PsL Monthly 1994 January/PSL Monthly Shareware CD-ROM (Public Software Library) (January 1994).iso/reviews/wu_05

Text File | 1993-11-10 | 29KB | 771 lines

WU-05:  Miscellaneous


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#0301 Converters & Other Utils.           Small Programs Disk
-------------------------------

#0301 Converters
----------------
WP_ASCII
   Hidalgo, John R.
   $5
converts a wordprocessor document to an ASCII format. The wordprocessors
supported at this point are WordPerfect, WordStar, and Microsoft Word. Since
these word processors will save in ASCII, this is of use primarily for people
who get the encoded data files and do not own the programs.

XWord
   Gans, Ronald
   $15
is a general file format transformer that converts files from one format to
another.


#0301 Other
-----------
Add-head (ADD-HD)
   Winer, Dave
this is by the author of ThinkTank and Ready! that helps you import information
into those programs. (Not on this Disk. Ask for January 1986 #1)

Comment 2.81 (COMNTSW)
   Wenzel, Scott
   $6-$15
is a random quote generating program.

File-It
   Rabinowitz, Chip
   $20
is a quick-reference bibliographic tool which maintains and retrieves an indexed
database for you.  It consists of three files:  FILE-IT.EXE (the program
itself), FILE-IT.CAT (the category file), and FILE-IT.LST (the data itself).

Invent 2.1
   Crew, Louie
   $7
helps writers invent fresh metaphors.  It prompts the user to supply nouns,
verbs, adjectives and adverbs.  It randomly scrambles the entries to provide
novel arrangements.  In testing it did display a list of metaphors, but it ended
with "ERR 5 AT PGM-CTR:  1916".

LCNT 3.0
   Eyer, Bob
   $0
is a very fast line counter for small to very large files. LCNT uses the
linefeed character to identify line terminations, rather than the usual
carriage return, which provides a more accurate count with some word
processors' files.

Macro1
   Hogshead, Tom
   $0
contains six QEdit macros to make it easy to convert macros to and from
text/binary using the QMAC macro translator from SemWare.

Quickie 3.24
   Pruitt, Fred
   $20
is targeted at business users, students, government offices, anyone who has to
compile reports from more that one document.  It lets the user page through
multiple files and mark text excerpts for retention in an output file, which can
then be imported using a word processor or editor.  It can read pure ASCII files
with lines terminated by carriage returns, Wang WP, pfs:Write, Wordstar, and
OfficeWriter 5.0 document formats with no external translation.  Also the output
file can be stored in a form with hard carriage returns only at the end of
paragraphs for easier importing and reformatting in various word processors.

QuickLetter 2.1 (QUIKLTR)
   Gregory, Timothy
   $10
makes it easy to send the occasional form letter to someone. Using the built-in
editor, you can create a form letter with name, address and any other variables
you want built in. When you are ready to send a form, you select the form you
want loaded; the program prompts you for data for each of the variables; and
creates a letter with the data inserted in it.

It appears that only one variable is allowed per line. While this works like a
mail-merge program, it actually competes with forms management software. It is
fast and easy to use for its intended purpose.

WHAT?format (WHATFMT)
   Boots & Pepper
   $15
identifies the program used to create a specified file. It can distinguish among
30 of the most popular word processors, including different versions of the same
program. It can also identify ASCII, EBCDIC, PostScript, PCL, etc., as well as
database, spreadsheet, graphic, archives, Windows fonts and other formats. If
you have ever come across a data file and did not know what type it was, this is
the utility for you.

WHAT?format will also set errorlevel for use by a batch file. A batch file is
included that shows you how to use this utility to sort different types of
graphics files into different subdirectories.

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END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #0301
--------------------------------


----------------------------------
#1952 Creativity and Word Counters
----------------------------------

195#2 Creativity
---------------
Creative Chaos 2.1  (C-CHAOS)
   Lunde, Evan
   $12
pulls together pieces of text from script files in a controlled but randomized
way, leading to unpredictable and potentially interesting results. It can be
used to break through writer's block to get ideas for a story or even to
generate lottery numbers or create "interesting" menus.

Micro Flowchart Aid 1.0 (MFA)
   Wayne-Tech Software
   $25
is a text based program that will help you organize thoughts and ideas in the
form of a flowchart. The work space consists of six cells across and 99 down.
Any of 30 different symbols and lines can be entered into a cell at the press
of a key. Text can then be added to the symbols, such as inside a decision
box.

ThotPlnr (THOTPLN)
   THOTSystems, Inc.
   $30
is for brainstorming and outline generating.  It will allow you to record ideas
and group similar ideas under major categories, assign priority in outline form,
and realign them according to the perspective in which you wish to consider
them.  This is not a new program, but it is well written and looks slick.


#1952 Word Counters
------------------
Count
   Wind, Jon
   $0
counts words and lines in a text line.  What makes this one interesting is that
you can tell it a series of files to sum using DOS wildcards or naming the files
individually on the command line.  So if your book, for example, is broken into
files by chapter, you can easily get a total count of words and lines in all the
chapters.  An optional switch lets COUNT ignore blank lines.

EzCount
   Conkey, Don and Conkey, Sharyn
   $10
is a fast, accurate, flexible, fully-documented word counter you can use on
Wordstar 3.XX and ASCII files.

WordFreq (WORDFRE)
   charts the usage of different length words in a text file.

Words
   generates an alphabetical listing of words in a file along with the number
of times each word was used.

Words (WORDSEF)
   Floyd, Edwin T.
   $0
is a fast word extractor program. It will extract a list of unique "words" from
an input file, or several input files, and writes them to an output file, one
per line. The program recognizes a number of options for: Set operations on
multiple files, case sensitivity, high-order bit stripping, alphabetic output
sort, and defining the characters comprising a "word". Possible uses for such a
utility could be to create a word list file for a spelling checker or to create
a list of variable names used in a program,

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END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #1952
--------------------------------


--------------------------------
#2998 Misc. Word Proc. Utilities          Small Programs Disk
--------------------------------

Adrsnvlp 1.0 (ADRSNVL)
   Sawada, Dr.  Masaaki
   $10-$20
is a utility that addresses envelopes and labels captured from database
programs.  Options include the ability to indent, space, center, justify.  Epson
compatible printer required.

Column Formatted Sort 1.20 (CFS)
   Schmehl, Steven L.
   $0
sorts column formatted text files on up to 9 keys. Key fields are selected
from a field mask displayed on the screen.

HyperSee 1.1 (HYPRSEE)
   Newman, Norman
   $20
displays in a hypertext format, ASCII text files created with any text editor
or word processor which will save in straight ASCII. We like HyperSee because
it is extremely simple, yet it works. It does not support graphics, but for a
text-based system, it has the advantage of being small enough (17k) to include
on shareware disks for viewing program documentation files.

Index
   Haley, Greg
automatically creates an index for any text file using a list of words that you
provide.

LegalDoc (LEGALDO)
   contains over 100 different legal documents that any business could use,
from leasing or purchasing equipment, assignments of lien, power of attorney,
promissory notes, zoning requests, many letters and much more.

PageIt 1.0
   Amans, R. L.
   $10
imports a text file, sorts the pages into the proper logical order for
"booklet" printing, and saves the result back to disk. You may then print the
file at any time on the front and back of pages to create a booklet. Options
include right or left leading pages and multiple column output.

PcwLasr
   Gibson, Don Phillip
   $0
tells how to make laser printer definition files for PC-Write.

ReferenceTek 2.0 (REFTEK)
   Fabian, Roderic
   $15
is a bibliographic database management system that will quickly and
efficiently store and retrieve reference citations. Data entry is free-form,
which allows for the entry of many different types of references without
further modification of the program, but precludes automatic reformatting of
entries for export to other files. Records can be retrieved using any word
that appears in them or in a user-supplied list of key words or subjects.

RJ
   Kallal, Tom dba TK Software
   $0
right-justifies lines in text files by embedding blanks between words. Files
must be straight ASCII without word processing control codes.

Writer's Heaven 5.0b (HEAVEN)
   Simple Productions
   $10
is a set of key macros that make PC-Write (2-WP-312+) easier and more
efficient to use. A help screen is included, and there is support for laser
printers and "almost-compatible" computers. The program is also compatible
with MorePerfect, the WordPerfect add-on. Requires PC-Write 3+.

--------------------------------
END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #2998
--------------------------------


----------------------------------------
#4061 Misc. Word Processing Utilities #2          Small Programs Disk
----------------------------------------

Finish Line for DOS (FLDOS)
   Innovative Designs
   $49
automatically learns your vocabulary and writing style as you write,
then pops up a window with a list of likely words to finish a phrase or
sentence. A Windows version is available on disk #4537.

GRFBook 3.6 (GRFBOOK) (09-93 CD)
   EFD Systems
   $30
is an electronic hypertext publishing system that supports integrated
text and PCX files.

Mark V. Shaney (MARKV)
   Strack, Stefan
   $?
is an unusual device for re-processing text files in an "almost" artificial
intelligence manner. It reads in a text file and builds a "word probability
table", then using a Markov chain, recreates sentences from these
probabilities. While a lot of the output is nonsense, some of it can be truly
hilarious. This is based on an article featured in Scientific American.

VDE-BC
   Keefe, Ed
   $0
is a set of VDE macros to let you write characters three lines high and create
interesting borders. Requires Video Display Editor (disk #1933).

VDE Macro Compiler 1.11 (VDE-MC)
   Slawson, Evan
   $0
converts VDE macro files to and from editable text files. This version of the
compiler works only with VDE versions that use the number 1.53 in their macro
file headers (including versions 1.53, 1.54, 1.55, 1.6 and 1.61).

VDE-Qrf
   $0
is a quick-reference guide to Eric Meyer's Video Display Editor (#1933).

WP-Lite
   Keefe, Ed
   $0
makes VDE (disk #1933) look and feel more like Word Perfect.

WordQwik 1.11 (WRDQWIK)
   Abraxas Research Service
   $10
tells you which of two or more similar words is correct. It can help you decide
when to use "it's" or "its", "too" or "to", "imply" or "infer", etc. When you
select a set of words from the list, definitions and illustrative sentences are
provided. (When we quit the program, the screen colors were set to black on
black. You will have to blindly enter "MODE 80" to restore white on black.)

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END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #4061
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#2780 Typing Tutors          Small Programs Disk
-------------------

Fingers
   Bedford, Robert
   $5
lets you practice typing.

Quictype 2.01 (QUICTYP)
   Ratcliff, Matthew J. W.
   $5
is for polishing your touch typing skills. The graphical interface, in which you
must type a sentence as it moves down the screen, and before it reaches the
bottom, adds a nice flair to the program. Features include a warm-up screen with
graphical keyboard display and a separate "no pressure" practice display with
on-screen keyboard. You can select different practice files from the game play
menu. There are practice files, with tutorial information on typing technique.
On completion of a practice session, it reports your typing speed and which
letters you missed the most. You can input your own text files for typing
practice or use what comes with the program.

Tenkey Tutor (TENTUTR)
   TNT Enterprises
   $6
is an excellent excercise to increase your proficiency in 10-key data entry.
There is a basic drill and a sample data entry screen for which your entry speed
can be rated. (The authors are no longer at the address listed in the
documentation.)

Type Games 1.0 (TYPEGAM)
   TexaSoft ASP
   $19
is an Olympic typing practice game. A phrase is displayed on the screen, then
you must type the phrase in an allotted amount of time, or your opponent wins
the point. There are three levels of phrase difficulty, and 100 selectable
speeds. The Olympic theme to this game is fun, including the playing of the
winning country's national anthem. You can add your own phrases.

TypeTim
   Choudhry, Akber A.
   $10
has two parts:  a test of typing speed and a practice drill.  We found the
program to be simple, but effective.

TypeTimer 1.0b (TYPETMR)
   KIS Systems
   $10-$23
is a 25K TSR that turns your text based word processor or editor into a typing
test. It counts keystrokes for a specified period of time and reports
statistics. This program does NOT support a graphics oriented or Windows editor.

Type Trek 1.0 (TYPETRK)
   Kretschmer, Joe
   $20
is a typing tutor in Star Trek game format. It introduces the keys on the
keyboard, starting with the home row keys, and adding more keys until the
keyboard is mastered.

Controlled drills are provided by typing words that fire phasers and photon
torpedoes, move the Enterprise, dock and refuel, and more. Words-per-minute
estimates are displayed as you progress through each game.

--------------------------------
END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #2780
--------------------------------


1001 Topics for Composition
   Raker, Richard
   $20
   #1537
helps you select a topic about which to write from a list of 1358 topics
arranged in 21 major categories.  It is intended for students who are searching
for a topic for composition.  The topics are suitable for many different types
of writing (i.e. journals, essays, research papers, free writing, compare and
contrast, argumentative, process, description, etc.).


Address-It
   Vision Unlimited
   $17
   #1930
Address-IT is a TSR envelope print program.  It takes 8k of DOS RAM and has
many features.  You can capture an address from the screen, edit or change it,
and print the envelope while running your word processor, editor, or any
program.  It can also read and print a set of addresses from a file.  It
supports five standard and one user-specified envelope sizes, up to eight
fonts for selection at print time, any 80 column display, and parallel ports
LPT1-3 and serial ports COM1-4.  Address-IT has two related utilities with it:

DWNLD.EXE is a download utility program that includes in the display of
available download files, all of the data necessary to customize Address-IT
font selection for any non-standard font (the built-in selection lists include
the printer built-in fonts, HP standard SoftFonts and many of the popular
Bitstream fonts). It will also download a portrait font file as landscape
font.

CONVPL is a program that creates a landscape download font file from a
portrait font file.


AVscripter
   Schroeppel, Tom
   $40
   #1031
prints two-column audio/visual scripts. That is, the output is in two columns
on the page with the action (video) in one column and the corresponding
sound/script in the other column. You can also generate scene lists and logs
sorted alphabetically conforming to the first video line in each numbered
scene.


Cumberland Diary 1.2
   Lund, Ira J. ASP
   $20
   #3390
makes it easy to keep a diary. Entries can be printed singly, in groups, as a
book, or imported into Cumberland Story. Searches may be made by date or
heading. Each entry can be up to nearly 7000 words. Security options include
password protection and data file encryption. Requires a hard disk and at least
450k of free RAM.


Cumberland Story
   Lund, Ira J.
   $19
   #3391
helps you write a book about your life or the lives of your ancestors. In
addition to ideas and suggestions, it contains a chapter and topic outliner, a
word processor with cut and paste, and the ability to import data from the
Cumberland Diary genealogy program.


Diary
   Johnson, Nathaniel S.
   $30
   #3336
helps you keep a daily journal/diary. It automatically compresses and saves
data. Features include fast search of entries and the ability to print pages.
Requires a hard disk.


Sarah's Diary
   Weinberg, Alan
   $20
   #2977
is a computerized diary. Each entry can be up to ten pages long and the number
of entries is limited only by disk space, and entries can be quickly recalled
by date. Requires 512K.


Easytype
   Olsen, J. W.
   $50
   #1752
translates WordStar, WordPerfect or ASCII files, which can be output by
virtually any word processing file, to formats for almost any true typesetting
machines with all text and codes fully retained.  The program graphically
displays a bar chart of percentage of file translated.  It may also be used for
output to desktop publishing programs.


English-French Translator Traveler
   Softechnics, Inc.
   $107
   #27728/4219 [2 disks]
translates English to French. It recognizes idiomatic and polite words. It
conforms to French grammar and punctuation. It contains over 40,000 root words,
a built-in 12,000+ verb conjugator a French word processor, and international
measurement conversion. It is compatible with PC-Write, and Microsoft Word.
Requires 1.5Mb of disk space and DOS 3+.


Word Translator Croatian Edition 3.52 [CROATIAN]
   Software Technologies, Inc.
   $69
   #12671 (12-93 CD)
is a pop-up English-Croatian-English translator and dictionary. It
features bilingual spell checking, grammar help, word-by-word document
translation inside your text based word processor. Requires a hard drive
with 3.5 MB of free space.


Word Translator Danish Edition 3.52 [DANISH]
   Software Technologies, Inc.
   $69
   #4213 (12-93 CD)
is a pop-up English-Danish-English translator and dictionary. It features
bilingual spell checking and word-by-word document translation inside your
text based word processor. This edition contains 10,000+ English to Danish
translations. The program (and the two following programs) requires 2.5meg
each of disk space and EGA/VGA.

Word Translator German Edition 3.52 [GERMN_NK] (#27764/4593) is a pop-up
English-German-English translator and dictionary. (12-93 CD)

Word Translator Spanish Edition 3.52 [SPANISH] (#27764/4359) is a pop-up
English-Spanish-English translator and dictionary. (12-93 CD)

Word Translator Russian Edition 3.52 [RUSSIAN] (#27764/4388) is a pop-up
English-Russian-English translator and dictionary. (12-93 CD)

Word Translator Portuguese Edition 3.52 [PORTU] (#27764/4589) is a
pop-up English-Portuguese-English translator/dictionary. (12-93 CD)


Figment
   Patch Panel Software
   $35
   #2660
is an authoring system for interactive fiction. It is intended for developing
simulators, role-playing trainers, and for entertainment. Figment has special
features for modeling character development which makes it a unique tool for
character and plot modeling as well. Requires 640 RAM and a hard disk.


Lrn2Type and Read-In
   Pepper, Clement S.
   $15
   #2840
are typing training programs for the beginning and intermediate touch typist.
Lrn2Type helps the beginning typist learn character locations. Read-In is for
the typist who already has some touch typing experience.


DataPro#
   Howard, Fred
   $22
   #4294
hones your typing skills for data processing types of applications. For example,
it times your entering of data into a payroll type of application, automatically
advancing to each field, just as a program would do. It also drills you on use
of the number pad for numeric input.

This is an excellent way to practice your data entry skills or, if you are an
employer, to test applicants. Also included are a warm-up program and a typing
skill game.


Tenkeyer
   ERSOFT, INC.
   $20-50
   #4295
trains and drills you on using the numeric keypad, as well as the top row of
numbers on the keyboard. This skill is useful in data entry, accounting, using
cash registers, etc.


PC Fastype/CGA 4.4
    Trendtech Corporation ASP
    $28
    #27075/307
is a typing drill program for beginning, intermediate and advanced typists.
It uses a graphics screen to display a picture of a keyboard on the bottom
half of the screen. The key you should be hitting is highlighted on the
keyboard while the word or sentence is displayed on the top half of the
screen. We can see how this would be very handy for beginners who might have
trouble locating keys. The only complaint we have with this excellent program
is the choice of colors: yellow/brown on a blue background with the large,
but grainy characters associated with the graphics mode. CGA or EGA graphics
card or a Hercules card and CGA emulation software (on disk #860) required.


PC-Touch
   #27075/311
is a touch typing practice program.  Also on this disk is LETTERFALL which is a
typing tutor program.


Touch Typing Tutor
   Gray, David P. ASP
   $20
   #27075/1990
offers three different modes of operation. The Teach Mode has eight graduated
lessons and adapts itself automatically to the user's skill level. Speed Mode
is designed for professional typists and secretarial agencies to measure a
typist's speed. Game Mode was added because all the commercial typing tutors
seem to have one. Five skill levels. The game also adapts itself to the
typist's skill, forcing the user to type faster and faster. Other features
include a mouse interface, tutorial statistics, lesson threshold speed and
the ability to record mistakes in tutorial and speed tests.


PC-FasType/Mono 1.4
   Trendtech Corporation ASP
   $28
   #27075/2502
is a typing tutor program specifically designed for laptops, portables, and
systems with monochrome monitors. Network support is provided, and an all-caps
mode is available for small children. Timed exercises of up to 20 minutes can
be run.


PC Fastype/VGA 1.1
   Trendtech Corporation ASP
   $28
   #4522
is an outstanding typing drill program for all levels of skill. The program
displays a 3-D image of the keyboard and if you have trouble finding a letter,
the key will go up and down on the keyboard after a reasonable amount of time.

Our only complaint is that if you are typing quickly and miss a letter
completely, instead of counting it as one error, all letters that you type after
that letter are counted as errors until you get back in sync again. Otherwise,
this is an excellent program which we can highly recommend. Requires VGA, DOS
3.3+, 512K RAM and a hard disk with at 800K of space.


FinalWord
   Grubic, Tyrie & Richard
   $20
   #1433
is a file conversion utility that converts ASCII to MSWord, FinalWord to MSWord,
and FinalWord to ASCII.


Govern-U.S.  (Formerly DC-WRITE)
   Foundation for Infinite Survival, Inc.
   $28
   #1425
is designed to make it easier for you to write to representatives of the U. S.
Federal Government.  The program provides an extensive database of all the
principal representatives in the Congress, Executive Branch, and Judiciary.  It
is easy to find and select the proper person, and the addressing and printing of
letters and envelopes is automated.  A sample letter file is provided that
demonstrates how to construct a letter and to address an envelope using your
word processor.


Grab Plus 6.5 [GRABPLUS]
   ZPAY Payroll Systems ASP
   $55
   #27273/1227 [2 disks] (10-93 CD)
is an automatic envelope addressing utility and address database. It is a 29k
resident utility which grabs return addresses and lets you print them on an
envelope or save them. GRAB comes with a database module for maintaining a
list of names and addresses. Data can be imported into it from other programs
(such as Lotus 1-2-3) capable of generating comma delimited files. Supports
the Cordata Laser, makes it easier to select soft fonts on the HPLJ, and
allows you to call Grab from the Grab database. Supports Postscript and
Deskjet printers, in addition to many others. Supports non-U.S. postal codes.

Also included is a powerful label printing system called LaserLabel. It lets
you print labels on your LaserJet printer with data taken from GrabDB. It
recognizes the tag fields of GRABDB and will select by tags if you like. It
comes with a set of soft fonts.


Letters
   #1733
is a compilation of almost 600 different types of form letters that any
business or individual could use. We have them compressed onto one disk, but
uncompressed, they will take up six 360k floppies.


My_Agent
   Crew, Louie ASP
   $15
   #27274/804 [2 disks]
(formerly Muses) is a tool for the professional writer to keep track of
publishers and manuscripts, print out manuscripts with various types of page
headings, and to even print out form letters to publishers. Each time you run
the program, it will now automatically append to a file containing the names
of the manuscripts which you have processed in the session. This file is
useful in batch files to remind you of what manuscripts you need to put with
which publishers.


OMNIDay 3.11
   Unicorn Software Limited ASP
   $25
   #3036
lets you create your own personal electronic diary. Up to ten different users
can access the program. Passwords protect individual privacy. Entries can be
up to 5000 lines, with word wrap and scrolling, and common word processor
commands. You can easily page through entries and print the entire diary or
selected dates.


PoeTrio
   Chatfield Software, Inc. ASP
   $20
   #27539/4385
instructs you on writing poetry in free verse, syllabics and cantona. Each style
is taught with a separate program that has an editor included for writing your
own verses.


Poetry Generator
   R. K. West Consulting ASP
   $10-$15
   #27539/1258 [2 disks]
creates poems from a vocabulary of thousands of phrases and several different
formats which are randomly chosen and combined by the program. For the most
part, the words are organized into short phrases which are then combined into
poems of four to twelve lines. The underlying structures of most of the poems
are based on the author's original work. Personalized poems can be produced.
"Word Processing" may not be the right section for this program, but we're not
sure what is. A hard disk or high-density floppy is required.


Propose It! 2.0
   Grand Universal ASP
   $25-$28
   #12180
contains templates for writing business proposals. Templates are
supplied in pre-formatted ASCII, WP 5.1, and MS Works 2.0 format.


Reflist
   #0314
allows you to create reference lists for scientific and technical manuscripts.


Typemate 5.0 [TYPEEN50]
   De Deugd Automatisering
   $25
   #4859 (12-93 CD)
is a typing tutor for the English, French and Dutch languages. It
teaches finger positions, words, sentences, capitals, numbers and six
lessons in which the number of keys for touch typing is gradually
increased.


WordZ
   Unicorn Software Limited ASP
   $25
   #3551
is a blank book that you fill in with anything you wish to keep track of
such as your personal history. It handles up to 10 chapters, with
separate PassCodes for each. It offers encryption and multi-user
support. You can print all or part of the book and "thumb" through
entries.


XyPower Add-Ins for XyWrite
   Baehr, Timothy J.
   $40
   #3552
includes add-ins for XyWrite III+ 3.55 or later. It includes a shell program
that allows point and shoot file maintenance from within XyWrite; a search
utility that turns any text file into a data base; a utility that captures and
restores information about all the files currently open in all the windows and
allows you to return to every file; keyboard shortcuts and several other
utilities. Requires a hard disk.

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