A playground for work-weary cubicle-dwellers by Craig Crossman Today's topic is toys: Executive toys. We've all seen them. They're usually some everyday item that has been enhanced in some lavish way. The walnut-grain cell phone, the sterling-silver paperclip holder and $500-and-up Mont Blanc fountain pens are good examples. But an executive toy doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. My personal favorite is the "executive decision maker:" Ask a question that can be answered with a "yes" or "no," press a button, and get an answer complete with flashing lights and computerized voices. But I'd have to say that the first computer software executive toy was the screen saver. Originally, screen savers had a practical functions. It used to be that the phosphor coating on monitors would become permanently etched with a ghost image if you left the display on showing the same thing for too long. So programs were created to present some kind of animation after the computer was inactive for a certain amount of time. Today's monitors are immune to such afflictions. But though today's screens don't need saving, the screen saver is still in demand. People love to see the clever animations and antics that perform for us when the computer is not in use. And I've found what has to be the ultimate in executive software toys. It's called "Eric's Cascade," and without a doubt it raises the standard of excellence in executive software toys to a new high. This delightful software toy, almost Zen-like in nature, is difficult to describe. It must be experienced to be fully appreciated. Even Cascade's publisher, Delta Tao Software, has trouble with its classification, calling it "not exactly a game, not exactly a utility..." They say it teaches principles of physics and mathematics. Maybe, but that's not why you'll want Cascade. You'll want it because this elegant little program will relax, delight, involve and transfix you all at the same time. Think of Cascade as a waterfall simulator. You build interactive waterfall displays. You start out with a faucet you position anywhere. Turn it on and water splashes out, complete with soothing, realistic stereo sound. Moving the water to the left or right causes the sound to change. Add colored blocks and watch and hear the water splash down, bounce and ricochet according to gravity (you can change that too if you like). Add and position spinners to watch them twirl as the virtual water laps over their edges. Add water "magnets" that bend the water flow. You can pulse the water on and off with time delays, change the color of the water, blocks and spinners, add textures or picture backgrounds and more. This is right up there with tilling a Zen rock garden or shaping bonsai. Relax as you soothe away hours of your time designing and watching your waterfalls. You can even save your creations. More solitary pursuits Although some might argue it's a game, I still say the other most popular executive software toy is Solitaire. People who would never dream of playing this game in reality become hooked on the computer. And it comes free on every Windows computer. Now, I don't like to see the Macintosh community left out, so I've found one of the best Mac versions of Solitaire around. It's also from Delta Tao, and it's called Eric's Ultimate Solitaire CD. It has 23 solitaire games including Eight Off, Klondike, Casino Klondike, Pyramid, Spider, FreeCell, Forty Thieves, Montana and Baker's Dozen. It has a great interface, embarrassingly detailed statistics, and unlimited undo and redo. You can even throw the cards instead of just clicking on them. If you want a no-brainer, the program will darken all the cards that can be moved and even clear them for you as you complete the sets. OK, OK, there's also a PC version, if you're tiring of the one that came with Windows. Cascade is available for the Macintosh only and sells for $39. Eric's Ultimate Solitaire CD sells for $39. Delta Tao Software, Sunnyvale, Calif. (800) 827-9316 or (408) 730-9336 www.deltatao.com Craig Crossman is the host of two weekly radio shows, Computer America, heard nationwide, and The Craig Crossman Show, on WJNO 1040 AM, West Palm Beach. Send questions to Business Monday, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla. 33132, or write to him through his Web site at www.computeramerica.com. Please include your phone number. Last updated by Eric on 2/24/98