S implicity is a virtue in computer programs. But as software developers have expanded the functionality of their offerings, there has often been a price to pay: an increase in the program's size and sometimes a decrease in its speed. Synergy's KaleidaGraph (version 3.5) is one application that has resisted these tendencies. With the latest version of KaleidaGraph, a user can rapidly transform data to readily create graphs. Best of all, the program takes up little space and has minimal RAM requirements. For example, under Mac OS 9, KaleidaGraph needs about 5 MB of RAM and less than 10 MB of hard disk space. The software has kept pace with the newer, faster computer processors and has added many new functions while retaining ease of use and maintaining consistency with older versions of the program. Synergy provides KaleidaGraph on both Macintosh- and Windows-compatible platforms. Collaborators on different platforms can trade KaleidaGraph files without confusion or loss of data. The KaleidaGraph program itself and a useful tour of the software both install easily from a CD. The multilingual “quick-start” guide circumvents the bulky manual and provides even novices with almost instant access to the program. Upon opening KaleidaGraph, one is presented with a data window containing columns and rows reminiscent of the Excel spreadsheet. After entering the data into the cells, the user is only a few clicks away from making the first graph. The program has a well-designed, graphic user interface and provides numerous options for modifying graphs. For example, to change the parameters of the abscissa ( y axis) of a plot, one double-clicks on the abscissa and a new window appears showing the various options. Lines can be made thicker, and text and simple objects can be added by selecting the appropriate tool in the tool palette. The figure below shows a sample graph created by the program, complete with the error bars and statistics contained within the graph boundaries. Quickly prepared presentation graphs can easily be reworked into publication-quality documents for printing. The ease of graph generation in KaleidaGraph does not come at the cost of power. KaleidaGraph can work with millions of data points quickly and effortlessly. Veteran users of KaleidaGraph will enjoy the 100 new features in version 3.5. In earlier versions of the program, data entry from other software products into KaleidaGraph occurred mostly by copying and pasting. However, data entry has now been simplified and expanded with the program's ability to open Excel worksheets directly. In addition, four new plot types have been added. KaleidaGraph routinely calculates basic statistics on every data set to include averages, standard deviations, and standard errors. A welcome addition is that of the Student's t tests. Synergy has indicated that an expanded repertoire of statistical functions may follow in the future if the demand from users is sufficiently high. KaleidaGraph can also perform basic ( y = m x + b) and complex curve fits from a library of 100 industry-specific algorithms. The program's designers have also increased the range of files that KaleidaGraph can import and export. These include GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and Windows Bitmap files. There is also a calculator built into the program, if a quick function check is required. KaleidaGraph is a simple program that has remained true to its roots and has not strayed from its original design—namely allowing users to create graphs on a user-friendly software. The range of graphing solutions with KaleidaGraph is impressive in view of its low price. Demo versions and purchase, upgrade, and cross-grade information may be downloaded at the Synergy Web site.