Sidekick. (evaluation)

Like Tonto and The Lone Ranger, Robin and Batman, Pancho and The Cisco Kid, the newest version of the Sidekick desk organizer and your IBM PC form an inseparable pair. And faster than you can say "Kimosabe," "Holy Cow," or "Oh Cisco," Sidekick opens a window on the screen and places a notepad, calculator, Rolodex/modem dialer, calendar, or ASCII table before your eyes.

All windows can be moved around the screen, enlarged, and contracted. Multiple windows overlay each other, although you can alter the order at any time.

The notepad is a full-screen Word-Star-like text editor that includes advanced features like search and replace, full block operations, and use of the IBM extended character set. In addition, you can cut and paste data from anywhere on the screen into the notepad and restore deleted lines. Sidekick defaults the notepad to about a 4K size, although files can be as large as 50K. If you often find yourself scrabbling around your desk for a pen and paper to jot down an idea while in the middle of something else, the notepad function may well be worth the price of the package.

The calculator works like a hand-held calculator. It performs the four basic math operations, recalls a number from memory, and includes binary and hexidecimal modes.

The Rolodex/modem dialer keeps track of names and phone numbers and allows you to search for a particular string of characters. If you have a Hayes 300, 1200, 1200B, or close compatible modem attached to your computer, Sidekick will automatically dial the number you choose.

The calendar allows you to mark appointments from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through the year 2099. This feature consists of two windows--the first to display an entire month, the second to display half a day of appointments.

The ASCII table command places the ASCII table in a window. Although of limited use to most people, programmers may find this helpful.

Sidekick certainly appears when you need it. At the press of a couple of keys, any or all of the functions pop onto the screen. If you like to do two (or more) things at once, Sidekick is compact, fast, easy-to-use, and handy, and could be your salvation.

Products: SideKick (Personal information management system)