Electronic Reviewer

Getting to Know You 95

Microsoft Windows 95 is everywhere. Bill Gates' advertising team is using every possible media to convince us to switch from comfortable old operating systems to his newest creation. Individuals want to have the increased productivity it promises in its media hype, but are afraid of the effort it will take to learn the system and its tricks. Corporate information directors are similarly assessing the training costs for the leagues of employee users that are eventually expected to use the system.

The obvious answer is a combination training and preview package that allows both users and information managers to view and learn about Windows 95. The first complete package that I have located is marketed by Soft-One Corporation. ClassAct Windows 95 is an interactive software simulation training program that allows the user with or without an actual copy of Windows 95 to learn by doing. Information managers can use the package as a training aid for early adopter departments. They will easily be able to establish training-time costs by actual use of the system.

The ClassAct CD-ROM-based package can run under Windows 3.11 or Windows 95. The system installs by using as little as 800 KB of disk space that allows users with systems needing more memory or hard disk capacity to evaluate their upgrade choices. The system offers a video segment with speech for each element of the package. Each lesson within the element contains one or more interactive screens for the user to employ in training on Windows 95.

The package includes sessions on installing Windows 95, a look at the new features, and how daily tasks are accomplished. The user can also select interactive elements on customizing options, using the "Explorer" program within Windows 95, how to work with printers and networks, and a description of the Microsoft Exchange commercial network. Topics like "how to use a modem", "the features of Windows 95 for the laptop user", and "use of the package's word processing and graphics programs" are also covered. Multimedia tools, Windows 95 utilities and the new MS-DOS are also covered in interactive lessons on the CD-ROM.

The software includes a video clip with a short voice introduction for most initial elements. The user then follows the instruction the program gives for selecting, mouse clicking, dragging, dropping, and typing to interact with the program. When the user does not follow instructions, additional on-screen information is presented. The user can move forward and backward within a lesson at their own speed.

ClassAct offers more than 150 lessons on the disc. The manufacturer estimates this product to contain more than 30 hours of training. The software requires an 80486SX- 33 or better computer, a double speed CD- ROM drive, a 16-bit (Sound Blaster compatible) card, speakers, a two-button mouse, SVGA color Monitor, 8 Mb of RAM, MS-DOS 3.3 or later, and Windows 3.11 or Windows 95. We found that the product operates significantly better with a faster processor and 4X CD-ROM drive.

The package was produced with a great amount of human engineering. The lessons are easy to use and complicated topics are covered with easy self-paced examples. More than a third of a gigabyte of data is contained on the disc, and its design fits both the individual user and the corporate trainers' needs. The interactive design allows trainees or testers to spend long sessions with the product without eye strain or boredom. This product will create Windows 95 converts and productive users.

Contributed by C. W. Mann, who also writes the syndicated computer column, BuzzBytes.

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