Title    :Amiga EXPRESS              | Electronic Arcs
By       :Wes Doyle                  | Volume 1, Number3
Filename :Software3                  | (c) 1987, Brad Grier & Authors
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Some people use the CLI a lot, and some people don't.  Personally I
use it a lot less now than I used to, but that is another story.  For
the beginning Amiga user as well as mouse-a-holics like myself, Omega
Star Software has come out with"AmigaDOS EXPRESS", a neat little
on-line help program for all DOS users.  

EXPRESS is completely self documenting.  Basically it's a DOS manual
on disk.  You select a topic from the dropdown menus and screens full
of info on that topic appear. The info is good: it's precise, to the
point, and all the main facts are there in front of you. Here's some
details for those of you who want to know more.  

HOW IT WORKS:  

The program can be opened either from a CLI or by double clicking in
the usual fashion from Workbench.  Up comes a picture of heaven knows
what, with the "credits" superimposed on it.  You can wait 10 seconds
for this screen to disappear or click in the top left corner on an
invisible "Close Window" box to proceed. You are left with a window
labeled "EXPRESS" that is really only used to 'activate' express (I
shrink it down and tuck it away in the corner where it is handy, but
out of the way).  When the window is activated, drop down menus become
available using the right mouse button.  

There are three menu headings:  
                                 1. Projects   
                                 2. DOS help   
                                 3. Commands
       
Probably the only item from "Projects" that you will use is "Quit". 
You can also open a CLI (but you probably already opened one or you
wouldn't be looking for help) , you can set preferences ( you know how
often you fiddle with those) and you can read "About Express" (the
first time you use it).  

Under DOS Help is the kind of information you would find in the
opening chapters of a DOS manual.  Topics such as Directories, Using
the CLI, Devices, Error Codes, and Command formats , as well as "mini
manuals" for EDIT and for ED.  

The Commands menu heading has two layers of dropdowns because all the
DOS commands are grouped by their functions.  So when you go down to
"File Utilities", for example, another dropdown will appear with all
the file commands (Copy, List, Delete etc). Mouse your way down that
list to the command you want info on, release the right mouse button
and "POP" there you have a rundown on that command including template,
examples, command function descriptions , and "also see.." as well.  

MY THOUGHTS: 
 
Although I like the clarity and organization of EXPRESS, my main
difficulty with it is the whole concept of an on-line manual.  I find
it handier to have my DOS manual spread open beside me when I am in
need of it.  Another aspect of this problem is that EXPRESS's
information is presented on screens.  I would rather have them in
windows that could be shrunk or moved so I could have EXPRESS and my
CLI on screen at the same time (instead of flipping back and forth). 
The other drawback I have found is that every screen of information is
called from disk, so the EXPRESS disk must be left in a drive to use
it efficiently.  If you are doing anything that requires 2 drives then
you end up swapping a lot.  

Should you spend your $40 or so on EXPRESS or a "paper" DOS manual? 
That depends on how heavily you expect to use your CLI (because there
is more in depth info in a regular manual).  Personally, I'll continue
to use EXPRESS when I am too lazy to walk over to the bookshelf, or
when I just need a quick reminder.