HTM 304
By: Kazia Klimas, spring 2003
Product Assessment Project Report
~Microsoft Works
Microsoft Works Suite 2003 Provides
a Web-style task launcher, a simple spreadsheet, a database,
a calendar, an address book, a copy of Word 2002, and a bunch of bonus
software, including a mapping program, an encyclopedia, a personal finance
program, and an image editor. A total of six CDs are included in the software
package:
BENEFIT STATMENT
This software product is designed primarily for home PCs. It can
benefit a PC by increasing home office productivity, personal accounting,
providing an excellent word processor Word 2002, imaging and editing
photographs and assisting with research. It is a complete set of programs
to get any user started.
There is cost saving with the discount of buying the package of
six CDs rather than purchasing each one individually. Also additional savings
would apply by comparing it to Office XP - the user would expect to save around
$300 if there is no need for PowerPoint or Excel.
MANUFACTURER,
VENDOR, RETAILER
Microsoft is the manufacturer and it can be bought at retail
stores such as Best Buy or Office Depot. Over the Internet Works
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Computer/Processor |
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Multimedia PC with a Pentium 300 MHz or higher
processor. Pentium II 500 MHz is recommended. |
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RAM
Memory |
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64 MB of RAM (96 MB on Windows XP) required. 128 MB
of RAM is recommended. Other applications running simultaneously may require
additional memory. |
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Hard
Disk |
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Hard drive requirements will vary by configuration.
1050 MB of available hard disk space is required for a typical installation
of Works Suite 2003. Up to an additional 115 MB is required on the hard disk
where the operating system is installed for Word 2002. |
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Drive |
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Quad-speed or faster CD ROM drive. |
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Display |
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Super VGA, 16-bit color monitor supporting 800x600 or
higher resolution. 1 MB or more of video memory. |
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Operating
System |
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Microsoft Windows® 98, Windows 98 Second Edition,
Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 2 or greater, Windows Me, Windows
XP or higher |
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Peripheral Other Requirements |
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Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 software required and
included. Up to an additional 85 MB of hard disk space may be required for
Internet Explorer upgrade. This installation will not replace the primary
browser. |
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Compatible
Non-Compatible
Wizards are programmed to help directly with the
set-up/installation process. With wizards, a technical person is usually not
needed because most wizards are very user-friendly, window-based programs.
The versions of the all software provided in Works Suite are the
latest, so the user will not be seeing MS-DOS configurations and set-ups.
Set-up time
ranges between ten and fifteen minutes, including product registration.
Uninstall
features on every piece of software.
The help provided in documentation form consisted of basic steps
for set-up and installation. Such as, “Start” and “Run” commands.
Telephone numbers for support were provided.
Microsoft Works Suite is an upgrade to Works, Word or
other word processing programs. To be eligible for Microsoft Works Suite 2003,
the user must be a licensed user of any one of the following applications:
·
Microsoft
Works (all versions)
·
Microsoft
Word (version 6.0 or later for MS DOS
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Windows,
and Windows NT Workstation), WordPerfect for MS DOS (4.0 - 5.1)
·
WordPerfect
for Windows (5.1 – 9)
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Productivity
suites from Novell or Corel, which contain the above WordPerfect versions.
*Also, be aware that the upgrade to Works
For each type of software, the
Microsoft Home Page offers:
Also, step-by-step tutorials are
available on-line.
Gateway charges a fee for their tutorials. Other websites offer
free online tutorials such as http://www.docnmail.com/learn/Suite.htm
Some training features are specific to the
following programs in the package:
Quick
The “Office assistant,” “Office on the Web” and “Word Help” appear on the task bar.
Provides built in wizards and instructional videos to get
started.
Product tours are also available
Quick Installation process
Mapping points and planning trips can take place within minutes
of installation.
All CDs
offer product tours and on-line technical support with the option of paid
on-line assistance.
Free
updates are available online such as a Product Updates and Downloads page that
will keep the Works software up to date.
If
complete understanding is not facilitated through the training elements
provided, the user can purchase additional tutorials. Gateway offers a
“Learning Library” that teaches the basics of operating each program. The CDs
promote hands-on skill building, facilitating the user in understanding key
concepts with audio, video and animation plus activity-oriented learning
exercises.
The
tutorial allows the user to learn at his or her pace.
However, the tutorials cost as much as the total software
package price.
The documentation had the
same type of quality for each program. Given that Microsoft Corporation
manufactures all programs included in the software package, the user manual
details and layouts are quite similar.
q Page count ranged from 90-110 pages.
q An Index was available at the back of the manual and was fair in
quality.
q Quick reference guides, trouble-shooting sections*, keyboard
templates or glossaries are
NOT
provided.
q On-line documentation was available accessed though the MSN home
page.
*Troubleshooting is provided on the on-line help.
Microsoft Works Suite 2003 comes with six CDs that I have listed
throughout this assessment. Microsoft manufactures all of the programs included
in the software package. All of the programs are windows-based so most computer
users should be familiar with the type of operating system.
Icons, Button, Toolbars and left
mouse clicking are all provided for the user.
Word 2002 is enhanced with
features such as Smart Tags (finding files, linking), speech recognition,
advanced search features.
Money 2002 is programmed with automatic register reconciliation.
Streets and Trips contain downloading features onto a PC
handheld: maps can be obtained instantly.
Encarta Encyclopedia will notify the user for automatic updates
available on the Web.
Picture It! has very basic
command and features for the user interface; would be most suitable for novice
computer users.
Through the task launcher,
one-click access will take the user to all programs in the Suite through an
icon or link.
Also to note for the user:
Some programs will not add a
desktop icon unless you specify that you want one; others add a desktop icon
unless you tell them not to.
Works 7.0 contains a simple
database and spreadsheet. The database can open files in dBase and text format,
but not Access or other relational database formats.
SECURITY/BACK-UP/RECOVERY
Word 2002 is equipped with advanced recovery properties that
will save documents that have been lost due to power failure.
There are encrypted versions of the Suite available and a user
name and password is required. Encrypted software will lower the price
significantly.
There is not much back-up features. Back-up can not be set to
automatic so it must be initiated by the user. Back-up procedure
are included in the documentation.
WARRANTY
INFORMATION
90-day money back guarantee
was offered on the programs if ordered from Microsoft directly or most retail
stores. If purchased over the Web through independent distributors, the
warranty time may be limited.
There was not any third party
support listed. The 800 support telephone number was operable.
User Comments:
“Works
http://www.cnet.com/software/0-811003-1204-20186222.html
“Minor gripes aside,
this is as comprehensive a suite of applications as most people will need. As
an overall package, Works
http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Software/1139209
“Microsoft's Streets
& Trips 2002 is the answer for both the directionally impaired as well as
those planning family vacations, business trips, or jaunts across town.” By Sandy Berger at AARP
Organization
“This
product is great for its target audience; its just a
matter of determining whether you fit in that category or not. In grammar
school, I used only MS Word; in high school, I learned Excel and PowerPoint.
Now that I'm in college, I used these products a good amount. It is worth
noting that the bundled spreadsheet and presentation programs do a fair amount
of what Excel and PowerPoint do, but its just not
enough. I like to think that the needs of an average K-12 student are
increasing in terms of software, and a full office suite is a definite
necessity for college students. This product represents a slight understanding
of this at Microsoft, however, this product does not
stand up to OpenOffice and other free competitors. If
you're comfortable with the limited features go out and buy it. I just can't
see how the shoe could fit for many students like myself.” Alex Smith
Click here for PowerPoint presentation
