Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!snorkelwacker!apple!claris!jazzman
From: jazzman@claris.com (Sydney R. Polk)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Appleworks GS advice sought
Message-ID: <11244@claris.com>
Date: 14 Sep 90 08:23:48 GMT
References: <4381@crash.cts.com>
Organization: Claris Corporation, Santa Clara CA
Lines: 51

From article <4381@crash.cts.com>, by mikeu@pro-magic.cts.com (Mike Ungerman):
> In-Reply-To: message from dpj@hubcap.clemson.edu
> 
> Recommendation: Get Appleworks 3.0
First of all, I do not want to get in a flame war about AWGS.  I
don't disagree with this statement.

> 
> Although the specs on Appleworks GS make it sound pretty neat, the
> implementation is much less than optimum.  It is slow and still has bugs.
Have you tried version 1.1?  Believe me, it is much better.  While AW 3.0
is still faster (esp. sorting), AWGS is faster than MacWrite II on a similar
Mac (a Mac SE) at everything in the Word Processor, for example.

> 
> On the other hand, Appleworks 3.0 has had its bugs fixed through the good
> fortune of dedicated programmers from Beagle Bros issuing patcher disks.  And
> with the Timeout and Jem series of add-ins, you have a much more capable
> program overall than in the GS version, which really isn't a version of
> Appleworks, but an entirely different program that Claris just issued with the
> Appleworks name.

I guess I am just one of those lazy Claris programmers (ex-StyleWare) who
only worked 90+ hour weeks for two years on AWGS.

> You also have a much better support network in place for Appleworks 3.0.  The
> National Appleworks Users Group (NAUG) issues monthly journals with all sorts
> of tips and techniques.  The Appleworks Programmers Association offers support
> and templates and both have electronic bulletin board systems.  If you get on
> a Proline bbs, you can get your questions answered by some of the programmers
> that wrote the code!

I can't argue with some of that (the user group stuff).  However, Claris
has one of the best technical support staffs of any software company,
period.  Also, here on the Internet, you can get questions about AWGS
answered by some of the programmers who wrote the code also (like me,
for instance)

Beagle Bros did a great job writing code.  However, that is only about 35
to 45% of the work on a project.  Claris did all of the testing (that in
and of itself is another 30%), docs, tech support, marketing, what ever.
We did not just "put our label" on somebody elses stuff.

As I said, I think that using AWGS 1.1 or AW 3.0 is a matter of personal
opinion.  They are both powerful, well-rounded, solid products.

-- 
Syd Polk           | Wherever you go, there you are.
jazzman@claris.com | Let the music be your light.
GO 'STROS!         | These opinions are mine.  Any resemblence to other
GO RICE!           |  opinions, real or fictitious, is purely coincidence.