as they come in'. An
on-screen map show seats being held by each party with 'flashes'
such as 'Labour takes Lewisham' or the like as seats change hands.
Opinion Poll results can be entered and saved to
disk and then be averaged or manipulated in other ways. By-election
results can be included as
they happen and projections made on the likely result if applied
nationwide. Constituencies can be found where there are small or
large majorities or three way fights or low or high turnouts. In
fact the list goes on and on. Almost every way that you can think of
to manipulate the data is included.
I am not really interested in politics but I found
this an intriguing, fascinating and interesting piece of software.
It can be used just for fun or as professional tool. Anyone involved
in statistics or education should certainly have a copy. If you are
just interested in facts and figures you should have a copy and it's
even worthwhile if you just want to see how exciting a database can
be made to look.
Updates are promised after major elections so the
product should have a long life. Even though it's too late for this
year's Election you can still play 'what if' games and add the
By-election results as they come in.
I bet you have seen the advert for this and
thought .. boring! If I had seen an advert concerning a program
about politics I would have turned away too but, having booted this
up again for this review , I can honestly say that The Election
Program holds it interest and is well worth a few hours of
entertainment / education every so often. How many games that you
have paid twice the price for will be as relevant in four or five
years time as this program? The funny thing is, it is not a game at
all, it is a serious statistical tool, but if Peter Snow can leap
about like a small boy with a new toy why can't you?
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