home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The World of Computer Software
/
World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso
/
p
/
pafrv931.zip
/
PAFRV.DES
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-03-01
|
13KB
|
217 lines
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ PAF REVIEW - INTRODUCTION ║
╟─────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ PAF Review - Version 93.1 - 1 March 1993 ║
╟─────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ Compiled by Mike St. Clair ║
╟─────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ This is file PAFRV.DES ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════╝
╔═════════════════╗
║ Why PAF Review? ║
╚═════════════════╝
As an avid family history researcher and PAF user, I recently
started looking around to see what utilities might be available to
work with, or enhance, PAF's capabilities. I looked first on my
favorite local BBS, Hackers Haven, normally one of the best places
in the state to look for files. A couple of PAF related utilities
were there, although they were quite old. Next came Channel 1 and
Exec-PC, two of the largest BBSes in the country, where I found a
few more of these utilities. Again most of them were older. I then
checked in CompuServe's Genealogy Forum. I found more programs,
including some that were very recent. After more searching, I
located several bulletin boards that focus on genealogy and found
even more PAF utilities. By the time I was done, I had located more
than 50 programs!
PAF is a very popular program for use by family historians. It
surprised me to find that shareware for PAF was not more readily
available. During my review I encountered another problem. I found
it very difficult to determine which was the latest version of each
program and to locate current copies.
I have decided to share the information I've gathered to save others
the same time and expense. I hope this will help make these
programs more widely available and encourage present and potential
shareware/freeware authors to continue their development of high
quality utilities for PAF users. I hope eventually to include all
such programs which are compatible with the latest version of PAF
(2.2). This first version of PAF Review does not include programs
whose sole purpose is to transport data between PAF and an alternate
genealogy program. I have explicitly excluded programs that are
commercial only.
╔═══════════════════════════════════╗
║ Copyright and Distribution Policy ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════╝
Any original material contained in PAF Review which is not quoted
from others is copyright 1993 by Mike St. Clair. I grant permission
to upload copies of PAF Review to BBSes or other information
providers for redistribution and use by individuals and nonprofit
organizations. I prohibit the charging of any fee specifically for
PAF Review. BBSes may provide copies of PAF Review for downloading
by users and may post portions as public bulletins. Users groups
may include portions in their newsletters. Private individuals and
nonprofit organizations may use this material for their own purposes
unless intended to generate income. All other rights are reserved.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ File Naming/Version Numbering for PAF Review ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
I plan to issue a new version of PAF Review roughly once a month if
any new utilities or releases have appeared. The name of the file
will be PAFRV followed by a year in the format YY and an issue
character. This character will begin with "1", increment until it
reaches "9", then start through the alphabet beginning with "A" if
necessary. For example the first version in 1993 is 93.1 with a
file name of PAFRV931.ZIP. The file extension may also be LZH, ARC,
etc., depending on the standards and policies of the BBS where you
find the file. On CompuServe, which limits file names to six
characters, the filename will always be PAFRV.ZIP omitting the
date/version from the name.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ File Listing - Contents of PAF Review ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝
The following files are included in PAF Review:
PAFRV.DES Describes the purpose of PAF Review and tells how
you can help keep it up to date. (4 pages)
PAFRV.SUM This contains a brief summary of all known PAF
related utilities including its name, most recent
version, the versions date and approximate size for
downloading, whether it is shareware or freeware,
the requested registration fee, the author and a
description of no more than two lines. This version
includes descriptions of 48 programs. (6 pages)
XXXXXXXX.INF There will be one of these files for each program
described in PAFRV.SUM. Each will be no more than
one printed page and will describe the program in
more detail including the file name by which it will
normally be found and the author's address if known.
In a future release, I plan to add some brief
information about what is new in the most recent
version of each program. (1 page each)
XXXXXXXX.REV There may be one of these files for any of the
programs described in PAFRV.SUM. If present, the
files will contain recent, subjective review
information about that particular program from the
compiler or any interested submitter. There are no
REV files in this version. (1 or more pages each)
╔═══════════════════════╗
║ For Shareware Authors ║
╚═══════════════════════╝
Please let me know where you first upload new versions of your PAF
related software. If you will arrange for me to be able to download
from that BBS, I will check periodically and help with the
distribution when I find a new release. If you would prefer, you
can send me new revisions or new utilities by mail. It's my goal
to see that up-to-date copies of all the software described in PAF
Review are widely available. Unless someone else has already done
so, I will be personally uploading copies of any new upgrades to:
Channel 1, Exec-PC, Capital PAF UG BBS, Hackers Haven.
╔═══════════════════════════════╗
║ Where to Find These Utilities ║
╚═══════════════════════════════╝
If you have access to any of the sources listed in the previous
section, they should always have the latest version. Other BBS
systems specializing in genealogy will have some or all. Be aware
that several versions of shareware programs are usually available
on any given BBS. Look for the file name given in PAF Review,
similar names, or the version number that you can usually find as
part of the file description. Please note that CompuServe limits
file names to six characters. Frequently this will match the first
six characters used in the BBS file name. You may have to look at
the file description to figure out the version. Don't waste time
downloading an outdated version if the current one is available.
I will mail copies of the entire set of utilities to any BBS or
individual. Send formatted diskettes (three 1.4MB or 1.2MB) and a
SASE diskette mailer. If you wish to receive future updates, return
one diskette/mailer with return postage after each mailing.
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ How You Can Submit Changes/Corrections/Suggestions/Comments ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
While I have tried to make the information in PAF Review as accurate
and complete as possible, I'm sure there are omissions and mistakes.
I would appreciate contact from anyone who: knows of a program that
I missed; is willing to contribute commentary on a program they are
proficient with; or has any constructive suggestions. If you would
like to suggest additions or revisions to this material, you may
contact me in the following ways:
CompuServe: 71552,3314
Channel 1 BBS: Mike StClair - public node (617) 354-7077
Hacker's Haven BBS: Mike StClair - public node (801) 224-4031
NETMAIL Conferences:
ILink - Genealogy Mike StClair
ILink - Shareware Mike StClair
FIDO GENSOFT Echo Mike StClair
U.S. Mail: 327 North 800 East
American Fork, Utah 84003
╔═══════════════════╗
║ Important Remarks ║
╚═══════════════════╝
Most shareware/freeware authors develop programs that are useful to
themselves and perhaps a close circle of friends in response to an
immediate need. They soon find these projects take ever larger
amounts of time if the product is to become easy, safe and enjoyable
to use. The most important thing you can do to encourage their
continued craziness on behalf of us all is to provide some feedback.
Did you like it? Is it useful? How and when do you use it? Are
there problems that you can see? Is it the greatest thing since
sliced bread?! Please tell the author. The second most important
thing is to register those products you use regularly and make a
payment if called for. Many authors stop developing and improving
their software because without feedback, they assume no one else
recognized the genius of their idea. Let's not let that happen to
these products that can make our research easier, more productive
and more enjoyable.
╔════════╗
║ Caveat ║
╚════════╝
Unless directly quoted from others, the comments contained in PAF
Review are my own. The program descriptions are basically from the
authors' documentation, either printed or online, but in most cases
I have edited them to take less room. Any review comments are based
on experience with the software in question and the program's
documentation. While I take full responsibility for my subjective
opinions contained herein (don't blame the program's authors for
what I say!), I can take no responsibility for any problems that may
occur because of your use of any PAF utility discussed in PAF
Review.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ IF YOUR PAF DATA IS AS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS MINE IS TO ME, ║
║ BE CAREFUL WHEN USING ANY NEW UTILITY OR VERSION OF PAF!! ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Try new software out first on a copy of your data. Use FRCHK before
and after your test to verify that you have data integrity both
before and after you run the new software. Whether you are using
a new utility or not, back up your data frequently to allow you to
recover from problems that may occur.
I hope my efforts have made it easier for you to find that specific
utility that will help you solve your PAF related problem of the
moment. If you don't find what you are looking for, let me know
that too. Somewhere, right now, someone is probably thinking about
writing the program you need and it may well be available in the
next version of PAF Review.
Happy PAFfing!