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HANKIES.TXT
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1993-05-31
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Digital Communications
by Hank Volpe
The 1992 "Hankies"
Once again, friends, it's time to cross the barriers of space, time,
good taste and transcend all the politically correct review
processes. It's time for a breath of fresh air, time for a change,
time for a new world order (sorry, living so close to Washington,
D.C. makes one ramble a bit). As I was saying, it's time for
something we've all been waiting for: the annual Hank Volpe awards
of merit, better known as the Hankies. Unlike an author's receipt
of meaningless industry awards from computer magazines and trade
shows, the receipt of a Hankie represents an achievement beyond
compare! Most authors who have received Hankies have been
astonished, with comments ranging from "thank you, but my nose is
not running" to "God, I've finally made the big-time."
The Hankies have been known to produce even more emotional
responses than these, for they spotlight the software authors who
keep the BBS's alive and running: the shareware authors of America.
Shareware and shareware authors go unheralded by most of the
mainstream press. The reasons aren't clear to me; it could be due to
lack of advertising, lack of publicity, or lack of really good,
exotic, and expensive-to-throw parties for reviewers. In any case,
it's a shame, for usually the best software products you can find
are shareware. Some of the past winners of this award speak to that
fact: Qmodem, Procomm, Telix, PKZIP, Hard Disk Manager, Auto Menu,
Mahjongg, Vacation Planner, Funnels--these and others are great
examples of shareware. Although some packages have worked their way
into the commercial market, they started on BBS's, being downloaded,
used, and registered by people like you and me. Their excellence
kind of explains how the Hankies got started.
Now before we go any further, you must understand that the
selection and voting process for such a prestigious award must
always be above reproach and founded on high moral grounds. Each
year, as the operator of a BBS, I receive thousands of files to look
at and evaluate. Out of this group, I search for the best file,
disk, video, and communication programs. Games and educational
software are also important on my list (for I have two nintendo
addicted rug rats who need constant guidance and distraction from
the evils of MTV). After the review process comes a lengthy trial
period during which the software is run through its paces. I check
to make sure the program is well-written, well documented, and well
supported. I've also been known to like poorly written stuff because
it looks pretty neat!
With all that in mind, I select the finalists, make myself a really
strong cup of coffee, and ask my wife what she thinks. As we all
know, that is the safest way to make sure you have not made an error.
My motto is "If it works for the President, it works for me"! So now,
without further ado, the 1992 winners!
Best Disk Utility The best disk utilities you can find have always
been shareware. Be it a disk compactor, disk organizer, or disk
duplicator, shareware ventures have always out-classed anything
commercially available. This year's winning entry fills a need all of
us have: the need to make quick, accurate disk copies. "Disk Copy
Fast" (distributed as DCF40B.ZIP) is a one-pass diskette duplication
utility which makes copies of 1.44 MB, 720 KB, 1.2 MB, and 360 KB
diskettes. Bench tests (assuming you aren't switching disks in and
out of your machine) have shown that Disk Copy Fast will format and
duplicate a disk up to 57% faster than any other DOS utility.
According to the author, Chang Ping Lee, all this increase in speed
is accomplished by precise timing without sacrificing compatibility.
Mr. Lee states that "Every single read, write or format is done
following the industry standard, strictly, no compromise!" In one
pass, Disk Copy Fast performs the DOS commands FORMAT, DISKCOPY and
DISKCOMP. Designed for both the occasional user and a mass
production environment, Disk Copy Fast makes extensive use of Hot
Keys and includes many command line switches that make it easy to
run from a batch file. The program loads as much of the original
disk into XMS memory as possible, thus speeding up disk duplicating.
If XMS memory does not exist or is insufficient, Disk Copy Fast
automatically buffers this storage to your hard drive. If you shy
away from switches and command lines, Disk Copy Fast has a nicely
constructed pull-down window environment for you to interact with.
Disk Copy Fast comes complete with documentation and registration
information. Those who register receive a copy of Disk Fast Plus, a
utility that contains several extra features and some customizing
ability for hot keys. If you need to make backup disks, especially
for archive purposes, give Disk Copy Fast a try.
Best File Utility
Do you need more disk space? The ZIP'R utility, when used in
combination with PKZIP, ARJ, or LHA, automatically compresses entire
programs into a single compressed file, saving valuable hard drive
space. Zip'r (distributed as ZIPR22.ZIP) is a safe, totally DOS
compatible method of compressing more space out of your hard drive.
As you know, there are commercial programs available that compress
space. However, some of these programs have bizarre side effects
or refuse to work in certain environments. For example, none of the
commercially available space compression products will run on a
Novell Network file server. File servers always need more space. In
addition, none of the commercial on-the-fly compression/expansion
utilities possess compression algorithms that approach what PKZIP,
LHA, and ARJ offer. Zip'r has the ability to offer the disk
compression and expansion you desire by working with your favorite
archiver.
Zip'r compresses directories, subdirectories, and the files
contained in them into one smaller compressed file on your hard
drive; so now you work with an entire subdirectory, filled with
files, stored in compressed form when not in use. When a program is
executed, Zip'r expands the desired directory and executes the
requested program. While your program is running, Zip'r swaps itself
to disk or EMS memory (only keeping a 2.5k TSR hook behind). When you
exit the program, Zip'r automatically re-compresses the directory,
saving any changes you've made to the archive.
Zip'r does not offer you on-the-fly compression found with commercial
programs, which means there will be a slight delay when starting or
ending programs (while your programs are being expanded or
compressed). However, as you know, there are many files on your hard
drive that you do not use every day. Zip'r reclaims that valuable
real estate. While testing, I compressed my entire hard drive with
quite startling results. Treating every subdirectory as a file,
Zip'r reduced my overall storage requirements by nearly 53% with
PKZ204G and 52% with ARJ. Effectively, I've doubled my disk storage
capacity. Zip'r has been tested under Desqview, Windows 3.1, and
other multi-taskers; however, you can see some real potential
problems if multiple windows are compressing and extracting data. For
these special situations (and for use on a network), use the network
version called Zip'rn. This version has features that places limits
on simultaneous access while compression/expansion is taking place.
If you need space and on-the-fly compressors make you nervous or
don't work because of a hardware/software compatibility problem,
give the job to Zip'r and your favorite file compressor.
Best hardware utility
My favorite category! As most of you know, I'm an engineer by
profession. Computer programming has always been only a hobby. For
me, then, hardware is the most exciting part about computers next
to talking to the hardware. (Of course, the worst part is when the
hardware talks back!)
During the last few years, we have seen dramatic breakthroughs with
video display adapters, modems, and hard drive units. With each of
these improvements has come the unenviable task of installation. I
have witnessed first hand the frustration of men who can send
rockets to Mars but can't install a serial port. Even for the
seasoned professional, installing or adding to a hard drive system
from scratch can bring tears to the eyes. The documentation makes it
all <U>soooo<D> simple. After all, you just need to answer a few
simple questions: what's the drive type? how many cylinders? how
many heads? what are the sector counts? ... Heck, what's a sector?
All these values are stored in your computer's CMOS memory. What
happens when the battery goes dead or the memory gets corrupted?
It's enough to make a hardware guy go back to pen and paper, or
better yet, carve notches on posts! The winner of the best hardware
utility can solve these hard disk configuration problems for you if
you are using an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) hard disk drive.
IDE Identify v1.40 (distributed as IDEI140.ZIP) returns information
on all IDE hard drives attached to your system. IDE Identify shows
head, cylinder, and sector counts for CMOS setup parameters. Unlike
other utilities, your IDE hard drive only needs to be properly
cabled. Even if the drive has not been prepared (including CMOS
parameters), IDE Identify will give you a listing of all the proper
values you need to enter into your system's CMOS memory. IDE
Identify is Freeware (no registration fee required), and is
distributed by Micro House International. If you have an IDE
controller and drive, this file is a must for your utility
collection!
Best Video Utility
On the whole, I really love my 486-DX 50mhz, supercharged, super
slick, all function, 4-on-the-floor, all-wheel-drive computational
wundermachine--that is until I do a chkdsk *.* /f/v. At that moment,
I feel as if I'm watching the end of a cheap cable movie, where the
credits are rolling by at such breakneck speed that you cannot
possibly read even one entry. Of course, I know I can filter the
output via "more", or redirect it to a file (to view later in some
other way), or take a speed-reading course at the local community
college. But who has time for these things? If you feel like I do,
or you have occasionally felt like screaming when something
important scrolls off the top of your screen, then you will
appreciate the winner of the best video award, Scrollit.
SCROLLit 1.5 (distributed as SCRLIT15.ZIP) is a screen scrollback
buffer utility. It lets you scroll back, in full color, through
lines of text that have scrolled off the screen. SCROLLit includes
such features as searching, block-writing, 43/50 line mode, and
XMS/EMS support. Compression is used to squeeze more than twice the
number of lines into the available buffer space. SCROLLit is
Desqview-aware and only takes 9K of memory (which can be loaded
into the UMB area) as a TSR after installation. To activate
SCROLLit, just press the Scroll-lock key on your computer (see
Virginia, someone finally did use the Scroll-lock key for
something). While in SCROLLit, you can mark blocks of the buffer and
send those blocks to a printer or file. SCROLLit would be "the
perfect" video utility if it wasn't for the fact that it is
distributed as something I affectionately call "annoyware".
Annoyware is shareware that starts with an annoying commercial,
making it hard to use out of an autoexec.bat file. Believe me, as a
shareware author myself, I have nothing against an author enticing
people to register. However, I urge the author of SCROLLit to
consider using a carrot instead of a brick. Nevertheless, as I said
earlier, the Hankies are firmly rooted in high moral principles, and
SCROLLit deserves your attention and more, regardless of the
"political views" of the Awards Committee. Once you start using it,
you'll register it for sure.
Best Communication Utility
A communication utility is something that improves the ability to
communicate with your computer, or saves you invaluable amounts of
time and effort while doing so. Often in the past, this award has
been won by a communications program (such as Procomm, Qmodem, or
Telix), or a file transfer engine (such as DSZ). This year, I feel
an interesting "new" need has emerged, primarily due to the
"commercializing" of Qmodem and Procomm. Since these programs are
no longer distributed as shareware, many of us are trying out new
communication programs for the first time. Now quickly, what is the
absolute worst thing about a new communication program? ...
<U>Quickly<D>, I said! OK, a hint: it involves typing all your phone
book numbers over and over again to use with different communication
programs. YECH! Sometimes I think the deficit will be balanced
before I finish entering all that information into another program.
Wouldn't it be great if someone could do all that for you in a neat,
easy-to-use package? (Cue the offstage announcer.) Well, look no
further, for help is on the way! This year's Hankie award winner in
the communications utility category goes to FONDIR (distributed as
FONDIR59.ZIP). Granted, FONDIR is not the type of program you'll run
every day, but it does save endless hours of entry into
communication program phonebooks every time you try out a new comm
program. FONDIR reads from a list of phone numbers, such as a BBS
list, and creates a communications program dialing directory. It's
very fast, and it does a bundle of translations. It supports over 20
different comm programs, including Boyan, Procomm, Procomm Plus,
Qmodem, Gt-Powercomm, Telemate, Telix, Pibterm, PC-Talk4, Rcomm,
K9-Express, Mirror 3, PC Anywhere, Carbon Copy Plus, A Dialer, Commo,
Unicom, Ultiterm and Pilot. FONDIR performs long distance, local,
and metro EMS dial conversions, handles modem speed adjustments,
transfer protocol selections, and allows you directly to import or
export phone numbers from those national BBS phone number lists
you've seen around on BBS's. If the only thing keeping you from
trying out a new comm program is the fear of typing in all those
phone numbers, then download FONDIR and let your fingers do the
walking ... somewhere other than on your keyboard.
Best Games and Educational Software
This year, I'd like to combine these two awards into one, general
achievement award for Apogee's software. Apogee makes some of the
most entertaining and graphically sophisticated game software you
can find. Most Apogee games are distributed in this form: #1NAME.ZIP.
<U>#1<D> identifies the program as the first of a multi-part game.
Usually, <U>#1<D> is shareware, while other numbers are mailed to
you after you register the program. The kids have enjoyed playing
"Captain Keen" probably the most of all the non-educational games
that Apogee distributes. If you're tired of Mario, or you've had too
many turtles, try one of Apogee's different and challenging games
for your kids.
Now, as any parent knows, finding educational software that can
teach and also can be configured for your child's developmental
level is a tough chore indeed. Years ago, one of the local computer
stores would let you open up the software (in the store) and try it
out before you bought it, just to see if your child could
understand how to use it. Well, those days are gone, and the only
try-before-you-buy-it software that exists is shareware. There are
many educational games out there, but most revolve around the old
"drill and practice" approach.
If you're looking for something a bit different, try Math Rescue by
Apogee (distributed as #1MATH.ZIP). Episode #1 (shareware) allows
your child to follow the Gruzzles into space. Depending on the game
level (and the age of your child), you can configure Math Rescue to
present up to 100 new word problems, including multiplication,
division, addition, and subtraction. There are fifteen new worlds to
explore, with each requiring a bit of hand-eye co-ordination and
math skills in order to advance. There are three levels to play,
including one perfect for the pre-schooler because it doesn't require
any math at all in order to play. Math Rescue is programmed by Karen
Crowther, the author of two other games, "Word Rescue" and
"Talking ABC's." The artists, Jimmie and Dale Homburg, and the
writer, Maya Watson, are students working on college degrees. What
I like most about Math Rescue is its excellent use of graphics, the
ease with which it plays, and the lack of a time-clock. Without time,
a pre-schooler feels quite comfortable both playing and learning from
Math Rescue. It would be hard to imagine a better game for your child
that you could buy in a store.
Hankie Award Considerations
As a winner of a Hankie, each software author receives my gratitude
for writing programs that have saved me time, helped me solve a
difficult problem, or made me laugh a bit. Please, if you like any of
these programs, or use shareware regularly, take the time to
register your program with the author. This keeps the shareware
concept viable for all of us. If you're interested in any of these
programs, check your BBS for the filenames I listed above. If you
have any questions about modems, computer hardware, or digital
communications, drop me a line. Write to Hank Volpe, PO Box 43214,
Baltimore, MD 21236. You can also reach me on the Modem Doctor BBS
at 410-256-3631, where you will also find the files I mentioned in
the review above.