An automatic nag on the shuttle

Article Abstract:

Astronauts on the space shuttle Atlantis are using an Apple Macintosh Portable microcomputer together with various commercially available products and devices. For example, the astronauts are using Smart Alarms, which is a program originally developed in Australia for helping doctors and medical technicians do scheduling. The program, which is an 'electronic nag,' reminds users to do things. Smart Alarms lists for $125, but MacWarehouse and other mail order companies are said to be selling it for half that price. Astronauts sometimes could not hear Smart Alarms's beeps because of noise on the shuttle, so Macrecorder, an audio digitizer from Farallon Computing Co, was used to modify Smart Alarms, adding other more-audible sounds. Macrecorder lists for $249, but mail order companies are selling it for as little as $160. Astronauts are also using Wristmacs, made by Ex Machina, which are Dick Tracy-style watches with computer-like features. Wristmacs can store data downloaded from Macintoshes. A 'silver shuttle' Wristmac costs $249, and an 'executive black' model costs $199. Quickeys 2, an operating system enhancement from CE Software Inc, has been useful on Atlantis. The program lets a user assign sequences of tasks so they can be accomplished with a single keystroke.Quickeys 2 lists for $149.95, but is available through mail order for $95.

Electronic computers, Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Product/Service Evaluation, Digitizers, Digitizer, Space shuttles, Operating system enhancements, Multimedia software, Office automation software, Office applications software, Sound recording and reproduction, Utility programs, Utilities (Software), Desktop accessory software, Watches, Macro, Macros, Macros (Computing), Apple Macintosh Portable (Portable computer), Farallon Computing Inc., Operating System Enhancement, Desktop organizers, User-programmable keys, User-programmable keys (Computer keyboards), Ex Machina Inc., Smart Alarms (Office automation software), MacRecorder (Multimedia software), QuicKeys (Operating system enhancement), Wristmac (Watch)

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Handicapping this year's race for the top tax program

Article Abstract:

Most microcomputer owners looking for a 1992 income tax preparation program will choose between market-leader Turbotax and Andrew Tobias' Taxcut. Both programs will do a decent job, but neither is a substitute for a good tax adviser. Both programs come in DOS, Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh versions. Taxcut is judged a better value because it is easier to use, demonstrates more attention to detail, has better documentation and comes with better customer support. Both programs use an interview process in which the user responds to a series of questions. Taxcut's implementation is superior. For example, entering 'journalist' in the occupation box in Form 1040 generates a reminder to deduct office equipment. Taxcut users can file via the new Form 1040PC, a paper form expressly for microcomputer users, or electronically, by sending in a floppy disk and $20.

Tax returns, Tax Preparation Software, Andrew Tobias' TaxCut (Tax preparation software), TurboTax (Tax preparation software)

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Keeping track of time while removing clutter

Article Abstract:

Alarming Events is a simple to use desktop accessory for the Apple Macintosh made by CE Software Inc of West Des Moines, IA. The $129.95 program replaces the clock, the desk calendar and the to-do list on the Mac and acts as an accessory, hiding under the Apple icon in the Mac screen's upper left corner. Alarming Events keeps track of scheduled activities, popping up automatically on the screen as a reminder that something must be done. The commands for Alarming Events are simple and intuitive and the program can be customized to signal its mission with a beep or flash of a small alarm-clock icon on the screen.

Scheduling (Management), Scheduling Applications, Alarming Events (Desktop accessory software)

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