[comp.editors] Need direction in IBM database & word processor software

jmoore@ektools.UUCP (James Hugh Moore) (08/16/88)

Help, I have been living in the past.  Actually, I have a nice CP/M system
at home which serves my word processing needs quite nicely for most of
the time (I use Perfect Writer, Perfect Calc, and Perfect Filer mostly,
but I have Dbase II).  In any case, I am starting to need to exchange files,
and I need to have a disaster recovery plan, as my data that I keep at
home is starting to have some value.  I am considering getting an PC of some
sort, and I would like to share information (especially database info) with
others.  I need to know where to start.  The PC trade journals seem to be 
sooo thick, and I don't know which are the reputable ones.  It seems that
every software product has been an "editor's choice" by on magazine or another.
Also the magazines rarely cover the freeware or shareware (the gnu of PC's?).
A PD editor/word processor/limited desktop publishing system (am I dreaming?),
would be great for us.  A good PD database would be terrific.

As you can see, I haven't kept up with PC technology very well.  I can't
afford a Sun for at home, and it wouldn't provide me with the interoperability
and disaster recovery that I need anyway.  I hesitate to put out such a broad
request, but I would appreciate everything from recommendations for good
PC clones, to software, to pointers to top quality PC publications.  Thank you
very much in advance for taking the time to share your wisdom.  Please e-mail
responses (if possible), as I feel that I may be asking for some common
knowledge, as well as common sense.

P.S.  One of the people I want to exhange things with has "Enable"  and 
another has Ventura with a pathway into it through Multi-mate.

P.P.S Any warnings, or advice on file conversions from my Kaypro CP/M format
along with the Perfect XX formats could be a factor if there is a smooth
migration path.
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James H. Moore, (Product Software Eng.)       May God bless you, in Jesus' name
Eastman Kodak Co, Rochester, NY 14653-5403       for blessing me w/ your help!
Email:  ...!rutgers!rochester!kodak!jmoore