PC-Browse Ver. 1.00 - The file scan and hypertext tool Copyright 1989 David Batterson Hypertext is one of those "old" ideas that suddenly became new and fashionable, thanks in part to the success of Apple Computer's HyperCard. Ted Nelson is credited with the concept of hypertext. He wrote about it long before the Mac was even a blip in Steve Job's bloated ego. As of this writing I am still waiting to receive one of the commercial hypertext programs to evaluate. Since I didn't have one, I broke my rule of not reviewing shareware programs in PC REVIEWS. PC-Browse is shareware, but well worth a review. First a word about shareware. Programmer Bob Wallace coined the word shareware when he introduced PC-Write in 1983. His company, Quicksoft, is reportedly the second largest of all shareware companies. Shareware has changed over the years. The original and popular Procomm communications software is still distributed by shareware companies and on BBSs. But Procomm Plus is now a commercial product (the same thing with Red Ryder on the Mac side). Wallace's PC-Write remains shareware, but he now publishes a stylish catalog in which you can buy the registered version of PC-Write, along with many commercial programs related to writing. PC-Write now has more than 45,000 registered users. Along with making a nice living through shareware, Wallace has an admirable philosophy which I agree with 1000 per cent! Bob says that "writing is the primary tool that advances civilization. . . to help people create documents, helps the individual be creative, and furthers the evolution of society." With the way that so many adult Americans write today, we need all the help we can get to improve our communication skills through the written word. In spite of this being the video generation, writing is just as important as ever, and probably more so. That brings us back to our subject, PC-Browse, which Quicksoft calls "a file scan and hypertext information tool." So what does that mean? First of all, PC-Browse works like GOfer, searching for text strings and lost files. You can search by specific word, a phrase, or wild cards, and look through multiple directories. Then you can paste it into your application. A "Lookup" search finds a file within 1.1 seconds in a 2 MB file, using an AT or compatible. This is used, for instance, to search a large database for a customer name. The use of the hypertext capability is limited only by your imagination. To get your creative juices flowing, PC-Browse bundles some sample hypertext applications. They include a list of commonly misused words (like affect/effect and it's/its), an area code file, a cross-referenced segment of Hamlet, a decision tree, and others. Suggested hypertext uses include online help for a custom program, genealogical searches, a library of page layout styles, famous quotations, telemarketing scripts, or a menu to launch other programs. PC-Browse offers multiple windows, and a slew of parameters to set things like text buffer size, screen attributes, EMS, hot keys, and so forth. The program runs either in TSR mode--it takes up 60K RAM--or as a standalone program. If you make use of LIM EMS, it uses only 3K. The only other requirements are DOS 2.0 or above and "creativity." You can order PC-Browse from shareware companies, or download it from a BBS. Or order the registered version, which includes the manual and tech support, direct from Quicksoft for $49. Quicksoft offers phone tech support, as well as daily responses on CompuServe and BIX conferences. Contact Quicksoft, Inc., 219 First Ave. N., #224, Seattle, WA 98109; 800- 888-8088, 206-282-0452, FAX: 206-286-8802, MCI Mail: QUICKSOFT, CompuServe: 73247,257, BIX: pcwrite, TELEX: 6502755814 MCI UW. (Now that's communicating, Bob!) # David Batterson spends most of his computer hours writing and editing. Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.