Tracker Plus - The Personal Contact Management System Copyright 1989 David W. Batterson I previously reviewed the Australian program called Tracker (in the January '88 issue of MicroTimes, and in an earlier version of "PC REVIEWS"). I gave it a favorable review, as it's a simple-to-use database designed for a sales person, user group, ad agency, school, insurance company, organization, video store, etc. In early '89, the company released an advanced version called Tracker Plus. (The original Tracker is still available too, now version 2.08). Tracker Plus is a high-end product, though, meant for businesses which have to track a significant volume of customers/vendors and data. Tracker Plus--like its predecessor--can be run as a TSR program or as a standalone application. In resident mode, it normally uses about 300K. So if you want it to run as a pop-up program (I don't myself), you'll want to use LIM/EMS expanded memory, extended memory or disk-swapping. Using the above, it will use only 32K of DOS main memory. Also, for TSR mode, you'll need to update your CONFIG.SYS file, by adding: FILES=30. A new calculator in Tracker Plus requires an additional 40K if you want it memory-resident too. This chunk of memory will come out of your regular 640K RAM, not expanded/extended/disk-swapping. Another desktop accessory features besides the calculator is the built-in calendar. You call it up by pressing C, while in any date field. A new appointment calendar shows you a week-at-a-glance, and an alarm will sound to remind you of appointments. There's a pop-up calculator also, with an optional "paper-tape" display. And a keyboard macro generator helps you cut down on repetitive keystrokes. Tracker Plus can have up to 10 different tracking programs in one. For instance, you might want to have one database for vendors, another for clients, a third for PR, another for warranty cards, ad infinitum; use your imagination to think up new ways to use it. Where the old Tracker had one notepad, where you jotted down notes about a particular person/company contact, now you have 10! These 10 notepads can be named whatever you choose, such as Personnel Records, Collection Letters, Invoices, General Notes, and so forth. I'm don't think you'll need to use all 10 notepads, however. One feature added to the notes section is the ability to change the date of notes. You can also edit the notepad content. If you plan to print labels, you can customize Tracker Plus exactly to your needs, such as 4 labels across, indent 5 spaces, etc. You can even print labels on one printer, while printing reports on a second printer at the same time; for example, an Epson-compatible printer on LPT1, and a laser printer on COM2. There are many more added features and improvements: password protection, data encryption, importing of ASCII data, transfer of records between databases via the Clipboard, and increased reporting ability (send reports to printer, screen or disk). It supports all printers too. Tracker Plus requires DOS 2.0 or later, a hard drive, and 300K RAM minimum (640K recommended). It supports all monitors. A modem is optional (if you want to use the Auto Dialer feature). Suggested list price is $395. The regular Tracker lists for $149.95 now. The manual is in a 3-ring binder (my favorite type!); both 5 1/4" and 3 1/2" disks are included, along with a keyboard template. What you DON'T get is the old packaging with the Aborigine on the cover, as it caused some controversy. I personally liked it very much for its unique style. For more information, contact Adaptive USA, Inc., 12595 Crenshaw Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250; phone 800-543-4329; 213-679-2112 (in CA); fax: 213-679- 2866. Ask if demos disks are still available. # David Batterson writes about various microcomputer applications. Contact him with comments via MCI Mail: 273-7218.