Organizes scattered information into one file
Key Pad 2.0.5
Creator: John Lowrey
Shareware: USD $10
Note: Key Pad has been updated to version 2.0.5 since I wrote the following review.
Key Pad is basically a utility that helps you store bits and pieces of information. Its single-window interface is clean and intuitive. Icons along the top let you launch an internet application, edit a record, save, copy a password to the clipboard, search for a record, duplicate, add a new record, and delete (most actions also have key combinations)
The counter (0/14/27 in the example) shows you the number of the record you are viewing (zero in this case), your total number of entries in the selected category (14), and your total number of data records (27).
You scroll through your records with green up/down arrows. You can also search (using the magnifying glass) or view a popup of your category records by clicking the black up/down arrows (to the right of "Product" in the example).
You categorize your entries with the main popup menu (left). Each category presents you with a screen that is specific to the type of information needed.
Other features include automatic launching of your internet application from your URLs (I couldn't get this to work with AOL) and password protection for your data file.
After using Key Pad for awhile, I found a few things I'd like to see addressed in future updates. For example, the data window always opens in the upper left of your monitor. You can drag the window to any place you want, of course, but arguably it should open to its previous location by default.
Key Pad also defaults to the WWW category. I would prefer that the category for a new record default to the category of the previously entered record. It would certainly speed the entry of a large number of initial records. Even better would be a choice one could set in Preferences.
Two other items should be considered for future releases. The category popup menu sorts by order of entry; I think an alpha sort would be more practical. Finally, you might be disappointed to find that you can't print a copy of your records. I, for one, like hard copies of my data records—provided that they don't contain ultra-sensitive information.
Despite these criticisms, Key Pad can be a useful tool for organizing a variety of scattered information. To decide whether it meets your needs, you can try it out for 30 days before paying the shareware fee.
Tech notes: Key Pad occupies 1.2 MB of disk space with a 1024 KB memory requirement. System 7.1 or higher (I'm running it under OS-8.6). Install it anywhere on your system and put an alias in your Apple Menu Items for quick access. 2.1 MB download.
