'PowerDesk': A Swiss army pocketknife utility program<\/p>\n
By Omar Harris<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Have you ever wished that you could manage your
\nfiles and folders in your overstuffed hard drive more
\nefficiently? There are literally dozens of desktop enhancer
\nsoftware around that can help you to do just that, namely
\nDashboard 98, Norton Commander 4, Windows Commander 3.52,
\nWinCommander 5 and PowerDesk 98. But I found one of them,
\nPowerDesk 98 from Mijenix, especially handy for finishing daily
\nchores of file-keeping management.<\/p>\n
Like Windows Explorer from Microsoft, PowerDesk is a Desktop
\nEnhancer. It has more than all the features of Windows Explorer.
\nIn addition to the usual features of drag and drop between files,
\nit also has forward, backward and undo buttons. You are not only
\nable to undo any previous file operations but it will help you
\nnavigate through the last accessed or opened folders.<\/p>\n
PowerDesk's windows-style interface consists of folder lists
\nthat can be expanded into branches of sub folders from a sub menu
\nand a file list on a separate window. With separate windows (up
\nto 4 different windows can be viewed at once) file operations are
\na breeze. For example, suppose you just want to see the contents
\nof a compressed file such as ZIP file format from Nico Mak
\nComputing without actually uncompressing it. With PowerDesk your
\nZIP file will be treated just like any other folder. In fact,
\nPowerDesk has its own Zip utility function so you don't have to
\nbuy a separate file compression utility program. And better yet,
\nit is even fully-compatible with WinZip, the most popular file
\ncompression utility program around.<\/p>\n
In addition to the usual drop-down menus, PowerDesk also adds
\na launchbar, toolbar and drivebar with icons on them for easier
\nfile opening and operations. It even allows you to customize each
\ntoolbar with your own favorite settings.<\/p>\n
And if you want your files to be saved from unwanted prying
\neyes there is even File Encryption and File Destroy features.
\nFile Encryption will encrypt and decrypt your files with a
\npassword key. It is very important to remember the password key
\nbecause it not only serves as a password but it also codes your
\ndata. For file deletion, File Destroy will not just delete your
\nfile but it will literally \"destroy\" your file beyond recovery.
\nSo it is impossible to recover your files even if you use Norton
\nUnerase from Norton Utilities.<\/p>\n
Another useful feature from PowerDesk is called Folder
\nSynchronizer. I find this feature very handy mainly because I
\noften use it to update my sound card and video display card
\ndevice driver files, which I downloaded from the Internet. With
\nit I can skip copying files with the same name and version to
\nsave time. And it could even offer to copy or move newer files to
\nreplace older ones with the same name and extensions to the
\nselected folder.<\/p>\n
Even if you are an avid computer user who uses DriveSpace 3
\nfrom Microsoft Plus to compress your hard drive you won't be
\ndisappointed with another feature from PowerDesk, because the
\ncompressed hard drive will be shown on the drivebar as host drive
\nand compressed drive.<\/p>\n
But PowerDesk 98 is not without its shortcomings. Unlike
\nWindows 98 Explorer, PowerDesk 98 doesn't have a separate
\nthumbnail display for graphic (BMP, JPEG, GIF) file. This feature
\nwould be quite handy if you wanted to preview an image without
\nhaving to open a separate graphic editor software. You could,
\nhowever, install another popular, all-purpose file viewer
\nsoftware, Quick View Plus, as an add-on for PowerDesk 98. But you
\nhave to dig deeper inside your pocket just to have this
\nfunctionality.<\/p>\n
Beside that, PowerDesk 98 generates a message \"D is not
\naccessible. The device is not ready\", whenever you eject your CD-
\nROM, even though you are viewing files in drive C. This message
\nis quite annoying if you are not fast enough in inserting another
\nCD-ROM to replace the one you have already ejected.<\/p>\n
Now, we come to the interesting part. At this point, you are
\nprobably wondering to yourself: Should I buy this software?
\nBefore you dash to the nearest software shop to buy PowerDesk 98,
\nyou should consider the other desktop enhancer software mentioned
\nabove. Some of them are very good and some are just plain nice to
\nhave. If you have an Internet connection, you could download a
\ntrial version from their respective http address and try them out
\nbefore you make a decision. But if you don't, ask some of your
\nfriends who have already them installed in their PC. You may get
\na variety of answers about each product's superiorities and
\nweaknesses.<\/p>\n
Just remember though that each of them has different
\ninterfaces, functionalities and styles. Choose one that best
\nsuits you.<\/p>",
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