This document provides some frequently asked questions about Sandra. Please read the Help File as well!
Q: What does Sandra stand for?
A: It stands for System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant.
Q: What is this crazy double-versioning scheme? Can you explain it?
A: The complete version string contains 4 numbers, in the form a.b.c.d (e.g. 2001.4.8.7), where:
Q: In addition to the versioning, you also append 2 characters (e.g. 2001se) at the end of the release year, why?
A: This is done to differentiate more strongly between versions released in the same year. The letters denote:
Q: I read somewhere that Sandra was packaged along with the full version of Windows 98. I've checked my CD but see no indication.
A: No, Sandra has not been bundled with Windows... yet. (no we haven't made this up - this question is genuine)
Q: Now that Windows will be called "XP" what will Sandra be called?
A: Sandra BS - i.e. B*** S*** (answers on a postcard, please).
Q: Isn't a name like Sandra daft for a program? Whatever possessed you to choose such a name?
A: It's supposed to be an acronym. Well, we did "stretch" it a bit to make it sound better. This is not the first program to have a female name, remember Apple Lisa, Miranda, Microsoft Mum, Brenda, etc. There are more...
Have a look at these alternative names suggested (by users):
Q: Should I call Sandra "it" or "her" (or
"him")?
A: If that's your only problem then you're lucky…
Q: Can I get Sandra's source code for free?
A: No.
Q: Will you be releasing the code for Sandra as Samantha/Jemima take over?
A: No.
Q: I have some DOS system analyzer which shows way more information than Sandra. Why can't you do that?
A: Well, ask them why they haven't written a Windows version yet. Win32 programming is even harder and you can't do what you want like in DOS. Some stuff is just not relevant in Windows. Also, quite a few Windows analyzers are still 16-bit, Sandra is not.
On the other hand, a DOS analyzer could be better than a Windows analyzer if you check/test hardware at low-level. To check the Win16 sub-system a 16-bit analyzer could do better, too. The choice is yours.
Q: I have (e.g. Norton Utilities, CA Utilities, Nuts & Bolts, etc.) and I think that their sys info (e.g. Norton SI/32, Discover Pro) is much better. Can't you do better than that?
A: If we could, some software company (Microsoft, Symantec) would have snapped us up a long time ago… However, we do think that Sandra does things that SI does not do, but overall it can't compete. Also remember that NU is a package and not a stand-alone product. Seen anything you like?
Q: What's the best overall information tool in your opinion?
A: Must be Discover Pro from Nuts & Bolts (former Hurricane). While memory compression programs are utter crap, it has the best diagnostic tool we've ever seen. Pity it is still 16-bit.
Q: I think that MS-Info is better than Sandra.
A: Are you a troll? No way!
Q: God! When Sandra crashes it takes Windows (even NT/2000/XP!) with it. Where's the robustness I've read/heard so much about?
A: Well, we always say that if you do something, you might as well do it properly… On a serious note, things are
getting very complicated down here, so watch out…
Q: Why do you use "mainboard" and not "motherboard"?
A: "Motherboard" is considered sexist, and thus non PC (Politically Correct). The correct term these days is "mainboard".
Q: Sandra seems to behave like a woman. Was that in the design spec?
A: What follows is a list of qualities and weaknesses of Sandra and their equivalent of a hypothetical namesake. We'd like to apologise in advance if anyone is offended, this was written for humour reasons. Some of it has been copied from an article/review called "Why Sandra is like a woman" from a site now defunct.
| Sandra | Woman |
|---|---|
| when it installs, it takes over system (registers itself all over the place) | takes over your life, all over the place |
| you cannot uninstall it easily | you cannot get rid of her easily |
| if you do uninstall it, it leaves junk behind | if you do break up, you're left with all the junk |
| sometimes locks up at splash screen, using 100% of CPU | takes forever to get ready; uses many resources |
| gives lots of tips/warnings, but no help on how to resolve them | nit picks/moans about things; does not explain how to fix them |
| gives conflicting advice | gives conflicting advice |
| may not work when other similar utilities are installed | does not accept other girlfriends/equivalent |
| when it crashes, it takes system with it | when has breakdown, you have one too |
| all gloss, no substance | all gloss, no substance |
| if not run regularly, may not run anymore | if not given attention regularly, may leave |
| sometimes refuses to patch/update itself | sometimes refuses to change herself |
| refuses to work on a low-end system | refuses men with low "capabilities" |
| requires many OS updates on "out-of-favour" OSes | requires a "fashionable" man |
| needs to be patched/updated repeatedly to work | needs to be "pampered" repeatedly to |
| always at the "bleeding edge" of technology | always at the "bleeding edge" of fashion |
Q: Any interesting sayings?
A: There you go: