QMosaic Internet Toolbox -- Quarterdeck's Mosaic client has made amazing advances in the last few months. It's gone from a very disappointing initial beta release to a very promising commercial 'net suite of apps. QMosaic was previously offered only as a standalone web browser but has recently gained several new siblings, including external mail, newsreader, ftp, terminal, and 'net access clients. The entire collection of clients has been commercially released as the Quarterdeck Internet Toolbox, but trial versions of both QMosaic and the entire package are still available on the 'net. Each gives you a free thirty day evaluation to decide whether you want to register the product. The QMosaic browser remains the best application of the group and has several additional features since the last version including permanent caching, mailto support, tables, background sound capability, SSL security, centering, Client Side Image Mapping, and internal sound viewers for a variety of sound formats (au, aiff, midi, and wave). QMosaic seems to have gained an appreciated speed infusion, as well. The annotation feature, another unique ability of the browser, has finally been added in a manner that doesn't detract from QMosaic's overall appearance. In fact, QMosaic has implemented a very unique, very attractive layout with its web browser client. However, Netscape 2.0 tags and some Internet Explorer 2.0 tags are not supported in this release. The only other feature that still needs improving is the archives (installed bookmarks) -- even links to such essentials as The CWS Apps List and ESPNET's SportsZone are mysteriously missing in the archives. Unfortunately, the rest of the new clients in the Normandy suite fail to impress in their present versions. While the terminal app is useful, the ftp client still has many bugs and both the newsreader and the mail client aren't as feature-rich and easy-to-use as those found in Internet Works. Overall, this is a good collection of 'net apps that definitely warrant checking out. Quarterdeck is now one of the earliest entrants into the 'net suite software war -- expect many more in the near future. Pros: Quick, fast caching, multi-threading, great appearance, annotation feature; 'net suite! Cons: Lacks Netscape's speed and features, not as effectively integrated as Emissary New: Web browser now offers tables, background sound, CSIM, SSL security, and internal sound viewers Version Reviewed: Suite - Pre-Release 4. Web Browser Only - 2.02 Date of Review: 4/20/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud apps conference Main Menu