home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Complete Bookshop
/
CompleteWorkshop.iso
/
lists
/
nbseprvw
/
alarm410.rvw
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1989-09-30
|
4KB
|
78 lines
SHAREWARE REVIEW
PROGRAM: Alarm Version 4.10 -- Reminder and Alarm
AUTHOR: Steven M. Georgiades
REGISTRATION: Full - $35.00 Basic - $20.00
WHERE FOUND: Sound of Music BBS
RESTRICTIONS: None
RATING: 8.9
VALUE: A (P)oor - (A)verage - (S)uper
There are just some programs I have never been able to pull myself into
using regularly. One is a SIDEKICK (C) type program, while the other, an on
screen clock.
As explained in previous reviews, I have a calculator on my desk, a rolodex
on my desk, and an ASCII table in a book on my shelf. Why do I need to take
up all that extra memory for a Side Kick (C) clone?
The clock is even easier to dismiss. I wear a watch. I have a clock on the
wall. I have one next to my bed. Why do I need one on my computer? Sure,
they can take up space, but come on. How tough is it to look at your wrist
or glance up at the wall....
This "attitude" was present when I downloaded a program called ALARM410.
The description, devilishly deceptive as ever, described the dainty program
as an "ONSCREEN CLOCK WITH ALARM."
Well, as usual, the description lied. All this program did was set alarms
and reminders. Nothing more. Not even an on screen clock! The *ONLY* reason
I fired it up was to listen to the "poly phonic" sound. I'm glad I did.
USE: ALARM410 is a marriage saver, a job keeper, a friend retainer, and a
pet rescuer. No more excuses for computing too long and missing
dinner, no more missed meetings, no more missed racquetball matches,
and SPOT won't have to keep his legs crossed. No sir, you have an
ALARM!
"Now come on," you're thinking, "you whistle dixie up our noses about
almost every program you review. Sure, they might be good, but good
enough to help my life?" Yes Sir.
"What does it do?" You sheepishly ask. Well, to start off with there
are eight alarms and four reminders. This, compared to the usual one
alarm you get with most programs!
"What's the difference," you smartly ask. Well, alarms are meant to
ring you at a certain time, while reminders remind you every X amount
of minutes. (With an included program, you can set your alarm to ring
you on Fridays at 10:00 AM rather than everyday at 10:00 AM)
"I HATE beeps and tones," you hostilely reply. Chill out man! No beeps
and tones here, just polyphonic sound. Select from 8 different songs
for your alarm, and four different songs for your reminder. Don't
like the music supplied? Ok, make your own. Yep, you also get an Alarm
Tune Compiler that makes programming tunes a breeze. Not musically
coordinated? Ok. Register your program (Full), and the author will
program it for you. What a deal.
"Ok, what are the problems," you dejectedly ask. Well, first off there
is no menu command. Sure, a command line is nice and easy, but if any
program is begging for a menu its this program. Also, the ability to
cancel out of memory a reminder when it starts reminding would be nice.
SUMMARY: GOOD POINTS BAD POINTS
----------- ----------
√ Nice Music ≈ "A menu, please..."
√ Very Flexible
√ Great Companion Programs
1----------5---------10:
███████████████████
8.9
The lack of an easier command line killed the rating. The program accepts
only numbers such as "1." not just "1" The music and documentation made
up for that initial problem.
(C) 1989 Patrick Grote