Category : Various Text files
Archive   : CTM9312.ZIP
Filename : ART3

askSam
for Windows

by Tony Curro


askSam is a difficult product to describe. It is a freeform
information management environment, and much more. It is a word
processor, report generator, text search and retrieval system, and
so on. In other words it can do a lit bit of everything.

I looked at the Windows version of this product. They also have DOS
and NetWork versions available. The Windows version requires 2MB of
hard disk space, and comes on 2 3.5" diskettes.

I was up and running within minutes of installation. It comes with a
User's Guide, and Getting Started Manual. The Getting Started book
has installation information, and a tutorial. The tutorial consists
of seven lessons that give you the basic concepts of askSam. I found
the tutorial well structured, and the lessons were easy to follow.

With askSam you can enter unstructured text, just like a word
processor. You have support for TrueType fonts, colors, tabs,
centering, font size and attributes and more. Everything a word
processor can do, can be done with askSam. Insert and resize
graphics in your database. Use OLE to include video, sounds, or
other images. You can also time and date stamp your files, or use
the phone dialer to make calls for you.

You can store information in askSam in either structured data,
freeform texts, or both. askSam has powerful import and export
capabilities. You can use the Windows clipboard to paste information
from any application. In addition you can directly import ASCII,
WordPerfect, dBASE, and RTF files. I imported a dBASE file that I
had on my system. askSam created the fields and imported the text
within seconds. I immediately was able to search for any
information. When you import, askSam can automatically use any
structure found in the information as a field. So, for example words
like: NAME:, ADDRESS:, COMPANY:, etc. all become fields in askSam
without any intervention on your part. However, askSam does not
restrict you in any way. You can edit the entry form, change or add
field names, etc., and the data will be updated. You can even manage
information that you receive from services like CompuServe. For
many, this makes using a database program that requires a lot of
disk space unneccessary. askSam will it all for you at a fraction of
the disk space.

askSam gives you several ways to work, and search for information.
You can use the command line (I think it is the easiest), or use the
drop down menu.

Entering fields in a report can be done using mouse, keyboard,
toolbox, or drop down menu. Or, you can just type in the field names
and position them where you want them.

Data entry is very simple. When you select Add w/entry form, you are
presented with the form. The cursor is in the first field in your
form. You type the information, and then press TAB to go the next
field.

Create, reports, mail merge and more. You can sort, include/exclude
data, and see the report on screen. The options are almost endless.
For example, you can generate a report of only specific areas, or by
entering searches, narrow it down to those who have purchased over
$1,000 of merchandise. Using the operands: =, <=, >=, etc., you can
tailor everything to only what you want to see at a given time.

Searching can be done by word, partial word, phrase, sentence,
paragraph, etc. If you constantly used the phrase, In any event,
entering this, and selecting phrase, it would look for these words.
Or, look for various words within a paragraph. Say, for example, the
word's search and example. It will find every paragraph that
contained these two words. Or, narrow it down even further to have
it only search a sentence where these words appear. Use Hypertext
searches to link information in a single database or between
databases.

askSam comes with several example databases, and currently ships
with 14 file templates that include: address, Calendar, Clippings,
E-Mail, Notes, Questionnaire, Phone Directory, and more. They have a
BBS that users can call to get any new templates created by the
askSam staff, or those submitted by other users. In addition there
is no charge for downloading maintenance releases from the BBS. They
also have excellent technical support personal. I had a couple of
questions, and they were answered immediately. The staff is well
versed in the product.

askSam has several prominent writers, and others who have used this
product to create books. It is a very simple, yet powerful product,
that should appeal to novices as well power users. The learning
curve for this product is almost non-existent. Spend and least an
hour or so going through the tutorial, and you will be an expert in
askSam. Since I installed askSam, I have found it easier to write my
articles and reviews in it, and then export it to a text file, as I
must for distribution of my magazine. Maybe, when I become
'prominent,' I will see my name added to the askSam list.

This product, once installed, really turned me on. I was amazed at
the features and flexibility of askSam. I recommend this product to
everyone.


Product Information

askSam for Windows

SRP Ä $395

askSam Systems
P.O. Box 1428
Perry, FL 32347
800-800-1997
904-584-6590
904-584-7481 (FAX)