& LIGHT-YEARS! - TRS-80 Color Computer Archive

documents over to a full-featured word
processor for editing and printing.
The Desktop's outliner, while no
MaxThink, is a solid worker. You can
expand the current outline level, ex
pand all levels, show the current level
only, collapse the current level, show
the main level only, or promote and de
mote the current item and its subsets.
The database manager is a great
way to create, view, and edit dBasecompatible
database files. Printing data
is easy, though you've got to use the
notepad to do so. But as easy as print
ing data is, I would have liked more
flexibility in defining the records 1 want
to select.
The program's appointment sched
uler outperforms many stand-alone re
minder programs. It offers the essential
features, like a monthly calendar dis
play, as well as options for defining re
peating appointments. The built-in To-
Do List works well enough, sorting
itself by priority and allowing for future
to-do items. You can also assign items a
starting and an ending date.
The three desktop calculators are
each designed for a different kind of
Kids are key to America's future. And so are computers.
By the year 2010. virtually every job in our nation
will require some computing skills. That means preparing
all of our youth today to take on technology tomorrow.
Our students' math and science scores are far below those
in other countries. To excel in our high tech times, our
kids need to catch on to computers. They're tools that can
inspire them to think more independently. More creatively.
math. The Algebraic calculator offers a
visual scrolling tape, the Financial cal
culator emulates the Hewlett-Packard
12C calculator, and the Programmer's
calculator operates in and converts be
tween hexadecimal, octal, binary, and
decimal number systems.
PC Tools Deluxe'* telecommunica
tions module includes background com
munications capabilities, XMODEMprotocol
support, and a script language.
The program's macro editor lets you re
define keys on the keyboard and assign
commands and keystrokes to those
keys (subject to some limitations). If
you use the macro editor with the ap
pointment scheduler, you can run pro
grams or enter DOS commands auto
matically at preset times.
With all it has to offer. PC Tools
Deluxe is a terrific one-shot power
boost to any PC or compatible. But
there's room for improvement. Help
screens could be better, with beginner
and expert help files that you can read
from the disk. It would also be helpful if
the notepad supported more file for
mats and offered more cursor-control
options. Lastly, the program would
benefit from a pop-up 7-2-i-compatibIe
spreadsheet program for editing work
sheets.
Those criticisms notwithstanding,
the breadth and depth of PC Tools De
luxe assure it a place in the world of
power computing. Fortunately, its ease
of use extends its reach even further,
bringing full functionality to both ex
pert and novice at an extremely attrac
tive price. Instead of spending your
money on several packages, this one
program can do it all. Few programs
cover so much ground so well for so
little.
— J. Blake Lambert
PC Tools Deluxe, version 5.0
For...
IBM PC and compatibles—$79
From...
Central Point Software
15220 NW Greenbrier Pkwy. #200
Beaverton, OR 97006
(503)690-8090
And...
Owners of version 4.0 can update for $15.
The Computer Learning Foundation is a non-profit
organization that's taking the lead in computer literacy
efforts nationwide. We're bringing together companies,
state departments of education, national non-profits and
local groups.
Our Computer Learning Month in October is a focus for
thousands of community and classroom programs. We've
involved millions in discovering the benefits of computing.
7Tif Computer Learning Foundation is sponsored by: Academic Computing-. Broderbund Software, Inc.. Classroom Computer Learning, Compile! Computer Gamfnfl World
Electronic Learning, IBM Corporation, mCider Magazine. Logo Computer Systems. Inc.. MECC. Mindscupe. Inc.. Prodigy Services Company. Scholastic Software'". Inc.