I also checked them out on the web (www.ohio-distinctive.com) to verify that they were the same company that I remembered. 

Shortly afterward I received the four CD-ROM's and then I enlisted my childrens software specialist — the grandkids. Here's what we found: 

First, installation on the machine went smoothly — no problems encountered. My Windows 3.x operating system was fully supported. 

Carnival Math is a fun game for the kids. It takes them through basic math up to beginning algebra. If they get five answers right the puppet falls into a dunk tank much to the enjoyment of the grand girls. They were shouting the answers and clicking on the screen and having fun. The oldest (six years) didn't like the minus very much — she much prefers addition and it was easy to jump ahead and play the more advanced addition. Of course we did go back and work the minus just to make me happy! Amazing how much fun learning can be if it is disguised as a game. The adults around the machine enjoyed it also — some of the advanced levels involve multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers, so working all problems in the head won't do. The top levels include problems such as: 4x plus 8=24. X=? (It better equal 4 or I'm in trouble). Consensus of opinion is that this is an excellent program for all ages of kids and can help get the adults thinking about algebra as well. 

Robot Challenge is a matching game that will cause adults to mutter to themselves. The levels start out matching shapes, then colors, then shapes and colors. What makes it difficult is the fact that the shapes aren't just geometric shapes and dominos, but some "unusual" shapes that make you think of psychological tests. Then, to make it tough for the adults, the games more advanced levels have you look behind card number one to identify the color and shape and then match it with one of 21 other cards. Then, to make it "interesting", the position of the cards change every guess. Card one will not change what's behind it — but it will switch positions and could be on the bottom row. You must memorize the card number, color and shape in order to win. That is a real tough test for the adults but they enjoyed it. The kids were very happy with the lower levels and this is also an excellent game that the entire family will work hard winning. 

Air Explorer was too advanced for the girls. The adults, however were challenged at the more difficult levels. The idea is to fly an airplane over the various states to find a key before you run out of fuel. Four keys and the puppet is released from a cage. The first level shows the key and the full name of the states (Texas). The next levels drop the key and reduce the names to the abbreviation (TX), then to just the shape. You are told that the key is located in the state whose "Capitol is Austin" at the more advanced levels. The first series of games use a prop plane with a slow consumption of fuel and the latter series use a jet that really sucks up the fuel. Great game for the older kids and adults that have an idea of geography of the US. The trivia is tough enough for adults many years out of school but not too tough for the kids currently learning about the US. 

Well, three out of four isn't too bad. 

Amazing Art Corner wasn't amazing to the girls. They were used to several drawing programs and were quickly bored with this one. You drag a beach ball or series of beach balls around the screen and make loops, designs, scribbles, etc. The problem for the girls was that you only had the beach ball shape — nothing else and that wasn't what they wanted in a drawing program. A very small child might well enjoy it as it will help teach mouse techniques but the four year old wasn't interested in this after seeing and playing several other drawing programs. One other word of caution — be careful printing since the black background uses up a LOT of black ink. Colorful and simple to use, but not a hit with the girls. 

The $12.50 cost for the four CD-ROMs is a good investment. ODS can be contacted at 6500 Fiesta Drive, Columbus, OH 43235. Their telephone number is (614) 459-0453 and their web site is listed at the top of the article. 

If you're not satisfied with the product, ODS offers a full refund including the shipping and handling costs. Go for it and encourage the small developers while, at the same time, getting some excellent childrens software.