Ability (1985) 13 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations Communications Database Windows

Originally released in 1984 by the Canadian company Xanaro that went bankrupt, and then by Migent, Ability is an integrated office suite for DOS that includes word processor, spreadsheet, database, telecommunications, business graphing, presentation graphics capabilities, and built in file management. It features good integration between the different components, with the ability to import, share, and dynamically update data between them. It was advertised as a very easy to use and a quick to learn system.

• 1.5 for Windows

Advanced Task Manager (1995) 0 Utility Windows

A task manager replacement for Windows 3.1.

• 1.x

Apple PlainTalk (1994) 4 Utility MacOS

PlainTalk is the collective name for several speech synthesis (MacinTalk) and speech recognition technologies developed by Apple Inc. In 1990, Apple invested a lot of work and money in speech recognition technology, hiring many researchers in the field. The result was "PlainTalk", released with the AV models in the Macintosh Quadra series from 1993. It was made a standard system component in System 7.1.2, and has since been shipped on all PowerPC and some other 68K Macintoshes.

• 1.x

At Ease (1992) 0 Other MacOS

Apple At Ease is a simplified menu shell for the Macintosh that replaces the default Finder desktop. It is intended primarily for kiosk, shared, or public computers where users should only have access to designated application programs. At Ease was available in both standard and workgroup flavors.

• 3.x

Backup Exec (1993) 1 Utility Windows

Backup Exec is an easy to use backup program. It can back up files to floppy disks or certain tape drives. companies including Maynard Electronics, Archive Corp, Quest Development Corporation, Conner Peripherals, Arcada Software, Seagate Technology, Veritas Software, and Symantec. On top of that, Microsoft bundled a version with MS-DOS 6.

• 5.0 (Win)

BitWare (1995) 0 Communications Windows

BitWare, from Cheyenne, is a Fax program for Windows that was often bundled with modems. It also includes the BitCom terminal program. It competed against Delrina Winfax and FaxWorks.

• 3.x

Carbon Copy (1990) 0 Utility Windows

Carbon Copy is a remote control desktop program for DOS and later Windows, similar to PCAnywhere. protection. You can not connect to other copies of Carbon Copy if the serial numbers are the same.

• 2.5 (Win)

CleanSweep (1994) 0 Utility Windows

CleanSweep, from Quarterdeck, is a utility that assists with uninstalling and removing leftover files. It also moves programs from one drive to another, to a backup that can be restored later, or to another computer.

• 1.x

Coherent (1994) 2 Unix

Coherent, from Mark Williams Company, was a compact high speed Unix clone that was ported to a number of architectures including IBM PC.

• 4.x

COMit (1994) 0 Communications DOS Windows

COMit is a small, lightweight, and easy to use telecommunications terminal emulator for MS-DOS systems. OEMs commonly bundled it with modem hardware.

• 1.x

CompuServe Information Manager (1989) 2 Communications Windows

CompuServe Information Manager is the client software used for accessing the CompuServe service.

• 2.x (Win)

Dashboard (1992) 0 Utility Windows

Dashboard for Windows, originally from HP, is a convenient push-button utility which gives you quick access to and maximum control over your Windows programs. and buttons for launching programs. Drag-and-drop support for printing, plotting, and faxing. Miniature screens that make it easy to work with several full-screen programs at once. An alarm clock with a built-in snooze alarm. And "At a glance" feedback to let you know which programs are running and how much memory you are using. It has a resemblance to the Unix Common Desktop Environment toolbar.

• 3.0
• 95

DiskLock (1993) 1 Utility DOS Windows

DiskLock, From Fifth Generation Systems, and later from Symantec as Norton DiskLock, is a data security tool that can lock a hard disk or individual files or directories so that it requires a password to access any data. It can also log activity to detect unauthorized access attempts. It also features the ability to lock the system after an idle usage period. There were versions for PC and Mac.

• 3.x

EasyDesktop (1994) 0 Utility Windows

EasyDesktop, from MicroSeconds International, is an alternative desktop shell for Microsoft Windows that uses a more compact text-based file list and integrates its own file manager.

• 5.0

Eudora Pro (1995) 0 Communications Windows

Eudora Pro, originally developed at the University of Illinois, was a very popular commercial POP 3/SMTP internet e-mail client for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh. Qualcomm also produced a free, less featured version called Eudora Light.

• 2.x

ExpressFax (1994) 0 Communications Windows

ExpressFax is a program, from the makers of WordPerfect, designed to send and receive faxes. It includes a phone book and optical character recognition.

• 3.0

FontMinder (1993) 0 Utility Publishing Windows

FontMinder, by Dennis Harrington & Costas Kistos, is a font management tool that streamlines the installation and archival of Windows TrueType and Adobe Type Manager fonts.

• 2.5

MacComCenter (1995) 0 Communications MacOS

MacComCenter is a telecommunication program for the Apple Macintosh that includes a terminal emulator and Fax manager. MacComCenter was bundled with modems, sometimes accompanied by Smith Micro's IBM PC communication suite, Quicklink.

• 1.x

MagnaRAM (1995) 0 Utility Windows

MagnaRAM, from Quarterdeck Corporation, is a utility that speeds up virtual memory swapping by compressing swap memory, maintaining a swap "buffer", and making use of unused disk cache memory. Unlike some similar products, this one reportedly does something. It competed against similar tools such as SoftRam, Hurricane, and RAM Doubler.

• 2.0

McAfee VirusScan (1995) 2 Utility DOS Windows OS2

McAfee VirusScan was a very popular and reliable virus scanner during the late 90s. Notably, they distributed a free shareware version of their product. VirusScan was often pre-loaded with OEM computers.

• 2.x

Microsoft Mail (1991) 0 Communications Windows

There were two distinct "Microsoft Mail" products. One for AppleTalk Networks, and one for PC Networks.

• 3.5

Microsoft Office Manager (1993) 0 Utility Windows

Microsoft Office Manager contains the Office Toolbar, several toolbar tools, and Cue Cards. This is for use with independently packaged applications from the Microsoft Office suite.

• 4.2

Microsoft Phone (1995) 0 Communications Windows

Microsoft Phone is a telephony program for Microsoft Windows. It enables your desktop PC to act as an answering machine or dialer and receive faxes. Microsoft Phone includes Microsoft Voice, which lets you control Windows using audio voice commands.

• 1.0

Microsoft Plus! (1995) 48 Utility Novelty Windows

Microsoft Plus! was an add-on package to Windows that added desktop themes, screen savers, sound effects, power-toys, and other assorted goodies for the home user. Plus! 95 also included Internet Explorer 1.0, which was not included in all Windows 95 distributions.

• 95

Microsoft Works (1986) 74 Word Processor Spreadsheet Communications Database MacOS Windows

Microsoft Works was an all-in-one scaled-down Word Processor, Spreadsheet, and Database geared towards the home user. It was released in variants for early DOS, Windows, and Macintosh. Microsoft Works competed against Lotus Jazz, FrameWork, AlphaWorks/LotusWorks, PFS First Choice, and many others.

• 3.x (Mac)
• 3.x (Win)
• 4.0