311 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
311 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
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SOFTWARE FOR LAPTOP NEEDS
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INCLUDES A LISTING OF SHAREWARE VENDORS AT END OF THIS FILE
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In some respects you should not need special software just for a
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laptop or notebook computer. The whole idea is to be able to run
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software that larger desktop computers run - but when and where you
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need it. That's the flexibility of computing in a laptop
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environment.
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However, several software packages are frequently mentioned by
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laptop users as being valuable because of their minimal memory
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requirements or specialized features.
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For the many users, an integrated package containing a word
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processor, spreadsheet, database and modem package may be the
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best value since some needs may be met within ONE software
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system. Two standouts in this category are Microsoft Works and
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LotusWorks.
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No-Squint from SkiSoft Publishing is a small software utility
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which changes the tiny laptop screen cursor into a larger block
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which can be seen. Available from most software vendors or call
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617/863-1876.
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Shareware packages with minimal memory needs which run all
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laptops include Alite (a spreadsheet), PC-Write Lite (word
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processor) and File Express. All are available from shareware
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disk vendors such as those listed at the end of this article as
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well as most computer clubs and BBS systems.
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For hard drive users whose disk space is at a premium, the
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software package Stacker from Stac electronics compresses and
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expands files on crowded drives - a necessity for many laptop
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and notebook computer users.
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For modem work, many laptop users gravitate to the software
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package ProComm Plus (commercial software which also has a
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shareware variant) or the useful Telix package (shareware.)
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Other, distinct utility packages are frequently mentioned.
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Although not specifically designed for laptops and notebooks,
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these are useful software items....
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PC TOOLS DELUXE. The quintessential toolkit of goodies DOS
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forgot to include. PC Tools contains a superb DOS shell for file
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management, a miniature database, file transfer utility,
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calculator, backup system, unerase data restorer, disk repair
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capability, security file wiper and literally dozens of other
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useful one-of-a-kind goodies. If you can only afford one
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utility, PC Tools Deluxe is it.
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THE PC MAGAZINE UTILITIES are continuing classics and favorites
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of many users. Available through most computer clubs and by
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modem from local BBS sources and PC Magazine as disk bonus
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offers when you subscribe to that periodical. An index to PC
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Magazine utilities is maintained through their on line PcMagnet
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modem service which can be reached by following printed
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instructions contained in every issue of PC Magazine. The
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utilities are in the public domain and generally available at no
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charge beyond a small disk copying or distribution fee.
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Most shareware distributors carry disk sets of the PC Magazine
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utilities. Several utilities in this set are useful for laptops
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and allow file transfer between two computers, remote computing,
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file slicing and macro work on laptops. Since all are free and
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easily located they are genuine bargains for all laptop users.
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LABELPRO prepares labels and address stickers better than any
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competing program. Prepare nametags, casette tape labels,
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address stickers with ease.
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HOTLINE allows you to manage, search, sort and DIAL phone
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directory databases. A grownup electronic rolodex system which
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works better than any other program of this type.
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BROOKLYN BRIDGE & DESKLINK allow transfer of files between
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computers via a cable connector and facilitate the transfer
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between desktop and laptop computers with ease.
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KEYWORKS & NEWKEY are universal keyboard macro programs which
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issue a burst of keystrokes when you press only one or two keys.
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ESSENTIAL for all beginners to learn and use! NEWKEY is
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shareware.
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CHECK-IT & SYSTEM SLEUTH perform diagnostic tests to tell your
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what connections, cables, ports disk drives and components are
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working and why. You can locate bad memory chips and in general
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save time and frustration tracking down problems.
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QEMM-386 & 386MAX manage vast areas of RAM memory in 80386
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equipped computers. These can convert extended memory to
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expanded memory, move device drivers and terminate and stay
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resident programs efficiently, and remap BIOS and graphics video
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into faster RAM area memory. Subtle programs which help manage
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memory on more powerful DOS machines.
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MARK/RELEASE is a small program whose sole function is to
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install and remove TSR programs such as popup calculators,
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address books and others for minimum memory crowding and
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conflict. Shareware.
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FASTBACK PLUS allows reliable and quick backup of essential hard
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disk files to floppy disks and tape backup systems. A variety of
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options allows selective backup by date, data and file type.
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SUPER PC-KWIK provides a fast disk cache buffer system that
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speed processing and convenience for hard disk users. Speed is
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always a convenience when using a hard drive and SUPER PC-KWIK
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is the champion disk cache software utility.
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PKZIP is a unique shareware program which compresses files up to
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80% smaller in size! This frees up disk space on your hard drive
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and also allows faster file transfers when using a modem. PKZIP
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is as standard as DOS and almost as essential.
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FASTTRAX is a disk optimizer and file defragmenter whose sole
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job is to periodically assemble files into efficient contiguous
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sectors on a disk for speedy performance. A routine housekeeping
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function no disk drive owner can neglect.
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SCAN & CLEANUP are virus/trojan horse detection and erradication
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programs which are probably the best of the bunch. Shareware.
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CED & PCED & LIST are utilities which browse files (list) and
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provide command line editing functions (CED and PCED) which are
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far superior to the functions DOS provides. All are shareware.
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HOT SHOT GRAPHICS & PIZAZZ PLUS function to capture screen
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graphics to transfer them to another software program for
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presentation or publication use.
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GRAPHICS LINK PLUS facilitates the conversion of graphics
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picture files between varying software packages.
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TYPEFAST resets the keyboard rate of your system so you can
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(good guess) type fast! Public domain utility from PC Magazine.
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PRINTCACHE is a print spooler. You can thus dump your document
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file out to the printer and within a split second come back to
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your program and keep working rather than sit there for 30
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minutes as your printer hogs the PC.
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ULTRAVISION adjusts cursor size and provides many differing
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typefaces on your screen if you don't care for the ones which
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came with your software or PC.
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MAGELLAN The ultimate text search utility. Search an entire hard
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disk quickly for the file that contains the phrase "swimming
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pool budget for Mr. Davis" or other search idea. Great for
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locating that document when piles of files seem lost on your
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hard drive.
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GRANDVIEW The best of the outliner programs. When you need to
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assemble, sort and prioritze tasks or documents Grandview is it.
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SOFTWARE BRIDGE & WORD FOR WORD PROFESSIONAL allow different
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word processing programs to swap documents in different file
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formats. Great for the office where each person uses a different
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word processing package.
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Next, a short overview to highlight the differences between
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types of software and a brief listing of shareware disk vendors.
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With so much software in the marketplace sometimes the hardest
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job is to select from overabundance and arrive at genuinely
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useful programs. Software is available in three basic flavors:
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COMMERCIAL, PUBLIC DOMAIN and SHAREWARE.
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Commercial software is sold by mail or through retail outlets
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and is generally protected by both legitimate and stringent
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copyright laws. Commercial software may in addition be copy-
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protected (difficult or impossible to make spare disk copies) or
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non-copy protected (can be copied to another disk for safe-
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keeping or archival purposes.) Commercial software is usually of
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good quality and can range in price from 10 dollars to several
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hundred dollars or more.
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Public domain software represents computer programs which have
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been released into the public domain, do not require payment or
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registration fees to the author, and are frequently available
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from computer clubs, some libraries, and modem BBS telephone
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systems. PC Magazine utilities are examples of public domain
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software.
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Shareware, a third area of software interest represents programs
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whose author(s) request a donation or registration but are
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otherwise available in much the same manner as public domain
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software. Frequently "enticements" such as a documentation
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manual of program instructions, an upgrade disk or other bonus
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offer is made within the program to secure a registration fee.
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Which type of software is best? Probably a little of each, to be
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honest. Many people find that starting with several affordable
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commercial programs (to ensure fast, productive results) and
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then sampling shareware over time (to continue trying new
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software affordably) to be of value. Other computer owners find
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that starting with shareware and public domain software (to get
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a broad sampling of software variety at little cost) and then
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buying additional commercial programs as sophisticated needs
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grow a productive strategy.
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Back to shareware for a moment....
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You do not have to be a hobbyist, hacker or computer guru to
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utilize shareware and public domain software. A short list of
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shareware distributors follows this section.
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Membership in a local computer club or user group is one way
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to obtain shareware. Many retail software and computer
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equipment stores maintain lists of local clubs.
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Frequently a local and friendly Radio Shack salesman can give
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you a clue as to computer clubs. The clubs frequently augment
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club treasuries by sale of shareware disks. Membership with many
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clubs is optional - purchasing a shareware disk is convenient
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whether you are a member or not. Disk distribution or copying
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may fees hover around $3 to $5.
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A second, perhaps more convenient source for some people, is
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mail order sources of shareware, otherwise known as shareware
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distributors. A list of several shareware sources is provided
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at the end of this tutorial.
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A third avenue for locating shareware is either a BBS computer
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system (a computer in someone's home or office hooked by modem
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to telephone lines) or the larger commercial on-line services
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such as Compuserve, The Source and BIX. These larger commercial
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services can be the fastest way to locate and obtain shareware.
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The on-line modem route has the additional advantage that
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shareware can be located by electronic search/sort which
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certainly speeds up the process. Cost is obviously a factor.
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With a local BBS service the cost is simply that of a local
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phone call. Commercial services generally charge by the minute
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or hour and sometimes also involve long distance charges if a
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local line is not available.
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Next a list of popular mail order shareware distributors not to
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be confused with mail order software distributors of commercial
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software. Contact them and request a free catalog - you will
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be surprised at the depth and variety of shareware offerings.
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A shareware distributor or disk vendor usually charges a nominal
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fee ($2 to $5) to copy and DISTRIBUTE a disk to you. If you find
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the shareware useful, you are encouraged to send the author of
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the package a final REGISTRATION FEE ($10 to $50 approximately)
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to use the package and receive updated copies, instruction
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manuals or bonus items to thank you for the courtesy of
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registering. Shareware is an honor system. The distributors make
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money charging a fee for a sample disk, but the author also
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deserves a registration fee if you find the shareware useful.
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----------------------------------------------------------------
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SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTORS - A SHORT LIST
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SSP Shareware Sales, Dept LC
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PO Box 1506, Mercer Island, WA 98040
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Offers specialized shareware collections for laptop owners and
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buyers as well as a large collection of general purpose
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shareware. Featuring low prices of $1.99 per program item, SSP
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offers over 3,000 shareware titles. SSP catalog available on
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disk and costs $1.00 for shipping/handling in 360K format size
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disk or $1.50 on 720K format disk. One of the lower priced
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disk vendors for laptop and general purpose shareware.
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PC-SIG
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1030D East Duane Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086; (800) 245-6717;
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In Calif. (800) 222-2996.
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PC-SIG is perhaps the largest and best known of the shareware
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distributors. With a bi-monthly magazine, slickly packaged
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software, over 2000 disks and a printed catalogue PC-SIG is
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perhaps also the best organized. PC-SIG boasts authorized
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dealers throughout the United States (most major cities) and
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many foreign countries! Marketing and customer service are a PC-
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SIG trademark. Memberships list at $20 per year which allows
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members to purchase disks for $5.50 per disk in lot orders of
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10 or more. Non-members pay $6.00 per disk. PC-SIG CD-ROM
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available which contains all titles in the PC-SIG library.
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Public Brand Software, Inc.
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POB 51478, Indianapolis, IN 46251; (317) 856-1001 or
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(800) IBM-DISK.
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Public Brand charges $5 per disk plus $5 shipping and handling
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per order. On par with PC-SIG. Extensive shareware catalog.
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All titles can be downloaded from CompuServe or the PBS bulletin
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board online with your modem.
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Tutorial finished. Be sure to order your FOUR BONUS DISKS which
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expand this software package with vital tools, updates and
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additional tutorial material for laptop users! Send $20.00 to
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Seattle Scientific Photography, Department LAP, PO Box 1506,
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Mercer Island, WA 98040. Bonus disks shipped promptly! Some
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portions of this software package use sections from the larger
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PC-Learn tutorial system which you will also receive with your
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order. Modifications, custom program versions, site and LAN
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licenses of this package for business or corporate use are
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possible, contact the author. This software is shareware - an
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honor system which means TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Press escape key to
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return to menu.
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