GENWiki

                         SHAREWARE REVIEW

    PROGRAM: Just Another Disk Utility - Version 1.3
     AUTHOR: J.C. Ratjen

DATE RELEASED: October 1989 REGISTRATION: $25.00 RESTRICTIONS: None

     RATING: 9.0

NAME-SIZE ZIP: JADU13.ZIP, 88K

One of the many problems that users face are commands. Certain commands do certain things on certain software. Rarely, save the F1 and ESC key, do commands complete the same tasks.

Complicating this problem, are programs that have a command set that are no where near what task you would like to accomplish. (An example in a terminal program would be to hit ALT-H to dial, rather than the more logical ALT-D) The misnaming of command sets is a fault that is running rampant in the ShareWare industry.

So, when I came across JADU, whose description read something like "USER FRIENDLIEST DOS SHELL", I had to download it. DOS Shells are like fingerprints, none of them are alike; when you switch shells, you also switch command sets.

USE: JADU's documentation is supreme. Complete with an index, I have

   never experienced  such high quality  documentation in a  ShareWare
   product. The  documentation is in  a semi-bullet form,  which lends
   itself to quick  reading for advanced users, and  easy learning for
   novices.

   Setting up  JADU is a breeze  also. Included is an  install program
   that allows you  to control everything from colors  to mouse speed.
   Oh, did I  mention JADU also supports mice?  The only problems were
   the lack  of a "no  sort" option on  your directory, and  the small
   choice of screen colors.

   Once inside  JADU, though, you  really begin to  see what a  banner
   program  it is.  The commands  are VERY  logical. Want  to delete a
   file? Ok, hit D. Want to move a file? Ok, hit M. Want to see inside
   an Archive? Ok, hit A. Oh,  did I mention that JADU also interfaces
   with compression  programs? The program  also works in  a tag mode,
   but you must specify it, allowing  you to mark files to be deleted.
   copied, moved,  etc. A nice  feature would have  been to allow  the
   program, through  the installation module,  to pop up  in tag mode.
   Also,  hitting  CNTRL-C  does  the  familiar  "scroll  a line" that
   accompanies every  program that doesn't  turn CNTRL-C off.  You can
   refresh the screen, but it's a pain.

   Interestingly  missing from  the  program  was on-line  help. Sure,
   there was a  help screen, but no detailed help.  You can look at it
   like the bridge was half built so we could get to the middle of the
   river. It just  didn't make sense. Have a  logical, perfect command
   set and then fall short by leaving out on-line help.

   By  anyone's standards,  JADU's  shining  attribute is  its command
   structure, but  the choice of commands  weren't that shabby either.
   You  could  manipulate  compressed  files,  print  out  files,  and
   countless other luxuries.

   What would I like to see? Thanks  for asking! Well, I have run into
   a program called SAGE, a text  editor, that allows you to MAKE your
   own command set.  This would be a good step  for JADU. But why mess
   with near perfection?

SUMMARY: GOOD POINTS BAD POINTS

                  ßßßßßßßßßßß                   ßßßßßßßßßß
                  û Price                       û No "no sort"
                  û Documentation               û No on-line help
                  û Command Structure
                  û Features

1———-5———10: ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ

9.0

JADU is the embodiment of the perfect command structure. D for delete, M for move and C for copy are just the beginning of an excellent program. Buoyed by this, the program assumes minimal damage in the BAD section. A great value!