Apple Reviews

Like some of the other reviewers, I'm rather surprised at the number of negative reviews that Appleworks has received. While it is true that Appleworks is not as powerful as Microsoft Office, it is much less expensive and clearly represents a better value. The word processer part of it (the part that most people will use) is more intuitive and easier to use than Microsoft Word. True, Word is more powerful; but it costs $350 and requires a manual to use. I have never needed to use a manual to use Appleworks. You have complete control of your documents and you don't have to summon up the help application to figure out how to do common tasks like formatting paragraphs or adding links. Those who have mastered the complexities of MS Word and who require its special features may not like Appleworks. But for the rest of us, it more than meets our needs.

Also, one thing more: I have never had any trouble with Appleworks' translators from cwk to word format. I'm not sure why so many people have reported having trouble with it. I translated an entire book from Appleworks to PC MS Word, preserving the formats and special lettering instructions without any trouble at all. In any case, this wouldn't be a problem if people would show more courtesy to non-MS users (Macs and Linux) and not insist on sending them doc formatted files. PDF and rtf are far better cross-platform alternatives.

Ok, I'm am sure that there are features in Word or Excel that some of you might use and the key word is might, but for the other 98% of us. Apple Works is a complete program that is full featured and easy to use. It can save and all of latest Microsoft Office file formats and that is half the battle most of the time with some of the attachments that I receive. Other than that I've been using it for about two months now and it has done everything that I have asked it to do and done it with ease. I have no problems with crashing or quiting unexpectedly under OS X. I start it and it runs and runs and runs. It's a great value even if just to open and looks at an Excel spreadsheet or Word doucument.

Chris

I have been using computer word processors extensively since 1986. In 2001, I switched from being primarily a PC user to being a Mac user. And Appleworks is one of the programs I use the most.

I cannot understand the reviews on this page which slam Appleworks (especially the OSX version) for not being compatible with MS Word. I covert files back and forth from PC to Mac with no problem whatsoever. The best printer I have access to is on a PC at work. I usually write documents at home, convert them to a MS Word document, and email them to myself at work. Then at work the next day I print them. No problem.

There seems to be one glitch if you save files as a rich text file. The translator doesn't know the following characters: " '

But if you save it as a MS Word for Windows 98, 2000, ME file, you don't have this problem.

Apple, keep up the good work. The average Joe or Jane should not have to pay hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to get a solid word processor.

Tom Paine
Benton, LA
ATPaine@Lycos.Com

My Apple Laserwriter IINT is so old that I have to use a serial-to-USB bridge to connect it to my MAC G3. The only reason I keep it around is because it handles Postscript, which my music printing program requires. So the cartridge above is a godsend. If for some reason you can't obtain the Apple toner, an
Hewlett Packard 92275A Laser Toner cartridge is compatible. I've got one in my LaserWriter right now, and it works just fine...

I got this bag for my 14" iBook. I'm a fan of quality and love well made products. I looked at Brenthaven's website and decided they were all about quality and that the $80 price for the Mobility 1 was well justified.

I was wrong. First I will concede that this bag is made with good materials, built to hold up to heavy use, and does in fact shield a laptop very well. HOWEVER, at $80 there are some serious design flaws that keep this bag from being really cool.
1. Bag is perpetually lopsided. When loaded with a laptop this thing will never stand up on a table top (flat surface) etc.
2. With this lopsided-ness the carrying handle becomes twisted in your hand whenever you use it. It's too thin and flimsy.
3. Now put the bag on your shoulder and it's still lopsided, but if you're talented you can make it work.
4. You can't remove the shoulder strap, and it doesn't have "swivel" hardware to keep it from getting all twisted up.
5. The front strap that holds the clasp for closing the front flap of the bag is not adjustable. This means if the bag isn't stuffed full the front flap can't be cinched tight. This adds even more to the bag's lopsidedness.

It appears Brenthaven rushed this bag to market in response to Apple's request for a small laptop bag. While it will protect your machine, you'll soon be pestered by its many design flaws.