🚀 go-pugleaf

Well I got several requests for a summary from my query, and
I even got some answers too!

The following is a summary of what I have received to date, both
ideas and products.  I have occasionally sprinkled a note of my own in.
These notes are offset with brackets [].  Enjoy.

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I'd be very interested in hearing what you learn.  The only thing
I've heard of that might help would be FileVision - but it would only
work for documenting the structure in a neat way.  No hooks to the
rest of the world...I wonder if it could be extended...mmmmm?

Ed Reed - Rochester Institute of Technology
Usenet:   ...rochester!ritcv!eer

[ This sounds good from a diagramatic point of view but I really don't
  have any experience with Filevision.  Any thoughts from people out there? ]

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ANATOOL, published by ABVENT purports to provide Structured Systems Analysis
for the Macintosh.  I requested literature describing their product because
I was curious rather than actually expecting to use it myself.  They
sent it out rather quickly.  I can't offer any evaluation of their software.

They are located at
	9903 Santa Monica Blvd
	Suite 268
	Beverly Hills, CA90212  
	(213) 659-5157

Leslie A. Schnieider is the ANATOOL product manager.

Apparently they do have a demo version available for $35, but I can't find a
list price for the software itself.  

[ I called Leslie and got some more info on this one.  The price is $795.
  Discount for four or more, site lic. agreements can be worked out. ]

One comment: They claim the software is protected by an electronic key that
has to be installed on the Mac's modem port, but there is no soft copy
protection.  This is the first time I've seen that scheme used on a product.

[ This is true.  It currently kills the use of one serial port.  Leslie
  mentioned a pass-through key for the floppy port may be available next
  month.  Plug it on the floppy port and the floppy drive onto it.  She
  also rumored that maybe in a year when the product has a base, protection
  might come off altogether.  I wouldn't hold my breath. ]

The above information is based on brochures I have collected and in no way 
constitutes anything with respect to an endorsement, etc.

Don Levy	dml@ford-wdl1.arpa

[ Well I ordered the demo disk ($35 + $5 shipping).  I'll have to post a
  review when I have had a chance to try it and made some conclusions.
  At first glance though, this program appears to have it all; BIG price
  and BIG copy-protection.  So much for the inverse relationship theory. ]

****************************************************************************

Check out the very expensive MicroPlanner.  I saw a presentation at
SDMUG and it looked very impressive because it not only keeps track
of whether there are time line conflicts but also whether resource
(read personnel or equipment) overloads will occur.  It was about
$500 when I saw the presentation about six months ago.  It is not
fine-tuned for software development though.

Ethan Munson
UCB CS grad student
ucbvax!ernie!munson

[ This is true, MicroPlanner looks very impressive and is very expensive.
  Of course Computerware in Palo Alto has a reasonable price tag on it
  which helps.  I am actually evaluating that for its project management
  uses.  But, as Ethan said, it isn't fine tuned for software development. ]

****************************************************************************

A writer working for my consulting firm has just written a tutorial on
Meta Software's "Design" program. It is a petri net editor. It is not
as nice and fun as some Mac software, but Meta is working hard on
upgrades that will make it better. It strengths are that it knows
about connections between boxes, and it can do hierarchies, hiding
details until you want to bring them up. All connections are preseved
when part of a diagram is subsumed under one node. The subsumed nodes
appear on a separate "sheet" in the diagram. This gives it a big
advantage over programs like MacDraw when drawing nets that will need
to be edited, since the connections follow the nodes they are
connecting.

I find it very useful for writing specs that my customers can
understand. The performance is also very good. I guess the most
telling complement I can give Design is that I wish MacProject
performed as well.

Meta's phone number is (617) 576-6920

[ I called META and spoke with a guy (the person to try and get is
  Lynn Robinson at (617)576-0623) about Design.  Asked him to send out
  some info on the package.  He mentioned a demo disk is available for
  $25 (+ whatever shipping).  I figured to peruse the printed matter
  before shelling out any silver.  He mentioned a demo is to be posted
  to USENET (by some guy in Germany; if you're listening, we're all
  waiting...).  I neglected to ask what the price was.  I'll try to
  followup with the price and whatever else I find out about in this
  area in a later posting.  This sounds the most like what I'm looking
  for.  Its between this and Anatool, I guess. ]

I hear from the editor of CAD/CAM Journal that Living Videotext's
"More" is the greatest program ever for the Mac. I imagine it has all
of the flash I wish Design had. I have no idea about its suitability
for drawing software design diagrams.

Zigurd R. Mednieks
seismo!mit-eddie!zrm

[ Greatest program ever?  Come on.  FLAME ON: Greatest price tag maybe,
  for what you get.  There are several packages for the Mac that retail
  for $100 more than they should.  MORE is in that category.  Especially
  from the eyes of a ThinkTank owner.  The retail/rebate ratio was insane.
  A *lot* of things MORE does, ThinkTank should have done in the first place.
  FLAME OFF.  But besides my tirade, I don't think MORE is appropriate for
  my uses.  If someone thinks otherwise, let me know.  Thanks for the idea. ]

****************************************************************************

Well, that's about all for now.  I'll try to followup in a week or two
once I have received and toyed with more literature/demos.  Hope all
this helps someone out there.
-- 
"What  it boils  down to is that  when                       Howard C. Simonson
you have a problem you want a solution."    ...{hplabs,ihnp4,nsc}!amdahl!howard
<MacMemory ad/Nov. Macworld> (very profound guys, now mug for the camera...)

[ A disclaimer for this messages is on file in my elevator and may be viewed
  Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9-5 and between floors 3 thru 11 ]