This five-star rating for Microsoft Works is based on use from Jan. 1990 to the present -- 16 years' use. In the days of DOS, Works was one of very few programs which acted as if it were multi-tasking, although DOS only allowed one application to be open at a time. A word-processing document could be available on screen along with a database file and a spreadsheet file. In 1990 even the mail-merge was fully functional. You switched between the files and applications using the same ctrl-tab as we use now, and the switch was fast, even using the original 8088 processor and no hard drive. (A technical note for older readers: the writer used some of the 640 KB as a ram disk to which he copied the executable Works file and loaded from it.) This writer used MS Works to teach physics at a community college for 13 years, until he retired. Word-processing for course materials. Spreadsheet and later database for grades, including mail-merge for individual reports handed to students. Database for day-by-day lecture schedules. When snow cancelled school on any day, the block of dates was slid one day in the database list view and the schedule was reprinted easily in form view. Because a database was included, MS Works allowed a great versatility in the 1990's before Office applications became cheaper. If you use a database frequently, Works is still the cheapest way to have a complete Office-like suite from Microsoft. With Open Office, it is no longer the only way. Nevertheless, MS Works played a significant early role, and it is still an inexpensive way to do a lot of useful tasks. These days MS Works is mainly distributed as bundled software with a new computer, but you can buy it for $50.

The bargin basement of suites, but better then nothing. I'd shell for Office before I'd use Works, personally (shudder).

. . . it gets the job done. Great for basic applications, but for more involved work (like integrating different files, etc.), I would recommend MS Office over this. Plus, the file formats (at least when I used this product about six years ago) aren't as widely accepted as Word documents are.

What lies here is something that you would really expect out of a good computer. This is what computers are all about, and it is useful. Microsoft Works is worth every penny as it attracts you with it's high qualities and helps you get through the new age of technology.

What can you say about it? It does the job I guess it just doesn't give you all the flexibility that office does. If all you want to do is basic word processing, and a couple of spreadsheets it's perfect if you want more you're gonna have to pay for office. Sorry.

Clarisworks for Windows was better, included both draw and paint modules, but Apple doesn't sell it for Windows anymore (I think). MSWorks hard to transfer data. Going SS to Excel creates date errors, unless you save as a Lotus file. Go figure!

Works is alright, but you might as well buy Office.

OK for those who don't need all the bells and whistles.

It's so difficult to transfer the file format to a common office suite format that it's hardly worth it to use Works.

Horrible - does not give full capability. Easy to get stuck!