                Microsoft Plus! Companion for Windows 95

                             by Tony Curro


With release of Windows 95 Microsoft also released Plus! Companion. MS
Plus adds, or enhances, the features already in Windows 95. Plus! is
designed to take advantage of the power of 486 and Pentium-class PCs. It
includes the Microsoft Internet Jumpstart Kit, which includes the
Internet Explorer, and up to 20 hours of no-charge access time on MSN,
The Microsoft Network.

The System Agent acts as a "smart" assistant within the computer. It
allows you to run system maintenance at scheduled times, or when system
is idle. 

Dial Up Networking Server allows you to dial into your computer from
another location.

Visual Enhancements gives you: Full Windows Drag/Drop, Font Smoothing,
Enhanced MS-DOS Fonts, Animated Pointers and High-color Icons.

The Desktop Themes contain a dozen themes on various subjects. Choose
from The '60s, Animals, Nature, Leonardo DaVinci and more. These contain
wallpaper, icons, sounds, screen savers and more based on the specific
theme you choose.

MS Plus! also adds Drive Space 3 which is an enhanced disk compression
program, that surpasses the one included in Windows 95.

To pass your time, as long as the boss is not watching, you have 3D
Pinball. This is an excellent program that makes full use of sound,
music and graphics. Space Cadet will take you to the far reaches of the
galaxy.

Installation, as with Windows 95, is easy. The package is an enhancement
to Windows 95, and should be bought with Windows, or soon thereafter.

System Requirements:

* 486DX or higher processor
* Windows 95 operating system
* 8 MB RAM
* Typical hard disk space required is 25 MB. Additional hard disk space
is required if the user plans to install Internet provider software.
* 3.5-inch high density disk drive or CD-ROM drive (for CD-ROM version
of MS Plus!).
* VGA or higher resolution monitor and graphics card that supports 256
colors (16- or 24-bit color recommended).
* Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
* Fax/modem or server (required to use Internet features).
* Audio card (required for sound features in 3D Pinball and Desktop Themes).

Pricing:

Microsoft Plus! Companion for Windows 95 is available on 3.5-inch disks
or CD-ROM media for approximately $49.99.

Contact Microsoft on the Web: http://www.windows.microsoft.com
