Mark III Shareware
A Trip Down Memory Lane
I recently embarked on a digital archaeology expedition through my old floppy disks, and I stumbled upon a treasure trove: an Educorp disk labeled "Mark III Shareware." For those unfamiliar with the term, "shareware" was essentially the early internet, allowing software developers to distribute their creations freely for trial before purchasing.
To decipher the contents of this relic, I had to consult my trusty Educorp catalog. Imagine my surprise when I discovered this single disk housed a whopping 10 applications! The mastermind behind this collection was Andrew Welch, a name that might ring a bell to those familiar with the early Mac scene, as he later founded Ambrosia Software.
This collection is a veritable goldmine for retro Mac enthusiasts. Here's a quick rundown of the software gems I found:
Black Box: A Feature-Packed System Enhancer
Think of Black Box as a Swiss Army knife for your Mac. It added a task strip (a precursor to the Dock), an analog clock, screen saver, and a host of keyboard shortcuts and system enhancements. It was like having a personal assistant for your computer, all packed into a single application.
Clarity: Photo Reduction Made Easy
In the days before digital cameras and high-resolution printers, resizing images was a challenge. Clarity stepped in to save the day, allowing users to easily reduce photo sizes to fit different printers.
Easy Envelopes Plus: Mail Made Simple
This DA (desktop accessory) streamlined the process of creating envelopes. From custom sizes to graphics and return addresses, Easy Envelopes Plus had it all.
FlashWrite: Quick and Dirty Note-Taking
A minimalist text editor that resided in the system, FlashWrite was perfect for jotting down quick notes or editing clipboard content.
Label Manager: Organize Your World
If you needed to print labels but didn't want to invest in a pricey database, Label Manager was your go-to solution. It supported various label sizes, printers, and offered sorting capabilities.
Memoir DA: Keep an Eye on Your Memory
A simple but essential tool, Memoir DA displayed your Mac's available memory, helping you manage resources effectively.
Optical: A Visual Diversion
While not strictly utilitarian, Optical offered a mesmerizing optical illusion to help you relax or simply enjoy a moment of visual intrigue.
ProFont: Crisp and Clear Text
Programmers and anyone working with text from other computers appreciated ProFont, which provided a truly monospaced typeface for consistent character spacing.
QuickCard: Phone Numbers at Your Fingertips
This CDEV (control panel device) made dialing phone numbers a breeze. You could quickly enter and store numbers, and even replay them through the Mac's speaker.
To Do! DA: Stay Organized
A timeless tool, To Do! DA helped you create, manage, and prioritize your tasks efficiently.
Discovering this forgotten treasure trove has been an absolute delight. It's a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of early software developers, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of computer software.
Do you have any other old software gems you'd like to share?