Internet Toolkit

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Internet Toolkit / Internet Toolkit.iso / tutorial / pc_learn / software.tut < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1993-08-16 | 26.1 KB | 444 lines

---------------------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE MAKES A COMPUTER TICK - ONE BYTE AT A TIME ---------------------------------------------------------------- This section has been revised to include a larger list of shareware disk vendors at the end of this tutorial... With so much software in the marketplace sometimes the hardest job is to select from overabundance and arrive at genuinely useful programs. Software is available in three basic flavors: COMMERCIAL, PUBLIC DOMAIN and SHAREWARE. Commercial software is sold by mail or through retail outlets and is generally protected by both legitimate and stringent copyright laws. Commercial software may in addition be copy- protected (difficult or impossible to make spare disk copies) or non-copy protected (can be copied to another disk for safe- keeping or archival purposes.) Commercial software is usually of good quality and can range in price from 10 dollars to several hundred dollars or more. For the first time computer user, an outstanding commercial package which includes a robust word processor, excellent spreadsheet, database, modem package, macros, tutorials, spell checker, macros, thesaurus and other features is Microsoft Works. Retailing for about $100, it represents value for a beginner and may be the only package needed for a home office, small business or hobbyist. Public domain software represents computer programs which have been released into the public domain, do not require payment or registration fees to the author, and are frequently available from computer clubs, some libraries, and modem BBS telephone systems. PC Magazine utilities are examples of public domain software. Shareware, a third area of software interest represents programs whose author(s) request a donation or registration but are otherwise available in much the same manner as public domain software. Frequently "enticements" such as a documentation manual of program instructions, an upgrade disk or other bonus offer is made within the program to secure a registration fee. An example of shareware is this software program, PC-LEARN. Which type of software is best? Probably a little of each, to be honest. Many people find that starting with several affordable commercial programs (to ensure fast, productive results) and then sampling shareware over time (to continue trying new software) to be of value. Other computer owners find that starting with shareware and public domain software (to get a broad sampling of software variety at little cost) and then buying additional commercial programs as sophisticated needs grow also to be useful. ---------------------------------------------------------------- UTILITIES ADD POWER TO COMPUTING ---------------------------------------------------------------- We have discussed larger application software packages such as spreadsheets, word processing packages and databases elsewhere within PC-LEARN, but UTILITY software packages are an area of software productivity which every beginner should investigate. What are utilities? Software programs which augment computing capabilities, manage files, backup data, provide calculators, recover files from disaster, transfer files between computers and thousands of other "small essential jobs." A few of the top utility packages include the following. PC TOOLS DELUXE. The quintessential toolkit of goodies DOS forgot to include. PC Tools contains a superb DOS shell for file management, a miniature database, file transfer utility, calculator, backup system, unerase data restorer, disk repair capability, security file wiper and literally dozens of other useful one-of-a-kind goodies. If you can only afford one utility, PC Tools Deluxe is it. THE PC MAGAZINE UTILITIES are continuing classics and favorites of many users. Available through most computer clubs and by modem from local BBS sources and PC Magazine as disk bonus offers when you subscribe to that periodical. An index to PC Magazine utilities is maintained through their on line PcMagnet modem service which can be reached by following printed instructions contained in every issue of PC Magazine. The utilities are in the public domain and generally available at no charge beyond a small disk copying or distribution fee. Most shareware distributors carry disk sets of the PC Magazine utilities. LABELPRO prepares labels and address stickers better than any competing program. Prepare nametags, casette tape labels, address stickers with ease. HOTLINE allows you to manage, search, sort and DIAL phone directory databases. A grownup electronic rolodex system which works better than any other program of this type. BROOKLYN BRIDGE & DESKLINK allow transfer of files between computers via a cable connector and facilitate the transfer between desktop and laptop computers with ease. KEYWORKS & NEWKEY are universal keyboard macro programs which issue a burst of keystrokes when you press only one or two keys. ESSENTIAL for all beginners to learn and use! NEWKEY is shareware. CHECK-IT & SYSTEM SLEUTH perform diagnostic tests to tell your what connections, cables, ports disk drives and components are working and why. You can locate bad memory chips and in general save time and frustration tracking down problems. QEMM-386 & 386MAX manage vast areas of RAM memory in 80386 equipped computers. These can convert extended memory to expanded memory, move device drivers and terminate and stay resident programs efficiently, and remap BIOS and graphics video into faster RAM area memory. Subtle programs which help manage memory on more powerful DOS machines. MARK/RELEASE is a small program whose sole function is to install and remove TSR programs such as popup calculators, address books and others for minimum memory crowding and conflict. Shareware. FASTBACK PLUS allows reliable and quick backup of essential hard disk files to floppy disks and tape backup systems. A variety of options allows selective backup by date, data and file type. SUPER PC-KWIK provides a fast disk cache buffer system that speed processing and convenience for hard disk users. Speed is always a convenience when using a hard drive and SUPER PC-KWIK is the champion disk cache software utility. PKZIP is a unique shareware program which compresses files up to 80% smaller in size! This frees up disk space on your hard drive and also allows faster file transfers when using a modem. PKZIP is as standard as DOS and almost as essential. FASTTRAX is a disk optimizer and file defragmenter whose sole job is to periodically assemble files into efficient contiguous sectors on a disk for speedy performance. A routine housekeeping function no disk drive owner can neglect. SCAN & CLEANUP are virus/trojan horse detection and erradication programs which are probably the best of the bunch. CED & PCED & LIST are utilities which browse files (list) and provide command line editing functions (CED and PCED) which are far superior to the functions DOS provides. All are shareware. HOT SHOT GRAPHICS & PIZAZZ PLUS function to capture screen graphics to transfer them to another software program for presentation or publication use. GRAPHICS LINK PLUS facilitates the conversion of graphics picture files between varying software packages. TYPEFAST resets the keyboard rate of your system so you can (good guess) type fast! Public domain utility from PC Magazine. PRINTCACHE is a print spooler. You can thus dump your document file out to the printer and within a split second come back to your program and keep working rather than sit there for 30 minutes as your printer hogs the PC. ULTRAVISION adjusts cursor size and provides many differing typefaces on your screen if you don't care for the ones which came with your software or PC. MAGELLAN The ultimate text search utility. Search an entire hard disk quickly for the file that contains the phrase "swimming pool budget for Mr. Davis" or other search idea. Great for locating that document when piles of files seem lost on your hard drive. VGA DIMMER screen dimmer program to prevent phosphor burnout from leaving screen on and unattended for long periods of time. Works automatically. GRANDVIEW The best of the outliner programs. When you need to assemble, sort and prioritze tasks or documents Grandview is it. SOFTWARE BRIDGE & WORD FOR WORD PROFESSIONAL allow different word processing programs to swap documents in different file formats. Great for the office where each person uses a different word processing package. ---------------------------------------------------------------- BACK TO SHAREWARE FOR A MOMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------- Let's look for a moment at the wellspring of shareware resources that run well beneath the surface of the conventional computer landscape. You do not have to be a hobbyist, hacker or computer guru to utilize shareware and public domain software. A short list of shareware distributors follows this section. Membership in a local computer club or user group is one way to obtain shareware. Many retail software and computer equipment stores maintain lists of local clubs. Frequently a local and friendly Radio Shack salesman can give you a clue as to computer clubs. The clubs frequently augment club treasuries by sale of shareware disks. Membership with many clubs is optional - purchasing a shareware disk is convenient whether you are a member or not. Disk distribution or copying may fees hover around $3 to $5. A second, perhaps more convenient source for some people, is mail order sources of shareware, otherwise known as shareware distributors. A list of several shareware sources is provided at the end of this tutorial. A third avenue for locating shareware is either a BBS computer system (a computer in someone's home or office hooked by modem to telephone lines) or the larger commercial on-line services such as Compuserve, The Source and BIX. These larger commercial services can be the fastest way to locate and obtain shareware. The on-line modem route has the additional advantage that shareware can be located by electronic search/sort which certainly speeds up the process. Cost is obviously a factor. With a local BBS service the cost is simply that of a local phone call. Commercial services generally charge by the minute or hour and sometimes also involve long distance charges if a local line is not available. Next a list of popular mail order shareware distributors not to be confused with mail order software distributors of commercial software. Contact them and request a free catalog - you will be surprised at the depth and variety of shareware offerings. As an example, this disk, PC-LEARN, is a shareware program carried by PC-SIG and many other shareware distributors. By the way, a shareware distributor usually charges a nominal fee ($2 to $5) to copy and DISTRIBUTE a disk to you. If you find the shareware useful, you are encouraged to send the author of the package a final REGISTRATION FEE ($10 to $50 approximately) to use the package and receive updated copies, instruction manuals or bonus items to thank you for the courtesy of registering. Shareware is an honor system. The distributors make money charging a fee for a sample disk, but the author also deserves a registration fee if you find the shareware useful. ---------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTORS - A SHORT LIST ---------------------------------------------------------------- SSP Shareware PO Box 1506 Mercer Island, WA 98040 (206) 236-0470 Featuring low prices for all shareware disks, SSP is an excellent choice for affordable software and features over 4,000 titles, many of the same entries as larger shareware distributors at significant savings. Disks are available on standard 5.25 or 3.5 inch diskettes. SSP catalog available on disk. New entries added weekly. No membership fee. Special selections for beginners and advanced users. Many unusual titles not found elsewhere. PC-SIG 1030D East Duane Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086; (800) 245-6717; In Calif. (800) 222-2996. PC-SIG is perhaps the largest and best known of the shareware distributors. With a bi-monthly magazine, slickly packaged software, over 3000 disks and a printed catalogue PC-SIG is perhaps also the best organized. PC-SIG boasts authorized dealers throughout the United States (most major cities) and many foreign countries! Marketing and customer service are a PC- SIG trademark. Public Brand Software, Inc. POB 51478, Indianapolis, IN 46251; (317) 856-1001 or (800) IBM-DISK. On par with PC-SIG. Programs ranked by quality. Public Brand is owned by Ziff Davis and is a good source if you need to locate any of the famous PC Magazine Utilities. Catalog is printed and of very good quality. Excellent selection. ---------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTORS - A LONG LIST ---------------------------------------------------------------- ACL/ALHUDA COMPUTER LAB AFL INDUSTRIES / PBS 1601 FULTON AVE #10 213 WARD CIRCLE SUITE 202 SACRAMENTO CA BRENTWOOD TN 95825 37027 tel: 916/973-1850 800/776-3223 tel: 615/383-1459 AUTOMATED SYSTEMS BEST BITS AND BYTES POB 192 POB 8225 LITTLE FALLS NJ VAN NUYS CA 07424-0192 91409 tel: 201/812-1428 tel: 818/764-9503 800/245-2983 BLUE PARROT INTERNATIONAL BRIGHT FUTURES INC. 38706 12TH ST EAST POB 1030 PALMDALE CA E WINDSOR CT 93550 06088 tel: 805/947-5552 tel: 203/745-5322 800/235-3475 COMPUTER OUTLET COMPUTER SOLUTINS NW POB 555098 POB 446 ORLANDO FL BENZONIA MI 32855-5098 49616 tel: 407/862-0429 & 407/862-3205 tel: 616/325-2540 800/327-2540 COMPUTER SOLUTIONS CWI INFORMATION SERVICES POB 8292 POB 4851 NEW FAIRFIELD CT ANAHEIM CA 06812-1592 92803 tel: 517/628-2943 tel: 714/879-7917 800/777-5636 DATA OUTLET SHAREWARE EMS PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIES POB 776 4505 - BUCKHURST CT MACON GA OLNEY MD 31202-0776 20832 tel: 912/743-3732 800/347-4306 tel: 301/924-3594 FLORIDA SHAREWARE COMPANY GOLD HILL SOFTWARE 914 SAINT CLAIR ST, M-26 POB 1949 MELBOURNE FL MUNCIE IN 32935 47308-1949 tel: 407/255-0923 tel: 800/234-6467 GOOD TIMES HOME VIDEO CORP JCS MARKETING 16 EAST 40TH ST POB 1216 NEW YORK NY LAKEVILLE MN 10016 55044 tel: 212/779-4116 tel: 612/469-1161 KWN SYSTEMS MICRO TECHNOLOGY 220 STONEHURST BLVD 21 VINTAGE DRIVE FREEHOLD NJ EAST WINDSOR NJ 07728 08520 tel: 908/431-4244 tel: 908/274-2271 800/526-1726 MICRO-STAR/STAR WEST SOFTWARE MICROTECH USA 1945-CAMINO VIDA ROBLE STE A&B POB 59403 CARLSBAD CA RENTON WA 92008 98058 tel: 619/931-4947 800/444-1343 tel: MR DISK SOFTWARE PC SHAREWARE 5915 CASEY DRIVE 1763 GARNET AVE KNOXVILLE TN SAN DIEGO CA 37909 92109 tel: 615/584-3954 tel: 619/272-6673 800/447-2181 PC-SIG PD CONNECTION 1030D EAST DUANE AVENUE 5454 WESTERVILLE RD, POB 8454 SUNNYVALE CA WESTERVILLE OH 94086 43081 tel: 408/730-9291 800/245-6717 tel: 614/895-1108 800/593-3870 PUBLIC SOFTWARE LIBRARY (PSL) REASONABLE SOLUTIONS POB 35705, 6111 LAKE ST 1221 DISK DRIVE HOUSTON TX MEDFORD OR 77235-5705 97501 tel: 713/524-6394 tel: 503/776-5777 800/876-3475 US/PD LIBRARY SHAREWARE EXPRESS 225 E OLDHAM 1908-D ASHLAND ST KNOXVILLE TN ASHLAND OR 37917 97520 tel: 615/522-4638 after 4p tel: 503/482-5136 & -2027 SHAREWARE SOLUTIONS SHAREWARE+/FLORIDA PC LIBRARY ROUTE 6 BOX 34 POB 491070 FUQUAY-VARINA NC LEESBURG FL 27526 34749 tel: tel: 904/728-8088 SMC INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LIBRARY SOFTWARE EXCITEMENT! 2180 LAS PALMAS DR 6475 CRATER LAKE HWY POB 3072 CARLSBAD CA CENTRAL POINT OR 92009-1520 97502 tel: 619/931-8111 tel: 503/826-8083 800/444-5457 TALLON SOFTWARE THE DATAPAK LIBRARY POB 27823 1226 S PLAZA SEATTLE WA SPRINGFIELD MO 98125 65804 tel: 206/788-9390 tel: 417/865-9641 Ext 4118 THE SIMPLE SERIES THE SOFTWARE LABS POB 1167 100 Corporate Pointe, Ste 195 PALISTOW NH Culver City CA 03865 90231 tel: 603/372-3344 800/TSS-4DSK tel: 310/410-2030 Tutorial finished. Have you registered PC-Learn to receive your bonus disks? Registration is encouraged. Shareware works on the honor system! Send $25 to Seattle Scientific Photography, Department PCL6, PO Box 1506, Mercer Island, WA 98040. Latest version of PC-Learn and two bonus disks shipped promptly!