Trumpet Winsock -- Trumpet Winsock has long been the Consummate Winsock Application for Windows 3.x SLIP/PPP users -- until recently there hasn't even been a single alternative. And now that Trumpet Winsock is available for Windows 95 as well, Windows 95 users finally have a solid alternative to the Windows 95 dial-up stack. If configured properly, Trumpet executes a cryptic script, returns some even more cryptic numbers, and then allows you to traverse the Info Highway without further hassle. If not configured properly . . . (find a system admin quickly). The alternatives to Trumpet for SLIP/PPP users now are Chameleon Sampler and SLIP emulators like Twinsock. None of these are as easy and transparent as Trumpet (once configured properly), though. Trumpet recently added support for PPP in its 2.0 release. The package is actually a bundled dialer with the winsock.dll and SLIP/PPP supporting protocols. At $25, I thoroughly recommend this client to all Windows 3.x SLIP/PPP and now to Windows 95 users as well. The newest versions have implemented a deadline feature -- you only have thirty days to evaluate the product before it ceases to function. Trumpet Winsock for Windows 3.x is strictly a 16-bit implementation of the winsock standard; therefore, it will not allow access to 32-bit apps in Windows 95 and Windows NT. For this you will need the Windows 95 version of Trumpet Winsock. As a final note, though, the Windows 95 version is a beta release and may not work correctly with all apps at this point. Also, because Trumpet Winsock for Windows 95 is shareware ($25), many Windows 95 users will likely fare better with the free 32-bit winsock stack that is included with Windows 95. Pros: SLIP/PPP support, integrated dialer, a must have for SLIP/PPP users Cons: Cryptic scripting, steep learning curve for New users New: Windows 95 version, more bug fixes (specifically, Netscape 2.0 Java bug) Version Reviewed: Win 3.x - 2.1f. Win 95 - 2.95 Beta 7 Date of Review: 2/28/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud