Handy tools for taming an unruly operating system; utility programs II: packages that make life easier for Mac and Unix users

Article Abstract:

Five utilities programs for the Unix and Macintosh operating systems, which range in price from the $39.95 Pyro 4.0 to the $295 Norton for System V, are evaluated. Norton for System V is for the Unix operating system and adds windows, sound, color, dialogue boxes and radio buttons, and it allows users to see and search files in a tree format. Utility programs for the Macintosh operating system include the $129 Norton Utilities for Macintosh, which has the ability to diagnose and repair disk-drive errors, recover and save information erased by formatting and speed disk-drive performance, the Sum II, which sells for $99.95 and offers back-up and restore features and a variety of disk-drive tools, and the Deluxe 1st Aid Kit, which costs $159.95 and is very easy to operate. The Pyro 4.0 is a screen-saving utility program for the Macintosh that protects screens from being left on for too long.

Product/Service Evaluation, Symantec Corp., SYMC, Desktop utilities, Desktop Utility, Fifth Generation Systems Inc., Symantec Corp. Peter Norton Products Div., 1st Aid Development Inc., Norton for System V (Utility program), Deluxe 1st Aid Kit (Utility program), SUM II (File management software), Pyro! 4.0 (Utility program), Norton Utilities for Macintosh (Disk/file management software)

---

A sleek and powerful portable from A.T.& T.: for a hefty price, the Safari offers powerful communications and networking tools

Article Abstract:

AT&T offers the Safari NSX/20, which is a 6.5-pound laptop microcomputer described as 'sleek and powerful' with exceptional communications and networking features. The Safari is the first portable to use Microsoft's Windows graphical user interface (GUI) as a standard operating environment. The system is arranged to generate an easy-to-use menu when it is turned on, and there is even a tutorial to help a new user learn the Windows interface. At $5,500, the Safari is pricey, but its list of features is impressive and it could be the ideal laptop computer for the traveling executive. The Safari uses an Intel 80386SX microprocessor that runs at 20MHz, and it comes with a large, bright screen and a 40-Mbyte hard disk. A brief description of a utility program called Battery Watch Pro, $49.95, from Traveling Software Inc, is included. Battery Watch Pro monitors a laptop's battery life.

Electronic computers, Microcomputers, Laptop computers, Portable computers, Laptop/Portable Computer, Microcomputer, AT and T Safari (Notebook computer)

---

At the front in the battle over Unix

Article Abstract:

The introduction of AT and T's UNIX System V 4.0 may cause the Open Software Foundation (OSF) to wither. The OSF is a consortium of equipment makers who banded together when AT and T began investing in Sun Microsystems Inc. The group sought to keep Sun from getting an unfair advantage in the workstation market. Version 4.0, introduced in Nov 1989 unites such popular UNIX variations as Berkeley, Xenix and SunOS. Because of this unity, there are expected to be a number of defections from the OSF. The tremendous interest in companies that manufacture UNIX systems stems from the business community's interest in the operating system. The business community needs a common operating system that can operate in the multi-vendor environments that are present in 80 percent of all large corporations.

Standards, Standard, Standardization, UNIX, column, Competition, Open Software Foundation, Multivendor Systems

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Staying online without cutting off the rest of the world. Online images that stay true to form on any screen. Black ice, wise bridge: repelling the foe before it forms
• Abstracts: Alberta utility applies to slash rates. Ottawa reveals cost of tax cuts
• Abstracts: Price for Sun Life operation said optimistic. Manulife gives up Canada Life bid. Great-West CanLife in talks
• Abstracts: Unions starting to make inroads at Wal-Mart. Greenspan says terror tops all risks. U.S. consumer confidence plunges in September
• Abstracts: I.B.M. and Microsoft settle fight on operating systems. I.B.M. and Apple give up rivalry to preserve grip on their industry

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.