                               CROSSTIES
                     Reviewed by Jacci Howard Bear

    I don't work for CrossTies Software Corporation and they haven't
paid me to "say nice things." Why am I making this statement? Because
CrossTies for Windows is such a wonderful program and I am so
enthusiastic about its potential that I'm afraid my review might read
like a company-sponsored press release. In my opinion, this software is
truly amazing. With that said, please read on. If you "do Windows" you
need this program.
    CrossTies for Windows is not "yet another whiz-bang PIM." It
combines the features of an address book with the primary functions of
Windows for something unique. The usual Personal Information Manager
stores information about people, places, and activities. Program Manager
groups your programs for more or less easy access. File Manager lets you
move, copy, delete, or view your files. With CrossTies, Program Manager
and File Manager are almost obsolete. Now one program  truly does "do it
all."
    Reading the CrossTies box gives several clues as to the power and
scope of this program. Until you apply its features to your own work it
is hard to understand just how much the program revolutionizes Windows.
Let me give you one example of how I use CrossTies.
    As publisher of a small magazine I have many files, people, and
to-do items related to each magazine issue. Note the word related, it is
one of the key aspects of CrossTies. Prior to CrossTies I managed to
keep most of the elements for one issue together by putting all the word
processing and layout files and graphics in one directory. Of course I
had to create a directory for each issue and change the default data
directory of each program each month. And we all know the frustration of
deciphering those letter file names. Then I kept information on the
people involved with each issue, in my PIM, along with a list of
appointments and To Do items--only some of which might relate to the
specific issue in production. Then of course, e-mail messages and faxes
were stored with their respective programs.
    But take a peek into my CrossTies database and see how much more
efficiently I can work now. Think about how you would manage your own
projects using this program.
    For each issue of the magazine I create a PROJECT object. In that
object I create LINKS to all the files, programs, people and activities
related to that Project. By opening one window I can see at a glance all
the files--with meaningful descriptions--along with critical information
such as due dates and current status. I can also see a list of people,
activities (such as appointments), faxes, and e-mail involved in that
particular project. Each item (object) in the list has an icon that
tells me at glance if it is an AmiPro document, or a Photo-Paint graphic,
or a Person in my database. But CrossTies doesn't stop there. Click on
an object in the list and another window pops up with more detailed
information about the object. With the built-in CrossTies Viewer I can
look at documents, spreadsheets, and  drawings without launching the
program. I can also launch the program from that window and the file I
want to work on is immediately available--no more searching for cryptic
file names in a maze of sub-direct .
    This object-oriented organization makes working with files so much
more logical than before. For instance, to edit this review I don't open
up my word processor then look for the CTIESREV.SAM file (or whatever
other odd name I might use). Instead I open up a project called
CyberNews and launch an object that I've described as the working review
of CrossTies. I don't even have to know or care what program or where
the file is located. If, for some reason, you need to locate a file by
the traditional dire ry means--CrossTies stores all files in
sub-directories according to the program used to create the file. All my
CorelDraw files are in a CorelDraw directory under the main CrossTies
directory; all Windows Write files are under the Write directory, and so
on. When first installing CrossTies and creating objects, you have the
option of letting CrossTies move files you have already created and want
to manage under CrossTies.
    CrossTies doesn't leave out the "traditional" aspects of a Personal
Information Manager. You can store information about people with 30
pre-formatted fields and freeform notes. Daily, weekly, and monthly
calendars keep track of your calls, meetings, tasks. Schedule activities
with durations and priorities. CrossTies can also alert you of impending
activities. Templates, profiles, filters, and macros let you streamline,
customize, and automate your work.
    CrossTies can replace Program Manager as your shell or you can run
it as a regular program from a Program Manager group. The Shelf,
analogous to a bookshelf, holds your most frequently used programs and
objects--similar to the quick access icons of other Program Manager
add-ons or replacements. I've noticed that while other programs totally
replace Program Manager, with CrossTies as the shell Program Manager is
still accessible to those programs that require it for installation.
I've installed several p rams that create their own program groups.
CrossTies simply transfers that program information to The Shelf.
    As powerful as it is, CrossTies is also easy to use and highly
configurable. Size and place icons where you want them. Use menus,
keyboard shortcuts, drag 'n drop, or macros for almost any
task--whichever method you prefer. Like other programs with dozens of
options for customization, the choices can be overwhelming at first.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to alter or "play with" every feature
in order to start using the program. Start work now. Customize later.
    I used to hear a lot of hoopla about the "trashcan" on the Macintosh
computers. I tried a few add-on programs that promised similar
functionality. They were "OK." Well, CrossTies has that drag 'n drop
trashcan. It has so many ways to drag 'n drop that each time I try
something new with the program, the first thing I do is try to drag 'n
drop.
    I know what you're probably thinking. Never buy version 1 of a
program. Wait for other people to find all the bugs first then get the
"fixed" version. We must commend the folks at CrossTies for putting out
such a complete and well-behaved program on the first release. Sure, now
that I've used it I can find a dozen new items I'd like to see added but
not anything that should stop you from grabbing up this version.
    At the moment, CrossTies only directly supports a limited number of
fax programs, most specifically, FaxWorks from SofNet. For e-mail
support you need MAPI or VIM e-mail software. As the CrossTies user base
grows I'm certain we'll be seeing support for more and more programs.
When the company adds direct support for WinFax and CompuServe e-mail
I'll be in total bliss. If this version had that support now this would
be such a glowing review that no amount of disclaimers on my part would
convince you that I'm not a hired hand for CrossTies Software Corporation.
Yes, it's that good.
    For now I can get around the fax and e-mail support question by
converting selected files to PCX or TXT formats--which CrossTies easily
supports. Don't let lack of support for your current fax or e-mail
system stop you from checking out this "revolutionary information
management product." (Description lifted from a CrossTies press
release--but I agree whole-heartedly.) And if you buy it based on my
recommendation but don't like it ... it comes with a 60-day money-back
guarantee.

                     Crossties Software Corporation
                       2445 Midway Road Suite 200
                             Carrollton, TX
                          75006 (214) 407-9996

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