SECTION C: HANDY UTILITIES


C1. TIME/STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

     These programs help you manage your computer use, by warning
you to take a break every so often. Some monitor the number of 
keystrokes entered, while others monitor the actual time of a 
work period. The programs may also include advice on exercises, 
posture and workstation setup.  A few use sound hardware to alert 
you to a break, but the majority use beeps or screen messages.


  a) Activity Monitoring Program
     Office Automation Systems
     44-904-423622 (UK)
   
     - pops up small window asking you to take a break
     - activated by keyboard or mouse activity instead of at 
          timed intervals
     - user can set a hierarchy of break types to alternate work 
          times and break periods
     - exiting the program and changing settings password
          protected 
     - includes TSR for monitoring typing in DOS window to
           maintain accuracy of break times 
     - beeps three times before break before taking control of 
          system
     - minimized icon shows time to next break

     System requirements: 286SX, Windows 3.x
     Includes: manual with illustrations of suggested exercises


  b) At Your Service
     Bright Star
     (206) 451-3697

     - configurable warnings when to take a break 
     - few recommendations on posture and exercises
     - no other information presently available

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, Windows 3.x
     Includes: calendar, keyboard watch, email watch, system 
               information


  c) Computer Health Break ($79.95 U.S.)
     Escape Ergonomics, Inc
     (408) 730-8410

     - warns to take breaks after a configurable interval
     - interval is based on clock time or a set number of 
          keystrokes
     - provides 3 exercises to do at each break 
     - exercises are randomly selected from a set of 70
     - exercises are illustrated and include text descriptions

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, Windows 3.x


  d) DOS Stretch ($27.00 U.S.)
     John Fricker Software
     (503) 488-5699

     - demo available (VGA only, single exercise)
     - break reminder TSR program
     - includes 11 exercises but no ergonomic information

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x, Hercules/EGA video card 
                          and monitor


  e) Exercise Break ($39.95 U.S.)
     Hopkins Technology
     (612) 931-9376

     - demo available under earlier name "StressFree" [*]
     - warns to take breaks after a configurable interval or at 
          fixed times
     - displays descriptions and pictures of exercises and 
          assists in pacing 
     - user configurable inclusion of exercises
     - backup feature allows the repeating of helpful exercises 
     - minimized icon shows time to next break
     - includes Typewatch to graph typing rate over time
     - includes online ergonomic checklist for workstations and 
          pictures of correct posture and workstation adjustment

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x, Windows 3.x


  f) EyerCise ($69.95 U.S.)
     RAN Enterprises
     1-800-451-4487 or (508) 521-4487

     - warns to take breaks at configurable intervals or at fixed 
          times
     - optional display of exercise pictures and descriptions
     - beeps to help pace exercises
     - includes 19 stretches and 4 visual training exercises
     - user configurable inclusion of exercises and number of
          repetitions
     - includes online help on workplace ergonomics.
     - does not allow breaks at periods less than 30 minutes

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x, Windows 3.x
     Includes: "Computers & Visual Stress" by Edward C. Godnig, 
               O.D. and John S. Hacunda (book)


  g) Lifeguard ($59 U.S.)
     Visionary Software
     (503) 246-6200

     - warns you to take a break with dialog box and sound
     - includes a list of exercises to do during breaks
     - includes information on ergonomic configuration of 
          workstation 

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x


  h) PC-FIT User-Saver
     Human-ware
     43-222-526-02880 (Austria)

     - demo available
     - warns to take breaks
     - provides exercises for muscles and eyes
     - includes information on ergonomics

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.1x, Windows 3.x




C2. MISCELLANEOUS UTILITIES

  a) ECMenu ($20 U.S.)
     EuroCom

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - DOS menuing program for use with a screen reader
     - number of menus limited only by free memory
     - maintenance of menu trees based entirely on function keys

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x


  b) FIXINI ($20 U.S.)
     Dave Grabowski

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - utility to set up custom Windows settings without running 
          Windows
     - allows different programs to start upon entering Windows

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x, Windows 3.x

     (NOTE: This program allows Windows to operate in a manner 
     similar to the multiple boots available with MS DOS 6, thus 
     allowing a disabled individual to share use of a computer 
     with others. For example: a user could have a their settings 
     load a screen reader automatically upon entering Windows, 
     and the same program would not be loaded with another 
     individual's settings.)


  c) Gaze ($20 U.S.)
     J. Schipperheijn

     - available as shareware [*]
     - graphical shell for DOS
     - includes text menus as well as icons for six most commonly 
          used programs/functions
     - provides large, easily visible icons

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x

     (NOTE: May be useful for someone who has difficulty using a
     keyboard, but who can point and click with a mouse.)


  d) Magic Desk ($29 U.S.)
     Virtual Magic Software

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - graphical shell for DOS
     - similar to Gaze (see separate entry) but entirely icon 
          based
     - provides large, easily visible icons 
     - provides utility to import Window's icons and to design 
          icons

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, 512K RAM, EGA 
                          monitor/video card


  e) RunHere ($10 U.S.)
     Noah Davids

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - utility to start applications and size and position 
          application windows
     - allows two or more windows to be opened simultaneously 
          without overlapping (such as an on-screen keyboard and
          a word processor) 

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, Windows 3.x


  f) WindowMagic ($29.95 U.S.)
     WinWear
     (206) 882-1530

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - allows user to assign colourful, individual icons (similar 
          to program icons within a group) to Window's Program 
          Manager groups making identification easier
     - display icons in a group as pushbuttons, a vertical row or 
          a list

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x, Windows 3.1x, 256 KB
                          hard disk space


  g) Win Multiple Configurations ($15 U.S.) 
     JRE Enterprises

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - similar to FIXINI
     - allows up to eight different Window's configurations

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 2.x, Windows 3.1x, 
                          VBRUN300.DLL

