home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Software Vault: The Gold Collection
/
Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO
/
cdr11
/
shrv14fw.zip
/
SHRV14FW.TXT
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-06-26
|
26KB
|
575 lines
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
SOFTWARE CREATIONS BBS MAY 1993
(508) 365-2359
(8,1, N)
Welcome to SHAREWARE REVIEWS, a new, innovative, electronic
newsletter that will review the best of the latest uploaded shareware in
all areas. Our objective is to help you select the software that will best
fulfill your needs from among the many hundreds which are published each
month. We are truly in the midst of a creative explosion by many fine
shareware authors but the quantity is overwhelming. How can you select the
very best from among a bewildering variety of publications? Let SHAREWARE
REVIEWS help you by selecting from among the finest new releases and
then provide you with brief, yet information packed, reviews to help you
decide what is worth your downloading dollars and valuable time. We have
vast experience to bring to bear upon this endeavor having had years of
professional experience in academia, advanced scientific and humanities
research, technical and journal publication, public school education, and
entrepreneurial private business. Furthermore, we are consultants in
applied statistics and shareware authors ourselves.
What is shareware? Shareware is computer software created by small
companies, often a single person operation, that is marketed on a 'try
before you buy' basis. An informed decison by any consumer should be based
upon maximum knowledge. As a sales approach, which is remarkable for its
generosity to potential customers, shareware authors create and distribute
their work in a format which has at least partial, and often complete
functionality. Distribution is via mail order companies which specialize in
selling shareware on disk and Bulletin Board Systems, such as SOFTWARE
CREATIONS, whose sysops are committed to the promotion of shareware. By not
investing in expensive brochures or the usual sort of advertising, shareware
authors are determined to hold down costs, and thereby the retail prices, of
their products.
Successful shareware benefits everyone because the retail price is
as low as possible which places the least stress on a user's wallet.
Hopefully, a large selling volume will increase the income for the
author/publisher. Shareware authors are unusually generous and trusting.
If their product is fully functional in the shareware version, which is
often the case, users must feel honor bound to purchase it after the fact.
Purchase is termed registration and is by mail order via forms provided
within the shareware package. We urge you to register any and all shareware
you try out, like and decide to use. If the shareware does not fulfill your
needs, pass it on to someone who might be interested, thereby giving the
it more exposure.
Unlike browsing in a book store where there is no possibility of
keeping the book without payment (short of theft), all of us could 'steal'
our favorite shareware if so inclined. If we are not honorable, this
generous marketing approach is in danger of disappearing. Furthermore, many
shareware authors are highly creative and innovative while exploring areas
still untouched by major corporations. Often their products are as full
featured and 'deep' as any offered in the mainstream, highly advertised,
marketplace and may, in fact, incorporate an approach that cannot be found
anywhere else.
SHAREWARE REVIEWS (versions 2 & 3) will be available only through
SOFTWARE CREATIONS which is an extraordinary Bulletin Board System. The
founder and sysop is Dan Linton who is perhaps the most aggressive promoter
of shareware in the country. He is also a very successful software author
and publisher in his own right. SOFTWARE CREATIONS is huge, yet user
friendly, as I'm certain you've already discovered if you downloaded
SHAREWARE REVIEWS. Personally, I have never seen a board whose menus and
screens are this attractive! As of this date, Dan has over 8GB of files in
well organized directories, 95 phone lines and provides many other
interesting and valuable services. Everything reviewed in SHAREWARE REVIEWS
may be found at SOFTWARE CREATIONS which you can consider your one stop
shareware warehouse. I urge you to subscribe; Dan's system is well worth the
$45/year which is perhaps the lowest subscription fee for any board of this
size in the U.S.: SOFTWARE CREATIONS, 26 Harris St., Clinton MA 01510.
Phone lines are BBS (2400) 508 365-2359, BBS (9600) 508 368-7036 and voice
508 368-8654.
SHAREWARE REVIEWS is published monthly by SOFTWARE CREATIONS and is
provided in three versions. In each, the reviews will be in 'plain
vanilla' ASCII format so that any DOS based, generic file viewer can be used
to view and print them. An electronic newsletter of brief one paragraph
reviews, of which you now have a copy, will be distributed around the first
of each month. At SOFTWARE CREATIONS, it is available to all callers, even
new users, as freeware. A second version which contains in-depth longer
reviews of each program with many more specifics and installation hints will
be distributed by first class USPS on disk and will be available only by
subscription at $30/year (12 issues). For $96/year, you can receive the long
format reviews along with each shareware program in an archived (usually ZIP)
format. That comes to 12 monthly issues with a yearly total of approximately
180 programs at cost of only $0.53 or less per program. Unless you live
within SOFTWARE CREATIONS area code, your phone bill to download this many
programs would exceed the subscription price. Single back issues of each
month's shareware files are available at $12/monthly set of disks. These
prices includes all costs: disks, shipping and handling.
We hope to set an industry standard for shareware reviews. Glitzy
no; valuable reviews, yes. If you find only one program each year that
dramatically increases either your business productivity, education, or
enjoyment of life, the subscription cost will be well worth it. Each
newsletter will contain 15 reviews in both the short and long versions.
You can SUBSCRIBE ON LINE AT SOFTWARE CREATIONS with your credit
card. At the Main Menu, type 'DOOR' <E> and the Door Menu will give you
access to an on-line subscription script (item 5) with the various options
described above. If you wish, you may subscribe by mail using the form
provided below.
We welcome feedback, comments and suggestions for new shareware to
review. You may write to me, Ben Blumenberg, the author of SHAREWARE
REVIEWS at REALITY SOFTWARE, PO Box 105, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or leave e-mail
at SOFTWARE CREATIONS. My other e-mail addresses are: America On Line
benb12; Compuserve 71044,1645; and on the Internet at benb12@aol.com or
71044.1645@compuserve.com (notice comma must be replaced by a period). An
interesting article which you might enjoy that looks at the problems in
designing a user friendly interface for Windows applications is Moss, D. 1993.
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". WINDOWS USER Vol. 2, No. 1, pp 136-140.
Reality Software is also a creator and publisher of shareware and
our products can be found at SOFTWARE CREATIONS. We specialize in
historical timelines and history of religion and mythology. Our studies are
scholarly and for serious, thinking adults. They are not high school level
programs nor are they filled with New Age nonsense. We will mail a catalog
on disk of our software for a $1.50 fee to cover costs and shipping.
Please note that requests for this catalog must go directly to Reality
Software, PO Box 105, Waldoboro, ME 04572, NOT Software Creations.
We hope you enjoy SHAREWARE REVIEWS and find it a valuable tool for
selecting the very best of the newest shareware available.
Ben and Leslie Blumenberg
SOFTWARE CREATIONS is a division of Linton Enterprises, Inc.
.__________________________________________________________________________
MAIL IN SUBSCRIPTION FORM for SHAREWARE REVIEWS DATE ______
NAME _____________________________ COMPANY ______________________________
ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________
TOWN OR CITY ______________________________ STATE __________ ZIP ________
Subscriptions to SR Long Reviews only ($30/yr) _____ Total _______________
Subscriptions to SR Long Reviews plus shareware ($96/yr)_____ Total_______
BACK ISSUES of monthly collections of shareware at $12/each:
(All disks will be high density 5 1/4".)
Indicate month/yr ________________________________ No. ______ Total ______
Method of Payment (circle):
Check Money Order Credit Card (Visa, Master Card)
Credit Card # __________________________________ Exp. Date ________________
Signature on Card ___________________________________________________
If we distribute our mailing list to other vendors, would you prefer your
name be deleted? Y ___ N ___
MAIL TO: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
SOFTWARE CREATIONS
26 Harris St.
Clinton, MA 01510
Be certain to notify SOFTWARE CREATIONS if you move and your mailing address
changes.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
ANAD207.ZIP 137K MAY 1993
ANADISK (DOS) Vol. 1, No.4
Latest file 9/3/92
anadisk1.txt
ANADISK is a very powerful utility for analyzing, editing and
repairing diskettes. It will also format and copy nearly any diskette and
some of its features, such as copying an area of diskette to a DOS file and
the ability to read and print files with serious sector damgage before
repair, are not available elsewhere. Examine Files allows you to look at data
on a file by file basis. Edit Sectors allows for data to be inspected,
changed and printed on a sector by sector basis with either pure ASCII or a
mixed ASCII hexadecmial display/print. Search will examine an entire
diskette, active file or deleted area for character keys. Repair will copy
data from sectors containing errors to a free area on the diskette. And
more ... ANADISK contains a suite of powerful surgical tools. Registration is
$25 from SYDEX, PO Box 5700, Eugene OR 97405.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
ASEASY55.ZIP 300K MAY 1993
ASADOC.ZIP 105K Vol.1, No.4
AS-EASY-AS (DOS)
Latest file 12/23/93
aseasy1.txt
AS-EASY-AS is a comprehensive spreadsheet that is very deep in
features and easy to use. Features include: up to six resizable windows;
integration with dBASE files; extensive math, statistical and string
capabilities; file-linking text search, what-if models, named ranges,
powerful versatile graphics and an extensive macro cability. Monitor
modes from CGA through SVGA are supported. AS-EASY-AS can be run either
from the keyboard or with your mouse. The copying and moving of ranges is a
snap and the creation, viewing and printing of graphs and charts is user
friendly. These few comments but hint at the depth in AS-EASY-AS which is a
marvelous alternative to the rather expensive mainstream spreadsheets. This
shareware version includes a comprehensive manual. The file asadoc.zip
includes sample worksheets which can be used as templates. Registration is
$69 from Truis, Inc., PO Box 249, N. Andover, Mass. 01845.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
ATTACK.ZIP 109K MAY 1993
LETTER ATTACK (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 2/25/93
attack1.txt
LETTER ATTACK is a terrific challenge against which to test your
typing skills. Words drop from the top of your screen; type them
accurately before they reach the bottom or the game ends. Take LETTER
ATTACK seriously and your concentration and typing skills will really
improve and like me, you might find yourself, spontaneously laughing out
loud. I can't explain it, but LETTER ATTACK is great fun and very relaxing.
Games are scored so you can track your progress systematically if you wish.
Best of all, registration is only $6! from Eldon Martin, HCR 75, Box 99,
McConnellsburg, PA 17233.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
CALJNC.ZIP 62K MAY 1993
CALC_JNC (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 1/1/93
calc1.txt
CALC_JNC is a superb dual function calculator with both floating
point and programmer modalities. All data entry and results are displayed in
decimal, hexadecimal, octal and binary formats. There are 10 addressable
memories which can easily be displayed and left on screen as the calculator
window itself is small, but very adequate, and can be positioned with cursor
keys. Entries are retained upon exit and CALC_JNC can be loaded as a TSR.
Sexagesimal (digital time) calculations can be performed. The syntax of
CALC_JNC is straightforward and up to 15 levels of parentheses can be
accomodated in expressions. This shareware version contains a well written
on-line manual which is awkward to access. Registration for this extremely
good calculator brings a printed manual and is $25 from James N. Cox,
418 Erie Avenue, Quakertown, PA 18951.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
DAZZLE50.ZIP 178K MAY 1993
DAZZLE (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 5/25/92
dazzle1.txt
DAZZLE is pure beauty and represents what I believe computer art
should be; imagery generated by creative programming coupled to a fine
aesthetic sensibility. In its simplest mode, DAZZLE will run automatically
forever, cycling its algorithms through a clock driven rotation of the DOS
color palette. It is compatible with older EGA machines and various
command line options at startup can control the cycling speed. When
active, the user may interact with the imagery in order to change cycling
speed, freeze an image for study or saving to PCX file, reinitialize the
color palette, and select specific fade algorithms. A semi-auto mode
accesses more control over developing imagery. DAZZLE is spectacular and
registration is only $15 from MicroTronics, PO Box 8759, Spring, TX 77387.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
DPWR13.ZIP 108K MAY 1993
DOCUPOWER (WORD FOR WINDOWS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 2/26/93
docpwr1.txt
DOCUPOWER is a superb set of enhancements for Word for Windows 2.x.
It adds a module to the file or tools menu that allows for the creation of
'folders' that contain documents whose titles are not limited to the infamous
DOS limit of 8 characters. The files within a folder may occur in any
location, hard drive, floppy, etc. as the process of configuring a folder
includes the addition of path statements. Files may be opened or printed
directly from folders. Files from folders may also be inserted at the cursor
postion in any open document. DOCUPOWER PLUS, which is included in this
archive, adds valuable enhancements to Word's file menu. The shareware
version of DOCUPOWER is limited to two folders with five documents each.
Registration for this terrific Word for Windows enhancement is $24.95 from
Total Systems Solutions, Inc., 1530 E. 18th St., Suite 6H, Brooklyn,
N.Y. 11230.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
FW21.ZIP 183K MAY 1992
FILEWARE (WORD FOR WINDOWS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 3/5/93
fw1.txt
FILEWARE is a fine example of an add-on to a major Windows application
that provides important new functionality. File management from within Word
for Windows, and quick access to frequently used documents, is very
restricted. After installing FILEWARE, files may be copied, deleted, and
renamed from options on the file menu. Directories may also be created as
easily. Fast Files allows frequently used documents to be accessed by
descriptions written in plain English! Run buttons allow you to launch
programs of your choice from within Word. Templates may be edited and
there is a Word Lock and Password capability in FILEWARE. The manual could
not be better and does double duty as a program installer. Registration is
$39.95 from Total Systems Solutions, Inc. 1530 East 18th Street, Suite 6H,
Brooklyn, NY 11230.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
GLRY11E.ZIP 366K MAY 1993
IMAGE GALLERY (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 1/10/93
gallery1.txt
IMAGE GALLERY is a well known graphics program that catalogs bit
mapped graphics images into user defined groups that are called gallery
files. There are six types of gallery files possible: portrait or
landscape orientation in either two or sixteen 'colors' which may be shades
of grey or colours. Adding or deleting thumbnail images to a gallery file
could not be easier. IMAGE GALLERY also allows you to easily view your
graphics images and provides a number of different drivers that may be
installed via an installation program. IMAGE GALLERY via an Export Function
will also convert between the 14 file formats supported. On line help is
quite abbrevated but the manual provided is quite good. Registration is $40
from Alchemy Mindworks, Inc. PO Box 500, Beeton, Ontario L0G 1A0, Canada.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
GEPASI.ZIP 520K MAY 1993
GEPASI AND GNUPLOT (WINDOWS, DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 11/24/92
gepasi1.txt
GEPASI is a powerhouse, Ph.D level physical bio-chemistry program
that simulates both the dynamic and steady states of metabolic models.
Starting from an initial state, concentrations of metabolites and the
magnitudes of fluxes are produced. A structural model of the metabolic
pathway must be built beforehand which identifies steps, internal metabolites,
external effectors and feedback loops. Kinetics must be identified and values
for constants assigned. Finally, concentrations of external metabolites must
be defined and for simulations, concentrations of internal metabolites must
also be identified along with final time. Report files are directed to
Windows Notepad and time course results are put into a file that can be read
with any text editor. Appropriate commands directed to GNUPLOT, which a
professional plotting program of enormous depth, will produce plots of
results. GEPASI and GNUPLOT are graduate school/research level computing
tools. If you are not a metabolic specialist, find one in a neaby medical
school and present this freeware as a gift. Point them toward the Help File
(there is a brief manual) and they will be speechless with gratitude. GEPASI
is the product of Pedro Mendes of the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 675
Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
IEDIT101.ZIP 431K MAY 1993
INI-EDITOR (WINDOWS) Vol.1, No. 4
Latest file 12/27/92
ini1.txt
INI-Editor is an exceptional utility that not only performs its task
superbly but deserves to be studied as model for other programmers. Call
either your system.ini or win.ini file and INI_Editor displays it in a window
adjacent to its own Windows reference .ini file. You may then copy any
line item from the reference file to your own; edit the value portion of any
line item; delete any section heading or line item and search for text within
your own or the reference .ini file. Backup copies of your original .ini
file are made if any editing changes are saved. However, what really makes
INI-Editor special, is the Information Tool. Select a section heading or
line item and INI-Editor will display a clear explanation with both sensible
recommendations and cautions if you are about to edit. The Information Tool
thus provides a good tutorial about the systems files of Windows, something
lacking in most Windows books, and forces you to think about editing changes.
Be certain to read the two readme. files. Registration for this gem is $20
from Slightly Tilted Software, 2613 Silver Creek Court, Garland, TX 75040.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
MAZEWAR.ZIP 20K MAY 1993
MAZEWARS (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 12/12/92
mazewar1.txt
MAZEWARS is a simple, yet thoroughly enjoyable virtual reality
aracade game that has no learning curve and is great fun. Use your mouse
to navigate through a maze of rectangular walls and corridors while attempting
to destroy rather cute pyramid-shaped 'monsters' that dart out from time to
time. Although they never attack, their destruction is mandatory or you
will not be allowed out of the maze even if you find the exit. Poor little
monsters! The virtual reality illusion is very good, the design of the
maze are simple yet attractive and effective. The hand-eye coordination
challenge is considerable and there are multiple levels of play.
Registration for MAZEWARS is $15 from Amazing Graphics, 430 East Glenn Avenue,
Auburn, AL 36830.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
NEOPNT20.ZIP 648K MAY 1993
NEOPAINT (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 3/29/93
neopnt1.txt
NEOPAINT is an amazingly deep combination graphics editor, paint and
draw program for PCX, GIF and TIFF images. A very attractive main screen
not only presents the working screen, but a color palette window, fill
pattern window, drop down brush style selection box, menu bar, tool
bar and cursor coordinate box. There are twelve font choices for text
work. Selected areas cropped from an image may be saved to a file. Colors
from the surface of an image may be placed into the color/pattern selection
box. There is a Highlighter tool for transparent washes. Fine control
with the Air Brush tool allows for modelling. There is a Radiant Line tool
for starburst/fan effects and a Bezier Line tool for curves whose shapes are
only limited by your imagination. 3-D squares and pyramids can be rotated
and subject to extrusion. And much more ... wait till you see the Stamp Pad
in NEOPAINT!! The depth of features in NEOPAINT is so impressive, that I
highly recommend it. Registration is $45 from OSCS Software
Development, Inc., 354 NE Greenwood Avenue, Suite 108, Bend OR 97701.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
PCW401-1.ZIP 303K MAY 1993
PCW401-2.ZIP 168K Vol.1, No.4
PCW401-3.ZIP 148K
PCW401-4.ZIP 301K
PC-WRITE (DOS)
Latest file 11/16/92
pcw1.txt
PC-WRITE is the first full featured word processor to appear as
shareware and it represents an exceptional value. It contains virtually all
the features you would need to write documents from single page letters to
long reports. Twenty different fonts may be selected and used in combination
with any one of seven effects. A menu bar and ruler are present on the
main screen where you begin writing on a single working row highlighted in
blue which expands as the document lengthens. PC-WRITE has full mouse
support. Some keyboard commands require unusual key sequences such
as F1 F3 to save and F4 twice to delete marked text. Cut and paste has a
'mark-undelete' metaphor. Be certain to work through the tutorial provided
which also is the manual. Registration is only $59 or $89 depending upon
the depth of features desired from Quicksoft, Inc., 300 Queen Anne N. #224,
Seattle, WA 98109.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
UCLP15.ZIP 76K MAY 1993
ULTRACLIP (WINDOWS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 1/2/93
uclp1.txt
ULTRACLIP is a marvelous enhancer for the anemic Windows Clipboard.
You can store a series of objects which have been placed on the Clipboard,
including OLE objects, create thumbnails of graphics and view full size
windows of unformatted text. Thumbnails and windows can be printed
individually or in gallery collections. Thumbnail graphics can be viewed
full size. Objects are copied back to the Clipboard with a single mouse
click. ULTRACLIP windows can be saved to disk in CLP format and then later
reloaded and copied back to the Clipboard, if you wish. ULTRACLIP is a very
creative and useful Windows utility and registration is only $5! from Doug
Overmyer, 1817 San Pedro Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707.
SOFTWARE CREATIONS: SHAREWARE REVIEWS
VGAPAL40.ZIP 30K MAY 1993
VGAPAL (DOS) Vol.1, No.4
Latest file 1/25/93
vgapal1.txt
VGAPAL allows you to customize the DOS color palette and in the
process will provide a user friendly lesson about color mixing. Each of the
16 colors available to DOS can be remixed; each is mixture of red, blue and
green components. When the palette has been customized to your liking, it
may be saved in an ASCII file which is easily loaded from the command line.
Your customized palette is now utilized by your applications. VGAPAL allows
you to create up to four customized color palettes. Options exist for loading
your favorite palette upon boot-up but they are tricky to implement. The
main screen on which you remix colors is well designed with all essential
commands summarized at the bottom. VGAPAL comes with a short but complete
set of instructions. Registration is $10 from Malcom Drury, 11 Adele
Crescent, Nepean Ontario K2J 2T7, Canada.