The default desktop post install, some of the desktop icons are animated, a first that i‘ve seen
If you move your mouse cursor over some of the desktop icons, a bubble will show up that gives information on what that icon does.
This appears to be part of the Aptiva Desktop customization software, which was developed by Moon Valley Software for IBM. There is an icon in the tray area that you can click to open various options, and you can turn off the animations if you find the desktop too ‘busy’
Voyeta AudioStation with some IBM branding, this was used to manage the volume mixer controls and to play CD’s MIDI open WAV files within one place, if you didn’t wish to use the built in Windows utilities. Although were not using the same sound card, the software will still work with the emulated soundcard.
The Aptiva installer that lets you quickly install software that came with your Aptiva computer but was shipped on a separate disk. Kind of a good feature since many OEM’s installs have been criticized in the past for shipping with bloatware, though it was understandable in the 90s since the internet wasn’t very common which made downloading and installing software difficult.
Some of the existing software that comes included
There’s also an update connector to keep IBM software up to date
Aptiva Helper that serves as a guide to using the computers features
IBM AntiVirus comes included, and is covered in the Helper application
It also explains how disk fragmentation works and how/when to run the defragmenter utility.
Some misc screenshots
SmartSound Mastro – Lets you create sound effect which sound like something off a 90’s shopping infomercial. Ideally this might have been used in backgrounds for presentations.
Editing the music in more details, here you can choose the different segments and effects
The Kid’s room (7th Level), their version of Microsoft BOB and Packard Bell’s CyberTrio. This is fully animated with voice acting, though they have a tendency to ramble on.
Intended for use by children, it lets them access their Windows programs without using the Windows 95 interface which helps prevent them changing any settings. By default the Windows game come pinned by default (Solitaire, Minesweeper and Hearts) which don’t strike me as games that kids would enjoy. Possibly any additional software that IBM provide who automatically be added. Also it takes around 15 second to launch a program
The calendar, you can save reminders that can be viewed by anyone
Create Writer comes bundled with the install, which was originally part of the Microsoft Kids Plus Pack
A memory game where you have to remember the sequence the light flash up in.
A game of tic tac toe
Another game that should look familiar, yo have to match two of the same to clear the board, which will reveal the background picture.
Setting an alarm, where you can also leave a message. I’m curious if this goes off whilst the computer is running but the program isnt. Maybe there is a background task.
To exit out, simply click on the red STOP sign and you will be returned back to the desktop.
A look at the Logitech MouseWare software that comes included as a Control Panel applet
Windows 98 Upgrade
So that’s pretty much it, you can tell this was designed to be a family PC but the type of software that comes included with the install, as IBM’s Aptiva line was destined for home use and many OEM’s were bundling education software to make their home PC’s more appealing for all members of the family.
The OS post Windows 98 upgrade, a lot of the IBM stuff still remains like the Aptiva desktop.
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