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-- Goodgearguide Expert, Goodgearguide  1 out of 4 found this reivew helpful |
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| We checked out a shipping version of Microsoft's home-user-centric Works Suite 2006. For $169.95 it includes the same four apps as the existing $100 Works 8 bundle (a plain-jane word processor, Excel-compatible spreadsheet, a basic database, and a ca ...
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| -- Itreviews Expert, Itreviews 1 out of 2 found this reivew helpful |
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| Works Suite 2006 comprises six products: Works 8, Word 2002, Encarta 2005, Digital Image 2006 , AutoRoute Essentials 2006 and Money 2006. There are smaller extras, too, such as Pocket Streets for Pocket PC and Smartphone. Those version numbers on Works' components are important, as Word and Encarta are not the latest versions and Works 8 was the core of Works Suite 2005 as well as this new product. The inclusion of Word 2002 as the word processor in Works Suite was a very clever move some years back and is an inexpensive way to get hold of what is still the most comprehensive word juggler around. Although the 2002 version isn't the latest, it is compatible with versions of Windows before XP, which Word 2003 isn't. It includes all the big-boy functions like tables, outlining, indexing and VBA-based macros, which Works' own word processor doesn't. The rest of Works is a well-designed integrated suite, with a flat file database, a simple but effective spreadsheet and an organiser. While these applications are not as sophisticated as their Office counterparts, they're more than adequate for most home and home office duties. The real strength of Works, though, is its set of task-based templates. Think of a task you'd like to perform, like researching your family history or coaching a sports team, and the chances are there's a Works template for it. Of the other applications, Money is probably the most popular in the home. As well as managing your accounts, it has a heavy online bias and is a good way of quoting on insurance and checking your mortgage payments. All the share portfolio facilities are still there, too. AutoRoute 2006 now covers 27 different countries, so you can plot routes over most of Western Europe. While there are free route planners on the Internet, none is as comprehensive, nor as quick. There's a lot of detail on British and European places of interest in the new version, too. Encarta 2006 has had an interface make-over and is still the best source of multimedia content in any electronic reference. It's easy to navigate and includes links to related materials not provided by Microsoft, so has a wider compass. It's content is often more erudite than in earlier editions, too, with articles referenced to their authors and their authors' credentials and bibliographies on display. The only wholly new application in the suite is Digital Image 2006, a product crying out for an interesting name. This is a photo manager and basic photo editor which automates many of the changes needed to enhance digital photos. It's no Photoshop , not even a Photoshop Elements , but may still be all that many home photographers need. It's very easy to use and a great way of organising your shots. Microsoft - Works Suite 2006 features - Verdict Works 2006 is the ideal bundle for a new family or home office PC. With a heavyweight word processor and best-selling home accounts, encyclopaedia and route planning software, you get a huge amount for a modest outlay. As an upgrade to Works Suite 2005, though, things aren't as clear cut. Neither of its core applications offers anything new. Microsoft - Works Suite 2006 price Buy Microsoft Works Suite 2006 securely online at a bargain price £75 inc. VAT Microsoft: 0870 6010 100 www.microsoft.co.uk Read more reviews of Office Applications Read our Buyers Guide to Office Applications ...
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| -- Trustedreviews Expert, Trustedreviews 1 out of 2 found this reivew helpful |
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| Works Suite 2006 Say what you like about Microsoft, there’s still nothing on the market that can hold a candle to its Office productivity suite. It’s more fully featured than any other office suite out there, more widely used and it just works better than anything else. It is, however, a pretty big investment for Mr or Mrs Average. The standard retail edition of the latest Office suite – XP – will set you back a hefty £354. Professional is even more expensive at around £437. And do most of us really need all of that functionality anyway? Um, Not really. The simple fact is that most people only exploit a fraction of Microsoft Word’s full potential, never mind the rest of the applications in the suite – Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint. So what’s a user to do? Well you could always do the unthinkable and break with Microsoft altogether – there are plenty of decent well-priced alternatives and some excellent free packages too (Open Office comes to mind as one of the best). But if it just has to be Microsoft your choices are more limited. In fact for some years now the best alternative has been to shell out for Microsoft Works Suite – which includes the most popular application – Word – and a bunch of other stripped down productivity packages. Well, it’s now reached its 2006 version, and Microsoft has been busy cramming even more goodies in. There’s far too much software in this five CD set to go into an in depth discussion of each application – there are eight full-blown programs in all – so I’ll start by outlining what’s included, what’s new and what isn’t and then try to pick out some of each application’s best features. First of all, it’s important to note that neither Works nor Word is updated on last year’s package. Works 8 still forms the core of the product with its basic Calendar, Database, Portfolio and Spreadsheet applications plus its enormous selection of everyday task- and project-based templates. It’s still very easy to use but don’t expect a fully-fledged relational database or spreadsheet software that’s anywhere near as capable as Excel. ...
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| -- Trustedreviews Expert, Trustedreviews 1 out of 3 found this reivew helpful |
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| Say what you like about Microsoft, there?s still nothing on the market that can hold a candle to its Office productivity suite. It?s more fully featured than any other office suite out there, more widely used and it just works better than anything else. It is, however, a pretty big investment for Mr or Mrs Average. The standard retail edition of the latest Office suite ? XP ? will set you back a hefty £354. Professional is even more expensive at around £437. And do most of us really need all of that functionality anyway? Um, Not really. The simple fact is that most people only exploit a fraction of Microsoft Word?s full potential, never mind the rest of the applications in the suite ? Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint. So what?s a user to do? Well you could always do the unthinkable and break with Microsoft altogether ? there are plenty of decent well-priced alternatives and some excellent free packages too (Open Office comes to mind as one of the best). But if it just has to be Microsoft your choices are more limited. In fact for some years now the best alternative has been to shell out for Microsoft Works Suite ? which includes the most popular application ? Word ? and a bunch of other stripped down productivity packages. Well, it?s now reached its 2006 version, and Microsoft has been busy cramming even more goodies in. There?s far too much software in this five CD set to go into an in depth discussion of each application ? there are eight full-blown programs in all ? so I?ll start by outlining what?s included, what?s new and what isn?t and then try to pick out some of each application?s best features. First of all, it?s important to note that neither Works nor Word is updated on last year?s package. Works 8 still forms the core of the product with its basic Calendar, Database, Portfolio and Spreadsheet applications plus its enormous selection of everyday task- and project-based templates. It?s still very easy to use but don?t expect a fully-fledged relational database or spreadsheet software that?s anywhere near as capable as Excel. ...
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-- Vnunet Expert, Vnunet  1 out of 2 found this reivew helpful |
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| Although we?re waiting with baited breath for the next version of Microsoft?s Office suite, which is due out towards the end of 2006, the latest edition of Works Suite has just arrived. Before looking at the package in detail, we?ll briefly cover what?s included. Brace yourselves, as there?s a lot of software. Works itself is obviously here. Unlike Office 2003, Works is an integrated package covering spreadsheets, databases, a personal organiser and a bunch of task-based templates. Then there?s Microsoft Digital Imaging (a competent image editor suitable for beginners), the navigation software Autoroute Essentials and Encarta Encyclopedia Standard. All these titles are 2006 versions. You also get Microsoft Money 2006 to sort out your personal finances and Pocket Streets for Smartphone or Pocket PC. If you?ve noticed we haven?t mentioned word processing, don?t panic. The Works Suite, unlike plain Works, which has its own word processor, comes with a full copy of Word 2002. All in all, it?s a decent collection of software. Once installed, the Works home page opens with a tabbed calendar and contacts pane ? your current Windows address book will be added to the latter. Above this are chunky buttons providing quick access to templates. You?ll find links to finance templates, programs and program-specific templates (such as a fundraising spreadsheet or a recipe database), projects including moving house or running a sports team that involve more than one program, and a history of recent files. If you?d rather launch a program directly, there?s a set of quick-launch buttons on the right. The spreadsheet component is fairly basic. Unlike in Excel, you can?t have tabbed worksheets, but the 75 functions and 12 chart types should be enough for the average user. Again, the huge range of available templates makes it all very easy to use, even for beginners. The database is a simple flat-file program, as opposed to a more advanced relational database system, but templates make it easy to keep track of your CD collection or wine cellar, for example. Although it?s not designed to compete with Adobe Photoshop, the Digital Imaging package has some useful features, such as buttons to automatically correct problems like poor exposure and colour balance. You get a professional-style ?unsharp mask? control that is used to sharpen a soft image. There is also a variety of extras in terms of frames, calendars, greetings cards and so on in which to house your photos. Encarta is obviously a big draw. We were astounded when we first reviewed it back in 1993, and it?s just as impressive today. Where else can you research your homework on Ovid and listen to a clip of Little Richard singing, all from one offline application? Although online versions are available, the included Microsoft Autoroute offers more functionality and is faster than web-based route-mapping services. The maps cover the whole of Europe in great detail, and it delivers informative navigation instructions, complete with maps, almost instantaneously. The addition of Word 2002, together with the Visual Basic for Applications programming language, raises the standard for a sub-£100 suite. This isn?t the latest version, but since Word 2003 only runs on Windows XP, this will appeal to a wider user base. Works Suite 2006 is a well-integrated, finely crafted suite crammed full of useful applications. The interface is intuitive and, if you do get stuck, there?s plenty of help, including a comprehensive animated tour. System requirements: 200MHz processor 128MB Ram 1.5GB disk space Windows 98SE or later (Windows 2000 SP4 or later for Encarta) ...
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| Microsoft Works Suite 2006 Complete package |
| $114.99 - $132.00 |
| from 2 stores |
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