From: mark@prepress.com (Mark S. Bubien)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: Mac Software
Date: 11 Nov 92 15:07:35 GMT
Organization: Pre-Press Technologies, Carlsbad Ca.


>	I am going to buy a Mac (IIci), but I don't know which software I
> should buy.  My choices are Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, PowerPoint,
> ClairsWorks, Macwrite, and Pagemaker.  Could anyone out there explain
> what's the difference among those, and what kinds of function they have?
>  I will appreciate it very much.  

First, since you seem to be a student, you should focus on products
that have an educational discount.  I think Microsoft Word sells
for around $75.00 with the educational discount.  (BTW, Apple
also has educational discounts on things like the IIci, in
case you didn't know that.)

Here's a basic, general lesson on the different types of programs
you listed.  This is an explanation of the program TYPES, not their
specific funcionality (I won't get into the different functions
provided by Word and MacWrite, for example).

Word and Macwrite are both word processing packages.  You use
them to write letters, papers, and whatever else you used to do
with a typewriter.  I think a word processor is a necessity,
and you should definitely purchase one... unless you buy
an Integrated Package.

Claris Works and Microsoft Works are both integrated packages.
They give you a word processor, plus they throw in a spread sheet
and database (I think).  One major advantage of the Integrated
Package is that all the programs work together---you can
do a chart in a spreadsheet and then import it into the word
processor to include with a written summary.  Another advantage
is that they supply you with several different programs for a 
low price.  This may not be such an issue for you if you pursue 
educational discounts on non-integrated packages.

Pagemaker is a page layout program.  It's used to publish things
from newsletters to newspapers (my school newspaper used Pagemaker,
and it looked as good as any big-city paper).  Page layout is
different from word processing in some very big ways.  First, you
are given a blank page---I am talking COMPLETELY blank, with no
margins or anything---and it's up to you to place all the elements
on the page.  You create each individual page for your document,
you must place the text explicitly on each page, and you have to 
line stuff up exacly how you want it.  And subtle changes can have
horrible repercussions.  If you change your margins, for
example, you must do so for each individual page.  This requires
redefining the margin guides, and then repositioning your text
layout BY HAND for EACH individual page.

You may think that going to something like Pagemaker will give 
the best of both worlds---buy this and it gives you BOTH word
processing AND page layout.  I own this program, and I would 
NEVER, EVER consider doing something like  a letter or a paper
with it.  It would be too hard when compared to a word processor.
Page layout programs, in general, make TERRIBLE word processors.

Unless you plan to do some very heavy-duty layouts, DO NOT buy
Pagemaker until AFTER you've used a good word processor for 
a while.  It's very expensive, and may not be worth it for you.

Again, I recommend that you buy software with educational discounts.
Most Microsoft Products come with such a discount.  Word for sure,
and probably Excel.  I do recommend Word.  It's a good program
and I personally had a very easy time learning how to use it.
I also believe Pagemaker is a good program, but like I said, you
shouldn't buy it until you've used a word processor for a while.

-Mark


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Mark S. Bubien		|                                                |
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