ñ Freedom of Press Version 2.2 - PostScript Language Compatible Interpreter Copyright 1989 David Batterson Laser and laser-quality printers are selling well as more manufacturers enter the marketplace, thus lowering prices. But PostScript (and compatible) page printers still take a huge bite out of your wallet, and most of us simply cannot afford one. With over a million HP LaserJets in offices around the country, there was a need for a product which would make those printers emulate a PostScript-ready printer, with no hassles or hardware. Custom Applications Inc. (CAI) came up with the solution: Freedom of Press. Now Version 2.2 of this program has been released. Freedom of Press is a PostScript Language Compatible Interpreter. That means that your PostScript files created by Ventura Publisher, PageMager, WordPerfect 5.0, and any other word processing, graphics or desktop publishing software, can be printed on your non-PostScript printer. The software works with all popular 24-pin (NOT 9-pin) dot matrix printers, most page printers (including laser, and laser-quality ink jet variety like the popular HP DeskJets), color thermal printers, and even film recorders (for slides and transparencies). Freedom of Press also supports the Intel Visual Edge, Tall Tree JLASER, and AVR Megabuffer expansion cards. Another new feature is the ability to create a PC Paintbrush (.PCX) graphics file on disk, with 200 dpi resolution. These files can then be used with fax boards, or in a graphics program which uses .PCX files. The best news about Version 2.2 is that it no longer requires expanded memory (EMS), like the original version did. [That previous requirement eliminated millions of PC users who don't have memory boards or additional onboard memory.] Now you only need 640K RAM, with a minimum of 450K available. The programmers at CAI accomplished this by recompiling the C code and other little tricks of the trade. If you have extra RAM, Freedom of Press can still use .5 to 8 MB of EMS to make the program run faster. You'll also need about 4MB hard disk storage space, and a 5 1/4" 1.2MB (high-density) or 3 1/2" floppy. A math co-processor is highly recommended, but not required. For laser printing, your printer should have at least 1.5MB memory if you'll be printing complicated pages and graphics files. Installation of the software is easily done with the install program. The manual is well-organized, and comes in a 3-ring binder (which I prefer above all other manual types). Way to go, CAI! Freedom of Press also provides ready-made batch files, for users of Ventura Publisher, PageMaker, WordPerfect and Microsoft Word. This automates the printing process. When you exit one of these programs, Freedom of Press is run by the appropriate batch file, and the PostScript output file is printed. It's no problem using other programs which create PostScript output. I tested Freedom of Press using Professional Write and other software with my 16MHz AT-clone. I printed on an Epson EPL-6000 laser printer (HP LaserJet II- compatible). It worked just fine. After creating your PostScript document, you simply "print to disk," instead of sending the file to your printer, and then exit that program. Now you're ready to let Freedom of Press perform its magic. At the DOS prompt, you can start the printing process two ways. One is to type: FP! \\. You can enter up to six document filenames, separated by spaces. The other way is to type: FP-ASK. It then prompts you for the path and filename, and number of copies you want. Use of DOS wildcards [? or *] is OK too. You then watch a moving horizontal bar graph as the file undergoes the interpreting process. Upon completion, the bit map image is created and sent to your printer. Remember, using even the best 24-pin printer, you cannot achieve true laser quality, because you are still limited by that printer's dpi resolution. It looks pretty close though. But use a page printer for best results. You can transfer PostScript and Adobe Illustrator files from a Mac to a PC, and then print them using Freedom of Press. You may also use downloadable PostScript fonts, or Adobe Type 1 fonts (but not HP soft fonts). If you are experienced in creating custom PostScript files, you won't have any trouble printing these with Freedom of Press, either. Included are 35 fonts equivalent to Apple LaserWriter Plus fonts. These include font equivalents like Palatino, AvantGarde, Helvetica, New Century Schoolbook, and Times-Roman. I recommend this software purchase for those who require high-quality graphics and DTP printing, and want to save money doing it. Freedom of Press has a suggested list of $495 but shop around for best street price as it is much lower. It beats buying an expensive PostScript printer. The upgrade for registered users is only $45. For more information, contact Custom Applications Inc., Building 8, 900 Technology Park Drive, Billerica, MA 01821; 508-667-8585, 800-873-4367, FAX: 508-667-8821. # David Batterson is a writer/editor/consultant. Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. The PC-Kwik Power Pak (system enhancement utilities) Copyright 1989 David Batterson There are many utility programs out there, both commercial and shareware, to help speed up your system. All of them work approximately the same, with varying degrees of efficiency. Some can be a bit tricky to implement. Multisoft Corp. has put together an impressive package of integrated programs that not only provide high performance, but you don't have to be a "techie" to install them and get up to speed. That's what fun computing is all about--increased productivity with less hassles. The PC-Kwik Power Pak incorporates five utility programs, designed to be used with PCs, XTs, 286s and 386s. The main program is Super PC-Kwik Disk Accelerator, Version 3.08, a disk cache. This program (which can be purchased separately for $79.95 list price) features advanced disk reading/writing, and can support a RAM-based disk cache up to 16 MB! Along with the cache are a print spooler, RAM-disk, screen accelerator and keyboard accelerator. Whether you use just one, or more of these, you can achieve faster performance with your PC. A good indication this is a superior product is that top PC manufacturers use Super PC-Kwik and other Multisoft programs. I know that Art Lazere, president of Northgate Computer Systems, sets high standards and does not settle for anything less than excellence. Northgate, along with AST Research, ALR, Everex, Dell H-P, Iomega (Bernoulli boxes), Mitsubishi, Toshiba and many others bundle the PC-Kwik technology with their products. Super PC-Kwik has a "smart" installation program which automatically locates the cache in conventional, expanded or extended memory. Super PC-Kwik subsequently manages that RAM for the other Power Pak utilities. It serves as the RAM "director," parceling out RAM when and where needed. For instance, the PC-Kwik Print Spooler will borrow RAM while spooling print data. When printing is done, that RAM returns to the cache. The same process works with RAM disks. They use the cache memory dynamically, grabbing RAM as needed to store files; memory is returned to Super PC-Kwik when RAM files are zapped. The PC-Kwik RAM Disk program creates RAM disks up to 16 megabytes. A RAM disk is particularly useful with programs like Lotus 1-2-3 or dBASE III, where loading increased speed is desired. It's also good for programs that make use of a temporary file during processing, such as some DTP and graphics software. RAM disks and cache programs increase system quickness. However, after installing the PC-Kwik Screen Accelerator, you immediately get a visual reference of increased velocity. Do a DIR or TYPE, and watch the lines zip by! Included is a scroll-back buffer called ReView. ReView borrows RAM from Super PC-Kwik; the default is 16K (four screens) but this can be increased. Using the cache's memory, ReView lets you see up to 4,000 previous screens. Wow! Bear in mind that the Screen Accelerator affects text output only; it won't increase output to the screen in graphics video mode. Screen displays will increase 30 to 100%; this can be adjusted if you find it TOO fast. Another speeder-upper is the Keyboard Accelerator. It lets you set the acceleration rate and the repeat rate--up to 100 characters per second (cps), versus the usual DOS speed of nine cps. You can choose which keys you want to speed up. Most users want faster cursor keys, while using their word processor or spreadsheet programs. But you might also want to speed up the backspace, underline, delete and period, while leaving the other keys alone. Power Pak Keyboard Accelerator lets you do it. PC-Kwik Power Pak is designed for all users--from low-end, through intermediate, to power users. The latter will want to customize it for most efficient use, as the number of options is amazing. Now if we just had a PC-Kwik Power Pak to plug into our brains, we would really have something! Maybe Multisoft will it ready by the year 2000! Super PC-Kwik requires 64K memory; EMS or extended memory is recommended for top performance. It supports LIM EMS (Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded Memory Specifications) 3.2 and 4.0. Suggested list price is $129.95. For more information, contact Multisoft Corporation, 15100 S.W. Koll Parkway, Suite L, Beaverton, OR 97006; 800-288-KWIK (sales), 503-644-5644, FAX: 503-646-8267. # David Batterson says that you CAN be "too rich or too thin" but a PC "can't be TOO quick." Contact him speedily via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON PC-Kwik Power Disk Ver 1.1 Copyright 1991 David Batterson I optimize my hard disk occasionally, using the PC TOOLS Deluxe "COMPRESS" program. I should do it more often but I don't always want to take the time. After evaluating the newest version (1.1) of PC-Kwik Power Disk from Multisoft Corp., I'll be tuning up my hard disk more frequently. Power Disk is not only easy to use but amazingly fast (one to two minutes). Hard drives slow down over time as files become fragmented. That's unavoidable. Optimizers like Power Disk rejoin the parts of fragmented files, and save it to one contiguous location. This makes writing/reading data much faster than before. The program is compatible with fixed and removable drives of virtually any type, including MFM, RLL, IDE, ESDI and SCSI. Power Disk also supports Bernoulli Boxes and similar cartridge drives, read/write optical drives and Plu Passports. It works with any size DOS partition. Hard disks exceeding 1 gigabyte can be optimized with 600K available RAM. The ability to work with these huge drives depends on RAM, number of files and how badly the files are fragmented. Power Disk has a simple menu interface, and you really don't need the manual unless you want to use the more advanced features. The menu lets you select: Analyze Only, Test the Disk, PowerScope, Reorganize the Disk, Choose a New Disk, Modify Program Options, Sort Directories, Escape to DOS and Quit. When you select Analyze Only, Power Disk quickly examines your files and directories, and recommends if you should reorganize the disk. After the analysis, you'll see a summary with number of files, total bytes, number of fragmented files, as well as information on empty clusters, system files, unmovable fragments and clusters of bad blocks. There are useful program options. The Reporting Options of Power Disk let you print a report, write the report to a file, get a summary report with filenames or list all filenames. The Protection Level Options include verify and protected, protected without verify (the default setting) and unprotected. File Handling Options include delete all empty files, delete all empty directories, move hidden files, and move read-only files (default setting.) The Strategy Options let you choose speedy reorganization, fragmented files last, directories in order or partial defragment only. The disk map displays what's happening in a detailed view, at up to 1:1 resolution, up to 50 lines high by 132 characters wide. It shows disk usage by file names, unmovable blocks, bad blocks, empty blocks, along with four levels of data density. Power Disk can be halted during reorganizing, and your data will remain safe too. There's a batch mode for automatic, daily use or by the day of the week and strategy desired. New features in this version include mouse support in interactive mode. One can point-and-click to launch functions or select parameters. You can also escape to DOS, and save your configurations. The PowerScope feature (previously called Disk Explorer) offers improved disk mapping features. You may zoom into individual files and fragmented files and view them in ASCII or hex. After testing seven disk utility programs, the independent ratings report Software Digest said Power Disk "offers the best file placement options" and is "the best disk optimizer available." The overall evaluation score was 8.4 out of a possible perfect 10. I haven't tested all of them, but I did find Power Disk to be superb. It also comes with a 90 day money-back guarantee. PC-Kwik Power Disk Ver. 1.1 lists for $79.95, but is heavily discounted. If you're already a registered user of another Multisoft product, it costs only $39.95. For more information, contact Multisoft Corp., 15100 SW Koll Parkway, Beaverton, OR 97006; 800-759-5945, 503-644-5644, FAX: 503-646-8267 # David Batterson wishes his car was as fine-tuned as his hard drive. Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. ViruCide Ver 2.37 Copyright 1992 David Batterson Although there has been much media hype over computer viruses, they DO exist and DO cause havoc. Most recently, a dangerous example of such viruses was the Michelangelo virus, which was found in some commercial software programs and on a limited number of PCs shipped by one company. Many users never encounter a virus on their hard drives or floppies. However, one should check for them from time to time just to be safe. Before receiving this review copy, I used a recent version of McAfee's VIRUSCAN to check out my hard drive. VIRUSCAN found nothing. When I ran ViruCide, it DID find a virus--the first I had ever encountered. It was the "1260" virus, and was contained in the file, PKXARC.COM. Although PKZIP is the standard, PKXARC is an old file compression program that I had kept in my \UTIL directory just in case I needed to use it one day on an ARCed file. I had not used it for a long time. I'll quote what the program has to say about the 1260 virus: "The 1260 virus is a COM file infector virus that has 4 known variants. It infects executable files by attaching itself to those files, increasing their size by 1260 bytes. This virus is not memory resident, but is encrypted. Infection from the 1260 virus occurs by executing any infected program. The virus transfers itself to any other non-infected COM file it finds on the disk each time an infected program is executed." ViruCide's program message indicated that it could not clean out the virus, and asked if I wanted the file deleted. I indicated yes, and PKXARC.COM was deleted from the hard disk. I ran ViruCide another time just to be safe, and no further infections were found. Sometime back, I had run PKLITE [which compresses .EXE and .COM files to save space on the hard drive] on most of my executable files, including PKXARC.COM. Luckily, ViruCide can search for viruses with files compressed with PKLITE, as well as with LZEXE. I'm not sure why McAfee's shareware program didn't find the 1260 virus, since ViruCide was created by McAfee Associates and is basically the same program. Recent versions of McAfee's VIRUSCAN can search within PKLITE compressed files also. (I have VIRUSCAN Ver. 8.3b86.) ViruCide now destroys and detects some 918 viruses, including those of the boot, file and stealth type, and those in memory. You can use seven different command-line switches, such as /s (search in subdirectories), /n (network operations) and /d (direct option--automatically run and exit the program without any user input). One drawback to ViruCide is that it doesn't have a memory-resident module to automatically scan your BIOS, COMMAND.COM, hard disk partition table, and so forth upon booting up. This type of virus protection is offered with some of the competing anti-virus programs. ViruCide includes a number of useful options, including backing up infected files. Warning: these files still contain the virus. Other features let you clean read-only (write-protected) files, and check overlay files. Overlay file extensions include OVL, OVR, PRG, DAT and BIN. In the New Overlay Extension window, you can add other file extensions to this list or use the wildcard character (*) . Under the Report option, you can receive a short or detailed report, and print the report or save it to a file. Or you can choose "none." This choice is not recommended by the company. The Search Window displays an ongoing status report while ViruCide is running. You see the actual directories and files scanned, as well as the number of EXE/COM files, overlay files and directories scanned. If any viruses are found, you'll see the number and percentage of infected files. Free, unlimited tech support is provided via phone, FAX, CompuServe, or mail. ViruCide is updated on a quarterly basis. I'm happy to say that ViruCide DOES work as I have the proof. Before then, I could only assume that a virus-killer program was effective. The list price of ViruCide 2.37 is $49. For more information, contact Parsons Technology, One Parsons Drive, P.O. Box 100, Hiawatha, IA 52233-0100; 319-395-9626, 800-223-6925 (orders only), FAX: 319-395-0217. # David Batterson never met a virus he liked. Contact him via virus-free MCI Mail: 273-7218. DR DOS Ver. 6.0 Copyright 1991 David Batterson I've been a fan of DR DOS for a long time, as I evaluated it before it was available as a retail software product. The reasons I like are twofold: it is superior to MS-DOS, and I tend to root for the underdog when its products are better than the competition's. It's possible you may not have heard of DR DOS. Although DR DOS sounds like a computer tutor, the name is pronounced DEE ARE DOS not DOCTOR DOS, as some of my acquaintances call it. I guess they are confusing it with "DR. HALO," a graphics program. DR DOS is NOT hyphenated either, like MS-DOS. DR DOS 6.0 is, in effect, a Novell product since Novell bought the company (Digital Research, Inc.) not long ago. I suspect Novell will be making major deals with its dealers and VARs re bundling DR DOS 6.0 and offering competitive pricing for retailers. While Microsoft was playing catchup with MS-DOS 5.0, Digital Research was even busier getting DR DOS 6.0 off and running. It really knocks the pants off DOS 5. It's not hype and ballyhoo; this is the real thing. I've spent a lot of time learning all there is in DR DOS 6.0, and I'm still finding new commands and features. Although there'is an outstanding setup program, some users will want to tweak the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files a bit to get optimum performance and memory management for your particular system. You can also customize DR DOS 6.0. One way this is accomplished is by use of the ? at the beginning of CONFIG.SYS statements, along with any wording you want. The system pauses at that point, asking if you want this command. For instance, place the statement in CONFIG.SYS: ?"Shall I install VDISK.SYS?"DEVICE=C:\DRDOS\VDISK.SYS. At bootup, you'll see the message, Shall I install VDISK.SYS? You then enter Y or N. Another way of customizing is by using such commands as CHAIN and SWITCH within a CONFIG.SYS file. This takes some care and experience, however. There is an improved on-line help and documentation section called DOSBook, with hypertext capability. It provides DR DOS basics, commands and utilities and troubleshooting. Just type HELP or DOSBOOK to access the on-line index, glossary and more. Other features of DR DOS 6.0 include the MemoryMAX memory manager. This lets you load the DR DOS kernel, buffers, BIOS, drivers, TSRs and networking software into upper and high memory. DOS 5.0 doesn't perform as well. TaskMAX is a task switching feature that can handle up to 20 applications at a time, using extended memory, expanded memory or hard disk. After loading TaskMAX (via AUTOEXEC.BAT or the command line), you press a hotkey to access the easy-to-follow pop-up menu. TaskMAX lets you cut and paste data among different applications too, such as spreadsheet and word processor. DiskMAX is a terrific feature (actually three programs) for improving your hard disk's performance. I liked these utilities probably the most. Super PC-Kwik Disk Accelerator is the top-of-the-line program from Multisoft Corp., makers of the PC-Kwik Power Pak and Power Disk. It provides one of the best disk cache programs in the industry. DISKOPT is your basic disk optimizer program, and works well. SuperStor creates some magic by doubling your hard drive's capacity. Testing this on a notebook PC, it turned a 60MB drive into a 120MB drive. It uses a proprietary file compression method. All files are compressed upon writing to the drive, and uncompressed when you access any files. I didn't notice any slowdown, either. If you have a laptop, you'll appreciate the CURSOR command. This creates a large block cursor with a variable flash rate on VGA, EGA and CGA LCD screens. It's much easier to see. There's one feature of DR DOS 6.0 I didn't care much for, but others may like it. That's the GUI (Graphical User Interface) called ViewMAX. This shell is based on the old GEM/3 interface which had limited success. ViewMAX allows you to choose icon, text or tree displays. There are even more features in DR DOS 6.0, including FileLINK, security, graphical memory map, etc. I'll leave some out to provide some surprises. Requirements are 512K minimum RAM (1 MB recommended), most any PC (8086, 8088, 80286, i386, i486 and compatibles) and all graphics cards and monitors; installation from A: drive is required. When I evaluated a new notebook, I didn't use the provided MS-DOS. I instead installed DR DOS 6.0. Bill Gates and crew will find it difficult to surpass it, and I recommend it highly. DR DOS has a list price of $99, but you'll find it for less. Users who purchased DR DOS 5.0 after August 8, 1991 can upgrade for $9.95 for a limited time. Other DR DOS users can upgrade for $24.95. Check with Digital as these upgrade prices might change, now that Novell is in charge. For more information, contact Digital Research Inc., Box DRI, 70 Garden Court, Monterey, CA 93942; 800-274-4DRI, 408-649-3896, FAX: 408-646-6248. # David Batterson reviews various microcomputer applications, including utilities. Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON LapLink Pro Copyright 1992 David Batterson Sales of notebook PCs continue to grow, and at a faster rate than desktop PCs. This trend will continue for some time. However, most owners of notebooks also have a desktop back at the office or at home. A common problem is the transfer of data between the two. If your portable PC has a floppy drive, this isn't such a terrible task. But if you own a notebook or laptop with no floppy disk drives, like the NEC UltraLite, TI TravelMate or Sharp PC-6220, then you have to transfer files via cable or modem. The notebooks of the future will probably not have a floppy OR hard drive at all. They will instead use "silicon hard disks," such as Intel's FLASH memory cards that are increasing their MB capacity rapidly. Eventually these cards will equal the capacity of today's hard drives in portable PCs. Traveling Software has been solving this portable <--> desktop file transfer problem for several years now. They now have a top-of-the-line product called LapLink Pro to make the job easier. There are a number of improvements over the former LapLink. Most notable is that you can transfer files via modem besides the usual cable method. It will even transfer files to a PC that doesn't have the software installed. The program now conforms to industry-wide CUA (Common User Access) standards in its new pull-down menus. It's friendly and non-threatening, even for new users of LapLink Pro. Traveling Software says that its cable transfer speed is "the fastest available," zooming over 3 MB per minute. Modem speed transfers are much faster than with other communications programs, such as pcAnywhere or Procomm. LapLink Pro features a new technology: Blackbird UCO (Universal Communications Object). In the company's words, the UCO module serves as "the gatekeeper, pump and channeler." Basically, this is an intelligent linking technology that is transparent to the user, and increases efficiency. The software now includes improved disk/file management, and a handy text editor. Cables have been improved too: the longer, lightweight TravelLite serial cable and an improved parallel cable. They are color-coded. One useful new command is "Synchronize." This command speeds up the copying of files by making selected directories on two drives identical; it then sets "Copy Newer Files Only" on automatically. The system requirements are simply enough: 440K available RAM (512K recommended) and DOS 2.11 or higher. A mouse is optional. By the way, Traveling Software recommends this book: "The PC Magazine Guide to Notebook and Laptop Computers" by Bill Howard. It contains useful tips for modem use on the road. Registered users of LapLink can upgrade to LapLink Pro for $39.95 (for software/manual only) or $59.95, which includes the TraveLite serial cable and high-speed parallel cable. The upgrade phone number is 800-678-6620. LapLink Pro has a suggested list of $169.95, but is priced less by most retailers. For more information, contact Traveling Software, 18702 North Creek Parkway, Bothell, WA 98011; 800-343-8080 (orders), 206-483-8088, FAX: 206-487-1284, BBS: 206-485-1736, GEnie: TRAVSOFT. # David Batterson has been writing about computer products for many years. Contact him via your modem to MCI Mail: 273-7218.