Hi all!  I have been a lurker for a LONG time (however I have been
_enjoying_ it!) and I would like to inject my comments about the Giebler
software.  I purchased the PianoDisc disk manager software from Giebler
Enterprises about a year ago.  I have had no problems with the software
or the running of the software.

I would like to point out that if you are a dedicated Windows user, you
probably will _not_ like the way the program operates.  (I believe that
most of their software works the same way.)  If you are expecting to be
able to use a mouse to "point-and-click" your way around the program,
you can't.  The programs run under either an MS-DOS prompt or the MSDOS
window.

In order to be able to read and write the different disk formats, the
programs MUST be used in MSDOS, because they have to be able to talk
directly to the disk drives on your computer.  Having "grown up" using
the command line (I started programming on a TRS-80 Model I), using the
program was not a problem.  I use a Windows machine now because I have
to in my work.

The Giebler software does work; you just have to get used to using the
keyboard again to enter commands.  You can link to the programs from the
Windows desktop if you want.

I have both of the Giebler programs for PianoDisc files: the PianoDisc
Diskette Manager (PDM), and the PNOSMF utility.  PNOSMF will allow you
to convert Standard Midi Files (SMF)in Type 0 or Type 1 format to a
PianoDisc format file (which PDM can then write to a floppy) or (using
PDM) take a PianoDisc format file and convert it to a SMF format for
use with a sequencer (like Cakewalk).  I would assume that the Yamaha
Disklavier program operates in much the same fashion; I have had no use
for the program, so I can not say definitively.

If you don't mind using the keyboard again to enter commands, then
Giebler's software will be just what you're looking for!

Mike Carey