Want: Something I have not seen since I only knew DOS -- before Windows3.1

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lisa S.
  • Start date Start date
L

Lisa S.

Back in the early eighties when I used BBSs instead of the Internet and
a 300 baud connection was perfectly acceptable, I downloaded a piece of
software to be used for problem solving.

I do not remember the name... or who made it, but it was designed to
help you see relationships between pieces of a problem -- and
extrapolate possible new pieces of information.

It was as if you could write a single fact one an Index card, and tagged
it with "who, what, where, when, how, why." In the database mode, you
could let the machine sort according to certain rules. In the graphical
mode... it was sort of like sorting the cards on the floor putting
related items next to each other.

The thing is... since I am quadriplegic, index cards on the floor is not
an option. I have had several computer crashes and new computers since
then, but I have never been able to replace that freeware.

Do you know of something that fits the description?




--

Lisa S.
Web Site URL: http://www.worthywomanpage.com
ICQ-27424429 IM-lthrncnfssns Yahoo!-WorthyWoman

(This year, I've the honor and pleasure of
(believe it or not) serving time behind bars for "Jerry's Kids"
to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I need your help
to raise the dough to bail me out of jail. You can also pay to
keep me in! My Bail Page is at: http://tinyurl.com/dn9gv )
 
Lisa said:
Back in the early eighties when I used BBSs instead of the Internet and
a 300 baud connection was perfectly acceptable, I downloaded a piece of
software to be used for problem solving.
Click to expand...
I recall a few old DOS programs for this. I saw the first one in 1984.
There was one later named The Idea Generator. There was also an advanced
outlining program that people used for idea development -- something
that a man put out from Piedmont, California -- it used a device named a
"fence" -- I heard good things about it. I'd tried a couple of these and
had abandoned them. At the time, their capabilities were good but their
handling was very poor -- sluggish -- excessive time lost due to disk
churning. I think that they were helpful, but very time consuming.
You've piqued my curiosity with your query.

On the 19th, Susan Bugher recommended:

http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/acf/P_BUSINESS-HOME.php#1.00Brainstorming
Brainbox, Correlate, FreeMind, MindMan Personal, Win Squared Problem Solver.

Richard
 
Hey there,

Back in the early eighties when I used BBSs instead of the Internet and
a 300 baud connection was perfectly acceptable, I downloaded a piece of
software to be used for problem solving.

I do not remember the name... or who made it, but it was designed to
help you see relationships between pieces of a problem -- and
extrapolate possible new pieces of information.

It was as if you could write a single fact one an Index card, and tagged
it with "who, what, where, when, how, why." In the database mode, you
could let the machine sort according to certain rules. In the graphical
mode... it was sort of like sorting the cards on the floor putting
related items next to each other.

The thing is... since I am quadriplegic, index cards on the floor is not
an option. I have had several computer crashes and new computers since
then, but I have never been able to replace that freeware.

Do you know of something that fits the description?
Click to expand...

This isn't quite what you're looking for, but maybe it will do the job
in a different way:

The Literary Machine (freeware version)
http://www.sommestad.com/lm__index2.htm

<quotes from the page>
What The Literary Machine can do for you

Creativity is not "connecting the dots" with a graphic program that
weaves a web among them all over your computer screen. Creativity is
seeing which dots are connected. In groundbreaking, ingenious ways, LM
helps you do that. What makes LM different from other idea-generators?
It doesn't pass off rote as thinking. Instead of showing you a generic
list of logical formulas to wade through in hopes that one
accidentally manipulates your ideas in some meaningful way, it works
with your mind, illuminating connections and stimulating insight.

The Literary Machine is a dynamic archive and an idea management tool
aimed at creative thinking — built especially with the writer in mind.
It is packed with indexing and display techniques so general and
potent that you will use it as an intelligence center. In a class by
itself, it is virtually an extension of your brain. So, write in it.
Collect and sort information and ideas in it. Make it your treasure
chest of random notes and ideas for analysis and future reference.
For, it will serve you well as the substance, catalyst, and processor
for relating or reusing them in creative combinations.
<end quotes from the page>
 
"Lisa S." <[email protected]> wrote:
Click to expand...
Back in the early eighties when I used BBSs instead of the Internet and
a 300 baud connection was perfectly acceptable, I downloaded a piece of
software to be used for problem solving.
Click to expand...

300 baud? You oldie! :) I'm of the 2400 era when I got my first
computer and started a BBS. I get my fix here now.
I do not remember the name... or who made it, but it was designed to
help you see relationships between pieces of a problem -- and
extrapolate possible new pieces of information.
Click to expand...
It was as if you could write a single fact one an Index card, and tagged
it with "who, what, where, when, how, why." In the database mode, you
could let the machine sort according to certain rules. In the graphical
mode... it was sort of like sorting the cards on the floor putting
related items next to each other.
Click to expand...
The thing is... since I am quadriplegic, index cards on the floor is not
an option. I have had several computer crashes and new computers since
then, but I have never been able to replace that freeware.
Click to expand...
Do you know of something that fits the description?
Click to expand...

You have some good suggestions already. Here are a few more that you
might look over.

Large list of free older DOS based relational databases, spreadsheets
and geneology programs that "might" work for you. Very nice list!!

http://cyberside.dyn.ee/FreeSoft/dbase.htm

A partial dupe site with other free DOS based apps:

http://short.stop.home.att.net/freesoft/dbase.htm

Ah, the days of 300k zip files that extract to a single directory....
 
Lisa S. said:
Back in the early eighties when I used BBSs instead of the Internet and
a 300 baud connection was perfectly acceptable, I downloaded a piece of
software to be used for problem solving.
Click to expand...

maybe one of these programs; they are from the 2400 baud BBS time


http://mysteryfcm.plus.com/chris/?f=mind games

CRTV32.ZIP Thunder thinking to help in brainstorming.
BRAINSTO.ZIP Trigger words to allow you to think of new ideas.

http://mysteryfcm.plus.com/chris/?f=ai various

TTHOUGHT.ZIP TurboThought v1.0 is a program designed to help you solve any
problem.

master index : http://mysteryfcm.plus.com/Chris/index.txt
 
I was beginning to wonder if I was just imagining remembering the
software -- I am the only one (except for you) who can recall them at all!

These brainstorming-freeware software links were just similar enough to
what I remembered to make me think that MAYBE someone had updated. I do
hope the software exists. I was the slowest part of the computer then,
it's even more true now! ;-)



Lisa S.
Web Site URL: http://www.worthywomanpage.com
ICQ-27424429 IM-lthrncnfssns Yahoo!-WorthyWoman

(This year, I've the honor and pleasure of
(believe it or not) serving time behind bars for "Jerry's Kids"
to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I need your help
to raise the dough to bail me out of jail. You can also pay to
keep me in! My Bail Page is at: http://tinyurl.com/dn9gv )
 
Yes... I looked at that one, too. It is a good one.

Lisa S.
Web Site URL: http://www.worthywomanpage.com
ICQ-27424429 IM-lthrncnfssns Yahoo!-WorthyWoman

(This year, I've the honor and pleasure of
(believe it or not) serving time behind bars for "Jerry's Kids"
to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I need your help
to raise the dough to bail me out of jail. You can also pay to
keep me in! My Bail Page is at: http://tinyurl.com/dn9gv )
 
300 baud? You oldie! :) I'm of the 2400 era when I got my first
computer and started a BBS. I get my fix here now.
Click to expand...

I resemble that! I was one in the first women I knew with the BBS in
their room.





Lisa S.
Web Site URL: http://www.worthywomanpage.com
ICQ-27424429 IM-lthrncnfssns Yahoo!-WorthyWoman

(This year, I've the honor and pleasure of
(believe it or not) serving time behind bars for "Jerry's Kids"
to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I need your help
to raise the dough to bail me out of jail. You can also pay to
keep me in! My Bail Page is at: http://tinyurl.com/dn9gv )
 
I resemble that! I was one in the first women I knew with the BBS in
their room.
Click to expand...
My first modem was 1200 baud, and there were still some 300 baud
modems around. I still miss the local BBS's. I made a lot of friends
on them, and at the occasional "gathers." If I ever find out about
one, I still have the software on my system, and I still remember how
to use DOS (and still do, when Windows won't let me do something).

Dan
 
Back
Top