What is ClarisWorks 1.x?

Bargain hunters will have no trouble bagging a good deal in today's integrated software market. Two new entries in this burgeoning field — ClarisWorks and GreatWorks... — offer impressive capabilities for less than $300. But what sets ClarisWorks apart from the competition is not the sum total of functionality within its modules but the way in which those modules work together.

It's All in the Frames

Although ClarisWorks is a collection of live application modules — wordprocessing, graphics, database, spreadsheet (including charting), and communications modules — its use of Frames forges virtually seamless integration among modules, crcaiing a superb blend of simplicity and sophistication.

You use ClarisWorks' frames to open one module from within another. You can, for example, create a spreadsheet frame as a separate box within a wordprocessing document. When you click within the frame, the program's menus shift from those of the word processor to those of the spreadsheet program. At that point, you can begin editing and entering data as well as updating the spreadsheet Moreover, not only is spreadsheet data incorporated into the text document but ibe spreadsheet itself also becomes a part of the file: no cutting or pasting among documents is required.

You create frames by using tools from a palette shared by all the modules except the communications program. You simply select a tool and drag the cursor across the screen, and you have a frame. ClarisWorks provides separate frame tools for spreadsheets and text. In the program's graphics environment, every shape or text block in a document comprises a separate frame like object. No frame tool is available for the database module.

You may already be familiar with the concept of frames. MacDraw Pro uses a similar metaphor for creating text objects, and Excel 3.0 uses frames for embedded charts. But in ClarisWorks, the concept is extended significantly beyond what's been previously available, by providing enormous flexibility. You can open frames from within frames and link them — for example, linked spreadsheet frames can display separate portions of the same spreadsheet. Linked text frames allow text that overruns one frame to automatically flow into the next one — a useful feature for creating newsletters and fliers. Any frame can be moved or resized.

These capabilities are impressive, but our enthusiasm for ClarisWorks’ frames was somewhat dampened by two limitations. First, you can’t set text to run around a frame — the frame simply overlaps the text. Second, you can’t use a frame to link to a separate document as you can with System 7’s publish-and-subscribe.

Macros and More

In addition to frames, several other special features are accessible across the ClarisWorks modules. The package includes a rudimentary macro capability for antomating sequences of repetitive actions. Because you can’t view or edit macro scripts once you’ve created them, however, debugging or improving them is virtually impossible. Moreover, we were unable to fully execute the communications module’s special Macro Wait command for automating log-on procedures. Even worse, running the faulty macro led to the corruption of the active stationery document. Claris acknowledged that there is a problem and promised that it would be fixed in an update.

ClarisWorks provides a WYSIWYG Page View command for previewing documents.This feature is especially important in the database module, where it's required for viewing the summary totals in reports. It would also be helpful if you could use Page View to preview mail-merge output, but the current version of the package doesn't let you.

A spelling checker with thesaurus is available in all the modules except the communications module. The utility is similar to MacWrite II’s, but it can't check selected text or check interactively. Other cross-module features include the ability to split a window into separate panes, zoom sizing, and an 81-color palette.

Together ClarisWorks' modules constitute an impressive lineup. Each by itself may not possess any earthshaking features, but let's face it, if you’re looking for an outstanding array of options, you’re probably better off with a stand-alone application. Overall, the modules are noteworthy for their clean, accessible interface design, a Claris hallmark. The unmistakable Claris interface also serves to smooth the upgrade path to Claris’ more powerful stand-alone applications for users who outgrow the integrated modules.

The ClarisWorks word processor is clearly a descendant of MacWrite II. It easily manages its role as the package's workhorse. Although you won't find special features like MacWrite II's Custom Styles and Show Invisibles commands, the module does include the column, footnote, and mail-merge capabilities.

The object-oriented-graphics module supplies all the basic shape and arrangement tools you need. Both it and the word processor are roughly equivalent to their counterparts in rival GreatWorks.

The ClarisWorks database module copies its more powerful sibling, Claris' FileMaker Pro, with its focus on letting you create attractive layouts. The module supplies a choice of form, column, and label layouts, but it's missing FileMaker's scripting ability as well as other options for facilitating repetitive and sequential data entry. It does have excellent record selection functions and also includes a summary field for generating grand summaries and subsummaries by category. Surprisingly, ClarisWorks can't read or write FileMaker files directly. You must use the DIF or SYLK formal to pass data between the two programs, and layouts don’t translate at all. Likewise, you must use the SYLK format to exchange data with Claris' spreadsheet program, Resolve. Claris promises to remedy this situation with the next release of the ClarisWorks package.

The spreadsheet module includes all essential calculation commands and functions, but its display and formatting options go beyond the essentials. You can, for example, adjust both column width and cell height, change font styles, and create cell borders.

Charts, a subset of the spreadsheet module, gives you a choice of seven chart types, including 3-D and exploding pie charts. The customization options for charts are nothing to write home about, but you can use ClarisWorks’ text frames and drawing tools to enhance the appearance of charts. Charts take the form of separate subframes that overlay your spread sheets, and they are instantly updated whenever you change the relevant spreadsheet data, a feature noticeably absent in GreatWorks. Using a spreadsheet frame, you can even include a chart as an updatable object in a text or graphic document.

The communications module is the weak link in the ClarisWorks chain. It has a separate manual, lacks the consistent look and feel of the other modules, and doesn't provide access to the Tool palette or the spelling checker. Still, it accomplishes basic communications functions, letting you access on-line services with relative ease. You can download files, although only the Xmodem and Text protocols are provided.

The ClarisWorks manuals, on-line Help, and HyperCard-based Tour are excellent. The documentation is clear and concise, although some minor features are either not mentioned or would benefit from a more detailed discussion. ClarisWorks is System 7-compatible and includes Balloon Help, but it doesn't support publish-and-subscribe. File import and export are handled by Claris' excellent XTND format translators.

Despite the breadth of capabilities offered by its modules, ClarisWorks weighs in at a diminutive 563K, which is only about 100K larger than MacWrite II. The package requires 900K of RAM and runs comfortably on low-end Macs such as the Classic and the LC.

The Bottom Line

Trying to achieve the perfect balance of features in an integrated-software package is no easy task. ClarisWorks comes closer than any other package currently available, but even it comes up short in a few areas. The package's communications module and macro capability are both weak, and the spelling checker should at least permit the checking of highlighted selections. Moreover, given its use of frames, the ability to wrap text around frames seems so obviously useful that we were amazed it was omitted. And finally, we'd like to see a database frame tool included.

But these shortcomings aside, our overall impression of ClarisWorks is unequivocally positive. Its pleasing, clean interface is a real plus, and the innovative use of frames as an integration vehicle is an overwhelming success. In both these areas, ClarisWorks clearly outshines GreatWorks, which provides no effective data integration across modules.

Landau, Ted. (March 1992). ClarisWorks. MacUser. (pgs. 44, 46).

Download ClarisWorks 1.x for Mac

Architecture

Motorola 68K

Compatibility notes

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II