MSWorks vs., Office

[clifton]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between MSWorks
with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more. Why
should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be able
to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
installed Office?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Absolutely. Works would bo OK for opening any Word or Excel document or
spreadsheet. I'm a big fan of MS Office, and use it alot, but for simply
being able to open documents & spreadsheets, minus some features, Works will
work.


"Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:NCICc.130246$Gx4.34430@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between MSWorks
> with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
> Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more.
Why
> should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be
able
> to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> installed Office?
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

MS Works uses MS Word as its word processor but that is about the only
thing that is close between them. While Office can open and work with
Works files the opposite is not usually true. It is kind of like
comparing Microsoft Paint to Adobe Photoshop. One is vastly more capable
than the other but both have their place.

--
Steve Williams



"Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:NCICc.130246$Gx4.34430@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between
MSWorks
> with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software;
or
> Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $
more. Why
> should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be
able
> to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> installed Office?
>
>




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[Bruce]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"BWL" <razamanaz99@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:XaJCc.64$46.655@cletus.bright.net:

> Absolutely. Works would bo OK for opening any Word or Excel document
> or spreadsheet. I'm a big fan of MS Office, and use it alot, but for
> simply being able to open documents & spreadsheets, minus some
> features, Works will work.
>
>
> "Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:NCICc.130246$Gx4.34430@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between
>> MSWorks with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database
>> software; or Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few
>> hundred $ more.
> Why
>> should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not
>> be
> able
>> to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my
>> own installed Office?
>>
>>
>
>
>

MSWorks works fine.

I've bought three Dells in the last 1 1/2 years, and I always order
MSWorks. I use Office at work, and bring files home all the time.
MSWorks Word and Office Word are the same; MSWorks Spreadsheet is a light
version of Office Excel. Unless you need powerful spreadsheet
capabilities, the $29 MSWorks is more than adequate.

Bruce

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

actually what dell bundles with new computers is 'works suite'. this is a
full copy of the basic application suite called 'works' (word processor,
spreadsheet, database), a full copy of 'word' (part of 'office' which is the
more feature laden version of 'works'), 'pictureit photo' (for photo
editing), 'street and tips' (for maps and directions), and 'encarta'
(encyclopedia). there are compatibility issues with going from the works
word processor and spreadsheet program to the office counterparts... hence
why ms started to offer 'works suite' instead of just 'works' (mostly
because people clamored for 'word', the word processor that is part of
'office'). but if you have no need to exchange documents or spreadsheet
with others then works is fine. surprisingly the word perfect productivity
pak (for $15 less than 'works suite') is more compatible with microsoft
'office' (word/excel) and as full featured as those products as well.

"Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:NCICc.130246$Gx4.34430@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between MSWorks
> with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
> Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more.
Why
> should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be
able
> to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> installed Office?
>
>

 

[BT]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I went with MS Works Suite a couple years ago because the Dell rep told me it
was compatible with my old Excel files. WRONG!!!! If you have multiple
worksheets in your Excel files, or macros, then the simple spreadsheet software
that comes with MS Works doesn't work. Word documents are no problem since you
get a full version of Word. Fortunately when I complained to Dell they sent me
a "freebie" MS Office XP because they had misinformed me. Sometimes things just
work out well with Dell...and other times, well....

BT


"Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:NCICc.130246$Gx4.34430@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between MSWorks
> with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
> Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more. Why
> should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be able
> to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> installed Office?
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

> "Clifton" cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net

>In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between MSWorks
>with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
>Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more. Why
>should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be able
>to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
>installed Office?

Yes. I have Works Suite 2002 and it comes with MS Word 2002. You can open Word
documents with Works. You can even save a Works spreadsheet as an Excel file.

One thing that I found is difficult to do with MS Word and a Works database is
mail merge documents. Form letters and mailing labels are better handled using
MS Works word processor and not MS Word. Yes, Works Suite comes with two word
processors--MS Word and MS Works WP.

--
"When you argue with a fool be sure he is not similarly occupied."

See how the pros get their power!
http://www.powrwrap.com/press.htm

 

[clifton]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks all. These are somewhat different answers as might well be expected.
The advanced features are less a concern than compatibility. Can I get some
comments on a more specific case? If I get a database document in Access and
have only the Works database software, I think I can open it; but can I
edit it and send it back. Or do I need to have Access to do that.
"Alan S. Wales" <powrwrap@aol.compost> wrote in message
news:20040625110232.16562.00000279@mb-m22.aol.com...
> > "Clifton" cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net
>
> >In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between MSWorks
> >with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
> >Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more.
Why
> >should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be
able
> >to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> >installed Office?
>
> Yes. I have Works Suite 2002 and it comes with MS Word 2002. You can open
Word
> documents with Works. You can even save a Works spreadsheet as an Excel
file.
>
> One thing that I found is difficult to do with MS Word and a Works
database is
> mail merge documents. Form letters and mailing labels are better handled
using
> MS Works word processor and not MS Word. Yes, Works Suite comes with two
word
> processors--MS Word and MS Works WP.
>
> --
> "When you argue with a fool be sure he is not similarly occupied."
>
> See how the pros get their power!
> http://www.powrwrap.com/press.htm
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

you need access for that. this should convince you...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;271080
the current version of 'works' is called 7.0. 'works' 7.0 is included in
'works suite 2004' which dell is offering with their new systems.
keep in mind that 'access' only comes with 'microsoft office professional'
and is not included with the 'basic' or 'small business' editions of
'office.' of course you can purchase 'access' separately.

"Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:mMYCc.27653$OB3.5852@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Thanks all. These are somewhat different answers as might well be
expected.
> The advanced features are less a concern than compatibility. Can I get
some
> comments on a more specific case? If I get a database document in Access
and
> have only the Works database software, I think I can open it; but can I
> edit it and send it back. Or do I need to have Access to do that.
> "Alan S. Wales" <powrwrap@aol.compost> wrote in message
> news:20040625110232.16562.00000279@mb-m22.aol.com...
> > > "Clifton" cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net
> >
> > >In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between
MSWorks
> > >with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software;
or
> > >Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $
more.
> Why
> > >should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be
> able
> > >to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> > >installed Office?
> >
> > Yes. I have Works Suite 2002 and it comes with MS Word 2002. You can
open
> Word
> > documents with Works. You can even save a Works spreadsheet as an Excel
> file.
> >
> > One thing that I found is difficult to do with MS Word and a Works
> database is
> > mail merge documents. Form letters and mailing labels are better handled
> using
> > MS Works word processor and not MS Word. Yes, Works Suite comes with two
> word
> > processors--MS Word and MS Works WP.
> >
> > --
> > "When you argue with a fool be sure he is not similarly occupied."
> >
> > See how the pros get their power!
> > http://www.powrwrap.com/press.htm
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

>"Christopher Muto" muto@worldnet.att.net

>you need access for that. this should convince you...
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;271080
>the current version of 'works' is called 7.0. 'works' 7.0 is included in
>'works suite 2004' which dell is offering with their new systems.
>keep in mind that 'access' only comes with 'microsoft office professional'
>and is not included with the 'basic' or 'small business' editions of
>'office.' of course you can purchase 'access' separately.

FWIW, my experience with Access is that it is needlessly complicated for most
database activities. MS Works' database does everything I've needed. OTOH, if
you want to insert MS Works database reports into Word documents, I'm not sure
if Word will accept them. Also, I don't think MS Works can open Access files.

I did install Excel from my old Office 97 Suite onto my new Dell when I made
the switchover from my old computer but I didn't install Access.

Clifton, if Access is an important program for you to have, it looks like you
might as well fork out the money for Office Pro Edition, otherwise I believe
you could do fine with MS Works.

--
"When you argue with a fool be sure he is not similarly occupied."

See how the pros get their power!
http://www.powrwrap.com/press.htm

 

[clifton]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks again. Problem answered.
"BT" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:Tc_Cc.171$LV5.1038@news20.bellglobal.com...
> I went with MS Works Suite a couple years ago because the Dell rep told me
it
> was compatible with my old Excel files. WRONG!!!! If you have multiple
> worksheets in your Excel files, or macros, then the simple spreadsheet
software
> that comes with MS Works doesn't work. Word documents are no problem
since you
> get a full version of Word. Fortunately when I complained to Dell they
sent me
> a "freebie" MS Office XP because they had misinformed me. Sometimes
things just
> work out well with Dell...and other times, well....
>
> BT
>
>
> "Clifton" <cxxmayer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:NCICc.130246$Gx4.34430@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> > In reviewing options for Dell 4300 purchase, I see choice between
MSWorks
> > with word processor labeled Word, spreadsheet, and database software; or
> > Office suite including Word, Excel, and Access for a few hundred $ more.
Why
> > should I need Office? If I was sent an Office document, would I not be
able
> > to open and read it, possibly edit it, with only Works, without my own
> > installed Office?
> >
> >
>
>