Microsoft Works Suite 2002

For home-office workers Microsoft offers three varied suites of software. At the top end is Office XP, which includes Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint and costs over £400. Works 6 includes simpler versions of standard applications such as a database and a spreadsheet.

The latest edition of Works Suite, reviewed here, is an intermediate package. It includes all of Works 6 and a little of Office XP, along with some other excellent standalone programs designed to make Works Suite attractive to those who can't quite decide what applications they need.

Office XP's contribution to Works Suite is Word 2002: "the world's best-selling word processor", as Microsoft is keen to remind us. There is no doubt that Word's popularity is well-founded; the developers continue to innovate and refresh the program, along with all the Office applications.

This version includes task panes for text formatting and access to multiple clipboard entries. The interface now looks even smarter and supports more sophisticated working arrangements.

From Works 6, Works Suite has taken the literally titled applications Spreadsheet, Database, Calendar and Address Book. These meet basic requirements without the sometimes overwhelming complexity of the brand-name programs included with Office XP.

The Task Launcher is a handy little application that helps you to carry out everyday tasks, such as budgeting or car hire arrangements. It will launch the appropriate software or send you to a Microsoft-sanctioned web service, but the list of tasks is far from exhaustive.

Money 2002 is a substantial application which is very popular on its own, and adds a great deal of value to Works Suite 2002. Designed to help the home user with personal finance, it can be used to balance income and outgoings, track expenses and budget for the future.

New, more advanced additions include integration with online banking, share prices and Money Viewer, which can work with Explorer.

Aimed squarely at the family market, Encarta 2002 is Microsoft's flagship encyclopaedia. It makes good use of the PC's multimedia potential by including over 225 videos as well as 25,000 photos and 3,000 sound clips.

Just as importantly, it is easy to navigate and has a search pane constantly on view with access to every single entry. To keep things up to date it links seamlessly to online content from the MSN website.

AutoRoute 2002 is one application that demands upgrades because of the continual changes to the road network. It goes beyond simple route planning by showing nearby sites of interest, as well as information on filling stations and cash machines. You can specify road speeds, the cost of fuel and the types of road you prefer.

Works Suite is the sum of its parts, and therefore only as good as its constituents. These have all improved to some extent and therefore justify the need for a new Works Suite for 2002.

Its price may be a quarter of Office XP's, but it is still substantially more expensive than non-Microsoft suites such as Ability Office.

It is up to users whether they want to pay the extra for the name and influence of Microsoft, and for the variety of the applications on offer.

Price: £119 (inc VAT).

Specifications:

• Word 2002
• Picture It! 2002
• Works 6
• Money 2002
• Encarta 2002 encyclopaedia
• AutoRoute 2002.

Minimum requirements: 200MHz processor; Windows 98; DVDRom or CDRom; 32Mb Ram; 975Mb hard disk space.

Contact: Microsoft 0870 601 0100
www.microsoft.com/uk

See also:

Microsoft Works 7

It's certainly a cheap way to get an office suite, but does Works rival other options?  29 Nov 2002

Sun StarOffice 6

At a fraction of the price of market leader Microsoft Office, StarOffice is an attractive option for the cost-conscious user.  09 Sep 2002

Microsoft Works Suite 2002

If you want an office suite but don't want the expense of Office XP, take a look at this.  27 May 2002

Ability Office 2002

If you can't quite stretch to Microsoft Office, here's an excellent alternative that's big on features and small on price.  08 May 2002

Sun Microsystems Star Office 6

This suite offers a better interface, XML as a default file format, and it's still free.  11 Feb 2002

Microsoft Office XP

The software colossus rolls out a new version of its ubiquitous office product.  20 Sep 2001

Corel Wordperfect 2002

Packed with features, this integrated suite has something for everyone  23 May 2001

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