                             Norton Desktop
                              for Windows

                             by Tony Curro


    Peter Norton has recently released version 2.2 of his popular
    Desktop for Windows. Many features have been enhanced, and quite a
    few new features have been added.

    Norton Desktop for Windows requires 11MB of hard disk space for a
    full installation. Upon installation you are asked if you wish to
    make the Desktop Editor your primary editor, instead of Notepad. You
    are also asked if you wish Desktop as you primary shell, foregoing
    Program Manager. I would suggest saying yes you both of these
    options. The Editor has more features than Notepad, and the Desktop
    gives you more control than Program Manager.

    Key Features include:
	* Automatic data recovery for DOS 6.0 compressed drives.
	* Read/Restore DOS 6.0 backups.
	* Windows for Workgroups support.
	* Network support.
	* Virus detection for over 1,500 viruses.
	* Enhanced Text Editor.
	* High speed tape controller support for Colorado and Iomega.
	
    When you start Windows, with Norton Desktop as your shell, you see
    drive icons on the left and Norton Tools on the right. These are all
    configurable to suit your individual needs. You can choose to show
    or not show floppies. Select which hard or network drives you would
    like to see. Or you can turn off the feature and not see any drives.
    The same applies for the tools. There are seven tools that you can
    have available. These are: Viewer, Printer, Shredder, SmartErase,
    Backup, AntiVirus and Mail.

    These icons are what gives you greater flexibility for Windows. For
    example: dragging a filename over to the viewer will allow you to
    view it using one of the over 45 file and graphic viewers available.
    So if you have a GIF of PCX file and dragged its name on the Viewer
    icon, you would see the graphic on screen. Virus checking and even
    backing up can be handled in this fashion. Drag a drive icon over
    either and the function will be performed. Dragging a text file over
    the Printer icon will allow Desktop to print your document on the
    default printer.

    Also your groups are placed in a Quick Access Group. From here you
    can create new groups, or run programs just as you had from Program
    Manager. You also have the added advantage of groups being created
    in regular view, icon view or list view. The first is how you see
    your icons in your current groups. The second places icons
    side-by-side, in a gridlike format, without names below the icons.
    The last presents them with icon on left and description on right.
    They are presented below each other in list form.

    Drag-and-drop icons onto the desktop. Move groups of files into
    other groups. Almost every function in Norton Desktop for Windows
    can be done in this fashion. It simplifies things dramatically.

    Along with the above mentioned features, Norton Desktop comes with
    many other Windows programs that help or inform you. These are: 3
    calculators, SuperFind, Unerase, Norton Disk Doctor, System
    Information, Disk Copy, Format, Icon Editor, Batch Builder, Macro
    Builder and more.

    All of these packaged with the Desktop itself, makes this an
    excellent package for many users. It is easy-to-use and while MIS
    people will enjoy it, it was also designed for the average user.
    There are more average or novice users out there, so I fell this is
    an excellent choice. I had it up and running without looking at the
    manual. But, reading the manual, is a great help in fine tuning, and
    reference for the many features and other things that will enhance
    your use of Norton Desktop for Windows.  Upgrade for registered
    users is $19.


                          Product Information

                          Norton Desktop v2.2
                              for Windows

                          List Price -- $179.

                          Symantec Corporation
                           10201 Torre Avenue
                        Cupertino, CA 95014-2132
                              408-253-9600
                           408-253-4092 (FAX)
