Sidekick (1984) 35 Utility PIM DOS OS2

Borland Sidekick is a DOS based PIM (Personal Information Manager) and one of the first widely-used TSR (terminate and stay resident) programs. The key feature of Sidekick was that one could use Sidekick's utilities while using most other MS-DOS applications. This was important because MS-DOS had no built-in multi-tasking or task switching capabilities.

• 1.x
• Plus
• 1.0 for OS/2
• 2.0

SitBack (1991) 1 Utility DOS

SitBack is a unique backup tool that backs up files in the background while users are using their systems. This is based on the reality that most users do not want to take the time or effort to manually back up their work. SitBack can backup up to local drives or network shares, and can back up from many kinds of media.

• 3.x

SoftLogic Disk Optimizer (1987) 1 Utility DOS

Disk Optimizer, from SoftLogic Solutions Inc., was a low cost disk defragmentation utility that competed directly against the Norton Utilities. Like other disk optimizers, it re-arranges where files are stored on a hard drive to decrease file access time. It was, however, not as full featured or robust as the Norton Utilities.

• 2.x

Software Toolworks World Atlas (1992) 2 Education DOS

World Atlas is a computerized world map with thousands of facts and statistics for over 200 counties. Includes detailed city data, country flags, and anthems.

• 3.0

Sound Blaster Developer Kit (1991) 1 DOS

Sound Blaster Developer Kit is a set of libraries used to develop programs that support the Creative Labs Sound Blaster sound card. 6.0, Turbo C version 2.0, Microsoft QuickBasic version 4.5, Microsoft Basic PDS version 7.0, and Turbo Pascal version 6.0.

• 2.00

Spinnaker Splash (1988) 1 Graphics DOS

Splash is a VGA-centric paint program created by Spinnaker Software in 1988. Considering that VGA was only introduced in 1987 in conjunction with the IBM PS2 line, this is a pretty early entry in the VGA-compatible paint program market. pixel-level editing, an extensive internal help system, and can export images to TIFF and PC Paintbrush compatible files.

• 1988

Springboard Certificate Maker (1986) 3 Publishing DOS

Certificate Maker, from Springboard, is a fun little program for printing a variety of styled certificates on your dot-matrix printer. You must refer to the manual to see what the templates look like, as it provides no on screen preview. Award Maker seems to be an offshoot of this product.

• 1

Stacker (1991) 1 Utility Archive DOS OS2 Windows

Stacker, from Stack Electronics, was a hard drive compression tool. It was wildly popular until Microsoft virtually eliminated the third party market for this by including their own drive compression tool with MS-DOS 6. and Expandz! Plus.

• 1.0 (DOS)
• 2.0 (DOS)
• 3.x (DOS)
• 1.0 (OS/2)
• 4.0 (DOS)
• 4.0 (OS/2)

Stardock Object Desktop (1996) 0 Utility OS2

Object Desktop is a set of utilities for OS/2 power users. It provides a number of visual enhancements, define hotkeys, an improved editor, desktop configuration backup, archive management, system help advisors, and system backup.

• 1.5.x

StepWay Desktop Publisher (1994) 0 Graphics Publishing DOS

StepWay Desktop Publisher is a very low-end budget graphics editor and desktop publisher for DOS. It appears to have been targeted at new computer users and educational markets. The StepWay software is considered "modular", with additional functionality added in separate modules, sold separately. The separate modules they sold included Desktop Publisher, Art Shop, To Do List, Checkbook, Banner, Cookbook, Home Inventory, Greeting Cards, Mail List, and Calendar.

• 1.x

Sun Java Workshop (1997) 0 Windows Unix

Sun's Java WorkShop is a powerful, visual development tool for professional Java programmers. Java WorkShop offers a complete, easy-to-use (for bizarre masochistic definitions of easy) toolset for building JavaBeans, Java applets and applications faster and easier than ever before.

• 2.0

Super PC-Kwik (1992) 0 Utility DOS

PC-Kwik is an easy to use hard drive disk caching utility. Compared to some other caching utilities, it is easy to use, it automatically configures itself, and is less likely to cause data corruption.

• 5.x

SuperKey (1986) 2 Utility DOS

Borland SuperKey is a combination resident macro program and file encryption tool. It can record and play back keystrokes in most DOS application, enabling you to automate repetitive tasks. It also includes a file encryption tool that lets you password protect sensitive files. It was marketed alongside Borland Sidekick.

• 1.x

Symantec Game Pack (1991) 4 DOS

Symantec Game Pack is a small set of entertainment programs published by Symantec. It includes the games "Jacks", "Hangman", "Smart Dots", "Memory Blocks", "Pick Up Sticks" and "Code Breaker".

• 1.0

T/Maker (1985) 2 Word Processor Spreadsheet Database DOS

T/Maker, first released in 1980 for 8-bit CP/M, was one of the first "integrated" software programs. It brings together File Management, Word Processing, Spell Checking, Spreadsheet, Database Management, List Processing, Data Transfer, Graphics (Bar Charts), and Programming. These components can work together, for example a document can contain functional spreadsheet fields.

• 4.x

Tandy Deskmate (1984) 26 DOS

Deskmate is a GUI shell, program environment, and organizational application suite bundled by Tandy with their computers. The first two fully graphical versions were renamed "Personal Deskmate" I and II. Earlier versions were text based.

• DeskMate I
• Personal DeskMate 2
• Deskmate 3.x

The $25 Network (1989) 0 Communications DOS

The $25 Network, from Information Modes, is a low cost networking solution that connects PCs together using a serial port.

• 2.x

The Benchmark (1984) 2 Word Processor DOS

The Benchmark was an early, and somewhat short lived, word processor. This version is for the NEC APC running CP/M-86.

• 3.x

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (1987) 4 DOS

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, from Infocom, is a text-based interactive fiction game where you play the role of the Arthur Dent, a hapless nobody who must escape the destruction of Earth, and solve numerous puzzles along the way.

• 1987

The New Basics Electronic Cookbook (1992) 2 Reference DOS

Created from the best-selling Silver Palate Cookbook series by authors Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins, The New Basics Electronic Cookbook includes a library of over 1,800 delicious recipes, hundreds of colorful pictures, and a wide range of helpful cooking hints, spoken by the authors themselves.

• 1992

The Software Toolworks Multimedia Encyclopedia (1992) 1 Reference DOS

The Software Toolworks Multimedia Encyclopedia is an early multimedia CD-ROM encyclopedia that features articles, photographs, animation, and sound. It was often bundled with sound cards and new computers. There were versions for DOS, Windows, and Macintosh.

• 1.x

ThinkTank (1984) 0 Editor DOS

ThinkTank is an outliner program or "Idea Processor" that arranges notes and ideas in a hierarchy that you can easily re-arrange. It was marketed as a tool for writing document outlines, brainstorming, notes, and todo lists. But it proved to be a very popular program, not just for writers, but for anyone who wanted to organize and move around ideas.

• 1.x

Timeworks DOS Office (1993) 2 Word Processor Spreadsheet Database DOS

Timeworks DOS Office, from Timeworks, Inc., is an office suite consisting of the Timeworks Word Writer PC word processor, the Timeworks SwftCalc spreadsheet, and the Timeworks Data Manager desktop database.

• 1.0

Toolworks Backup Pro (1990) 1 Utility DOS

Backup Pro, from The Software Toolworks, is an easy to use backup program for MS-DOS. It features drop down menus and mouse support. It was sometimes bundled with OEM computers, and was sold for very low cost compared to others.

• 1.x

Toolworks DOS Tutor (1990) 1 Education DOS

Toolworks DOS Tutor is an extensive DOS tutorial with detailed descriptions about the operation of common IBM PC compatibles, peripheral hardware, and the operation of DOS.

• 1.00