Windows 95, released at midnight on August 24, 1995, made Microsoft a million dollars in the first week. Like it or not, Win95 will be coming your way . . . and soon.
We are not entirely unopinionated about the newest Windows. Is
Windows 95 for you? It depends on who you are and what you want to do. Click on the question to
read our answer. We may change our opinions about this new operating system from time to time as we
gain practical experience working with it. We'd like feedback from you, our clients, as well.
You can learn more about Windows 95 from the on-line sources we list here. Our two favorites so far are Mike Dixon's outstanding QAID (Question-Answer-Information-Database site and Cutter's Windows 95 Crossroads by Keith Kalet.
Of course there's Microsoft's web site, with fact sheets, software applications, tips and tricks, and the inevitable hype.
Microsoft's FTP site has a list of Windows 95-compatible hardware (hcl.exe) and software (win95app.hlp), and a Windows 95 installation guide (suppast.exe). (The name may have changed; look for the "Installation Guide.") You'll find the files in the peropsys/win_news/TechnicalInfo&Support/Support/ directory, which is where you'll land if you click here.
Another list of 500 compatible applications is available from PC Week's Web site.
WindoWatch is a free electronic magazine distributed in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF). In its 70 pages of in- depth articles, product reviews, and tutorials, you'll find coverage of Windows 95 and other Windows products.
CMP Publications' "Techfile: Windows 95" presents pointers to Win95 articles from 16 CMP publications as well as advice on upgrading and a hyperlinked visual tour of Windows 95.
To subscribe to Win95-L, an unofficial mailing list for Windows 95 users, send E-mail to listserv@peach.ease.lsoft.com with a blank subject line. In the body of the message, type SUBSCRIBE win95- L.
For ongoing information, check out Usenet newsgroups in the comp.os.ms- windows family.
Here's a list of other useful Win95 resources we have found:
Buster's Windows 95 Page: Software, tips and tricks, and fact sheets.
Dylan Greene's Experimental Win95 Starting Page: Software, tips and tricks, and links to other sites.
Frank's Windows 95 Page: Q&A files, troubleshooting, software drivers.
Process Software: List of free and shareware programs.
Justin Higgins' One-Stop Windows 95 Site lists lots of links to further information.
Windows 95 InterNetworking Headquarters: Networkers' goldmine.
Last update: 12-14-95.