Dear Readers:

This issue of Computers and Composition has been exciting to put together. In it, you will find both consensus and controversy--sure signs that our field is engaging in fruitful discussion, discovery, and exploration. The issue begins with a comprehensive report on "first-generation" invention software authored by Ellen McDaniel. McDaniel provides a comparative overview of the invention software currently available, describes the problems inherent in developing invention software, and suggests some ways in which our profession can overcome these problems to produce improved "second-generation" invention software. The next pair of articles explore the advantages and disadvantages of various text-analysis programs. David Dobrin takes a strong stand against the use of text-analysis programs, elaborating on an argument he first posed at 1985 Conference on College Composition and Communication. Joyce Kinkead then presents another view, reporting on how four programs with text-analysis components (GRAMMATIK/COMMENT, WRITER'S WORKBENCH, ALPS, and HBJ WRITER) are being used successfully in four different schools.

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The final two articles explore the benefits and drawbacks of using one particular word-processing program. In our new "Computers and Controversy" section, Lee Roger Taylor warns us against forming xenophobic attachments to a single package; and, in our "Software Views" column, Gordon Thomas cogently argues that FINALWORD II provides teachers and students with "an extraordinarily flexible" word-processing package. With this last issue of 1985-86, we should remind all readers that IT IS TIME TO RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO COMPUTERS AND COMPOSITION for 1986-87. No matter when you send in your subscription money, we will send you all three issues for the current academic year. We have included a subscription form at the back of this issue for your convenience. If you experience any trouble with your subscription during the coming year (wrong address, missing issues, misspelled name), please write directly to our new Business Editor at the following address. He'll correct things as soon as possible: Computers and Composition c/o J. Daniel Eilola Humanities Dept. Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 49931

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For new readers of Computers and Composition,we have now collected all three issues for 1985-86 in a single, bound volume. To order this volume of back issues, send $10.00 (personal check or money order) or $20.00 (institutional check or money order) to our Business Editor at the address above. Please add $3.00 for foreign postage. Make all checks payable to Computers and Composition.