Softerm Plus

Softerm Plus -- Softerm is a solid collection of 'net apps bound to impress many users. The web browser offers quick, efficient performance with document and image caching, user-definable preferences, an extensive listing of common bookmarks, centering, tables support, transparent images, and more. At the same time, it's not quite as feature-rich as standalone clients like Internet Explorer and Netscape 2.0; missing features currently include support for client side image mapping, null borders, and some additional 'Netscapism' HTML tags. Also included in this extensive suite of clients are a graphics viewing client (with support for nearly every image type imaginable); a mail, ftp, and lpr integrated set of clients (with an interface extremely similar to WinQVT); an enhanced ftp file manager (with an interface extremely similar to the Windows 3.x File Manager); the latest version of PowWow; and a dedicated TCP/IP dialer for connecting to the 'net. Of these features, the FTP file manager is the most interesting and useful. Both remote and local sites can be set up side by side and sending/receiving multiple files can be carried out with ease. Still, even this enhanced FTP client is no match for the likes of a standalone client like CuteFTP or WS-FTP. The PowWow client is a great addition and an unprecedented one for a 'net suite. All of the features in the standard standalone PowWow client are retained in Softerm. The graphics viewing client is another added plus for users. It does lack some of the better features found in standard graphics viewers, though, including slideshow capability, advanced conversion tools, and transparent/interlaced gifs. Like PowWow, the addition of Softerm's Picture-Viewer is a first for a 'net suite. The telnet client doubles as a modem dial-up communications tool and offers an impressive set of features. The mail, ftp, and lpr set of apps are patterned after the same set of clients as in WinQVT. All three are lacking in many features and are bested by several other integrated 'net suites and standard apps. As a 'net suite, Softerm performs admirably and will be more than suitable for many users, especially newbies to the 'net. And at less than $50, Softerm is also one of the cheaper 'net suites available. It does have a few shortfalls, though. First, the entire set of apps could be integrated rather than loaded separately, or at the very least a launchpad could be used to manage the apps. Second, a news client in Softerm hasn't been implemented quite yet but is expected to be released in a future version. Also, to truly become competitive in this field, Softerm will need to make some additional improvements to the mail client and web browser. For a new release, Softerm is looking quite good, and I expect that future improvements will make it even more attractive to users. Pros: Extensive collection of 'net apps in one package; PowWow and graphics viewer included Cons: Mail and lpr apps less than outstanding, lacks integration between apps New: Auto Table of Contents generator in web browser, support for tables and additional HTML 3 tags Version Reviewed: 4.00.07d Date of Review: 6/28/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud apps conference Main Menu