ClarisWorks for Windows is an integrated software package, which means that it combines a number of programs--database, word processor, graphics, and spreadsheet--in such a way that you can easily merge the output of any of them. Integrated packages are peculiar programs, in that they tend to ignore the evolutionary path that most computer programs follow--that is, getting bigger, bulkier and ever more powerful. Instead, integrated packages emphasize convenience and ease-of-use, and are marketed towards home-office users, students, and those who do not need the fanciest software functions.
ClarisWorks is a case in point. After an easy installation, it will take up only five megabytes on your hard drive--several times smaller than a single program like Word. This makes it perfect for crowded hard drives. Once you load the program, you can start work one of the various types of documents it offers. But ClarisWorks is so seamlessly integrated that essentially all functions are available in any type of document. If you want to draw something on your word-processing document, you needn't open a graphics file, create your graphic, and then import it. Instead, you can simply draw on your word-processing file. Or start a spreadsheet on that file, or a database. ClarisWorks' ability to shift back and forth from function to function within the same document is quite impressive.
The components themselves, as you might suspect, are not as sophisticated as stand-alone products. ClarisWorks cannot compete with, say, Paradox or WordPerfect. The word-processing program offers basic functions such as font selection, find/replace, and headers/footers. It does offer automated footnotes (though not endnotes) and has a substantial dictionary/thesaurus. Its ability to import text from other programs is limited, and I had a difficult time trying to convert a WordPerfect document. The graphics program is more complete, although here, too, import capabilities are limited. The database and spreadsheet are rather simple, but are made more valuable by the way they integrate with the other components. For instance, spreadsheets can be easily placed on a text document to create a quick chart (there is a chart creation function as well, to provide graphic charts). The program also offers a macro capability that can be used in all programs.
ClarisWorks is fine example of an integrated package, but potential consumers should be forewarned. Paradoxically, "easy-to-use" programs are sometimes more difficult, because of their lack of capabilities. For instance, ClarisWorks integrates text and graphics, but does not include functions for wrapping text around graphics in its wordprocessing mode. Any but the most simple placement of text and graphics becomes considerably more complicated. Limitations such as these mean that the program is suited for less demanding users. Interestingly, some of the big and bulky programs are now edging into integrated package territory. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows includes graphics and spreadsheet capabilities as well as its wordprocessing functions, although they do not integrate as well as ClarisWorks components do. In the final analysis, ClarisWorks is a program that handles the basics extremely well. Just don't expect too much beyond the basics.--Mark Pitcavage
