I ENJOYED YOUR review of ClarisWorks 4.0 (November '95, page 52), but I would like to offer an alternative view. You look at each module and explain that the individual modules are not as full-featured as stand-alone programs. This approach treats an integrated package as a low-end "jack of all trades" approach for those who cannot afford a full set of stand-alone applications.
On the other hand, my view is that ClarisWorks is more full-featured than a collection of stand-alone packages. Most of my documents contain mixtures of text, graphics, and spreadsheets. ClarisWorks excels at creating these integrated documents. For writing a letter, the graphic capabilities of ClarisWorks are far above those of my stand-alone word-processing program. My spreadsheets often require text blocks and graphical elements for embellishment. Again, ClarisWorks handles this mixed-mode situation much better than my stand-alone application does.
The interapplication communication some of these stand-alone packages offer does not provide anywhere near the seamless integration of ClarisWorks. I would say that it's the best choice for producing mixed-mode documents, and it does so at a bargain price too.
Michael Harris
via the Internet
LIKE A LOT of other people, I'd like to see someone -- anyone -- really challenge Microsoft. But that doesn't blind me to the fact that ClarisWorks 4.0 is inferior to a stand-alone word processor such as Microsoft Word. However, you seem to believe that ClarisWorks compares favorably to Word.
I, on the other hand, think the lack of drag-and-drop editing is inexcusable in today's world. ClarisWorks' Tables feature uses a spreadsheet as a model, so cells continue to grow horizontally as you type, instead of wrapping around like Word's cells. I've been using style sheets for over ten years, and I've never seen a system as clunky and inflexible as ClarisWorks'.
The bottom line is that you guys gave this application a rating of 4.5 out of 5. Relative to other integrated programs, that may be an accurate assessment. But if you're really going to insist on comparing it with stand-alone programs, ClarisWorks is going to look pathetic every time.
