Amstrad Counterpoint version 2.50

Dated 1991, designed to run from a floppy, Counterpoint is a GUI for DOS with mouse support. It is in my mind an excellent program. The "Desktop" has many configurable options. As well as several standard icons for utilities and sub-menus it has its own simple icon drawing program. This with a library of icons which can be altered to suit. New icons can be set-up to either launch a program or as a sub-menu for other screens.

It has a very "Windows" like feel to it.

The icons will drag into place or even to other sub-menus.

An improved version came out with the launch of Amstrad's 486 machines but I have been unable to track down a copy.

It does however have a few drawbacks which include;

1. Maximum of 256 menu items. Easily overcome by installing more than one copy to different drives, partitions or directories. This will mean that the .bat file which controls it will need some simple editing so that the menus will find and launch each other. (For details see below).

2. More seriously, on occasions, which thankfully do not happen too often) the "Desktop" will appear devoid of icons after booting up. Only takes a few minutes to restore with MSBACKUP from a back-up disk containing all the files you have generated i.e. all files after a certain date. 3 sequential copies is sensible.

Tweaks.

The "Amstrad" logo can be changed. This is useful if you install multiple copies. 

  Details   

  Download a copy of Counterpoint if you still use DOS. Unzip and copy to a floppy to create an installation disk.

  FACE-LIFT FOR AN OLD FRIEND - Counterpoint, a Windows alternative by David Tebbutt, Computer Buyer 01/92