The Plus! pack is quite a useful add-on. It contains DriveSpace 3, which is a sophisticated and reliable compression system. If due to low drive space you're forced to consider compression, this is a good choice, because it's well integrated with the operating system. I've used it myself and apart from adding to the complexity of maintenance tasks, it works well. It gave me more than double the drive space I originally had. It does slow the machine down a little, and it does complicate the system to the point that I noted subjectively more crashes.
Disk maintenance is eased by a scheduler which automatically runs the Defrag, Scandisk and Drivespace tools at times you specify. This works well for the most part.
There's also Dial Up Scripting, which lets you create scripts to log on automatically to your ISP via Dial Up Networking. It's a very primitive system. It does not record a script automatically when you log on then play it back. You have to program the script yourself. However, your ISP can probably provide you with the script that works for them, and it won't be too hard to install and get working. If you dial up a lot, it's nice to have this feature.
It also has a Win95 Remote Access Server, which lets you set up your PC as a server for connection via cable or modem link. This works, but it's not a totally intuitive system.
Other features are less essential. There are Desktop Themes, which include a desktop background, some desktop colour and font settings and custom animated mouse cursors. If you like this sort of stuff, it's a way to personalise your desktop with somebody else's idea of expressing their own personality.
There's a beautifully executed 3-D pinball game, at least as good a time waster as Solitaire or Frogger.
- Neale Morison