This family software suite includes the following full
software programs:
- WordPerfect 9
- Quattro Pro 9
- Corel Print House 5
- Compton's Encyclopedia 2000 Standard
- Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 10
- National Geographic Trip Planner Platinum 2000
Designed to supply families with the basic tools for their diverse home computing
needs, this suite is not only powerful, it is easy to use with a Task Manager
that helps to integrate its many programs.
At the heart of the suite is Corel's word processing application, WordPerfect
9. To many, WordPerfect may be considered the "other" word processing
application, as use of Microsoft Word is more widespread. However,
it is a powerful tool, and there are those who swear by it. WordPerfect
is not a clone of Microsoft Word, so those accustomed to working
with Word will need to invest a little time in order to "learn"
the ins and outs of this application. However, it is similar enough in its layout
and features, and its power is comparable. Corel has worked hard to make their
product compatible with its main competitor, all the while maintaining WordPerfect's
integrity as a unique program.
In comparison to older versions of WordPerfect, WordPerfect
9 remains faithful to its predecessors, while still offering some truly
useful improvements. Most notable — and very exciting — is its RealTime
Preview feature. This allows users to preview formatting changes in real
time before applying any changes to a document, eliminating the need to rely
heavily on the undo and redo functions. This feature works
for fonts, line justification, borders, and more.
Another handy feature for users who don't already use the Microsoft IntelliMouse
— Autoscroll allows for automatic scrolling without the need to
use the scroll bar. The new Block Make It Fit feature offers the ability
to fit selected blocks of a document into a specified part of the document,
keeping other portions of the document unchanged. True Font Bit allows
fonts used to be embedded in the document, which means that if users send their
document to another computer, even if these fonts are not installed on the destination
computer, they are still readable in their original form.
Comparisons to Word and older versions of WordPerfect
aside, WordPerfect 9 is a powerful tool for creating professional-quality
documents including reports, newsletters, and more. Certainly, we have found
all of the features we expected from a high-quality word processor in WordPerfect
9, and then some. Adding either graphics, tables, or graphs to a document
is an easy process; the Prompt-As-You-Go feature that displays suggestions
(for example, alternate words and alternate spellings) as you work is especially
handy; the PerfectExpert help feature appears as a side toolbar and
is loaded with easy-to-use tips; the application's proof-reading tools are stellar;
and the Undo/Redo History function helps streamline the process of
moving backward and forward when multiple steps are involved by eliminating
the need to click on undo or redo over and over again.
The suite's powerful spreadsheet application, Quattro Pro 9,
allows users to create spreadsheet-based documents that help them manage data.
Some of the improvements to the product won't matter much to most families (such
as the increased numbers of spreadsheets allowed per notebook and more rows
and columns allowed in each). However, with the help of the ready-made templates
and help features, users will learn a few handy tricks that will allow them
to organize and manage things like family collectibles, video libraries, and
more.
For a family's basic print project and image-editing needs, Corel Print
House 5 and Corel Photo House 5 will serve well. With
drag-and-drop capabilities and a nice user interface, this program makes it
easy to create banners, greeting cards, calendars, and more. Loads of sample
projects are available to help users get started. As well, photos and images
can be manipulated in a variety of ways — including using basic photo-editing
functions like removing red-eye and other touch-ups and repairs, painting tools,
and special effects.
The very fact that Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 10 is on its
tenth version (and, in fact, there is an eleventh version now available) suggests
that the program has not only been around for some time, but it is worthy of
bringing back again and again. This title has long been recognized as an excellent
program for both adults and older children to improve their typing skills —
such a crucial skill in today's text-intensive, computerized world. This program
supports multiple users and tracks each player's progress, adapting lessons
according to individual performance. Complete with typing lessons and eight
games that help build rhythm, speed, and accuracy, this CD-ROM is a superb typing
training program.
While there are better electronic Encyclopedias on the market, Compton's
Interactive Encyclopedia 2000 Standard remains a decent choice. The
entire text of the 26-volume print version of Compton's Encyclopedia
is included here, along with images, carefully-selected Internet links, virtual
tours, maps, sound clips, and more. Dictionary and thesaurus entries are also
included.
Finally, the National Geographic Trip Planner Platinum 2000
is handy for those planning to travel within North America. Designed as an interactive
travel guide, this program allows users to generate and print maps and itineraries
for any upcoming road trip, with trip routing covering the United States and
Canada. Users can search for hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions along
the way, and schedule these stops into their travel plan. The program supplies
detailed driving directions and trip costs after users factor in variables like
fuel costs and expected driving speed.
The Task Manager attempts to integrate the program's many applications,
and provides some ready-made templates for diverse projects. These templates
can be used as a handy starting point for family projects, or as a springboard
for ideas. The Task Manager assists users by introducing them to the
many possibilities of the suite. It's an excellent place for new users to start
working with the program, and it's a place to return to from time to time to
obtain project ideas. Many families, for example, don't use their spreadsheet
software simply because they don't know what they can do with it — the
Task Manager helps get them started using the application for things
like creating a family budget, a household inventory, family medical history,
and mortgage amortization, to name a few.
If this suite sounds overwhelming in any way — it's not. It's a package
that is designed with novice home computing in mind. Installation is easy and
the Install-As-You-Go feature allows users to install only the applications
they need, adding more only as the need arises.
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