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TextShield 2000 (Build 72) by Onis |
Are you in need of a small yet fully equipped word processor? "TextShield" might be just what you've been looking for ! This freeware has features found in commercial software and comes complete with a dictionary/SpellCheck. Check it out! |
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1.7 megs HERE! |
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TextShield 2000 by Onis (Reminder: All pics in this review have been "sized" to fit!) There are many text editors on the market today. Commercial, shareware, and freeware. Many of them are quite large or are bundled with a bunch of other software that you may never use! If your looking for a great word processor without all of the fuss or size of a major installation or download, TextShield may be just what you're looking for. TextShield is a nice neat and not too large word processor with a gala of features found in many shareware program and some even unique to expensive commercial programs. First off, lets start with the download. Downloading........ Smmmoooth as silk. No problem at all. There are two files you must download and, if you're running windows 95/98, there's a third file you must get. The first download is the program itself which is geared for Windows ME and 2000. The second download is a .dll which makes the program compatible with Windows 95/98 and the third download is the dictionary to spellcheck! I thought that since there are still many, many people running Windows 98, the .dll should have been packaged together with the .exe file and offered as "Win 95/98" users only. It might save a download but really, what is the difference. The separate download for the dictionary is needed as they offer more than one language!! Just grab the one you want! Installation.......... Smmmooooth as silk again using a standard install program. The file is an .exe which just needs to be found and clicked on to make it install. I installed the extra .dll download first before installing the program (I'm running Win98!). After that, I installed the dictionary. Of course, I shut down everything before starting and rebooted afterwards, just in case. Help Files.......... At this point in time, the help on this program consists of two pages. One shows a screenshot of the program itself and the other page lists all of the features that the first page shows. You click on the button or bar on the first page and it takes you to the second page where it will give you a bit of info on the button. This, as far as I'm concerned, is not a complete help file system and the information offered for the buttons is minimal at best, however, the title screen which shows up when you first install the program states that "A help system will soon be available". Now, I don't know if that means more in depth help files or an online system to report bugs. Ahhh, well! Interface........... Hmmmm..........well........... it looks like a basic word processor, but hidden underneath this exterior shell is a nice arrangement of goodies and treats (NO...! I didn't give out copies for Halloween!! :) ). First, here's a pic of the exterior:
This view includes the "file lister" which is on the left hand side. This allows you to quick search for text files that you can open with the program. This is removable via the menu system at the top under "View" which allows you to remove the toolbars, ruler, etc. The toolbars are movable, removable, and adjustable but you can't add or delete separate buttons on the bar itself. Oh yes, before I forget, the menus have those little icons that I just love! DAMN, I think that's three programs in a row that I've found with them! I'm on a roll!!! :) Here's a pic of those menu icons............... :)
Features........... For a word processor of this size, it has quite an amazing amount of features found in larger programs. There are the basic functions for a word processor such as font attributes, bullets, search, replace, undo, redo, plus more. There is a nice "print preview" which allows zooming and full adjustment of the page along with a direct to print mode. It's very nice looking too! Another nice feature is "shadow text" which adjusts your fonts to be shadowed. One more addition is the ability to have multiple documents open at the same time. That's great for editing purposes or just to allow the user to work on two docs at once. TextShield also allows for the conversion of Rich Text Format to Plain Text and vice versa! Here's a pic of the interface with the spell checker doing it's duty................hehehe...... gotta love that spell checker!! :)
Problems........... Well, the opening page that comes on when you first install TextShield states that there may be bugs. I've been using (and abusing!! :) ) it and I haven't come across any yet. Of course, that doesn't mean that isn't any! In Closing........... Personally, I still prefer to use Star Office for my word processing, but if you're looking for a great little word processor that isn't a burden to download with features found on some of the more up-to-date commercial programs, including a dictionary, I would whole heartedly suggest you download this beauty and give it a whirl. Hmmm.....now where IS that holloween candy...........................!!! :) Enjoy Buzzy J
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