Buying an Office Suite can be an expensive purchase so choosing the correct one is an important decision. The right package for you is largely driven by your computing needs. Your needs may be:
• personal and home use only
• “at home” work for your employer
• volunteer work for your church or charitable organization
• managing a small business
Each of these reasons may drive you to a different choice depending on the circumstances. Your decision will be influenced by file compatibility. If you are preparing documents for work or for a volunteer assignment, then you may need to be compatible with whichever program is being used by them. Cost may be a big factor when the primary need is for personal home computing or for your children’s school assignments. Think carefully about how you will use the Office Suite, then carefully examine each package’s features to determine which one best suits your needs at the lowest cost.
Here is a review of the major Office Suites available.
MS Office XP
MS Office continues to be the market leader. It outsells the competition nine to one. You either love Microsoft, or your hate it but regardless most businesses choose it to be their standard. The Standard Office XP package includes:
• Word – Word Processor
• Excel – Spreadsheets
• Outlook – Email, Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and Journal
• PowerPoint – graphics and slide show presentation
• Access – Database (included in the Professional Package)
MS Office XP
Lotus Millennium Edition 9.7
Once the market leader in Spreadsheet technology, Lotus SmartSuite has failed to keep up with the Microsoft competition. However, don’t let that mislead you into thinking it’s an inferior product. Although it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that Microsoft has, it certainly delivers the basics without the “bloat” that MS is known for and at a cost savings. Smart Suite includes an easy to use word processor, and excellent PIM and advanced document tracking features unsurpassed by the competition. Included in the SmartSuite package are:
• WordPro- Word Processor – delivers easy to use basics for creating professional looking documents
• Lotus Organizer – Unlike MS, Organizer doesn’t include email functionality. It works similar to a Day Timer to manage your tasks and time. Its ease of use will have you hooked
• 1-2-3 – Spreadsheet – remains powerful enough for the average user’s computing needs
• Approach – Database – easier to use the MS Access but doesn’t support Net standards. Its primary attraction is the ability to interface with Lotus Notes
• FastSite – Web Site Generator. gives users the ability to create a simple Web site. Don’t expect to create a sophisticated site with this software but a good starter program for the kids
• Freelance – graphics and slide show presentation, more cumbersome to work with then the competition but can get the job done professionally with a little work.
Smart Suite Millennium Edition 9.7
Corel WordPerfect Office 2002
What can I say, once a WordPerfect user, always a loyal WordPerfect user. Like Lotus 1-2-3 is to spreadsheets, WordPerfect began as the standard program choice for word processing before the advent of the Office Suite and Microsoft’s entry into the market place. President and CEO of Corel has been quoted to say that he will not go head to head in competition with Microsoft. Like the Lotus Smart Suite, Corel’s programs are adequate but are less powerful and flexible then MS Office XP. The package is aimed at the already loyal followers of WordPerfect and it does not expect to convert MS Office users. Programs included in the Corel Office Suite include:
WordPerfect 10 – Word Processor – still includes the Reveal Codes feature which has been one of its most desirable features
Quattro Pro – Spreadsheet – Quattro can get most spreadsheet jobs done with basic formulas and functions and charting ability. Lacks many of the sophisticated features of Excel such as pivot tables and Web interface
Presentations – graphics and slide show maker – strong selection of flashy features including support for MP3 audio and animated GIFS. Easy translation into MacroMedia Flash format provides web integration of all components of the slide show.
Corel Central – Email and PIM – you may be disappointed in the functionality of this Outlook wanna be.
Paradox – Database -when Paradox entered the market place, users embraced this relationship database because it was more user friendly than DB3, but it was far from being easy to use. Like MS, Paradox is targeted toward developers and is only included in the Professional package of the Corel Suite.
Corel WordPerfect Office 2002
Microsoft Works Suite 2003
MS Office, Lotus SmartSuite, and Corel WordPerfect Office Suite are all marketed toward the business users. Works Suite is targeted toward the home user. Its package is bundled to give families all the tools necessary to fill the home user’s need. With Works six integrated applications, you can write letters, balance budgets, research homework, find directions, and stay organized. Cost is inexpensive when compared to the more sophisticated office suites. Works delivers a strong package for the home user that is hard to beat. Works Suite includes MS Word, Task Launcher (user friendly), Spreadsheet, Database, Calendar (with reminders for life’s little events), and address book, Money, Encarta Encyclopedia, Streets & Trips, and Picture It! Publishing. Priced well below the Office suites.
Microsoft Works Suite 2002
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