Microsoft Works covers most home computing needs

By MIKE BERMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
October 20, 2004

I know this my come off as a bit conceited --- or as being a bit elitist --- but I've always considered very basic computer program suites as tools for "the common man." They were always missing something I felt was essential and never quite lived up to the standard I set for such software compilations.

I also never really understood why computer companies would always include these compilations as part of their basic packages instead of the more powerful "office" products.

That was before I discovered Microsoft Works Suite 2005 ($99.95). Although it still lacked the robustness of Microsoft Office --- there's no Excel, Access or PowerPoint --- this package contains everything the home computer user needs, ranging from Microsoft Word 2002 to the Encarta Encyclopedia.

The core of Works Suite 2005 is Works 8, which is a multipurpose software package that acts as a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and an e-mail client. A new, enhanced calendar allows up to four people to create their own calendars and to color code them. There's also a new dictionary that provides easy access to definitions and a new PowerPoint Viewer that allows users to see PowerPoint presentations without having to install the program on their PCs.

But that's only a tip of the iceberg. The suite also includes:

• Microsoft Office Word 2002 _ why it isn't the newer Word 2003 eludes me _ which gives users that need more than basic word processing access to a full-powered word processor.
• Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2005, which contains more than 41,000 articles and is loaded with multimedia presentations. It also provides refreshed content every 10 days, updating itself via the Internet.
• Picture-It Premium 10 allows you to organize and share digital images while still giving you access to the basic editing tools you need to enhance and "correct" your photographs.
• Money Standard 2005 gives you a quick and easy way to track the family's finances, including wizards to track bills, spending and links to 5,000 financial institutions.
• Streets and Trips 2005, which allows you to plan those family trips including driving directions, advanced routing options, road construction updates (via the Internet) and points of interest. This program also features enhanced GPS support and a "pocket" version that can be downloaded to your SmartPhone or any other mobile device.

Now, obviously Microsoft also offers more robust versions of all of these programs, but in today's cost-conscious world, most home computer users really don't need them. In fact, when you add up the cost of all of these programs, when purchased individually, the result is hundreds of dollars in savings. The suite actually costs less than the suggested retail price of a stand-alone copy of Microsoft Word.

For more information, check out www.microsoft.com/works.

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