Software Review of:
FastMove 
2.0 

In the words of TouchStone, "FastMove lets you perform fast, easy file transfers. FastMove runs in Windows 3.1 and higher or DOS 3.3 and higher, providing an easy-to-use graphical interface." 

Its major features include:

• Shows You Which Files Need to be Updated, 
• Scans Each File for Viruses, 
• Selects Just the Files You Want, 
• Synchronizes PCs with Up-to-Date Files, 
• Simple Interface for Problem-Free Transfers,
• Includes Windows and DOS (Remote Only) Versions.

FastMove operates in two separate modes, Local and Remote. It always opens in Local Mode and stays there until it detects the remote program running on another PC. When the remote program is detected, FastMove shifts into Remote Mode. If you are only working on one computer and want to synchronize files across multiple drives, you would use Local Mode. This refers to when you are transferring or synchronizing files across Zip or other removable drives, network drives, multiple hard drives, or partitioned drives. 

Remote Mode is used when you are working with more than one computer or a notebook/laptop, or if you just bought a new computer and want to transfer the files from your old one to the new one. Remote Mode is only active when FastMove is connected to another computer via the Ultraflex (or other transfer) cable and a connection has been established. 

What's In the Box?
In reality, there are two boxes. The smaller one contains a red cable used to directly link two computers so you can operate in Remote Mode. The larger box contains an 85 page User's Manual and a 22 page Supplement, which contains later changes to the manual, a CD-ROM, two 3.5" disks, and a registration card. Both the CD-ROM and the disks contain the program. The CD-ROM also contains Acrobat Reader and an on-line version of the manual. 

Program Requirements

• IBM AT, 386, 486, Pentium, PS/1, PS/2 or 100% compatible computer (this refers to the processor chip in your computer) with 3.5" high density floppy drive (unless you have a very old computer, you do have this) or CD-ROM drive and a hard drive. 
• DOS 3.3 (Remote Mode only) or later and/or Windows 3.1 or Windows 95
• A monochrome or color VGA monitor or better. 
• FastMove diskette(s) or CD-ROM.
• Serial number provided on the FastMove registration/license agreement card. 
• Approximately 4.8 MB hard disk space.

The installation from the CD-ROM was a typical Windows 3.1 one that went quickly. I ran into one small problem. The manual says that company information on the registration information screen is optional. However, you must put something is this block or you can't proceed to the next step. I put N/A and had no further difficulties. Since I also wanted to read the On-line Manual, I had to install Acrobat Reader, which is a separate installation accessed from the the Setup Program's menu. This also went quickly with no problems. 

Using the Program
Since I have no second computer available, this review covers only Local Mode operation of FastMove. 

First, I checked out the On-line Manual. It contains the same information as the printed User's Guide and Supplement in an integrated format of 105 pages. It's advantage -- you can zoom in on the illustrations to clearly see the screen snapshots. I found it very cumbersome to use Acrobat Reader, which kept crashing on me. After checking out the Help File in FastMove, I found that it contained all the written information but not the illustrations. Since I found the Main Screen of FastMove easy to understand and use I decided that I didn't need to access the On-line Manual and removed Acrobat Reader from my system recovering 2.4 MB of hard disk space. I used the Delete command of FastMove that appeared to work slightly faster than Windows File Manager. 

Then I checked out FastMove itself. It automatically starts up with two drive windows. Since I told it I have a Zip Drive, the first time it loaded it showed my C drive and the Zip drive in them. After using the program for a while what shows up in the windows depends on what options I choose on starting the program, what I did last and whether I have a cartridge in the Zip drive. I may see my C drive and my D drive. If I loaded a Zip cartridge in the Zip drive before starting FastMove!, then I'll see my C drive and the Zip drive. Or I can choose one of the last 20 file transfer setups I worked with. 

In essence FastMove compares files between two drives and shows you graphically which files aren't on booth drives and which files are the same on both drives. However, you have to make sure that you are looking in the proper directories and that you select the proper files for transfer. It takes me a while to determine which directories to compare since my directory structure is different on my hard drive and my data disks. I keep most of my active working files on my compressed drive D organized by programs. However, for storage I put the files in project directories so files from several programs are mixed up. It makes it easier to find older files but it makes it difficult to use FastMove to insure that the latest copies of files are on Zip cartridges. I recommend that if you use this program that you have identical file structures on both drives or computers. 

Since I am most interested in the Zip cataloging capabilities of FastMove, I spent most of my time with that aspect of the program. FastMove contains a separate module named ZipSynch for working with your Zip drive. You can also use it to work with your floppy drives. I used it to check if I had copied some files from floppies to Zip cartridges. Before I cataloged my cartridges, the FastMove Program files took 2.8 MB of hard drive space. Afterwards, they took 3.1 MB of hard drive space. The program automatically created a separate directory for each cartridge. After cataloging all my cartridges I have 16 directories that vary in size between 1.3 KB and 84.3 KB. 

Those of you who have Zip drives know that a cataloging program is included with the drive. However, I found that ZipSynch catalogues the cartridges much faster and allows you to print a list of the file names. This is one area where the documentation does not match the program. The documentation shows a print button. The program has a view button, which brings up the list in Notepad if the file is small enough. Otherwise, you have to open another word processor such as Write to view the list. Either of those programs will allow you to print the list. 

I also found that the catalog files in ZipSynch take up much less space than those in Zip Tools. A file search of all catalogued disks takes much less time as well. While the list of files only contains the file names with their full path, a file search lists the Zip cartridge label, file name, size, and date. You can list the files by any of those categories. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way to directly print the search list. (I can get around that if I need to by using a screen capture program.) 

FastMove includes virus checking software, but if it finds any you need a virus program to get rid of it. Naturally FastMove contains an order blank for PC-cillin 95, TouchStone's own program. It costs $29.95 plus $6.95 for shipping and handling. The Help File lists and describes all the viruses the program scans for. 

When you register, your purchase includes one full year Of FREE virus pattern updates from TouchStone's Anti-Virus Service Forum. If you prefer to receive quarterly virus updates on disk, you may do so for $29.95 per Quarter. You can obtain updates after the first year for $34.95/yr Via On-line Services Only or $129.95/yr for both 3 1/2 Disks and On-line. Shipping and handling charges are $6.95 

FastMove also contains a separate program called e.support. "e.support is an easy-to-use stand-alone program that is designed to walk you through the process of requesting information or support from a vendor. e.support ensures that you give the information that a vendor needs. TouchStone partnered with the SSPA (Software Support Professionals Association), the foremost organization for service and support professionals, to develop this one-of-a-kind user/vendor support system." 

I didn't truly use this program. I did start it up, look at the personal information screen and read parts of the help file. From the manual and the program help files I got the impression that this program is still being developed. Although they talk about other vendors, at the moment it appears that you can only use it with Touchstone. Once the program has collected the necessary information you can transmit it via E-mail, the internet (Windows 95 only) or even through the Post Office.

Both FastMove and e.support contain uninstall programs. I used the one for e.support. It listed the files it planned to remove before asking for your final OK. It took only a few seconds. The uninstall removed the program icons as well. (Some uninstall programs do not.) 

Recommendations
If you have two PCs or multiple drives, plenty of hard drive space and some money go ahead and buy this program. It'll make copying and cataloging files enjoyable and easier. And much more colorful. 

However, if you only have one PC, little spare hard drive space and little money forego this program and use Windows File Manager with tiled windows instead. You'll spend more time since you'll have to compare each file yourself. And you can always use DOS to print a directory of your Zip Cartridges. 

You can buy FastMove at CompUSA. The program by itself sells for $49.95. The program with the cable sells for $59.99. (These are the regular retail prices. Don't forget to ask for your club discount at the Corporate Sales desk.) If you plan to use the program on one PC buy the cheaper version. The manuals tell you what type of cable you need to connect two PCs if you need the added capability later on. Of course, if you know you need to connect two PCs get the more expensive version. That way you'll have the snazzy red cable and you'll know it will work.