Utility Jems

January 10, 1998

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Utility Jems

Utilities - Honorable Mentions

JEM of a Tip - tips

Listed below are my Windows 3.1 Utility Jems. I've separated them from the Win95 and WWW and DOS Jems since they have not changed for over 1 year. If you're still running Windows 3.1, get these!!!

Refer to the Utility Jem page for background info on Jems.

Windows 3.1 (these also all work w/Win95 unless noted)

1MbFort

• Description: Keeps programs from loading into low memory unless they absolutely have to. This lets you run more programs because extended memory, rather than low memory, is used. This lets me open 5-6 "hogs" without "insufficient memory" messages. Very, very highly recommended. You wouldn't believe how many real problems this one has solved!!!!!
  • Good Points: very simple installation; has never caused a crash for me; free
  • Bad Points: NONE!!!
• NOTE: Not tested with Win95. Not tested with other memory managers but will probably have conflicts.
• Search Keywords: 1MbFort
• Get it at: PC Mag Utilities

PFE: Programmer's File Editor (16 bit version)

• Description: An "infinite size" file editor. A NotePad replacement. Very highly recommended.
  • Good Points: very simple installation; lots of features (more than SPAD above); can customize; robust; free
  • Bad Points: the many options for configuration make finding settings a little difficult
• NOTE: Win95 Version also.
• Search Keywords: PFE
• Get it at: PFE Home Page or ZD Net Shareware

WnBrowse

• Description: A browser (view only, no editing) to look at any file. Runs from FileManager or from its own program icon. Very highly recommended for FileManager viewing.
  • Good Points: good installation procedure (with V3.7); runs robustly; view in ASCII and HEX modes; can view very long lines; can launch an editor for ASCII files
  • Bad Points: NONE!!!!
• NOTE: There is also a Win95 version discussed below. Version 3.7 was the last Windows 3.1 version I believe.
• Search Keywords: WnBrowse
• Get it at: AOL; here (because its hard to find V3.7 for some reason) (111K; 2 min @ 14.4)

WinBar

• Description: A Win95 TaskBar look-a-like for Win3.1. It always displays date and time which most other button-bars do not.
  • Good Points: very simple installation; "clean" looking and uncluttered; single-click icons; runs robustly; free
  • Bad Points: no auto-update of Groups and Programs
• NOTE: Not tested with Win95. Version 1.2 is much more robust for changing configs than 1.1. I really like its look-and-feel; you'll love this or hate it.
• Search Keywords: WinBar
• Get it at: PC Mag Utilities

SPAD

• Description: An "infinite size" file editor. A NotePad replacement.
  • Good Points: very simple installation; really small program files (only 50K); robust; free
  • Bad Points: no Help file
• NOTE: See PFE also.
• Search Keywords: SPAD
• Get it at: PC Mag Utilities

Find

• Description: A file and text-in-file finder for FileManager
  • Good Points: simple, easy to use; seems fast; free
  • Bad Points: must edit WINFILE.INI for installation; must run from FileManager only
• NOTE: Not tested with Win95 but it should work with FileManager (not Explorer) there also.
• Search Keywords: Find
• Get it at: PC Mag Utilities

Drag & Drop

• Description: Store "clips" to paste into text documents or store files for inserting into other files. Really handy for sending e-mail and attaching a header or footer. A real time saver if you need it!
  • Good Points: simple, easy to use; free
  • Bad Points: clips are not stored as files (if that's a big issue, check out Text Recall in the Honorable Mentions)
• NOTE: See ClipBook below for a Win95 equivalent.
• Search Keywords: DragDrop
• Get it at: ZDNet Exclusive

Your Spell Checker  UPDATED

• Description: A simple text editor with Spell Cheker built in. Great for checking e-mails, etc.
  • Good Points: simple, easy to use; fast; works in Win95 also; free
  • Bad Points: just a basic editor
• NOTE: Finally!!! I've been looking for this for a long time. Also a 32 bit Win95 version.Thanks!
• Search Keywords:
• Get it at: NoNags or DCalCoda's Homepage

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John Myers jemyers@aol.com Copyright 1998 http://users.aol.com/jemyers/util_31.htm