jeffmu@microsoft.UUCP (Jeff Muzzy) (11/01/89)
A message about the beta request I posted to the net a couple
of months back.
=============
.TITLE: PR MS Word for Windows Combines Graphics, Word Processing
Microsoft Word for Windows Combines Graphics and Power
to Lead New Word Processing Generation
BOSTON, Mass. -- October 31, 1989 -- Microsoft Corporation today
announced Microsoft(R) Word for Windows(TM), a full-featured,
graphical word processor designed for the Microsoft Windows graphical
environment. This new program combines all the strengths of Microsoft
Word for the PC with the graphical power of Microsoft Word for the
Macintosh(R), resulting in a blend of features and ease of use
previously unavailable on any personal computing word processor.
Word for Windows benefits from Microsoft's nine years of experience in
developing applications for graphical environments and the word
processing market. Microsoft expects Word for Windows' new graphical
and word processing power to lead the shift from character-based to
graphics-based word processing on IBM(R) PCs and compatibles.
"Word for Windows is the word processor designed for the 1990s," said
Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation. "Traditionally,
word processors have been standalone applications in a non-
multitasking environment. Word processors are evolving into tools that
are integrated with other office systems and with other applications
to solve specific end-user needs. We believe Word for Windows will be
the catalyst that drives this trend."
Word for Windows contains all of the standard features that users of
character-based word processors have come to expect (see attached
feature list) and introduces several new capabilities to the PC word
processing arena. These new capabilities are presented here in four
key categories: graphical user interface, compound document creation,
customization, and transition from other word processors.
Graphical User Interface
Offers Quantum Leap in Accessibility and Functionality
------------------------------------------------------
By its nature, a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) graphical user
interface makes the production of any document faster and easier.
During the editing process, the on-screen WYSIWYG format displays
exactly how a printed document will look, including multiple fonts and
point sizes, footnotes, headers and footers, graphics, and multicolumn
text. Margins, outline headings and graphics can be repositioned
simply by dragging with the mouse, rather than using menus. Users can
also change to a non-WYSIWYG draft view for maximum text-entry and
editing speed.
Intuitive new formatting aids, such as the Word for Windows ribbon and
ruler icons, make character and paragraph formatting easy. All basic
formatting commands -- typeface, spacing, margins, and attributes such
as bold and italics -- are presented graphically and are easily
controlled and revised.
Word for Windows commands are grouped under a series of pull-down
menus, accessible either by mouse or keyboard input. Because Word for
Windows conforms to IBM's SAA/CUA (Systems Application
Architecture(TM)/Common User Access) interface standard, guidelines
designed to promote a consistent interface across all applications, it
will be easier for users to learn Word for Windows, along with other
Windows applications.
Word for Windows Makes it Easy to Create Rich Compound Documents
----------------------------------------------------------------
Because today's business documents often contain more than text, users
are looking for a way to integrate graphics, tables, spreadsheet data,
charts and scanned images in a document. With Word for Windows it is
simple to import and integrate a variety of this data using the
Windows clipboard.
The exciting new Word for Windows Tables feature allows for
spreadsheet-like manipulation of text, numbers and graphics. Users can
define variable-width columns, merge or delete cells, automatically
wrap text within cells, enter cell formulas and draw borders with
ease. Word for Windows also allows a broad variety of graphics to be
imported and quickly sized or cropped. Furthermore, a chart, image,
paragraph or table can be fixed on the page, with text then
automatically wrapped around its border.
Users can also keep "hot links" to the source data from other Windows
applications, for easy updating using Windows dynamic data exchange
(DDE), a communication protocol. For example, when data on a Microsoft
Excel spreadsheet is changed, a Word for Windows file with a DDE link
to the spreadsheet could be updated on user request.
Customization Features Help Users Automate Both Routine, Complex Tasks
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Word for Windows brings a whole new level of task automation to word
processing (see Word for Windows backgrounder). Users will save time
and keystrokes through the use of document templates with macros,
glossaries and style sheets.
To quickly perform frequent tasks, macros can be recorded and assigned
to the keyboard or menu for easy access. Glossaries store often-used
information or images, such as boilerplate text or a company logo.
Style sheets allow the user to save character and paragraph formats
for insertion anywhere in a document, saving time and ensuring
consistency.
Especially unique is Microsoft Word for Windows' ability to create
"intelligent documents" using document templates. Document templates
set up the shell of a document, such as for a business letter or other
common document type, allowing the user to focus on its content.
Document templates use macros, glossaries, styles and customized menu
or keyboard commands for specific tasks like writing a letter or memo.
More than 20 templates will ship with Word for Windows including
letters, memos, contracts and brochures; users can also create their
own.
Word for Windows Aids Transition From Other Word Processors
-----------------------------------------------------------
Word for Windows is designed to coexist with other applications and to
aid transition in environments where several different word processors
may be used.
Word for Windows users can automatically read and write documents from
Microsoft Word for the PC, Microsoft Windows Write (read only),
WordPerfect(R), MultiMate(R), DisplayWrite(TM), WordStar(R), Microsoft
Works, ASCII and others, without the use of separate conversion
utilities and while preserving nearly all of the text formatting.
Using Rich Text Format (RTF), files can be shared directly with
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh. As major word processors are
upgraded, Microsoft plans to continue to supply updated file filters
to registered Word for Windows users.
In addition, Word for Windows can import graphics and images from
TIFF, PIC CGM, AutoCAD(R), HPGL and other graphics file formats.
Word for Windows also includes substantial cross-training capabilities
to assist users converting from other word processors. The print-based
and on-line documentation contains cross-references to other products'
commands, enabling users to leverage the knowledge they already have.
For instance, the on-line help index references Microsoft Word for the
PC, WANG(R), MultiMate, WordPerfect, DisplayWrite and WordStar. The
user chooses an action in a familiar word processor, such as creating
headers in MultiMate, and the help module describes the corresponding
Word for Windows command.
Word for Windows Joins the Microsoft Family of Applications
-----------------------------------------------------------
Joining Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word for Windows is the company's
second full-featured application program for the Windows graphical
environment. This underscores Microsoft's commitment to the graphical
user interface and the corresponding ease of use it offers to computer
users.
The Microsoft family of word processors offers consistency across
different hardware and software platforms. Files can be easily
transferred between the programs without a loss of text formatting.
Together, Word for Windows, Word for the PC and Word for the Macintosh
will supply a complete solution for companies with a mix of hardware
platforms and user preferences. Word for Windows is recommended for
use with 80286- or 80386-based machines, while Word for the PC can
easily run on 8086- or 8088-based machines that cannot take full
advantage of Windows' power.
As part of the growing family of Microsoft Windows applications, Word
for Windows shares a consistent user interface with programs such as
Microsoft Excel. And because Windows' interface is similar to that for
MS(R) OS/2 with Presentation Manager, users will have an easy
transition path to a future version of Word for Presentation Manager
without having to relearn commands or techniques.
Pricing and System Requirements
-------------------------------
Microsoft Word for Windows will have a suggested retail price of $495
and is expected to be available by January 1990. For the first 90 days
that Word for Windows is available, Microsoft will offer a special
upgrade price of $150 for current users of any version of Word for the
PC. After 90 days, Microsoft will continue to offer these users an
upgrade at a new price that has not been announced.
(For pricing and availability outside the U.S., please contact your
local subsidiary.)
Microsoft Word for Windows requires personal computers that use the
Intel(R) 80286 or 80386 microprocessor; an IBM EGA, VGA or Hercules(R)
graphics card; a fixed disk; 640K or more RAM; Microsoft Windows 2.11
or later; and MS-DOS(R) or PC-DOS(TM) operating system Version 3.0 or
higher. Microsoft Word for Windows will ship with a run-time version
of Microsoft Windows Version 2.11. A mouse or other pointing device is
recommended but not required.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") develops, markets and supports a
wide range of software for business and professional use, including
operating systems, languages and application programs, as well as
books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace.
# # #
Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks
and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
Hercules is a registered trademark of Hercules Computer Technology.
IBM is a registered trademark and DisplayWrite, Systems Application
Architecture and PC-DOS are trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
MultiMate is a registered trademark of MultiMate International
Corporation, an Ashton-Tate company.
WANG is a registered trademark of Wang Laboratories.
WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corporation.
WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro International
Corporation.
--
Jeff Muzzy
===========
My opinions, No one else would claim to be this far out {left,right} field
Paths: jeffmu@microsoft or uunet!microsoft!jeffmu