whc@cbnewsh.att.com (william.h.chriss) (12/27/90)
I've read the recent report in PC Mag on PIMs. The Editor's choices of Windows-based PIMs are Current 1.1 and Pacrat 3.0. Anybody had experience with either of these? Pacrat sounds closer to my style with its free-form style. I'll gladly summurize (sic) to the net. TNX Bill
Hubert Lai <LAIH@QUCDN.QueensU.CA> (01/02/91)
In article <1990Dec27.024653.5238@cbnewsh.att.com>, whc@cbnewsh.att.com (william.h.chriss) says: > >I've read the recent report in PC Mag on PIMs. The Editor's choices of >Windows-based PIMs are Current 1.1 and Pacrat 3.0. Anybody had experience with >either of these? Pacrat sounds closer to my style with its free-form style. I too read the report. I've also gone through the past couple of years of back issues of the major computer rags to see what I could dig up, since I am also trying to choose between Current and PackRat. After going through the product literature for both products, re-reading the reviews many times, and talking to other users, here are the impressions which I have gleaned: 1) PackRat has been around longer than Current. However, both products are apparently mature and bug-free (or at least as close as it gets). 2) PackRat is available in both stand-alone and network versions. Although a network version of Current was widely expected when the program was introduced more than a year ago, one has not been released to date. 3) Both products will run under Windows 3.0. I do not know whether either product *requires* Windows 3.0 or whether either product takes advantage of Windows 3.0 specific features like the Help Engine, improved font support, Pallette Manager, etc. 4) PackRat was developed by and continues to be marketed by Polaris. In contrast, Current was developed by a small team of programmers who then sold their creation to IBM, who now markets it. I *believe* that the programmers who developed the software are now employed by IBM. 5) PackRat offers a wider breadth of features than Current. However, Current is more flexible in the way that it allows you to handle your data. Of course, if your way of organizing data is the same as PackRat's way (or reasonably close) then this isn't a problem. 6) While both Current and PackRat offer DDE support, PackRat's is not as strong as that of Current. 7) Both Current and PackRat make good use of the graphical user interface provided by Windows. However, they each have a different flavour. Which one appeals to you depends on your personal preferences. 8) Both PackRat and Current have the same list prices. However, the lowest mail-order prices I have seen place Current at $239 US and PackRat at $259 US. That is for the stand-alone versions. I can't recall what the pricing was like for the network version of PackRat. I emphasize that these observations have been gleaned from other reports, and not from first-hand observation. If anyone wishes to take issue with these observations, I welcome any corrections or clarifications. I merely request that flames be avoided. As for myself, I've had a very difficult time trying to decide between the two packages. However, DDE and flexibility are quite important to me and so I've decided to go with IBM Current 1.1, which I now have on order. Besides, it was cheaper! I would be interested to hear which package you decide to go with, and I would also be interested in your observations, whichever way you decide to go. Hubert Lai Faculty of Law Queen's University at Kingston
indra@brahms.amd.com (Indra Singhal) (01/03/91)
I read the comparison of PIMs for Windows by Mr. Lai... the question I
have is do these packages provide a convenient way to move data from
other packages into themselves? I would have a very hard time justifying
entering all the data I now have in other PIMs in to either Current 1.1
or PacRat 3, one at a time.
There is ALM101.ZIP, shareware PIM... perhaps I am being naive, but what
do I get for $259?? Yes... I should get a copy of the magazine and read
for myself.
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