Calendar Maker



Author: Robert Astrin

Date: November, 1993

Keywords: CE Software application review program

Text:
The packaging is friendly.  Printed on the cardboard flap is ''No
shrink wrap used on this package.'' A modest piece of scotch tape is
all that is between the user and the software.  The Manual is not
friendly.
The installation instructions are incomplete. The instructions require
you to make a folder on the hard disc and copy files some compressed
.SEA files into it . There is a loose piece of paper titled HELPFUL
INFORMATION  that unravels the mysteries of a compressed .SEA file as
well as other information needed by a novice.  This information should
be in context,  in the user manual.  I bet they get numerous calls from
frustrated novices.  Better yet, they could have provided a simple
installer.
 Chapter 2 is Using Calendar Maker. This is a demonstration by way of
what proposes to be tutorials. Upon opening the program a prompt
requiring registration appears. After registration a Select Layout
dialog box appears. It has a selection of two weeks. The instructions
then read select a layout. I made my selection, clicked the OK button
and fell into a loop where the layout would revert to the original
selection. Frustrated, I restarted the computer and reopened the
program. I could now put in my own selections. There are other
glitches. In sizing, you have a choice of page, inch, or centimeter.
The default is page. When I chose to change the calendar length to 0.5
page I got into a  dialog loop that told me 0.5 inch is too small for a
calendar.  I can avoid this loop if I hit the OK button, quickly,
before the dialog appears it. Neither the manual nor the HELPFUL
INFORMATION  sheet gives any hints on this problem. After this
experience, I put aside the manual and HELPFUL INFORMATION  sheet and
went exploring.
My personal need is to have detailed, no frills, weekly calendars with
the current one on start-up. I created an application while exploring
and placed it in the start up file. It required about 5 minutes to
open. By increasing the program memory from its recommended 980K to
about 3000K I could reduce the time to about 1.5 minutes. I found this
unacceptable in memory requirement and time. It seems to be  a program
for those that like to consume paper with frills.
I made up a Marilyn Monroe Calendar from this software and submitted it
with this article. Under ''File'' there is a menu item for making a
demonstration. A warning appears - ''Use copy of the document. Document
will be destroyed in process of making DEMO.'' I used this process to
make a sample for this article. What happened is nothing is destroyed;
only defaced. Both the original and the Demo are now embossed with the
Words ''DEMO''. Other criticisms? There is no obvious way to make
templates. Also, it's easy to lose the work that is in process. Dialogs
that give warnings would be handy.
I have a  $5.00 shareware program called Calendar 2.1 that uses very
little memory and gives details for each day selected on a monthly
format. It does not have any choice of formats or detailing.  It is a
better bargain in both time and money. 
''CALENDAR MAKER'' is available from: 
     CE Software
     P.O. Box 65580
     West Des Moines, Iowa   50265

Copyright © november, 1993 by Robert Astrin