                          Microsoft Windows 95

                             by Tony Curro


The hype is over. The long awaited Windows 95 is here. Actually, it has
been here for a few months. I have used MS Windows since v 2.0. The
latest version is a vast improvement over its predesscors. It is a true
32-bit operating system that will take us into the next generation of
computing.

Installation of Windows 95 is effortless. If you are not sure of an
option just select the default, and in most cases everything will work
out fine. I received the CD-ROM version that was a breeze to install.
The upgrade version is the only one that comes on CD-ROM as of this
writing. You can install the upgrade in the same directory as your
previous version of Windows, or you can place it in a different
directory. If you choose the different directory route all the programs
and installed features of the previous version will NOT be installed in
Windows 95.

Windows 95 will detect and install all hardware on your system. In many
cases you do not need drivers for sound, video, etc. All of this is
supplied by Windows 95. It contains drivers for SCSI devices, video,
etc., and it will select these and install them. 

The screen is more streamlined than earlier releases. You are not always
presented with Program Manager. Instead you have a Taskbar at the bottom
of the screen (which can be hidden). Clicking on the Start button pops
up a menu on the left side of the screen. From here you select the
program you want to run or the folder you want to enter, Windows 95
allows you to have nested folders which was not permitted previously.
This allows for a nice trim appearance all around. You can place often
used programs in the Start Menu, Startup group, or right on the Desktop.

Windows 95 comes with the Microsoft Network (MSN). This is  for online
access to the Internet.

DOS-based programs run flawlessly in Windows 95, as does the cut and
paste options to and from DOS windows. 

Windows 95 is one of the  only programs that I know of that went through
such an extensive beta testing phase. It was announced in 1993 and was
not released to the public until the summer of 1995. It went through
three major beta test releases with more than 50,000 people
participating in it.

Programs that were written for MS Windows v3.1 will work on Windows 95.
However, to take full advantage of Windows 95, I suggest you get
upgrades for the programs you use when they become available. These
programs will take full use of the 32-bit architecture of Windows 95 and
perform much faster, and more efficiently.

I am running on 8 MB RAM and it works fine. I do want more RAM as it can
get a bit slow at times. You can run it in this configuration, but I
suggest 12 MB RAM or more. Hard disk requirememts vary with installtion.
You will need approxamately 25 MB hard disk space for a minimal
installation. With the price of hard dirves now you should also get a
larger one. A 1.2 GB drive can be had for around $250.00. I remember
when I first got an IBM computer in 1987. A 30 MB hard drive was around
$300.

The product is well constructed and works well. If you are using Windows
you should upgrade to Windows 95. Your computer deserves it, not to
mention you owe it to yourself.

System Requirements:

* 386 or higher processor (486 recommended)
* Upgrade version requires MS-DOS v3,31 or later and MS Windows v3.0 or
later or OS/2 v 2.0 or later. (the full product requires only Windows
95)
* 4 MB RAM (8 MB RAM recommended).

* Typical installation requires 50-55 MB hard disk space for the full
 product or 45 MB for the upgrade (actual requirements will vary based
 on features installed).
* 3.5-inch high density disk drive.
* CD-ROM drive required for the upgrade version on CD-ROM media.
* VGA or higher resolution monitor and graphics card (Super VGA, 256
color monitor recommended).

The following components are optional:

* MS mouse or compatible pointing device.
* Fax/modem.
* Audio card and speakers for sound.

To access the Microsoft Exchange Inbox and MSN, The Microsoft Network,
users need the following:

* 8 MB RAM
* 20 MB of additional hard disk space
* Modem required for The Microsoft Network.

Upgrade is available on 3.5-inch high density disks, or CD-ROM.
Full product available on 3.5-inch disks only.
