Ability (1985) 4 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations Communications Database DOS 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.

• 1.0
• Demo
• 1.2
• Plus 1.0
• Plus 2.0
• 1.5 for Windows
• 2000
• 2002

AdvanceLink (1987) 0 Communications DOS Windows

AdvanceLink is a terminal emulator that integrates with the HP NewWave desktop. It has built in scripting tools and features specifically for communicating with HP 3000, HP 9000, and HP 1000 hosts. It can emulate HP 2392A, HP 700/94, HP 700/92, HP ANSI, and DEC VT100 terminals. It appears a lesser version of this product was bundled with early Vectra computers under the generic name of "HP Terminal Program"

• for DOS
• for Windows

Aladdin Expander 2 Archive Windows

Aladdin Expander is the Microsoft Windows port of Stuffit Expander, a tool for decompressing Macintosh SIT files. It is important to note that it is of limited use on Windows, as the Windows version will not preserve Macintosh resource forks or creator type information, rendering many file types unusable.

• 5.x
• 6.x

Amish System Utilities (1991) 0 Utility Windows

The Amish System Utilities for Windows is a set of tools that adds multiple desktops and a "Start"-like desktop launcher menu to Windows 3.0 and 3.1.

• 1.x

Apple Drive Setup (1997) 0 Utility MacOS

Drive Setup installs software that your computer uses to work with your hard disk.

• 1.3.1

Apple PlainTalk (1994) 1 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

AutoRun for Windows (1991) 0 Utility Windows

AutoRun for Windows, from AutoSoft, Inc, is a tool for recording and playing back events within the Microsoft Windows environment. This enables you to automate tasks using existing applications from within the Windows GUI. It features the ability to make decisions during playback, and a playback scheduling tool. Time (Aldia Systems), AutoMate Pro (Unisyn) and Internet Agents

• 1.x

Avast Anti-Virus (1999) 0 Utility Windows

Avast is a robust and popular anti-virus tool for DOS and Windows. It was sold commercially but offered a free version.

• 7.x

Back-It (1986) 0 Utility DOS

Back-It, from Gazelle Systems, is a fast and compact hard disk backup utility. It was sometimes part of OEM system bundles. It was kind of low-end, and changed backup formats between releases but otherwise did what it was supposed to do.

• 2.x
• 3.x
• 4.x

Banner Blue Movie Guide (1991) 0 Novelty DOS

Banner Blue Movie Guide, from Banner Blue Software, is a searchable movie database with built in trivia games.It features entries for more than 9000 popular movies.

• 1.0

Better Working Communicator (1987) 0 Communications DOS

Better Working Communicator, from Spinnaker Software, is an entry level telecommunications program sold alongside their "Better Working" series of applications, and included as part of "Better Working Eight-In-One". Better Working Communicator supports Macros, auto-dialing, split-screen, XModem file transfers, logging, and printing.

• 1.x

Better Working Eight-in-One (1989) 0 Word Processor Spreadsheet Graphics Communications Database DOS

Better Working Eight-in-One, from Spinnaker Software is an integrated office suite for DOS. It contains a word processor, a spelling checker, a data base, a spreadsheet, an outliner, a graphics program, a communications program and a set of desktop utilities - all in one single, consistent application.

• 2.x

BeyondMail (1993) 0 Communications Windows

BeyondMail is a mail program for Microsoft Windows that features the ability to create and use e-mail forms against databases, and rule-building for workflow applications. It bundles a message server handler for small workgroups.

• 2.0

BitFax (1992) 0 Communications Windows DOS

BitFax is a basic fax program, used with compatible FaxModems. It was available for both DOS and Windows. BitFax/OCR includes optical character recognition used in conjunction with receiving fax documents.

• 2.x (Win)
• 4.x (DOS)

Bitstream FaceLift (1990) 0 Utility Windows

Bitstream FaceLift works with Bitstream scalable typefaces to bring high quality type to Microsoft Windows applications instantly and easily for screen display, dot matrix printers, and laser printer output.

• 1.0

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

Boeing Calc (1986) 0 Spreadsheet DOS

Boeing Calc was a spreadsheet package written by Boeing Computer Services, an independent subsidiary of aviation manufacturer Boeing. It had originally been developed as an in-house accounting tool, but was launched as a commercial product in April 1985 for IBM 4300 mainframes running IBM MVS and IBM PC microcomputers running MS-DOS. Boeing Calc was notable for introducing the concept of 3D spreadsheets. Often Boeing Graph was sold alongside Boeing Calc.

• 3.00E

Borland Office (1994) 0 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations Database Windows

Borland Office is an office suite published by Borland built around WordPerfect, Paradox, and Quattro Pro. It competed unsuccessfully against Microsoft Office. It was later acquired by Novell and renamed "PerfectOffice", and then later became "Corel Office".

• 2.0

BULL Micral Prologue (1984) 0 DOS

BULL Micral Prologue system for the Olympia People Computer.

• 2.x

Business Session (1991) 0 Communications Windows

Business Session for Windows is a Terminal emulator that supports HP 2392, 2394, 700/92, 700/94, VT100, and HP ANSI terminal emulation. It supports Serial, modem, and LAN connection with virtual terminal, Telnet, and X.25. It also includes scripting, file transfer, Windows DDE support, and logging.

• 3.x

cc:Mail (1993) 0 Communications OS2

cc:Mail, originally from Concentric Systems, Inc and later Lotus and IBM, is a desktop e-Mail system intended for small LANs. It relies on accessing a shared database file rather than client-sever methods.

• 1.x for OS/2

Central Point Anti-Virus (1992) 1 Utility DOS

Central Point Anti-Virus was a DOS-based antivirus program developed originally by an Israel company, CARMEL Software Engineering Ltd. as "Turbo Anti-Virus", and licensed by Central Point Software Inc. It was the basis for Microsoft's Anti-Virus for DOS and Windows (MSAV and MWAV). In 1994 it was acquired by Symantec Corporation and merged into Norton Antivirus.

• 1.x

Central Point Backup (1992) 0 Utility Windows

A powerful and friendly backup utility from Central Point Software, that supports backing up to either floppy disks or tape drives. Central Point Backup features ease of use, speed, detailed backup history, and virus scanning. This product was more commonly found bundled as part of PC-Tools.

• 7.x

Change Directory Plus (1993) 0 Utility DOS

Change Directory Plus is a small commercial utility distributed with Softdisk publishing's Big Blue Disk magazine. It indexes all folders on your hard drive, and permits you to change in to a deep subdirectory simply by specifying the final subdirectories name.

• 1.x

CheckIt (1988) 17 Utility DOS

CheckIt, from TouchStone Software Corporation, is a diagnostic tool for generic PC/XT/AT compatible computers. It can perform tests on RAM, hard disks, video cards, floppy disks, motherboard resources, and I/O devices. It has an easy to use menu interface but can also run tests non-interactively. It was followed up by the product WINCheckit.

• 1.x
• 2.1
• 3.0
• LAN 2.x
• Pro 1.x