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1994-03-27
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Q&A 4.0
for Windows
by Tony Curro
Symantec has a long history with Q&A. In 1985, Q&A 1.0 for DOS was
released. It quickly set the standard for flat-file databases with its
natural language interface and integration of a complete word processor
for mail merges. Yes, I remember it well. I purchased that first
version. Selecting fonts in Q&A Write was not as easy as it is today.
Then again personal computing was still in its infancy, and many things
were not as easy as they are today.
Q&A 4.0 is the third major release, but Q&A 4.0 for Windows is the
first major release on that platform.
A complete installation of Q&A 4.0 for Windows requires approximately
20MB of hard disk space. This includes Q&A Write, tutorials and
templates. You can select a custom installation to install only the
features you want.
Q&A will import dBASE, Paradox, and other files. You only have to select
import, give it a Q&A filename, and import. If the Q&A file does not
exist you are asked if you wish it to be created. You will then see the
import fields. You do not have to create them. Just select them, and the
file is imported.
Q&A for Windows is network-ready and requires no additional effort to
install. It is also fully interoperable with Q&A for DOS. In a mixed
DOS/Windows corporate environment, workgroups can share the same Q&A
databases and access them concurrently from either platform over a
network. This also makes the switch from DOS to Windows painless.
The Windows version retains many of the features of the DOS-based
product. You still have the familiar spreadsheet view. Options have been
simplified by the inclusion of a button bar in the Windows version. Many
of the features and options are quickly selected by a mouse click.
Q&A Write has also been improved. Along with standard features found in
all word processors, it includes a built-in outliner, spell checker and
thesaurus, a table generator, OLE and DDE support, fax and electronic
mail enabling, automatic envelope creation, editable page views, a
customizable tool bar, graphic frames and more. The mail merge features
have also been enhanced.
You can generate a variety of reports, create freeform reports and
forms, select from pre-defined Avery labels, or create your own in a
graphical environment. Add a picture field to any form, and even have
different colored text.
Another new addition to Q&A is DAVE (Do Anything Very Easily). Q&A first
had intelligent assistant in its first release. This allowed you to
search for things using plain English phrases. Now DAVE is here to
assist you. He will also search for things as described above. Or use
DAVE, your scripting assistant, to create scripts for repetitive
database tasks using the same easy English interface.
Overall, Q&A for Windows is a pleasure to work with. Its ease-of-use
coupled with the built-in Q&A Write, make it a good choice.
Product Information
Q&A 4.0
for Windows
SRP -- $249.95
(cross-grade
available for $89.95)
Symantec Corporation
10201 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014-2132
408-253-9600
408-253-4092 (FAX)