                      PROCOMM PLUS FOR WINDOWS 2.0
                      Reviewed by Wayne A. MacLeod

    ProComm Plus for Windows version 2.0 is an extremely good, almost
"perfect", Windows Communication program  Requirements include;  a 386
or better PC compatible or PS/2 computer, Windows ver 3.1 or higher,
minimum of 4 MB of disk space for a minimal install with up to 10 MB for
a complete install, at least VGA, Windows compatible pointing device and
a modem.
    Installation offers two choices, Express or Custom. the Express
option installs all features of the program while the Custom allows you
to select just a basic install of the program files or to add utility
programs and help files, dialing directories, sample scripts, the
on-line tutorial and more. A nice feature of the install comes after you
enter your registration information. The program offers you the
opportunity of completing your registration of the program via an
interactive script that dials the taStorm BBS via a toll free number and
completes the registration process for you automatically. You can also
register via conventional means and if you do not take advantage of the
auto register during install, the script and the opportunity are
deleted.
    I have been using communication and fax programs for many years now
and have tried just about every shareware program out there, including
ProComm Plus TD, and a good many of the commercial entries as well.
Prior to evaluating PCPW, I have not found a Windows communication
program, shareware or commercial that could compare to the DOS
counterparts. This program is as good as any I have tried and far
superior to most ProComm has come a very long way from its shareware
roots to get to PCPW 2.0. As part of stall, the program will, if
allowed, find your modem and auto configure it for "optimal" usage. You
also have the option of selecting a modem from a quite expansive
database of modems and configurations.
    Once you have completed the basic install ProComm is launched and
you are taken through the base program configuration screens. This is
followed by the opportunity to view the on-line tutorial, an Aspect
script that takes you through many of the functions of the program.
Topics include Dialing directory, Meta Keys, setup, Script Files, Faxing
and much more. The tutorial is straight forward and recommended. You can
keep and run the tutorial anytime you want or you can delete the
tutorial files and recove ome real estate. The tutorial combined with
the extensive on-line help and well written manuals provide an
impressive and functional array of program information.
    The program provides 34 of the most popular terminal emulations from
ANSI-BBS to Wyse 100. It supports 80 and 132 column modes and creation
individual keyboard maps for each.
    It offers a full featured and highly customizable dialing directory.
The directory allows you to configure each entry as you choose including
linking dialing scripts and assignment of an individual Action bar for
each entry. The Action bar consists of a row of icons that displays
during connection and allows one click operation of selected features
such as up and down loading of files, running of scripts, open and close
of capture buffers and much much more.
    PCPW offers configurable Meta keys, a not uncommon feature of good
Win communications programs. Meta Keys are buttons that sit along the
bottom of your terminal window and provide a quick and easy way to pass
repetitive or long commands. Assign your name to a key and when a BBS
asks for your name a single click on that key sends the information for
you. You can configure each of the 10 Meta keys in 4 different ways
allowing 40 separate Meta Keys. Each Meta Key can be configured to run a
script, send ass ed text to the terminal with and without echo, run a
linked program, perform a menu command or send a terminal command
    PCPW utilizes Aspect, a very powerful scripting language that allows
the advanced user to do most "anything" with the program and the newbie
to create simple scripts to perform repetitive tasks such as logging on
to a BBS or On-line service and getting your mail. The program has a
script record feature that allows you to "record" the keystrokes you use
to perform a task and then later can be used to do that for you. Basic
login scripts are almost a necessity to any user that spends much time
on a BBS.
    ProComm Plus seeks to do the communication suites combining linked
communications and fax programs one better by integrating the fax
capabilities into the communication program. Your fax modem is auto
configured to work with PCPW at the same time as the data portion is
being set up. You can send and receive faxes with  any Class 1, Class 2
or Sendfax modem. Their is a fax scheduler that allows for unattended
faxing, broadcast to multiple recipients,  and send faxes directly from
other applications via t installed fax driver. Their is an included fax
viewer and intelligent logging system. Their is an included editor that
allows creation and editing of cover sheets. Supports setting up of a
host mode for fax on demand. All in all, complete faxing capability from
within the program without all the overhead of a separate yet linked
faxing program.
    So why isn't it perfect, a few reasons, some that effect only
certain users and some more common. My main complaint with the program
is that the fax capability does not support CAS modems. My primary modem
is a CAS modem and it is not possible to use any of the fax features
with this modem. The program offers the ability to convert dialing
directories from several popular communications programs to its format.
I found the selections to be too few and the one I tried did not work,
but imported the fields to the wrong areas within PCPW. The program
includes a database of Tymnet and Sprintnet nodes which I found to be
hopelessly out of date and inaccurate. there may be more, but nothing
comes to mind right now. The program is not perfect, but it is close.

                      DataStorm Technologies Inc.
                           2401 Lemone Blvd.
                           Columbus, MO 65205
                             (314) 443-3282

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