SOFTWARE DREAMS AND OLDER PCs
Part Two: The Software

USE OLDER [Smaller Low Power] SOFTWARE ON OLDER [Smaller Low Power] COMPUTERS. Software programs evolve with more and more features. Year by year each new edition requires more and more hard disk space and computer chip power. OLDER COMPUTERS CAN NOT KEEP UP WITH FEATURE -FUTURES AND THE SOFTWARE WARS.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO "STRIP- DOWN" FILES AND FEATURES FROM NEWER MS DOS BASED PROGRAMS. To run 386 designed applications on a 286 computer; or a 286 designed application to run on an 8086 computer. However, even after you have updated the operating system, off-loaded all unnecessary files and applications; removed documentation, help, and utilities; compressed all non-operating directories, YOU STILL HAVE AN OLD [8086, 286, or 386] COMPUTER.

Remember, an earlier software edition already has less files and features since it was made to run better on an older computer. BE AWARE that "beta" and first year release software usually have "bugs". Problems which may, [or may not], have been "fixed" in following year releases. While the manufacturers may know, only research in the On-line User's Newsgroups and FAQs will tell you. Learn to search and read the User Newsgroups.

MS Windows 3.0, the first Windows program "Built By Bill", was an interesting collection and good example for Bugs.

Which were fixed by MS Windows 3.1.

But was "Really Improved" by MS Windows 3.11.

We rarely own MS Windows NT, it wasn't made for us at home.

Then came MS Windows 95 and "here we go again" with another first time release.

Now guess what's next MS Windows 97+, hopefully fixed.

"Really Improved" has yet to be determined; [mybe by 2000].

In the meantime "Welcome Back Bill's Bugs !"

USE MS DOS 3.2+ [OR GREATER] FOR YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM. I suggest selecting an MS Dos Version that supports the Configuration Drivers you want to use. [Himem, EMM, Ramdrive, Smartdrive, and ANSI].

DOS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS AND ADAPTIVE UTILITIES. MS Dos 3.2+ versions allow support of a wide variety of [Com's, Bat's, and Exe's]. They are pre-written, off- the- shelf, ready- to- use, Freware mini-programs. See: MS Dos Utilities

ALTERNATIVE OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR DOS. There are several alternative operating systems being developed to replace MS Dos. See: The Free Dos Movement.

For MS Windows 3.1+ use MS Dos Version 5.0+ [and greater]. Remember, MS Windows 95 is its' own Operating System.

Even at the dawn of Personal Computing there was Text To Speech and Screen Magnification Software written for the Commadore 64. Almost anything is possible ... only Slower and with Less Features. At A Minimum [XT 8086] Expect to be able to add adaptive screen magnification and speech to wordprocessing software; with room for several additional applications.

LOW VISION SCREEN MAGNIFICATION for older PCs. Full featured screen magnification requires "graphics capability". Without graphic capability most monocrome screen computers can only be magnified with "limited" feature settings. Monocrome screens and computers with graphics capability will have more features and settings. Color monitor computers are the best with the most features and settings.

There is a large selection of MS Dos Screen Magnification Software, Shareware, and Demonstrationware. Many of these are full featured programs. Some date from XT's 8086, through 286's, and 386's. The selection for MS Windows 3.1+ [and newer]. Screen Magnification Software, shareware, and demos may be limited by time duration. See: Screen Magnifiers [Through A Looking Glass].

SPEECH, SYNTHESIZERS, TEXT TO SPEECH READERS, and SCREEN READERS. Text To Speech [Windows Clipboard] Screen Readers have synthesized speech; But Are Not [full function] Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers. Text To Speech Readers ... Read From Text Files. Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers ... Read Directly From The Screen. Many Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers require Speech Control Programs such as JAWS, TinyTalk, etc, to be Fully Functional INPUT and OUTPUT Devices.

Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers, Control Programs, and Text to Speech Readers are available for PC's: XT's 8086, 286's, through 386's [MS DOS]. Some are full featured shareware and "limited" duration demos. Several of these are broken down into components and will require the ability to assemble the available parts to your computer's specification. In most cases an 8 or 16 bit sound card and speaker are required. See: Speech [Talking Machines].

For MS Windows 3.1+ Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers, and Control Programs, are available as demostrationware. Many limited by both function and/or duration. Text To Speech Software is available as demonstrationware. Many are limited by function and/or duration. In most cases an 8 or 16 bit sound card and speaker are required. See: Speech [Talking Machines].

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS. There is a wide variety of adaptive software developed to address specific disabilities. This ranges from dyslexia, ALS, Amputees, deaf, blind, and more. You will need to search and discover the sources. For almost every handicap there is a program somewhere for someone. This ranges from Point & Click Virtual Screen Keyboards, Morse Code Input, Word Prediction Word Processing, Preset Phrase & Sentence Communications, Telephone Auto Dialing, language syntax and grammer. Go To: Search

"SMART BOX" ADAPTIVE HARDWARE APPLICATIONS. Starting as an enhancement to low power PC's [8086/286] hardware "Smart Boxs" were developed to house applications and provide independent memory and power sources. Optical Characher Recognition [OCR], Speech Synthesizers, and Alternative Input Devices, are examples of this technology. In some instances the smart box hardware was smarter than its' host computer. Starting as 8 bit [8086/286] board "plug-ins" some continued to advance to 16 bit [386] boards. As PC's grew [smarter, & faster] smart box "applications" have been taken inside the computer. Leaving smart boxs to disappeared along with their older computer hosts. Go To: Search

"NAME BRAND" Hardware Applications have successfully maintained a healthy after-market with "reconditioned", "refurbished", and "re-sales" at hefty [used] prices. As PC's continue to get bigger, and applications continue to get better, the price of used smart boxs becomes more "artificial". As competition increases; their value will decline. Go To: Search

These are pre-fabricated adaptations you can use immediately to GET STARTED in MS DOS. Before you start to LEARN HOW TO WRITE YOUR OWN SIMPLE BATCH FILE UTILITIES and begin to Add Applications and Major Adaptive Programs:

Control Screen Color In Open Dos

Control Screen Color In Dos Applications

Turn Mouse On In Open Dos

Enhance Mouse Cursor

One Hand Control Cap/Shift/Lock Keys

Control "Typematic" Keyboard Response

Screen Directory File Navigators

Organize Access Into Bar Menu Columns

4-Way Text File Scroll Control

Redirect Printer Output To Disk File

Auto-format Text File Before Redirecting

Quick Change Directory Anywhere

TSR Power Control

Systems Operation Check

40x12 Screen Magnifier System Utility

See: MS Dos Utilities

Simple Batch Utilities, Com's, Bat's, and Exe's, SAVE TIME AND KEYSTROKES. Since you will use them; you should learn how to write them. For example:

H.BAT ... Type the letter H anywhere to return to root directory c:\ .

T.BAT ... The letter T replaces the MS DOS [Type] Command.

B.BAT ... The letter B calls BROWSE.COM for 4-Way Text Scroll Control.

M4.BAT ... The letters M4 calls MS DOS Screen Mode 40 Magnification.

M8.BAT ... The letters M8 calls MS DOS to return to Screen Mode 80.

M4X.BAT ... The letters M4X calls 40X12.EXE to adapt MS DOS 40X24 Screen Mode Magnification.

See: MS Dos Utilities

COMPUTER HYGIENE; Keep Your Hard Disk "Clean". Defragmentation and compression utilities clean hard disk drives. Clean hard drives run better and faster.

COMPUTER CYBERTOLOGY; Keep Your Hard Disk "Clear". When ever possible, store little used programs, disk utilities, manuals, tutorials, and documentation, OFF the hard disk and ON to floppy disks. Use PK "ZIP" Ware to compress hard disk directories not in immediate use.

OPEN SPACES BECOME IMPORTANT PLACES, when your hard drive is already too small. Open your system for Ramdrive and Smartdrive. "Cram- drive" and "Crash- drive" are MS Dos "conditions" not configurations !

LEARN TO WRITE SIMPLE BATCH FILES. You can build your own batch command utilities. Such as [UNZIP.BAT], and [REZIP.BAT], to work with PKZIP Utilities. "Unzip" allows you to enter a zipped directory, call Pkunzip.Exe, and decompress the contents, before you start the program. "Rezip" allows you to re-enter an open directory, call Pkzip.Exe, recompress the program files, clear the open uncompressed files, and save the compressed zip file. You can get alot done with a "one word" command.

No matter what you do, or how you do it, THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH POWER! The trick is how, when, and where, to Use The Little You Have Available.

PUT YOUR TSR'S ON A DIET. For every TSR [Terminate And Stay Resident Program] there are potential conflicts for power, priority and control. GET A TSR CONTROL UTILITY. Turn them on when you use them; turn them off when you are through. See: MS Dos Utilities

CUSTOMIZE YOUR CONFIGURATION FILES [Autoexec.Bat and Config.Sys] TO SPECIFIC "DEDICATED" APPLICATIONS. Choices are:

Reconfiguration Programs will Change Configuration Files, Reboot The Computer, and Call Specific Applications.

Isolate A Specific Application learn to load and run from an individual "Boot Disk".

Build simple Batch File Utilities which will Change Configuration Files, Reboot The Computer, Call A Specific Application, and Ask If You "Really Want To Do This ?"

Unless you have a 386 SX [and bigger] computer STAY IN MS DOS. DO NOT attempt to strip- and- load an MS Windows 3.+ Program. You will be disappointed.

Unless you have a 486 DX+ [and bigger] computer DO NOT attempt to load and use MS Windows 95. The faster the chip, and the more memory available, the better MS Windows 95 runs.

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THE RULE AND ROLE OF ALL "STUFF"
Always Surf First And Try Before You Buy !

If It Is Not On The Net,

IT DOES NOT EXIST !

Always "Try" Before You Buy,

DEMO FIRST; NO TRY, NO BUY !

If You Can't Find It,

ASK SOMEONE !

If You Can't Get It,

FIND SOMEONE THAT HAS GOT IT !

Always Pay By US "SNAIL" MAIL,

WITH A CHECK !

Anything New You Buy Now,

IS ALREADY OUTDATED TOMORROW !

Everything You Buy Today,

WILL COST LESS TOMORROW !

Every Bargin Has Its' Price,

AND FREE IS ONLY A GOOD PRICE !

Life is already challenging enough WITHOUT HAVING TO PLAY BEAT-THE-CLOCK. Downloads [Demonstrationware and Shareware] WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Is the DEMO "FULL" FEATURED ?

Are the features "Stripped" ?

Is the DEMO TIME LIMITED ?

Limited by Nag-Ware Sign ?

Limited by Computer Clock Time ?

Limited by Computer Calander Date ?

Out-Of-Time can the DEMO be RELOADED ?

Go To: Demo's.

Everyone has their own FAVORITE SOURCES and RESOURCES. The following are places to START YOUR SEARCH. It is up to you to FIND WHERE YOUR SEARCH WILL END ! Here is a short GLOSSARY OF ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY. To help you identify what type of applications you are researching. Go To: Search.