could be simplified as the Esc key with a user-defined
macro. Any string of keystrokes or characters can be
stored as a macro. More importantly, once you have
defined the macro, it can be stored as a file for use with
different applications.
In short, by shortening
commands and character strings, keystroke repetition is
greatly reduced.
Desktop Organizer Utilities
Desktop organizers consist of programs that
emulate such things as calculators, notepads, phone
directories, calendars, and appointment books. Most of
these utilities are RAM resident. This means they can be
accessed from within other applications programs. For
example, you can call up the calculator utility while you
are currently working in a word processing application.
An image of a calculator will pop-up in a small
window on your monitors screen. You then perform the
necessary calculations, and return to the word
processing application. Some desktop organizers allow
you to take the resulting calculation and place it directly
into the word processing document you are working on.
This is refereed to as cut and paste. Most programs
included in desktop organizers also operate in this pop-
up mode.
Backup Utilities
As computer specialists, we should all be familiar
with backup utilities. Disk backup utilities provide us a
cost effective way to backup a hard disk. Advanced
features, such as automatic backup (backups taken at
predescribed intervals), file compression (which allows
more data to be placed on a diskette), and automatic disk
formatting, make disk backup utilities a good
alternative to the backup utilities supplied with most
operating systems. Backup utilities also allow you to
save your files to tape, or even to another hard disk.
File Management Utilities
As the capacities of hard disks increase, so does the
need for file management utilities. Try keeping track of
the files on a 2Gb hard disk without any type of file
management utility. It is next to impossible. Adding to
the problem can be a maze of subdirectories
originally set up to keep orderthat can easily hide a
file or two. File management utilities help you avoid
these problems by manipulating files and directories.
They perform tasks such as searching for files, deleting
files, tagging files (to allow for file manipulation on
groups of unrelated files), relocating files, and setting
file attributes. In short, file management utilities
provide you with a convenient way to keep hard-disk
directories, subdirectories, and the files themselves
organized and under control.
File Maintenance Utilities
File maintenance utilities include file recovery
utilities (including backup and restore) and programs
that manipulate files, such as data compression and file
security programs. File recovery utilities are designed
to identify, diagnose, and repair every form of data and
low-level format damage on standard DOS hard disks.
One of the most critical areas of file maintenance is file
recovery. If you should accidentally erase a file, it can
easily be recovered (unerased) by using a recovery
utility.
Compression utilities save disk space by reducing
file size by 40 to 60 percent. Encryption utilities are
designed for file security. Using one of several
encryption algorithms, these utilities will encode a file
so that it is readable only by reversing the encryption
process. Other utilities are designed to hide files from
the operating system; that is, the file disappears from
the operating system and is only accessible with a
password. Still others are designed to control access to
files, programs, and communications devices.
DOS Shells
These utilities, called DOS shells, help translate
DOS codes into English words, phrases, and diagrams.
They act as a liaison between you and the operating
system. They display disk and file information, adding
commands not available in DOS and tend to simplify
the execution of standard file management commands,
such as DELETE, COPY, and PRINT.
Printer Utilities
Printer utilities provide software support for the
enhanced fonts and graphics found in many printers.
They also provide such features as menu control for
printer functions, print spooling, and printing
horizontally. Printer utilities allow you to use a printer
that your applications software may not support. They
also allow you to make better use of your standard
printer.
Virus Utilities
Virus utilities are designed to keep out the
malicious logic (unfriendly viruses) that attack
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