PC MAGAZINE
`
`LIBRARY
`
`
`
`
`
` ek ia12] 5 ara)
`
`THE INDEPENDENT GUIDE TO IBM-STANDARD PERSONAL COMPUTING
`
`VOLUME 8 NUMBER 20
`
`Pick Your Wor
`Processor
`Word, WordPerfect,
`And DisplayWrite
`Dominate the Market
`
`B Which Is Best?
`
`‘
`
`
`
`
`
`eee@
`@b
`a
`e
`
`taistaad seuheeeehiaeaaa = COMPUTERS
`Lotus 3 vs. 2.2:
`All the Speed You
`ae Power or Speed—
`Need? PC Labs
`“necory You Can’t Have Both Tests 13 25-MHz
`DO NOT REMOVE
`=
`386 Machines
`ig Mac | fo
`FROM THIS ROOM
`—
`=
`Mightier Than the
`Send Binary Files
`a Mouse:24 Digitizing Through E-mail
`Tablets for
`With DEBUGSCR
`CADD and DTP
`
`
`
`= They Run Under OS/2—
`Does It Matter?
`
`= HowGood Are They
`At Desktop Publishing?
`@ls There a Printer
`They Can’t Handle?
`
`|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`~~
`
`[ValveExhibit1056
`
`Valve Exhibit 1056
`Valve v. Immersion
`Valve v. Immersion
`
`

`

`Microsoft Excel
`
`Cotnplete Spreadsheet with Business Graphics
`and Database
`
`

`

`........
`
`A~ERTUftl! 10 0 0
`
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`
`-
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`
`A
`
`' s
`
`

`

`Today's premium PC
`without the
`PremiumTM price . • •
`
`Its Wilma of PC t.~?·
`:i~'s 1988 n((;llld for
`Ttdrmtnl E.xcdltlltA'. u.~u
`tl\-st .lmtl"lm fur Qur m:lnme~·s
`in J861M ttv:lmol11gy. With
`tlr>r imrodrlftion of tire
`~;-
`P<JW~•rf/.r.r U\*'"• dt'$ign4'd 11
`;.· • .J
`l
`~~em tl~t romlml<'S Pl:lilt·m J86S)(TN
`tmd jf861M upgmdilnlthJ willt un
`lll'!ulldtlnrc of <tar:dslrd fraturrs.
`
`Tlsr ALR PUIA·rFk.r CVJih""
`stmrdllrd willt t-MB of tt&:Jill
`mf.IIWry with bflill·m hiJrdCL\ttt
`EMS 4.0 r-"J1Pi"' let$ ymr
`imm(lltalfly tmuk t ftt 64/J·Kb
`llllrrin fo nr11 n/1 mm:t.Jry
`irrtcnsit'C' applrraticm~.
`
`(IN> JtO"''rptl .J()..hfH hiJnJ tltJ: ulirlf'lr ~
`$llltul:m:l rquipmc111 orr tlrt P~rFic.r
`prcmidr< #UTQgt f<!r IIPI"oximalt'ly
`20,000 ~~ of doomrmtllliolf •
`
`lmrMihltt upgra4•· path to J6·MH;
`386SX artd 25-MN: i486 /(('111Wil1gy
`lmilgirt( li\'ing al:ir to roo:~ (/ w86-
`tusrJ l=y::lc'IJI for less tllmr ir rcould
`o~ r {ot rlrt romJit'ltliorb 386 ¥rm·
`Now until December 31,
`1989, save SSO with ALR's
`manufacturers rebate on the
`386SX Upgrade Module.
`
`A1..A
`
`... -
`
`ALA
`
`AST D 10
`
`12.5
`MHl Mtz
`
`lfi
`Mtz
`
`25
`Mtz
`
`At ALl~ we've built our reputa(cid:173)
`tion on d~ivering pr~mium
`PCs without the premium
`price. The new PowerAex
`286-based PC combines ~r­
`formancc. quality and innova·
`rion for only $1495. Compared
`to the competition, the
`PowerAex is the premium
`286-based PC.
`
`The f>owerAex blends innova·
`tion and the most affordable
`upgrade path with more
`standard features, while pro(cid:173)
`viding 100% compatibility for
`all of your favorite software
`applications. When your ilppli·
`c-ation needs grow, the innova(cid:173)
`tive PowerFlex grows right
`along with them. The 386/i486
`
`Feature Connt.'Ctor tnmsforms
`the 286-based PowerFlex to
`386n1 or i4861 "' technology in a
`matter of minutes. This pro(cid:173)
`prietary upgrade path protects
`your investment from "future
`obsolescence· and stiU saves
`you hundreds of dollars.
`
`The PowerAex delivers
`
`1terral
`
`

`

`PC MAGAZINE
`
`LIBRARY
`
`REFERENCE COPY
`
`DO NOT REMOVE
`FROM THIS ROOM
`
`_ SPREA~
`Lotus 3 vs. 2.2:
`All the Speed You
`Power or Speed(cid:173)
`Need? PC Labs
`You Can't Have Both
`Tests 13 25-MHz
`386 Machines
`
`1
`
`I
`[ __ ~_!:_TERN~E INPUT
`Mightier Than the
`Mouse: 24 Digitizing
`Tablets for
`CADD and DTP
`
`Send Binary Files
`Through E-mail
`With DEBUGSCR
`
`VOLUME 8 UUIABER 20
`
`THE INDEPE140Et1T GUibE TO IBIA·STMIOARD PERSONAL CC»4PUntfG
`
`tiOVEr.tBER 28. 1989
`
`Pick Your Wor.
`Processor
`
`Word, WordPerfect,
`And DisplayWrite
`Dominate the Market
`• Which I Be t?
`• They Run Under 0 /2-
`Does It Matter?
`• How Good Arc T hey
`At Desktop Publishing?
`• Is T here a Printer
`They an t Handle?
`
`•
`
`-. '
`• • ~ --
`
`I • •
`
`Copyrighted material
`
`

`

`Microsoft Excel
`
`Cotnplete Spreadsheet with Business Graphics
`and Database
`
`

`

`........
`
`A~ERTUftl! 10 0 0
`
`/&..
`
`-
`
`.
`
`. . . . ....
`... . . ...
`~1- ~ --· ---
`---
`-
`-
`-
`--·--
`:
`~~ ...
`==--
`l·l I==
`--
`~~ ------ ---
`---- ----
`---
`--
`
`· ~ ::::
`
`: ~ : : .... . . . . : . . . . . . . .. . . .. ... .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`---
`
`-...
`~ •"' ::;
`~ . - •
`.
`~ ::: ::;
`...
`.
`0
`~ . .
`~ c
`...
`::;
`!
`::;
`~
`... ~ ;
`~ ;
`.._,
`:
`..
`::::;
`~ .
`~ !
`~ !
`I ' l
`~ ... ::;
`
`~
`~
`::::;
`
`' ~ I f , ~ \ 0 I
`I \I ~ ~
`r ROF I 'r
`~1 .\llHI'
`
`.... _._ ..... ___ ......,..
`·-----·-----...
`.....,..._ .................. ~~
`, _ _. .......................... ....
`.... .._.... .... -~
`
`.............. IW" ..... _ ... , . .
`
`--·-........ ----~-.
`......_......~,.,.._, ..........
`-----.... -~--
`- ................... -
`.... _.__. ............. .
`... -............ -·-·-
`........... --.-........-.
`--
`
`. . . . . . . . . J/11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`..
`FifE
`
`A
`
`' s
`
`

`

`Today's premium PC
`without the
`PremiumTM price . • •
`
`Its Wilma of PC t.~?·
`:i~'s 1988 n((;llld for
`Ttdrmtnl E.xcdltlltA'. u.~u
`tl\-st .lmtl"lm fur Qur m:lnme~·s
`in J861M ttv:lmol11gy. With
`tlr>r imrodrlftion of tire
`~;-
`P<JW~•rf/.r.r U\*'"• dt'$ign4'd 11
`;.· • .J
`l
`~~em tl~t romlml<'S Pl:lilt·m J86S)(TN
`tmd jf861M upgmdilnlthJ willt un
`lll'!ulldtlnrc of <tar:dslrd fraturrs.
`
`Tlsr ALR PUIA·rFk.r CVJih""
`stmrdllrd willt t-MB of tt&:Jill
`mf.IIWry with bflill·m hiJrdCL\ttt
`EMS 4.0 r-"J1Pi"' let$ ymr
`imm(lltalfly tmuk t ftt 64/J·Kb
`llllrrin fo nr11 n/1 mm:t.Jry
`irrtcnsit'C' applrraticm~.
`
`(IN> JtO"''rptl .J()..hfH hiJnJ tltJ: ulirlf'lr ~
`$llltul:m:l rquipmc111 orr tlrt P~rFic.r
`prcmidr< #UTQgt f<!r IIPI"oximalt'ly
`20,000 ~~ of doomrmtllliolf •
`
`lmrMihltt upgra4•· path to J6·MH;
`386SX artd 25-MN: i486 /(('111Wil1gy
`lmilgirt( li\'ing al:ir to roo:~ (/ w86-
`tusrJ l=y::lc'IJI for less tllmr ir rcould
`o~ r {ot rlrt romJit'ltliorb 386 ¥rm·
`Now until December 31,
`1989, save SSO with ALR's
`manufacturers rebate on the
`386SX Upgrade Module.
`
`A1..A
`
`... -
`
`ALA
`
`AST D 10
`
`12.5
`MHl Mtz
`
`lfi
`Mtz
`
`25
`Mtz
`
`At ALl~ we've built our reputa(cid:173)
`tion on d~ivering pr~mium
`PCs without the premium
`price. The new PowerAex
`286-based PC combines ~r­
`formancc. quality and innova·
`rion for only $1495. Compared
`to the competition, the
`PowerAex is the premium
`286-based PC.
`
`The f>owerAex blends innova·
`tion and the most affordable
`upgrade path with more
`standard features, while pro(cid:173)
`viding 100% compatibility for
`all of your favorite software
`applications. When your ilppli·
`c-ation needs grow, the innova(cid:173)
`tive PowerFlex grows right
`along with them. The 386/i486
`
`Feature Connt.'Ctor tnmsforms
`the 286-based PowerFlex to
`386n1 or i4861 "' technology in a
`matter of minutes. This pro(cid:173)
`prietary upgrade path protects
`your investment from "future
`obsolescence· and stiU saves
`you hundreds of dollars.
`
`The PowerAex delivers
`
`1terral
`
`

`

`See US81
`
`e COtnDIII7fall '89
`
`NoYember 13-' 7' 1989
`Balty'a LM v.g..
`Las Vegas. Nevada
`Booth 8130
`
`.. TheALR PowerFlex™
`
`ALA PowerF/ex
`
`AST Premium 1
`
`"' 286
`
`12.5-~
`1·MBRAMon·bollrd
`
`( •• ,.ndlble to 5-6118}
`
`IO· M~
`1·MB RAM on.Qid
`te~CPQIIdable tO 2·MB)
`
`O·WaitState
`Ccproceuor&lppon
`80287&-MH%.. 104.1H.t
`No"4)p011
`1.2-MB AoWfDtlve
`4().M9 Hard Disk
`$ Av~~SI«s
`EMS ~.O~n
`AT Footprint
`$2995 Mcdel· f40X
`386Systems
`
`0· Wat State PQOed
`C~O<:eS$0(~11
`8028710 MHz
`80C287 '2-MH:z
`t _..MB A~Drlw
`40-MB Hatd Disk
`6 AV<Wable Expansion S1als
`EMS 4.0 Suppott
`SmaH Foofprim
`$1495
`
`$3$5 ALR 1$-~l386SXModult I S1 S95- AST386FAS'Tbo.1rd·38G
`
`$1890
`
`$4590
`1486 Systems
`S2995 • 25-Mitll486 ~
`~~~otltl intemal11oabngi)Oinl'" Math
`Coprooo:;w ~ 8 •KB of intorNJ
`cache
`$4485
`&.IJ'ISIM ~·~
`
`Not Available
`
`NR~Oo·ftONO.~~
`
`USA
`~
`1..8l)-3371n2 1-80().~
`
`12$-MHz ~based process-(cid:173)
`ing, 1-MB of RAM with built-in
`EMS 4.0 support, 40-MB hard
`disk storage and a 1.44-MB
`3-1/r floppy drive, aU within a
`small-footprint d esktop chassis.
`
`With Pow erFlex, we continue
`our tradition of providing the
`most innovathre PCs at a (rae-
`
`tion of the com petition's price.
`A tradition w hich started back
`in 1986 when we released the
`world's first 386-based PC.
`Call today for the name and
`n umber o f you r nearest author(cid:173)
`ized ALR reseller, and get a
`first hand look a t today's
`premium 286-based PC.
`1-800-444-4ALR
`
`ClRCLfHiSON RI!AOERSERVJaCARD
`
`~ .
`
`e1~t~~::
`
`9401 Jeronimo. Irvine, CA 92718
`<714) 501~170 FAX (714) 581-92..0
`..._.. .... ,., ....... :.-..--............... .....,..,....-
`................. _.....,....._.,..~~~ ......... ~ ""'
`.....,., ................................................. ...
`........... .,. ....................... c.....,..... ...... ..
`.............. ........................... ..
`vopyrighted material
`
`

`

`Inside
`
`lnca.seyouhaven'tOOticed. we live ~ or as Clus B. sujtabl&foruse any-
`in m dcc:tromagnetk wcrtd. Ill fact.
`where. Unfortllnllely forClOIDpder
`if you oould see all d tbe waves. nrys.
`manufactlm:tl. the appliCibon and
`and fields thai everyday~ emil.
`testina process for <lass B oetti6c:llioo
`you wouldn 'uee an )'thins else.
`can take up to 18 frusrratina months.
`Though few conclusions have been
`Generally~ the IICNe-far~
`reached by biologisu and pbysJclsu, ot Om B swu.s lodlc:tles beG« OYetall
`aJanns about the potential dangers of enginc:ering.andifyouctnbuy a€l&u
`electromagnetic radiabon ~starting to B machine, you 5houla. All of JBM'&
`ring more loudly. " Scientisc.'l Debate andCompaq's machines. foreumple,
`tblltl~ofEkoarlti&J«!dc~" areaass B. The 13evaluationsof25·
`warned arec~tNew Yor.tTimuheAd· MHz 386rnacf\lnes In this issue....,.
`line. The gist of
`vised by assi.S•
`the advice given
`tarteditorMat-
`mew J. Rals IRI
`in the article by
`some worried ex-
`lncrodoced by
`ptW: don't 8£1 too
`. . wrill:r Qilb-
`cbe 10 )'OUr cof.
`c:rine D. Miller,
`fa: n:a:bDc.. tbDc
`all fclture ~
`twice 'before you
`ds that bave
`U$C your vacuum
`Oa$1 B oeltifi-
`cadoo.
`cleaner. throw
`away your elcc-
`aectron~~~&-
`l'rK blanket, and
`ocdc fora:s .00
`don't even ask
`figure into an-
`about the power
`ocher scctioo of
`lines bdlind your
`this issue. Con-
`ln&9c--)wdon't
`aibuling editors
`wane to know.
`....._..._ ...._J. Aoeeend _....., Fl'lllk Biam IDd
`c.a.tne o....,,... tt. otb QOftM mecHne Winn L. Rosch
`PCs also gcn-
`ente large doc- a.. A;"*.._ .• OCII'IIpltllf'l,... a.. I. ~ 24 dig-
`aic nl magnetic fie Ids-up to 3 mctcn
`itizing tablets. the vast majority of wiDc:b
`acmss--whc:X'leeffec:ls are being dcbollcd.
`u.sec:lcxtJocr~ ~as lhciri'I¥Xl.B
`You may rccaJJ that wben laptops first
`operandi. In his introduction. Rosch
`came 01*> the !KlCnC. airtines were rduo-
`expl.aim the diffen:nccs lll1lOllJ ekclrtr
`lfi(Jgnetic technology. ruismoe fkcod.
`~ 10 allow~ 10 ~ tbem
`ing. and btallikcsonic trio~~gMiation.
`aboGudaplaoe. fearing tbat their radia-
`tion could interfere witb naviJIIion.
`By the way, ROICh tq)QI1S Chi& wflm
`How did "'~know that the airlines he's eval~ machines In his aowded ·
`were wrong? It's the Pederal Commu· bome office, three or four we somo(cid:173)
`times tunnina ~ widl their
`nlc:atiom Comrnluion (K'C) lhaf regu-
`J.ates the IIOOUnt of ndiation emission coven removed ln c!le Lab Noces sec(cid:173)
`acaptable from a PC. After all. if your doo d a fumre Issue, Rolcb analyzl!ls !he §
`PC isn' t adequately insulated, your JX*f1lial hazardsddeaJon-aneticJ~. A
`neighbor's TV rc:c:eption c:ouJd Mrer.
`dial ion gt~ICIIted by PCs lnd peripbcr-
`o
`~
`The FCC classifies PC boxe$ citbet als and fills you in on ways to proccct
`as Class A. suitable for office usc only. younelf .-l)onald P. Wm.att
`IC_... • .........,._ • ...._.,..._..~ _. ...... ,
`n
`...... ._ .... .._...-. . .. _..,.,._ .
`-.......----~-·,·· ......... .._...,..... •• ,. ....... ,.,.. .. c.-a. ................... ......
`----·00-~6---CIO--
`
`a I
`-~·- ·- c.. co. ... -. .... ______ . __ , __ . _ _..
`
`Copyrighted materiaJ
`
`

`

`FEATURES
`
`ALTERNATE INPUT
`l>igiti:dng Tabltb: Poinling lht Way lo ~ Input
`Prank Bicon and Winn L Rmc+J.r Whether you· n: WI
`:111tst loulung for a way to pwnt a SCTOCn ~ accunucl)'
`ora CADc~pen uying to truce drawings intoAutoCAD.
`then: ·l> n. Ulb~t for you among the 24 models in this
`evaluation.
`Ho,.• l>ljtl!Wng 'l'abltts w~
`t't:atunsT~
`
`fm CONNECTlVTTY
`Building WorkgroupSolutJoos: LAN M.ana&tmtol
`Systnn5
`!•rank J Dtrjltr. Jr.l SitU~~$ an thecen!etol your LAN.
`1~\.~Ct!r.ltcd LAN man~nt sy!>lems provide wmchful
`I!)~ and help )<IU poe tnlUb4cc;uiy PC LAN Lub
`evalUllle..' h:&nJwate/M)fiw:lre cc"nblnati(ln' frvm
`Cnblctron S~~lll). Proccon. and SynoplJCl>
`E! llow LAN ~t ~tmS CIUia' lofCII'IDadoft
`E!J Fear11res Tablt
`
`PROOUCTlVITY
`
`!
`
`m LABNOTES
`Providinj: P'roju'am Access to the Real DOS
`F.nvirocunenl
`Barry .%mNt/ lf you follow the ndes. the pro;r.lnl" you
`wntecan<hange only a trunSicnt cop)•oft.hc
`environment.
`mJ UTiunes
`~ Binary FUe'rran4erThYOU~ ASCn Text Flies
`Mif'lllU'I J. Mtffiu-dl With OP.RUGSCR you C3ll :iet~tl
`..
`btn.ll)• file-- \)\'C.r MO and <Kher c·m:ul )CtVIC~
`mJ EHV1RONMEHTS
`:w Beyond tbt ~ltnt ~ lnlnfatt of the
`Presentation ~r
`Clu.ui~J. Pt-nuldl A progr.tmmet' "'te!Uivtty tleed not f:lll
`vit'Um co SUllld:ln:li.l.Cd handling or metiU! Wid scroll bar$.
`
`.....
`
`~Produd
`
`EcMottll Produd IndeX
`IndeX to~
`~
`
`PROOUCTlVrTY
`Em POWER PROGRAMMING
`Arithmttk Routines for Your Computft'
`Prognum. Putl
`Ruv Vuncattl 'fhJl> in~tn!Jmcna CO\'d'll ~auon .
`subunctton. and multipfiC'3Uon. both m gcnemlizcd C-
`like form and in full MSC:mbly Wl,gu~ rouuocs.
`mJ SPREADSHEET CUNIC
`Do«glaJ CobhmrdSrevttl Cobb/ De' -eloping E.ud
`\\'Oftshoct.s i!\ Cll.'>)' using n:l31h"t mngc nnmes./-1-J'
`ftt A ND function locates subilring.~" ithin a string.
`ml USER·T().USER
`· Ntil J. HtdwnkinJll l lrut batch h it'\ w11hou1 tlepend1ng oo
`u..er inCC:I''tntioo to ~~11tlhem, hny REO COM
`retl3JOe o,ulxJirectOfi~. c~r-cn '" OOS 2.0.
`mJ POWER ~
`Cro~t L StarlrJ Style ~4!¢l\ ;~n: the pt:r1o.;l w~y 10 wutt
`3fOU.Ild M krowft Word':, lonna tung ddauJ~ how to run
`WordPrrf«r 5.0 from lloppy di.Sk.s
`mJ LANGUAGES
`Tom• Rr:=tll Problcan'> rc..'ult "'hen an ~dtn:IN trethod of
`a ThrbO P.J.,c:il Mject call\ a l'(M"Iruaor method; :a W:t)'
`tO put :tn ordered ~~ Ill r.uWom order
`mJ TUTOR
`Tony Ri!UII Learn \\flat device drivel!> an: 3nd how they
`are loaded and ininnli1.ed by DOS.
`Em CONNECTMTY CUHIC
`1:ronk J IJtrfkr. Jr I Rettul:lltnlt .,...rtware tK.'C»-"~ let-.
`)'()U u.~ yuur~um:nt-.oftwa.n: VII :a LAN .
`
`AFTER HOURS
`EIJ • Vr«4'1: Slr.q) ywn.c:lf tn.
`• A rsdl3tJon <,en>« lor )OUt PC
`• C<IJAifllttll c~ home' frm\
`the tmll
`• Slrau tNI o OU ~1\0 ~'OUI
`PC:s~ul dlm:oon
`I!!J ABORT, RETRY, FAIL?
`RiJJ Hu~~owd
`
`I
`
`I i
`
`I
`
`NO~IJBtA 2! 1989 PC tMGALJNE . .
`py
`al
`
`

`

`-
`~1"-flnd ~OI~Ktcw IUI M~IIlM
`~f~&II~ Gul Ytrdno
`EDcUII\oe Editor. WHt Coot ()penoDonl ~.n OkJ,:~
`
`WOitQroup ~· fcMor FrankJ. Oelfler.Jt
`Senklf Edlot R!ltlbiii Jufl'
`SeniOf T ectlnlcal !dlof l orrr Rizzo
`s.nlof &Mot, TICMicel Coklnlnl er.·o L Stn
`s.nlof £diiM, w..t Oole4 ~ l " The
`M.neg~no £dlon Dono a~. PoLl! B. A<n4
`~. Copy Edit Lrolll.oJ< &.cH ~ tcMor8Ketyn Bens.I.Cary Kalhleen A,1Y\
`Joflllll\an Mlml11. Trudy tfoul\ws, EdwW L Porr.an, Oan:Rs P. Wllmacl ~Editor
`Kettn A. Ctntt AlelltMI ~lon Edleofl Jtlmlt A~ 10"1 ~oet s..t Writer
`Clrlhort'o 0 . Milot s.lt £dlloB Glon Oodlo<, ~ 1<. Losoo, Rode Mftlf, Sharon 10100111¥\.
`JeclnlW la110 AMitiUJnt ~lOll GMoln. a.t J. Hnctl. ~ W. Muchtnof&, In! Orodow,
`M. ~· Rldls, M.C:tww J. AoGt.. 011~ M. Stallion, Jula oo ~ Edltoltll AMIIIInlt
`~ J. NdiiO!l Nna Samnoel. Nett Coller\. SuA~~ L I~ WOfWt( Murc7\. An' Murr:rt.
`AM Slltmlan Proohlderl ~ tl . Bttml&l\ Root\ B. Bomsleh Gtontrll ........ MINIQif
`Tam ~ ~ llwlfWM ~ Allon \Yd"=' IJbrlrien llloma$ w. GIM*
`A.-...nt ~ IN ~I'll Olttctor De\\d a.lo(lf Coet Co!ICrolw c-dlnator Jod Sd!lfllon
`A~ Aulltanb Ctw.1na ~ Ft04lll. S'1\lolt.¥co4 Eclltorlll Stcnlaorlet ~ Afrtd.
`Cll/Wf11 Falconol, Jllan M. A :do Olfabue A..a.tMrl Dobrcs WI~
`C«''lrtbulfng Edllora Filii\\ 811:811. Ray Out~ea/1. Jcl'tn C. lh'Onlk. SPJophan ~. Md\aol J. Mcrtml,
`EOMvd ~ ~ PW0'1 AJ'Nd POOf, J«f PtONt. ~~~ Rls)jo, \\Inn L. Roed\
`Nof J. ~ Jm ~. Actl.lrd ~~ SNw. LuiSa Smono,M. O:t~ ~. E1!\¥1 '1rNH.
`\\\llr\F~
`~. PC flllleHM CMslopiiCW a- Edlt0f1al l.Jat.on, PC flllleNit MCIIMI COhn
`~~PC~ OomaJ.~ Sytop, PC ~Nit-!eU!Iertr
`OII'IQor, ~ lnd ~ ~ Gera'd Klmlld
`M 01~ Jiny TO!tOftNI AModttl M Dhciora ~ Conoo~et, ~ Nldota. o.nse Pla1IJn
`A..-...nt M Olreclkn NciG Chi.!, Guy W. l<aplr:IW, ~Mil V~ a.etronie GrlpNc AtOMe
`Simone &1M. O.lld F'OSiof. lint ~5
`~. PC l.lbe F~ E o..,.
`~. PC UO. 9na F'room011 s.not ~ St.lltl R. GniGn!lerg f'rotiCi ~
`~YI, ~. ~J lofl~. ~nw.. ~T9*Cl ""-ic~Jo~ F. Rlz.:o
`SyAinl ~ MenegerCNit• ~ Sy11t1111 ~ppof1 ~-Millo~.
`~w: P..~
`Lab ANietent. lA& .M Ben. ~A 06dy, Margatet 1.. f'llnlorl* lnwneoty Con1Tot 1i1et110W
`John A Ootancrt lnwntoty c-trol CooniNiora 1>«11r 81Uo1dt, EIIC: ~ ~'Y .......,.. Cox
`- ~ E:k ll~u
`AsiiOG~ Publlehef J. Sa:rul Hucrt
`~.IMitcMifiO ~ "~ 01~. , . ... Mel~ ~l l<eYti~ Minegw.
`~It "-'cct N~ Mdos Pu~ ~~ Ohctor Jozl:al<.ol".oy Eftt'IIS llllllneQir
`Sl.lcy 0 CoMIII SUbec~ ~ P;aul Star.ooo SinO .. Copy 8MM Ohetor A40elt Wofl&rtOcfi
`......_,t Producdon Ol~cw L)TW'I Pentz~ Pl-odluGtlon ... ,..._ MCh.IMII ~.
`VIOII Egan f\001 ~ Ptocluetlotl .......,., Mlll'f*M Pllld'let Edltorfll Producdon
`CoordiiNiof8 Jo.Ann H""'*' ~ ~ Produellon SyiCMII SupeMIOf Llnd4 Ht~ms
`ProducUon 5ywtlna Aslllllanl LIIlO/I GJ.w011
`Ad\ltttltlng Olb: one Pall! Ave .. ~~~"~ Yorll. tiV 10018; (2121 503·5100
`
`liFF· OAVIS PUBI.ISHINO COMPANY
`......,... w..., lot'44l
`-~....,..,. ............ ,. ...... ~
`!ltftlet '1\c!e '-'doN J 9acc &IQoo
`one.,........, CoMrolw ~(I '"laCtOS
`
`Vk·~~8.UII0r ....
`~,....,...,.,,_....A., """"""'
`
`liFF COMMUHICA TlONS COMPAHY
`Ct~e~tmen w-.. e. m. ~
`......... ~ .. ~
`Yloe Clioll,_, ~ a I<Oo'Mtt
`EDoiiiiW 'Woe ......... Pt..., 6N
`....... Yloe ~ 114'0""""'
`V~M.......,...s.- c.~
`J ~ ~ W'liliP; , . _ ,
`Dhctorof Ow . . . , ... ~Cdilir
`VIM,.,...._ eo..IW,IIIIId n-w.
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`VIc.~ CllooiMioa 11M la:y
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`Yloe ..................... -.m-,.,.,~~
`Yloe ~a...IIM,.,.,.... ~W-'t ..._
`Yloe ~ o. ........ $otl .......
`DlreCIIDt .. "'-*'' Galy A. o...&.locn
`,_.,., Olofc:tw W.,._ J. T.......,.
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`_ , _ _ _ _ c.., o...-~C1811~.,~Co. . a6-ofUI
`~Co ,.,_,__ , _ , . _ .. _.,. eCMII-..__.1>~ Tht~n
`---.,u~ eo: rc. rc~rc~I'C~ n.~ ... -
`.. 1)1
`~ Co. I'C MIIQoltoo • -• r-~ I'CMIIglaho ~ ~- rc WMAtco~. Ref) .
`1o11 ~c:a-; o...a .w~c..r-~ n...~.-..;- -~I'Ci ~rcuo~rc
`~. rc-. rc:T ... r. n.rc:~-n.von.~. - IIIW:~OHI:~~~
`
`- PC~ OOV£MBEO 28. 19ee
`
`Copynghted material
`
`

`

`'
`
`ntroducing the world's
`fastest PostScript printers
`
`ApplcLW
`nmx
`
`-16MHl
`
`054
`3.28
`
`1.36
`--
`S6,99S
`
`A QMS• Ccmpany
`
`0.90
`
`090
`
`$5,995
`
`$6,995
`
`Faster processing means faster results.
`This new speed demon's memory is
`The new QMS.PS' turbos are the highest(cid:173)
`expandable to 8MB. And it.s SCSI interface
`performing Adobe• PostScript• laser
`supports up to seven hard disks of
`printers on the market Propelled by a
`supercharged 20-MHz 68020 processor,
`unlimited size.
`they gi\>e you faster results-in-your-hand
`Do.We ,.ar owtwnat
`than the Apple• Laser\Vriter• n NTX.
`For twice the paper handling and twice the
`Mon lot- l ea
`prints per month, choose the QMS PS-820
`turbo. Based on the durable Canon· TX
`These hot new turbo machines ha'>e more
`engine. it has ~~ 200-sheet paper ca.~
`ad\•anced printing features, too. More host
`and a workhorse lO,O()()..page-monthly
`interfaces, more
`..... ~l.a..HI'Pri.un
`printer emulations,
`dut)' cycle
`lf}'ou've been waiting for a faster, more
`more resident type(cid:173)
`QMSJ'S
`820
`powerful PostScript laser printer. your wait
`faces. For a thousand
`turbo
`is o"-er. For more information or the
`dollars less than the
`20 MHt.
`NTX, you get the
`location o( the dealer nearest you, just call
`QMS-PS 810 turbo
`1·800-523-2691.
`023
`complete with the
`2.68
`RS 232. AppleTatk:
`and Centronics· Paral(cid:173)
`lel interfaces. Plus
`39 t>1>efaces.
`
`~~~eTlan··
`
`Q!o\S.PS
`810
`'])ope o(
`turllo
`~Printer
`~~ 20MH%
`023
`2.68
`
`u C~liliuQ At)
`2§
`
`1bt0Pt'
`-i!
`1bct • Crap~
`(I Pi)
`List Prlu
`
`

`

`~~~~;·November 28, 1989
`
`Volume 8 Number 20
`
`- - - - - -
`
`UP FRONT
`
`INSIDE
`Bl LETTERS
`liJ ADVISOR
`Lori Gnminl Recommended computer ~fcrmcc books:
`hc3d1J<Ul:mg progmms for lwd disk drives.
`
`~
`
`:c
`
`ot
`
`m RRSTLOOKS
`• .\ffordablc full -~rocn wum:uion
`-:omes co the desktop wich
`Aut~l's A nimalor.
`The DeScrlb' program
`bnng$ "'Onl prooe · mg to the
`0Sl2 ~tion Manngcr.
`8Gkr C:Of"f!Q mto ·~own liS a fuU-fcaturcd dc\'C
`platform for 1·2·3 power user...
`Outscandtng PostScript output from the HP user·
`kc-oomp.l.tiblc ~cartridge:.
`Thm \Ulic VGA images into video" ith Magni Systems'
`VGA Producer.
`P~"'tllur 3.0 /01' QSJZ Pnu:llllllion Mtut~~ter , poedl
`up~· de\ktop rubhllung c~.
`Mkrowft Works 2.0: The best low-end antcgntcd pc~ek·
`~e now doc:s windows.
`ID NEW AND .. PAOVED
`AliJJt Cohen
`1!1 PIPEUNE
`GusVrndmn
`
`DJ BlLL MACHROHE
`The IC3ding edge.
`m JOHN C. DVORAK
`lrnf»uence.
`m Inside rr~~ek
`li] JIM SEYMOUR
`The 286's lnst gasp.
`m WlU.WI F. ZACHMANN
`m STEPHEN MANES
`
`OS/2 ani\'CS.
`
`Ode to the spacebar
`
`COVERSTORV
`EJ WORD PROCESSING
`Two A~u and a King:~ Big 1brte Word
`~ R.aiw t.lx Ante
`F.d~\'arrl ltf(tllft'l.s4'HII IRM DifplayWritt' 512 C(lm(Nt~r.
`Mkrwoji Wurd S.O. and \Y()rdPufl'cl 5.0domtn31C
`today' s rwore.~)()fl31 :wt OOf1lOI".ltC word rroc~io~
`markets. All throe haVl: added fearure~ in alr.Vil!t)' ni
`Jreas. mcludin~ (Xl~e l:ayciUt oancJ ~~~~ tlesktop
`publishing Which or~ will lead the -way into the '90s?
`0u:r lwld~-on evruiQI~ and benctutwt leSI$ off a
`~clue~ .
`
`I ftahll'fti Table
`
`Pwr~ 1'csb
`lk-)'oad the Ria (;u~ 1'he ~ of lhe
`Otl1cr Word~
`
`FEAT\JRES
`
`COMPUTERS
`25-Ml:h ~: ~but Still Sbininc
`BruC'C Brm~·n a tid C aJJtt.riM D. M illul One of the best
`thin£_'i :t.bou1 the cutung cd~c j<, lh.1l if you look ju.~;t
`belund 11. )')U hrtd lower~. ~~· c;cnt.unly the~
`m the )80 ~nu. "'ben: 33-Mill. PCs (:b well a!> the
`~-t().anwc 4U ctup) ha\'C (om:d down the prices of
`stilllm~~lvc:ly fll.'it25·MHz. models. PC Labs
`c:xnmincs 13 25-MHz. machines. including systems from
`ACMA Computers. American MitiiC. AST Re!le41dl.
`Proteus TochnoloJ,.')'. Tandon. Tc:lc:Vidco. Unisys, and
`\Yy~ Technology.
`ftatumTabk
`PtrfOC'Iftlll« TtSts
`
`mJ SPREADSHEET ANALYSIS
`The New l.oCat4l I ·~# Jusc Enough, JUS1ln Tune
`M Do~id sw~l After more than a year of waiting. uscn
`are fiOIIlly getuogtheirhandson lotus's 1·2·3 upgrudes.
`Boch Rc:kase 2.2 and Release 3.0 have plenty of new
`fc:3lu.n::s. bul:m: they enoug)lto keep miUion.'i of de' 'CUd
`user5 in the LclcUS fold With COmpctltioD from the like!> Of
`Microsoft and Borland'? PC MaRa:i~·~ benchnwk tbtS
`und comprc:hc:nsh'C fc:atun::. ublc will help )'OU ~
`the right upgrade path.
`
`• ..... 1 ........ , ... ,_, ......
`
`t •t.at lll1:\ Table
`P'trfOrru.ncy T&~
`
`Copyrighted material
`
`

`

`Okay.
`You're a developer and
`nonnally you couldn't
`care less, but the budRets
`getting~ So ihey
`wonl buy the new mini
`after all which fries your
`bacon because the old
`one is overloaded.
`Whats more, Shipping
`will join you on the
`system tomorrow.
`No big deal You'll
`only share your mini
`with 40 more people.
`And 5 applications
`due next week.
`
`With ProJesslonal ORAO.E~ every(cid:173)
`thing you dt\t&lp on a minl )'Ou can
`de\'dop on a PC. Which means you
`don' h3\'e to wait ror e\'ei}'OOe tO go
`home to get decent S)'Stem response.
`And you won't have to compeee with
`p~~orotherde\~
`What's more. Pro6esslooal ORAClE
`is exactly like ORACLE on a mini or
`mainmme. Same docurnel'l\atioo. same
`tools. same e\,ything.
`So )"'U cat1 develop v.•ith all )'<lur
`Wllili.lr tools. And then port )"'ur
`appliation to I he oost with no dla~
`You c.an ha'\-e Professional ORACLE
`for only S1,299. Or the Trial Version
`for sm
`1£ you're not happy. retum il within
`30 days for a fuU refund.
`can 1-800-0RACL£ t. Ext. -«52
`to order. And enter the computing
`emrirooment of the 90S.
`ORACLE.
`
`<MlJ*Qillt • ~l)·· Cunecs~n.y
`
`Develop \\~th ORACLE on the PC. instead Calll-800-0RACLE L Ext 4452.
`
`

`

`We're Changin The Way
`We®£~~P~t~!S ~E~~~~lJY.!~
`
`Systems.
`We give you fully-loaded systems without
`loaded prices. Now you can get a
`lot more computer for a lot less
`money.
`
`computer, usually the next day, without charge.
`We even offer extended GE on-site coverage,
`as an option, for up to five-
`years. We also include a
`'
`Toll-Free HoUint Sm~ice. "'
`If you have questions or
`problems, just call us. Our Service
`Specialists are here, 6 days a week,
`to help you.
`
`High Performance
`Austin Computers uses the
`latest high· tech components:
`Memory Caching, Shadow RAM.
`and Integrated J/0. With the
`fastest RAM, fastest Video. and
`fastest Hard Drives, you gel a real
`winner. PC
`Magazi11e
`said it best when the)1
`presented the Editor's
`Clwice Award to our Austin
`286/12.5, 1'Austin Computer
`Systems has a winning
`combination of classy parts,
`smart design, high
`performance and aggressive
`pricing, all backed by aGE On(cid:173)
`Site Service Contract~ How can
`you lose?"
`
`American·Made Quality
`Austin Computer Systems
`offers American-made
`computers that we're proud to
`build and you'U be proud to
`own. We custom build each
`computer to your ~pecifications.
`Every system is thoroughly
`tested, burned-in, and checked through our
`Quality Assurance Lab before it is shipped
`to you. When computers are built this weU.
`you won't have any problems, but if you ever
`do ...
`
`Free On.Site Service
`Every Austin Computer is backed with a full
`year of free on-site GE Service. We send aGE
`
`-.................. ...., .. _ ..
`... ., .............. - .. ····"·
`. _ .. ·=· :-: ... ~.,., :.:: ~
`
`. -
`
`.
`
`Aggressive Pricing
`We keep our prices down to give
`you the best computer for the best
`value in the market.
`
`Low Monthly Payments
`Owning an Austin
`Computer System is easy with
`payments starting as low as
`$54.00 per 1Mnlh. Use our
`New Austin Credit Card or
`Business Leasing Plan.
`Just caU and we1J take your
`application over the phone in
`minutes. Individual accounts can
`be approved in as little as 1
`hour! Business ~ses take just
`1 day!
`Of course, we still take major
`credit cards, C. 0. D.'s, qualified
`Purchase Orders, and Personal
`Checks using our new Telecheck
`St!rvice.
`1:!:1 ,.
`
`30 Day Free Trial
`We guarantee complete satisfaction. H you're
`not satisfied, for any reason, just send it back
`and we will refund your hardware purchase
`price.
`So caU us today at l..S00-752-1577. Because
`anyway you stack it. Austin Computer Systems
`comes out on top.
`
`Gopyng tea matenal
`
`

`

`AU$tln 286/12.5 lndudes:
`t l1fU..Sift8Zit61'11c111Gt• ltefMI_.2CII._,
`ti'15111~MJ'Iilr) 1IHI~QaR.-­
`' SidwiWICJdt'4 I'm~ . . . . . . . c.ac.
`IAcq tM ~'IMIICII U$.1.a.J tEllS 11111 4 f S.C
`e . t)1li)OW411l Hr6Mit r.wr ...
`112Srill ,._ & lh*ll'olll l PS'!IfNl FIJI!
`IOcci ""_, ladl.t '*I!S1 Min t.of'ncr.r:u SOQct
`~....._, •u.s& r.atdmltaa.~~
`IJitoeW h:lS•~Sfllol'nQAatHrOOS 6 OS'!~
`lliMI IV.. C( O..Slll Qnb 1131 D1J W...r...
`'*rllllftfl alltG'nO.-.. ssuo pet mondl"
`awtctUI iloltlblle
`
`Austin 286/16 locludet;
`111m ''litt8fii)CII!Mtt1M!IWI~ 2u til
`• S M £...-or Slllsf1A~ •~\1lA!b;llf,_,
`,,_,il'M (J S' I._ titS~· U.lll) •IMStiiHO..,
`tSiiat'fiWI~ IJ;SCOIICI• f(lfl-l¥fOr:lCD
`IEnlcll m a'$ari •llttrt th• c...,_,.
`
`e1Sintft11& 1,_ftll•1?&11111al'lln
`• !laO .. J-.y~II8CIT-~ Saclel
`·~~--·~f4nn!IIAa:lil
`. .... "'- P"opp lhfr~ llde&'7Cr.ao*
`tiE IYilf(l~Srlb ~~~0...
`SWrtcams llloMtll*
`,...,. ~ · -•1'57 .«)pet 111011111"
`
`Easy Ways To Buy
`Owning an Austin Computer is
`easy with our new Austin Credit
`Card or Business Leasing Plan. Or
`course, we still take Major Credit
`Cards, C.O.D.'s, Quaified Purchase
`Orders. and Personal Checks using
`our new Telecheck Senrire.
`What's New At Austin
`CaD us about our VAR Program.
`Come see us at COMDEX.
`Nov. 13-17, Riviera Hotel Booth
`R871&. ~ comDEKJhl '19
`
`.,,,
`
`Call And Order Today!
`1-800-752-1577
`AJSfiN
`COMPUTER
`SYSTEMS
`ft'll~ ($lZ) C5-4-I~ •~ I ~l2H~l"
`Canada 1-800-827 -t1ACS
`b-Pri San-!IJa1 I Sa IQm· !:ca C!l
`Kim WtiiY st .. I AlSli\. TX :'8158
`
`L
`
`C'lltCLE S09 ON ltEAOEit SERVIO: CARO
`
`v01JYIIYI ll~O matenal
`
`

`

`Several steps faster than the competition.
`
`A $ \ 'Oll can plain I~~ scc,c,-cry E\\:n.·x STEP'"'!-)'!-t..:m. lrom one end of our IB1'vt' comp:ui~lc
`
`line to the ocher. runs :1 good deal faster than anythmg th..: competition has w orlcr.
`So ,f you're looking tor the :-~bsolute f.t·resr wa}' to run today's complex applica(cid:173)
`tion~. tt'!) time to takt· a closer look :1r our STEPs.
`vVhat you'll find is the rhing ch:1t makes them fa.c;ccr. N:1mcly. superior design. )io!Mi,;.;:,;a,/011
`One cx:-~mplc IS our propriewry AMMA · cache milnagcmcnt :trchicccwrc that lets •,•;:.',',~~,·
`you tear along at record spec is. CSf cciall~' in multi-user. nutlci-t:tsking :1pplic:1tion.o;.
`...
`And AMNIA is application transparent. So )'OU gam !-peed wirhmn losing compa t ibility.
`
`Copyrighted material
`
`

`

`Win two &ee tickets on American Ai.rlin s
`Bring_your business card to Comdex booth # H8206-H8406 to enter the contest.
`
`Better }'et. >'ou 'II find that STEP S~'Stcms arc about as flexible as they con1e. We offer,
`for instance. hoch snull-footprint and standard chassis sizes. 8 full-lcn~th expansion sloes.
`3 from panel selectable clock speeds. Plus BIOS support for over 60 drives.
`All brought co you by one of the f.lstcst growing computer companies in
`amcly. Everex. And a nationwide network of che finest resellers who
`America.
`ever configured a !))'Stem or supported a CtlSLomer.
`Which makes rour m·xt step a r:u her obvious onr. ( .. 111 1-R00-334-4552 for more
`EVEREll-
`infOnHauon an~i the nam~' of \'our nc:-~rc:-.r Amhnrized C\'crcx Rcscller. _
`
`, .. lt . . /'-~·
`
`ClltCU: 116 ON ltEAUE.R SEJWICIJ CMtO
`
`11atenal
`
`

`

`
`
`image
`not
`available
`
`•
`
`
`
`

`

`Letters
`
`riiiil STICKY GOOEYS
`1!!!!!1 f1 has been with mounting horrot that
`I havo walehed, ovett he years, tho devol·
`opment and spread of graphical
`interfaC85-f'lot because I begrudge their
`use by those who seem to need or lke
`them, but because their popularity mlghl
`mean~ end of oommand·llno lntorfaoos.
`Now, ~h the enthusiastic endorsomef\t
`or your magazlno ("The GUI: An Interlace
`You Won'1 Outgrow," PCMagaDn6. Sep(cid:173)
`tember 12, 1989), I fear the doom of the
`command-line Interface.
`I am a fast touch-typist with M IQ
`abo~ amblont. Whon I wort( at rrY'I com·
`puler, I want tho display clear of anything
`except what I put thoro ThOrolore: I hate
`menus; 1 hate mice; 1 hate loons; 1 hate
`borders. c:dors, flags, an<f whistles; I hate
`GUts! That one should lnCtll a perfor(cid:173)
`mance penalty for using them Is all the
`more lntoc.table.
`The day that upgrading my hardware or
`software means being forced to use onty a
`GUlls the day that I will cease to upgrade
`my PC and, if necessary, go baril to U&lOQ
`the university's mainframe.
`OW\4 G. Matthloson
`Gainesville. Aorida
`
`None of the anicles or reviews in the
`September 12 Issue on graphical inter(cid:173)
`feces mentioned a fact of c:ri11callmpor(cid:173)
`tsnce to some PC users: graphical Inter(cid:173)
`faces (GUis) are virtually unusable by the
`blind.
`Until recontly, pet$0tlal oomc>uters W1)re
`an unalloyed blessing to tho vlwally im·
`paired. Braille and speech lnterfacos to
`spreadsheets. word processors. and
`c