Software for a song - 30 shareware packages for under $30 - Buyers Guide

Home Office Computing, Nov, 1995 by Lynn Ginsburg, Mark Binder

ToDoWin 1.06

WIN

ToDoWin is a digital to-do list that is as simple and convenient to use as pen and paper. When you load ToDoWin, you're presented with a list of itemized things that need to be done. The items at the top of the list have the highest priority and are due (or overdue) immediately. Items farther down have a later due date. Once an item has been completed, you simply check it off as done. The item's text will subsequently change color to signal its completion. And should you continue to remain attached to paper, ToDoWin can also print a checklist for you. $25; Brad P. Smith, fax: 613-258-1697, smithb@synapse.net

WinSpell 3.05d

WIN

There's never a good time to make a typo or spelling error when you're writing a business document. But when you're creating documents in anything other than a word processing program, you typically don't have the backup of a trusted spell-checker to catch your errors. WinSpell for Windows is a spell-checker that can pop up in any Windows document and keep you letter perfect. The program's built-in dictionary can search and replace misspelled words, or you can create your own custom dictionaries. WinSpell catches the typos before they catch you. $29.95; R&TH Inc., 214-783-8641

WinZip 6.0

WIN

If you plan to explore the many bargains available through shareware, WinZip is one utility you can't do without. WinZip is an incredibly full-featured and easy-to-use utility for decompressing and working with compressed, or "zipped," files. WinZip not only unzips files - it offers such useful options as the ability to "check out" a program by running an of its associated files. WinZip can delete all of the files as well as the entire archive. WinZip also adds security by automatically virus checking any designated archives. The program supports a wide variety of compression formats including ZIP, LZH, ARJ, ARC, and such Internet formats as TAR. $29; Nico Mak Computing, info@winzip.com

Zip Code Book 3.1

WIN

An indispensable online business reference, Zip Code Book for Windows provides cross-referenced address information in a format that couldn't be easier. The program presents only three fields: zip code, city, and state. Fill in any one of these fields, and Zip Code automatically determines the other fields. The program also supplies you with the correct area code for any city in question. In addition, Zip Code Book can be a handy time-saver when you don't know the zip code or area code for a particular city. $25; Ultimate Software, 800-925-3147, ultimate@iquest.net

LYNN CINSBURG writes for a variety of technology magazines including Wired, Windows, NetGuide, and Communications Week. She is also a shareware reviewer for Ziff-Davis Interactive. MARK BINDER is a novelist and contributing editor to the Mac Home Journal. He is also the editor-in-chief of Light Productions, a freelance writing service.

You can download most of the shareware titles listed here from our software libraries on America Online (keyword: hoc or Microsoft Network (go word:hoc)