From: verbook@prism.cs.orst.edu (Kevin M Verboort)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.announce
Subject: Microsoft Works 3.0 Press Release
Followup-To: poster
Date: 13 Aug 1992 17:24:54 -0500
Organization: Oregon State University, Computer Science Dept.
Expires: 1 month
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu



	  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.