Info Select 3.0 - Feb/Mar '98

Info Select 3.0

This venerable PIM has developed quite a following among its loyal users. All information is stored in free-form databases. Rather than pigeonholing your information into categories, you store names, notes, memos and other information in a style that suits your needs. However, this requires structure from the user so if you need a PIM to impose order on your chaos, you may want to keep looking. If you like the "Sticky Notes" metaphor, this is a great product.

Info Select opens with an outline style view of your information. The left-hand pane is the Selector, a display of all the items you have entered. Data is entered into various types, represented by icons (Notes, Topics, Calendars and Databases). Information for each item is displayed in the Workspace on the right. You can add new items and move items using drag and drop. The phone book is a database with preset fields. Click its icon in the Selector and the Workspace changes to a familiar phone book metaphor. The default is very basic, lacking features such as personal and business information for the same user.

The calendar is very rudimentary in comparison to some of the other products reviewed here. Enter new items by clicking on the desired time and just start typing. The calendar buttons are not intuitive. You can set alarms for any item.

Storing information in a free-form database means that you must have a top-notch retrieval system. Info Select has powerful and quick search tool for finding that random bit of information you entered. Boolean searches are allowed and results are returned fast.

The latest iteration of Info Select (version 4.0), provides Internet support. For example, Web sites are now hyperlinks accessible through your browser. However, if you click on the Internet topic after opening Info Select, you are faced with a clean slate. Some sample information, sites and links would have been helpful. E-mail integration (MAPI) has been added and Info Select works great in a network environment.

Unfortunately, Info Select is not fully adapted to a 32-bit environment. For example, the installation program cannot display long file names. Also, the open file is displayed using its MS-DOS name. The upper toolbar provides pop-up hints but the lower buttons and folder tabs provide no hints. In addition, right-mouse button support is completely absent. Another downfall of Info Select is its lack of integration with other programs.

Micro Logic Corp.
(800) 342-5930

By Michael Jimmerson

From the Shopper's Guide to Personal Information Managers - Feb/Mar '98

Pros: Info Select allows for completely free-form text entry. It's Web-enabled.

Cons: The program lacks structure for novice users.

Verdict: This PIM is great for those who like to capture tons of random bits of information. Info Select provides a repository but you must create the structure.