We value the opinions of our customers and prospective customers. If you have any feedback, comments, suggestions or bug reports that you would like to send to The Software Connection, please use the "Feedback Form" below.

Additionally, we are soliciting reviews of Catdisk 2003 based on a criteria used by one of the major shareware distribution sites on the internet. We're curious how the opinions of our customers and potential customers stack up against their "professional" reviewers. This is completely anonymous. To submit a review, use the "Review" form below.

Feedback Form

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Review

Section #1

Rate each of the following according to the following criteria:

0 points - Satisfactory
1 points - Average
2 points - Above average
3 points - Superlative

1-1) Overall opinion of the interface: Rate Catdisk 2003 on this item according to resize issues, icon packs for certain OSes, design flaws, expandable toolbars, viewing options and accessibility of the features.

1-2) File size: Actively compare Catdisk 2003 against related applications and file sizes of our competitors in relation to quality and popularity. If a competitor is offering the same exact features as Catdisk 2003 and it's half the size, regardless of file size, scoring will reflect the direct comparison.

1-3) Unique features: Does Catdisk 2003 contain unique features not found in other catalog software? If you think it does, does it perform its functions correctly?

1-4) Help and documentation content: Can one learn about Catdisk 2003 with the help provided? The help and documentation, by no means, needs to be extensive; it just needs to be useful and descriptive. Look at items such as embedded help, context-sensitive help, tips, readmes and tutorials. Maximum points can be given for this criterion if the documentation simply tells the user what the program is all about, what it does, and how to use it. This criterion is also rated on accessibility. If a you are offline, how accessible is the help and documentation? Providing help locally is always a bonus. Note that it is essential for the documentation to contain proper grammar, spelling and writing style. There should be no broken links, and the layout should be intelligent and attractive. This is also a great place to store and display contact information.

1-5) Usability: Is the application easy to use?

1-6) Direct Comparison: Do you feel that you would deem Catdisk 2003 to be in a class by itself. Rated this against present reviews, past reviews, experience with applications and applications in a related section.

1-7) Overall functionality: Rate on all features of Catdisk 2003 in terms of functionality, speed and resources.



Section #2

Overall Value of Application:

2-1) Installation: As a minimum requirement for this category, we request a Start Menu Progr am Group installed to achieve any points.

0 points - no Start Menu Program Group installed
1 point = The Start Menu Program Group contains an executable shortcut icon to the application.
2 points = The Start Menu Program Group includes an executable icon and help and documentation shortcuts.

2-2) Author home page: The application and site go hand in hand. With that in mind, the home page reflects on the application promoted. The first two points focus mainly on what is offered to the end user. The third point is where the home page is actually rated.

0 points - The site is inadequate
1 point = The site contains contact information and brief program information.
2 points = The site contains contact information, brief program information, and online help and documentation.
3 points = Here's where navigation, design, information, and broken links come into play. All of these affect the rating of your home page for a third point.

2-3) Tips on startup: By default, you determine that Catdisk 2003 has no need for tips, one point will be awarded automatically.

0 points = No tips are embedded
1 point = Tips are employed
2 points = Content of the tips is related to the application and useful to the user

2-4) Keyboard shortcuts: Does the program have extensive keyboard shortcuts? This option helps advanced and old-school users. Yes, we have mice, but the majority of users – just like all coders – still primarily use the keyboard. Award one point if you feel that Catdisk 2003 is adequate in this regard.

2-5) Step-by-step configuration wizards: Does this program have step-by-step configuration wizards for novice and advanced users, immediately following installation, to further assist in customizing the application? This item has nothing to do with the installation or any included "next" buttons. An example would be a fax application that sets up your fax modem with customizable options. By default, if the you feel that Catdisk 2003 has no need for step-by-step configuration wizards, award one point automatically.

0 points - this feature is absent and should be there.
1 point - this feature is present or not necessary for this program.

2-6) Third-party applications: Does Catdisk 2003 contain unavoidable third-party applications? As an example, the earlier versions of Yahoo! Messenger would have earned 0 points in this category because it came bundled with Yahoo! Companion, a toolbar add-in for Internet Explorer.

0 points - there are third party applications bundled with this program.
1 point - there are no third party applications bundled with this program.

2-7) Customer support: (online or offline) The program uses the about window or help and documentation to clearly display contact information within the application.

0 points = no support offered for the program.
1 point = e-mail only, and it is not displayed clearly within the application.
3 points = e-mail only, and it is clearly displayed within the application
5 points = telephone, fax, forum, live chat or some other form of technical support embedded into the program

2-8) Documentation and help: This criterion is rated on presentation, offline documentation or online documentation, and what is offered. Although accessibility doesn't affect this score, it does play a major part in the Help and documentation content criterion.

0 points = no documentation provided.
1 point = Provides some form of help and documentation, either locally or online, but it is not embedded within the application
2 points = Help and documentation links or shortcuts are embedded in the application either online or locally
3 points = Tutorials are provided locally or online; we urge tutorials that are local and linked within the application. Content wise, "how to use" information doesn't constitute a tutorial; this information is considered basic help.

2-9) Repairing: Does this application employ a repair feature in either the install or uninstall? A repair feature can be employed through Setup installations, MSI installers and InstallShield. From a user's standpoint, especially a dial-up user, downloading and re-installing would be the least appealing option if the program is presenting errors. A repair feature is helpful to both users and reviewers. (1 point)

0 points - no repair facilities are offered.
1 point - repair facilities are offered.

2-10) Uninstall mechanism: Leaving traces behind on the users' machine has nothing to do with registry keys. This item refers to items left behind in the installation directory. If the idea is to not cause a loss of data of saved information, provide a clear note or custom uninstall for the user.

0 points - no uninstall mechanism
1 point - uninstall leaves traces
2 points - uninstall leaves no traces

Step #3

These items are commonly requested, so they do figure into the criteria in a small way. Each item is worth 1 point.

3-1) Microsoft Certification: This must be proven in the software submission. While we are not affiliated with Microsoft, these points are made available due to the extensive testing that a program must endure to meet Microsoft's certification requirements.

3-2) Multimedia installation

3-3) Flash-style, multimedia demonstrations, or some form of professional visual intensive tutorial that aids in rapid learning of the program's basic operation.


Step #4

Overall Evaluation

4-1) Overall value: With respect to price, asks yourself one question: would I buy this application? (3 points)

4-2) Recommendation: Would you recommend this application? (3 points)

4-3) Your overall impression: By this point in the review, look at everything in the application. With that in mind, assign up to five points based on your overall experience. (5 points)


Please indicate below whether or not you are a registered user of Catdisk 2003. Remember that this review is anonymous and your identify will not be revealed to us.

And finally, it you have any general comments that you would like to make about Catdisk 2003, please do so below:

 


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