KidLabel

Reviewed by Cynthia A. Sorrels
Published by Alston Software Labs

Age Group: Age 8 and Up
Type: Art/Creativity
Price: $ 24.95 US

PC version requires:
486-33 8 MB RAM, 5 M , Windows 95, also on Windows 3.1, 640x480x256

Mac version requires:
Version not available.

Description:

KidLabel is a label-maker and paint program designed for kids (if they can get it away from their parents!) There are some very cool editing tools included, and we had a lot of fun playing around with it. The standard label sizes are already configured, which is a big help, although customized labels can be set up.

Features:

A caboodle of special effects for text and graphics.
Animated "show me" menu system.
Built-in file management system.
Import graphics in the WMF format.
Stamps! And instructions for creating more.
Full size screen keeps kids from "accidentally" getting in your checkbook.

Reactions:

KidLabel is very straightforward to operate, and my oldest daughter (13 years) was very impressed. In fact, she's already trying to get it away from me! Luckily, it was past her bedtime. It's a great deal of fun, and we're already talking about designing labels for all sorts of things. It could even be used to design business cards, if some person were in a hurry, or if they wanted to be able to work directly on the graphics.

There are a couple of limitations: this program printed better on the color inkjet printer than on the black/white one, and there's no database, so it wouldn't be of use for an address book/label printing. Also, we tried but were unable to import graphic clip art in WMF format. The file was listed but when we clicked on it, nothing happened.