From: verbook@prism.CS.ORST.EDU (Kevin M Verboort)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Microsoft Works 3.0 Press Release
Date: 13 Aug 92 18:34:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: CS.1992Aug13.183457.28160
Organization: Oregon State University, Computer Science Dept.

New Microsoft Works for the Macintosh Version 3.0

Major Revision Offers Features Users Requested Most



SAN JOSE, Calif. -- July 15, 1992 -- At a press 

conference held today with Apple Computer Inc., 

Microsoft Corporation announced Microsoft Works 

version 3.0 for the Macintosh, a major upgrade to the 

best-selling, integrated productivity application for 

Apple Macintosh systems.  Microsoft Works for the 

Macintosh offers the most popular productivity tools 

for the Macintosh in one integrated package  word 

processor, database with reporting, spreadsheet with 

charting, drawing with page layout and communications.  

First introduced in October 1986, Microsoft Works for 

the Macintosh is one of the five best-selling Macintosh 

applications of all time.



"In designing this major revision of Microsoft 

Works for the Macintosh, we placed great emphasis on 

incorporating the features requested most by our users 

to ensure that this leading integrated software product 

would continue to fulfill their needs," said Susan 

Boeschen, vice president of the Microsoft consumer 

division.  "By including the features our customers 

requested, Microsoft continues its tradition of 

providing small business, education and home 

productivity users with the essential robust tools they 

need in a single, easy-to-use program."

New and Improved Features Macintosh Users Want and Need



Microsoft Works for the Macintosh has a powerful 

set of tools that is designed to help users complete a 

variety of tasks and will continue to grow with them as 

they demand more from their software.  In addition, 

Microsoft Works 3.0 supports System 7 with Balloon 

Help, Macintosh Communications Toolbox, TrueType 

fonts, 32-bit addressing, and a rich set of Apple 

Events.  



"I wanted an easier way to print labels, more 

graphics tools to create better-looking flyers, and a 

way to chart data quickly  Microsoft delivered with a 

new version of Works for Macintosh," said Frank 

Serafine, president of Serafine Inc., Venice, Calif.  

"Microsoft Works has given me all of the necessary 

tools to run my business effectively since 1986.  The 

new version makes it even easier for me and everyone in 

my company to produce professional looking documents  

it is the one application that does it all."



Microsoft Works integrates a number of key 

features throughout the program that help users 

accomplish everyday tasks.  These include a floating 

tool palette that provides one-click access to the most 

common commands in each Works tool and other fully-

integrated capabilities including:  Preferences for 

customizing Works to users' specific needs, multi-line 

headers and footers with automatic date-time-page 

number, Microsoft Mail support, character formatting 

including 256 colors, previewing of stationery 

documents, workspaces to group commonly used documents, 

and recorder macros.  Users can also work effortlessly 

with files from most popular programs using the built-

in MacLink Plus library of converters.


Word Processor

Users of Microsoft Works for the Macintosh now 

have access to full-featured word processing 

capabilities including:  footnotes and endnotes, a 

larger, faster spell checker with custom user 

dictionaries, a new thesaurus, word count, formatting 

and improved mail merge.


Database with Reporting

Users can now design 16 forms per database  from 

invoices and address books to business envelopes and 

automatic Avery mailing labels.  Records can contain 

up to 254 individually-formatted multi-line fields  

even calculated fields.  In addition, users can find 

the exact information they need with 16 named filters 

and sorting, and they can prepare presentation-quality 

reports with ease.  


Spreadsheet with Charting

Sophisticated worksheets can easily be built using 

the 64 formulas, manual or automatic calculation, cell 

notes, and extensive cell formatting.  Users can also 

use "Quick Charting" to create professional-looking 

charts directly on their worksheets with one click of 

the mouse or boost any chart's impact by enhancing it 

with the drawing tools  even while the chart is 

live-linked to data.  


Drawing with Page Layout

The Draw tool in Microsoft Works for the Macintosh 

makes it easy to design everything from business logos 

to compound documents containing words, numbers, and 

graphics.  New features include 256-color support, 

tear-off palette options such as 100 border types, 3-D 

effect, object rotation, Bezier curves and more.  Works 

for the Macintosh also gives users vertical and 

horizontal rulers, the ability to add and move between 

pages for up to 99 pages per document, and Snap to Grid 

that enables them to design multi-page documents in 

minutes.



With these unique page layout capabilities, it's 

easy for users to create great-looking compound 

documents.  For example, users can create a two-page 

newsletter containing a fancy logo, a story that flows 

through linked columns across both pages, spreadsheet 

data that was downlinked via the communications tool, 

and a high-impact chart.  Users can also insert a new 

page automatically for advertising or add a header with 

the date and page number with ease.  Microsoft Works 

enables users to create professional-quality documents 

that integrate different types of data in a familiar 

manner consistent with other Macintosh applications.


Communications

Microsoft Works for the Macintosh users can 

simplify their connections with automatic sign-on or 

track expenses with a unique on-screen meter that shows 

connect time, cost and other information.  It is also 

the only integrated package for the Macintosh that 

includes Kermit file transfer support.  

Help



Microsoft Works for the Macintosh has the most 

comprehensive built-in support of any Macintosh 

productivity application.  In addition to new graphical 

help, Microsoft Works incorporates 25 templates 

designed specifically for users in small business, 

education and the home; a "Getting Started" manual with 

practice files; and an interactive HyperCard-based 

tutorial that introduces first-time Macintosh users to 

Works.  Users can also purchase additional training 

materials from Microsoft that show small business 

people, teachers and school office staff how they can 

be more productive with Works, including "Growing Your 

Own Business Using Microsoft Works," "In and Out of the 

Classroom With Microsoft Works," and "In and Out of the 

School Office With Microsoft Works."

Pricing, System Requirements and Availability



Microsoft Works for the Macintosh, version 3.0 is 

scheduled to be available in the third quarter of this 

year for a suggested retail price of $249.  System 

requirements include a Macintosh Plus or higher, System 

6.0.5 or later and one megabyte of memory for System 

6.x users; two megabytes for System 7 or later, a modem 

(for communications) and HyperCard 2.0 or later (for 

tutorial).  Current users of Microsoft Works for the 

Macintosh version 1.x and 2.0 can upgrade to version 

3.0 for $79.  Academic pricing is also available to 

qualified users.  Microsoft Works for the Macintosh 

runs quickly on all Macintosh computers, including the 

Classic II and LC as well as PowerBooks.



Microsoft Works for the Macintosh version 3.0 has 

been localized to meet the language-specific needs of 

international markets.  The English version of 

Microsoft Works for the Macintosh version 3.0 will be 

available worldwide.  French, German, French-Canadian, 

Swedish, Italian and Dutch versions will be available 

by year-end.



Microsoft Corporation offers a complete family of 

applications for the Macintosh operating system.  

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint

, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Schedule+, 

and Microsoft Project are designed to work well 

together and are integrated to provide a comprehensive 

computing solution.


Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the 

worldwide leader in software for personal computers.  

The company offers a wide range of products and 

services for business and personal use, each designed 

with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable 

for people to take advantage of the full power of 

personal computing every day.

#########

Microsoft and PowerPoint are registered trademarks of 

Microsoft Corporation.

Apple, Macintosh, HyperCard and TrueType are registered 

trademarks and Balloon Help and System 7 are trademarks 

of Apple Computer, Inc.

Classic is a registered trademark licensed to Apple 

Computer, Inc.

Avery is a registered trademark of Avery International 

Corporation.

MacLink is a registered trademark of DataViz Inc.



All prices listed are U.S. suggested retail prices.  

Reseller pricing may vary.



New Microsoft Works for the Macintosh Version 3.0