Finding an Easy System for Those on a Budget

I’m faced with a dilemma whenever a computer novice asks me for advice about what type of machine to buy. My first instinct is to recommend something very easy to use, such as an Apple Macintosh or an IBM-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows--software that uses graphics to help make programs easier to use.

Trouble is, Macs are expensive and Windows runs only on the more expensive PCs with an Intel 80286 or 80386 central processing unit. New users are often reluctant to spend a lot of money on their first machine, yet they’re the ones most in need of an easy-to-use system.

Tandy Corp., parent of the Radio Shack chain, is trying to bring ease of use to people on limited computer budgets. The company recently released a new version of DeskMate, an easy-to-use “operating environment” that will work on just about any IBM compatible.

DeskMate 3 is included in the price of several Tandy PCs. Users of other machines can purchase it, for $100, at any Radio Shack store.

DeskMate consists of three components. The operating environment, which displays menus and a help system, provides a common command structure for all software designed to run with DeskMate. The “desktop” is a display of menus used to run DeskMate applications and perform routine operations such as deleting and copying files. It shields users from otherwise cryptic commands.

The third component is a set of programs including a word processor, spreadsheet, database manager, calendar program, drawing program, alarm, calculator, spell check and phone list. There is also a program to connect to PC-Link, a dial-up information service that offers news and information as well as access to electronic mail. A month of free access to PC-Link is included.

Other companies, including Lotus, Symantec and Software Publishing Corp., offer DeskMate-compatible versions of some of their popular software. These programs, like those from Tandy, use similar commands and are able to share data with other DeskMate programs. For example, text and graphics created in any DeskMate program can be copied to any other DeskMate program. All programs that work with DeskMate can be operated with a mouse or by issuing commands from the keyboard.

The programs included with DeskMate may be all the software that some users need. I expected these programs to be simplistic and very rudimentary. They are simple to operate but, to my surprise, they are reasonably robust. The programs and some of their features:

- A word-processing program that includes find and replace, cut and paste and the ability to create form letters from data in an accompanying address book program. There is also a spell-checker with a 90,000-word dictionary.

- A database program that allows you to create fields that are more than one line long. These can be used to include annotations, comments or descriptions. It’s a useful feature that’s lacking in many other database programs. Your on-screen forms, as well as your database reports, can be dressed up with graphics imported from DeskMate’s drawing program.

- A spreadsheet that is rudimentary compared to Lotus 1-2-3 but adequate for simple personal budgeting. You can enter 99 rows and 99 columns of information.

- A calendar program that displays your schedule by the day, week, month or year. It also includes a graph feature that shows you blocks of time that have been allocated for appointments or projects.

- A communications program that doesn’t have all the features of some of its high-end competitors but is good enough to log on to CompuServe, MCI Mail or any other electronic information system. It has a feature that allows you to record your sign-on commands so that you don’t have to enter them each time.

- A drawing program that allows you to draw free-hand or use basic shapes such as circles and rectangles. You can select up to 16 colors. Graphics created in the program can be pasted into documents from other applications, including the word processor and database manager.

- An address book program that provides fields to enter the usual name and address information, important dates (such as birthdays and anniversaries) and a short note about the person. The program will dial the phone if your PC is equipped with a modem.

In addition to the main programs, there is a set of handy tools, or mini-programs that can be called up while you’re using other DeskMate software. These include a calculator, phone listing (from the address book program), calendar, and to-do list.

Unlike Windows or the Apple Macintosh, DeskMate programs can be run only one at a time. With Windows and the Mac it is possible to keep both your word processor and database program, for example, in memory so that you can instantly switch between them. DeskMate requires saving your work and exiting a program before using another.

The 84-page manual, which is laid out like a magazine, is concise and very well illustrated. It has a good index and table of contents. When using the program, help is available by pressing the F1 key. I was able to learn most functions just by exploring the menus. Less experienced users are likely to need more practice, but once you’ve learned one program, the others will be easy.

Another way to get a good overview of the program is to purchase a $15 videotape (also from Radio Shack) that provides a hands-on tutorial and that comes with a coupon good for $15 off the price of DeskMate.

Not everyone will appreciate DeskMate. Experienced DOS users who have already learned the commands and are accustomed to their programs, will probably want to keep working in their familiar environment. Those who have the memory and sheer computing power to run Windows might appreciate the extra features that environment offers. However, new users or those who are looking for ways to enhance their IBM XT-compatible systems may find DeskMate worth exploring.

DESKMATE

A graphics-based operating environment that makes IBM PC-compatible computers easier to use. Includes a package of application programs.

Features: Allows you to use a mouse or keyboard to select programs and data files. Includes on-disk tutorial. Help is available at all times.

Programs included: DeskMate comes with software for word processing, database management, drawing, telecommunications, scheduling and an address book. There is also a program to connect to PC-Link, an on-line dial-up information service. Added programs include a spell-checker, calculator, phone list, to-do list and alarm.

Optional software: Several software companies have created special DeskMate versions of their software. Programs include Lotus 1-2-3, Symantec’s Q&A; Write, DAC’s DACEasy Accounting and Intuit’s Quicken personal finance programs.

Requirements: IBM-compatible PC with at least 384K of memory. A hard disk and a mouse make the program easier to use but are not required.

Price: $100. Free with some Tandy PCs and is built into the read-only memory chips of the Tandy 1000 SL. Available at Radio Shack stores.

Publisher: Tandy Corp., 1700 One Tandy Center, Ft. Worth, Tex., 76102. Phone: (817) 390-3700.