AppleWorks 6: the Missing Manual - Softcover

Elferdink, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 156592858X ISBN 13: 9781565928589

Publisher: O′Reilly, 2000

Synopsis

If you prefer a more streamlined alternative to the bloat and complexity of Microsoft "sport-utility" programs, AppleWorks 6 is the stealth office suite. Hugely popular in classrooms, colleges, and small offices, it's got word processing, graphics, database, web design, spreadsheet, and slide-show functions in a single, beautifully integrated application.Every year, AppleWorks arrives in the hands of four million Apple iMac and iBook buyers. There it sits on the hard drive, a masterpiece of smooth integration and clever interface design, accompanied by templates, art libraries, and fonts--and no printed instructions.AppleWorks 6: The Missing Manual is the book that should have been in the box.It covers:

• What's new. The authors place special emphasis on easing the transition into the new AppleWorks 6 interface, its Internet hooks, the Starting Points window, and the new Presentation module.
• Part by part coverage. The early chapters delve very deeply into the six core AppleWorks modules, including 85 pages on the word processor alone.
• Power tools. Much of AppleWorks's power comes from its macros, templates, assistants, customizable Button bar, and web-based clip-art libraries.
• Document exchange. AppleWorks 6 can no longer export Word and Excel files. But this book covers exchanging documents with other programs, versions, and platforms--and includes a 25% discount coupon for MacLink Plus, which restores the file-conversion feature.
• Troubleshooting. Because this book isn't an Apple publication, the authors freely acknowledge the program's weaknesses--and offer workarounds. Witty and jargon-free, AppleWorks 6:The Missing Manual treats AppleWorks as the serious productivity tool it is. With over 250 illustrations, a 2,000-entry index, and a menu-by-menu explanation of every command, AppleWorks 6: The Missing Manual is as smoothly put together as AppleWorks itself.

About this title

Review

Over the years since AppleWorks (previously ClarisWorks) was first launched by Apple, it has undergone a transformation from a reputation as the Swiss Army Knife of software to a fully integrated and powerful suite of applications which should meet the needs of any home office. However, as the sophistication of the software has increased, the accompanying printed manual has shrunk, to the point where AppleWorks 6 comes with a slim leaflet and a less-than-ideal online electronic guide. This is a trend which David Pogue, award-winning Macworld columnist and author of numerous books including the ...For Dummies series, has noted with concern. He has responded by launching the Missing Manual series of books.

In AppleWorks 6: The Missing Manual, authors Jim Elferdink and David Reynolds cover every aspect of Apple's flagship software suite. The book is divided into three broad sections covering an introduction to the basics of each of the AppleWorks modules (Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Drawing, Painting and Presentation), a description of the advanced properties of each, and a guide to using the powerful integration between the modules. The Integration chapter, in particular, provides examples of just how powerful AppleWorks has become. What AppleWorks really excels at is being able to produce documents with pictures, tables and even QuickTime movies integrated into text documents with ease. It is also this type of integration which really needs a full manual with examples if you want to learn how to use these features with ease. Illustrated throughout with screen shots taken direct from the program, this book will guide anyone from beginners to power users through making the most of the AppleWorks software.

AppleWorks 6: The Missing Manual will be of equal interest to PC users, since the application itself is also available for the PC and all the features described in the book are applicable on both platforms. Armed with this book, it is possible to do most things you might expect from Microsoft Office with AppleWorks--at a fraction of the cost. --Daniel Jardine

Review

"Provides the printed manual which AppleWorks so badly needs—not because it’s unfathomable, but because it’s a powerful suite with many features." -- MacFormat, May 2002

The Missing Manual is a must-have for anyone who wants to get the most out of this program..there's really no excuse not to buy it. -- Charles W. Moore, Applelinks, May 2002

Do yourself a favour. If you use Appleworks 6 and you want to use it to its fullest, buy this book. -- Jack Dolby, Club Mac of Hampton, Jan 2003

This is a bargain. Consider it if you're fed up with trawling through Appleworks online help files. -- Mac Format, Feb 2003

About this edition

• Publisher: O′Reilly
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 156592858X
• ISBN 13: 9781565928589
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 456