Ability (1985) 2 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations Communications Database DOS

Originally released in 1984 by the Canadian company Xanaro that went bankrupt, and then by Migent, Ability is an integrated office suite for DOS that includes word processor, spreadsheet, database, telecommunications, business graphing, presentation graphics capabilities, and built in file management. It features good integration between the different components, with the ability to import, share, and dynamically update data between them. It was advertised as a very easy to use and a quick to learn system.

• Plus 2.0

Adobe Acrobat (1993) 31 Publishing Windows Unix MacOS

Adobe Acrobat, first released in 1993, is a tool for creating portable electronic documents. Its documents retain complex formatting when used across differing systems, so that they appear identical when viewed on screen or printed to a printer. Acrobat accomplishes this by encapsulating Adobe's PostSript printer language in to a document file format and offering the ability to embed fonts that are not present on the target system.

• 3.x

Aslightly LabelPro (1991) 2 Publishing DOS

Aslightly LabelPro is a label printing utility for use in conjunction with Aslightly label products. It supports mail merge, graphics and text, postal bar codes, and includes clipart.

• 1.x (DOS)

Autodesk AutoCAD (1984) 13 Graphics Engineering DOS

AutoCAD, from Autodesk and first released in 1982, is a powerful Computer Aided Design tool. It was, and still is, often considered the standard for CAD tools. Primarily for the IBM PC platform, it was ported to x86 machines with higher video resolutions such as the Zenith Z-100 and NEC APC. Intermittently, versions for the Macintosh appeared. Later versions use a dongle copy protection.

• r11 (DOS)

CorelDraw! (1989) 44 Graphics Publishing Unix

Corel Draw is a vector based drawing and illustration program. It is primarily a Windows application, but was ported to Mac OS, Mac OS X, Linux, CTOS and OS/2. It competed against Aldus Freehand, Adobe Illustrator, and Micrografx Designer.

• 3.5 (Unix)

DanCAD 3D (1992) 2 Engineering DOS

DanCAD is a tool for producing technical line drawings and animations. It is designed for mechanical engineers to analyze and simulate 3d mechanisms, such as complex compound robotics motions. mathematical functions, animation, and PostScript printing.

• 2.5

DesignCAD 2D (1988) 7 Graphics Engineering DOS

DesignCAD is a low end, but well featured, drafting program. It was sometime a companion product to DesignCAD 3D.

• 5.x

DesignCAD 3D (1987) 5 Graphics Engineering DOS

DesignCAD 3D is a powerful, easy to use, and low cost DOS based CAD program that claimed to have all of the features of the more expensive CAD programs. It competed against low-cost CAD programs such as TurboCAD, Generic CADD, and Drafix. It was sometimes sold alongside DesignCAD 2D

• 4.x

Easy Working Desktop Publisher (1992) 2 Publishing DOS

Easy Working Desktop Publisher is a rebranded version of PFS:First Publisher. PFS:First Publisher and the other PFS titles were acquired from Software Publishing Corp by Spinnaker Software in 1991.

• 1.0

Easy Working Tri-Pack (1992) 2 Word Processor Spreadsheet Database DOS

The Easy Working Tri-Pack, from Spinnaker Software, is a bundle of three budget productivity applications from Spinnaker Software. It includes Easy Working The Writer - a word processor, Easy Working The Filer - a database, and Easy Working The Planner - a spreadsheet. These applications boast ease of use with a friendly menu interface wile remaining full-featured.

• 1992

Expert File and Calc (1991) 2 Spreadsheet Database DOS

Expert File and Calc is a combination database and spreadsheet targeted at budget home users. It supports importing dBase III databases and Lotus spreadsheets, includes the ability to make reports, and supports Lotus spreadsheet functions. It is a fairly primitive program, and the user interface(s) are very inconsistent.

• 1991

Expert Publisher (1991) 4 Publishing DOS

This is a very low-end budget desktop publishing program from your glorious low-end budget crap software publisher Expert Software.

• 1991

Express Publisher (1990) 0 Publishing DOS

Express Publisher, by Power Up Software Corporation. is a very easy to use but somewhat limited entry level-desktop publishing program.

• 2.0

FormWorx (1990) 1 Publishing DOS

FormWorx is a tool for quickly and easily creating high quality printed forms with your personal computer. It comes with a large library of customizable pre-made standard forms. With "Fill & File" you may enter data in to fields or populate multiple forms from a database. Earlier versions were available for DOS.

• 2.x (DOS)

FrameMaker (1990) 2 Publishing Unix MacOS Other Windows

FrameMaker, originally from Frame Technology Corporation and later Adobe, is a professional document system for creating large, complex documents with highly structured layout. It was often accompanied by FrameReader.

• 2.x
• 4.x

Framework (1984) 7 Word Processor Spreadsheet Graphics Communications Database DOS

Originally created by Forefront Corporation for Ashton-Tate and first released in 1984, Framework was an early integrated office suite for DOS. It has a built in word processor, spreadsheet, database, outliner, graphing, and telecommunications.

• XE
• IV

Generic CADD (1987) 3 Engineering DOS

Generic CADD, originally from Generic Software, Inc., was a popular low-cost 2D CAD program targeted at casual drafting users. Initially it competed against AutoCAD, and the budget TurboCAD. The original version offered a number of separately purchasable modules.

• 5.0
• 6.0

GeoPublish (1994) 1 Word Processor Publishing DOS

GeoPublish was a rudimentary desktop publishing program for the Apple II and C64 that ran under GEOS. In 1993, Geoworks re-released their commercial standalone Geoworks Writer product as a shareware product reprising the name GeoPublish.

• 2.x

GeoWorks Writer (1991) 0 Word Processor Publishing DOS

After the release of GeoWorks Pro, GeoWorks released stripped down versions that only included specific application. This included GeoWorks Desktop, GeoWorks Designer, and GeoWorks Writer.

• 1991

HiJaak (1991) 1 Graphics Publishing DOS

The original HiJaak program, from Inset Systems, is a powerful screen capture tool and image converter that can perform batch conversion between a large number of formats. The later Windows version are a powerful raster-to-vector graphics conversion and editing tool that can convert between a huge number of bitmap and vector file formats.

• 2.x (DOS)

iceMaster (1992) 0 DOS

iceMaster is an emulation system and debugger for different embedded microcontroller CPUs. This is a functional software-only demonstration of the iceMaster-8051 system that emulates an Intel 8051 microcontroller.

• 3.x

Instant Artist / Print Artist (1992) 20 Graphics Publishing Novelty DOS

Instant Artist, later renamed to Print Artist, is a greeting card and sign creation program that uses vectorized graphics. It was created by The Pixellite Group, the original authors of The Print Shop, and published in 1992 by Autodesk. It was later sold by Sierra On-line. It features a high quality set of generic reusable clip art. The clip art uses vector based technology that was also used in BannerMania.

• 1.0 (DOS)

Key Publisher (1991) 1 Publishing DOS

Key Publisher is a GEM based desktop publishing tool. This is a rebranded version of GST Software's Publish-It.

• 1.x

Label Magic (1991) 0 Publishing DOS

Label Magic is an excellent labeling system that generates professional looking labels in minutes, complete with graphic icons. Part of the program is a utility to let you create your own icons. There is more to this program than logos, however. You can do mailing lists with or without icons. If your printer can handle envelopes, you can print your logo and return address directly on envelopes. You can use it to print letterheads. You can also have alphabetically sorted directory entries. You can preview the label and icon on screen with Hercules monographics, CGA, MCGA, EGA, AT&T HiRes, or VGA. Where many graphics oriented shareware programs are weakest is in the number of printers they support because each type of printer requires different routines to print graphics. Label Magic is well above average in this regard, supporting the C.Tioh 8510, NEC 8023, Epson FX (and compatibles), Epson LX, IBM Graphics, IBM Proprinter, HP Deskjet and Deskjet Plus, HP LaserJet II, HP PaintJet, Epson LQ-2500 and (Joseph M. Albanese) (Reg.Fee: $25)

• 3.00

Lotus 1-2-3 (1983) 85 Spreadsheet Unix DOS

Lotus 1-2-3 was an early spreadsheet application available for MS-DOS. It became extremely popular in the late 1980s, displacing the former leader VisiCalc. Lotus had difficulties adapting 1-2-3 to the Windows environment, and was overtaken by Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheet functionality was also included in Lotus Symphony. Later versions were included in Lotus SmartSuite.

• 1.x (Unix)
• 4.x (DOS)