Microsoft Works 7

We often criticise PC manufacturers for bundling Works with systems. This isn't because it's a poor piece of software, but when they have a generous budget to play with we'd like to see something more impressive.

However, if you don't already have an office suite and you're looking to buy one, it may still be worth taking a look.

Works comprises a basic word processor, spreadsheet, database, calendar and set of Internet tools - which includes Internet Explorer 6 (IE6).p>So if you'd rather not use this latest release of Microsoft's ubiquitous browser then your only option is not to use Works 7 at all, so bear this in mind before splashing out.

Although the word processor can save documents in Word format or the more widely accepted rtf, the default is the proprietary wps (Works format).

This is annoying, as if you don't save as wps then Works will class your document as unsaved and untitled, and every click of the Save button then counts merely as a 'Save As', forcing you to select your format again.

It does, however, include an adequate subset of Word's functions, which should be more than enough to get all but the most demanding of hacks up and running.

Works is targeted carefully at the novice user. Each of its applications has a help panel running down the right-hand side, which gives one-click access to the most common functions, and guidance on how to use them.

This idiot-proof approach has resulted in an installation routine slimmed down rather more than we would have liked.

While even the most basic software will usually give you a 'custom' option where you can tailor the installed components, Works merely offers Complete, Minimum or Basic.

While it tells you what is missing from each there is no option to install a piecemeal suite tailored to your own requirements.

The spreadsheet option is effectively a cut-down Excel. While you can read Excel-formatted documents you'll only be able to access one page of multisheet files.

Were it able to view all pages and offer a subset of Excel's functions it could be put to good use as a 'homework' package for business users who have the full version at work. But as it stands it can't even do that.

Instead, you must select which one of the multiple pages you want to view. But beware - making changes and then resaving the sheet with the same name deletes all other pages in the file.

The hub of Works is the Task Launcher. Binding together the individual applications, it helps you to identify which you need to use to complete the task in hand.

The interface is a simple list of jobs, formatted in a distinctly MSN style. This is presumably to paper over the cracks when some of them slip you into an MSN website rather than opening a template in a Works application.

To be fair, most of these are web-based tasks and are clearly signposted, but unless you're a broadband user you may feel somewhat shortchanged.

The final application is the database, which will be immediately understood by even the most inexperienced of users.

It looks like a spreadsheet, and the report-creation tools provide a click-through route to sorting, filtering and ultimately outputting data.

As Access is too powerful for many users' needs we would say this was a well-targeted and a valuable addition to the suite.

Sadly though, when taken as a whole, Works is starting to look tired.

Five years ago this would have been a killer application. But today, with the likes of Star Office and Open Office providing more features and more extensive Microsoft Office compatibility at lower prices (Open Office is free), the only reason to use Works is if it came free with your PC.

DETAILS
Price: £69.99 (£59.57 ex VAT)
Contact: Microsoft 0870 601 0100
www.microsoft.com/uk

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• 120MHz processor
• Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP
• 32MB of Ram
• 90-180MB of free hard drive space (plus 65MB for Internet Explorer 6),
• Four-speed CD-Rom drive