Stories by Joel T. Patz

Manage Your Complex Projects--Simply

With any complicated project, you need to design, organize, and schedule. Three newly updated software packages can give you exactly the help that you need.

PowerDesk 4 Pro Outdoes Windows Explorer

OnTrack Data International Inc.'s PowerDesk 4 Pro cures the anemic Explorer in Windows 9x, 2000, or NT 4.0. Besides handling basic file management tasks (moving, copying, and deleting files), this $20 utility can view files saved in any of 200 formats and can use FTP files to transfer files to and from a Web server.

Minor Improvements Mark New Maximizer

The latest upgrade to Multiactive Software Inc.'s Maximizer contact manager, Maximizer Enterprise 2000, provides some cosmetic improvements but doesn't earn its "Enterprise" moniker. The shipping multiuser version lets you share files and calendar info fairly easily (no network administrator needed), but that's the extent of its enterprise features. However, if your sales and marketing workgroup lacks a contact manager, or if you're a novice, ME2000 should be satisfactory.

Project 2000 Gets Your Team Working

Collaboration makes projects happen. Recognizing this, Microsoft Corp. has striven to meet collaborative needs in its Project 2000 suite, including the outstanding new Project Central, one among a slew of added and improved features.