AppleWorks
Encyclopedia
AppleWorks refers to two different office suite
products, both of which are now discontinued. Originally, AppleWorks was an integrated software
package for the Apple II
platform, released in 1984 by Apple Computer
. In 1998, the name AppleWorks was repurposed by Apple following its elimination of its Claris
subsidiary, which marketed a software package for Macintosh and Windows named ClarisWorks. At one time, AppleWorks was bundled with all consumer-level Macs
sold by Apple.
As of August 15, 2007, AppleWorks has reached end-of-life status, and is no longer being sold. Word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications with capabilities similar to AppleWorks are currently sold as the iWork
suite.
s for personal computers, featuring a word processor, spreadsheet, and database merged into a single program. It was written by Bob Lissner and released in 1984 by Apple for the Apple II
family of computers. Apple had previously published Lissner's QuickFile, a database program that closely resembled what became the AppleWorks database module. An Apple III
version of AppleWorks, which used the same file formats, was dubbed III E-Z Pieces and marketed by Haba Systems.
Wary of stepping on the toes of its third-party developers, including its own popular AppleWriter word processing application, Apple barely promoted the product at all. AppleWorks nevertheless debuted at #2 on the Softalk
's monthly bestseller list and quickly became the best-selling software package on any computer, ousting even Lotus 1-2-3
from the top of the industry-wide sales charts
Apple released version 2.0 in 1986, and then a year later the program was published by Apple's new software subsidiary Claris. Claris contracted with Beagle Bros
to upgrade AppleWorks to version 3.0 in 1989, then turned its attention to producing Macintosh and Windows software, letting AppleWorks languish. Claris did, however, finally agree to license the AppleWorks trademark to Quality Computers, which released AppleWorks 4.0 in 1993 and AppleWorks 5.0 in 1994.
In the mid 1980s, many companies provided "add ons" to AppleWorks. One of the most successful was the TimeOut series from Beagle Bros
. TimeOut developers Alan Bird, Randy Brandt and Rob Renstrom were involved in developing AppleWorks 3.0 and eventually AppleWorks incorporated numerous TimeOut functions. . TimeOut developers Randy Brandt and Dan Verkade created AppleWorks 4.0 and 5.0 for Quality Computers.
The 8-bit AppleWorks is sometimes referred to as "AppleWorks Classic" in order to differentiate it from AppleWorks GS as well as the later product for Macintosh and Windows of the same name. The term "Classic" in this context does not refer to the Classic
compatibility environment in Mac OS X.
, though no code from the 8-bit Apple II version was used. In addition to the word processing, database, and spreadsheet functions, AppleWorks GS also included telecommunications, page layout and graphics modules. Only one version of major AppleWorks GS was ever published, progressing as far as 1.1, although a vaporware
2.0 update was rumored to be "just short of completion" for a long time.
The modern incarnation of AppleWorks started life as ClarisWorks, written by Bob Hearn and Scott Holdaway and published by Claris (a spin-off from Apple, today known as FileMaker Inc
). The file extension of AppleWorks and ClarisWorks documents is .cwk. ClarisWorks combined
All the components were integrated to provide a seamless suite that worked in concert; for example, spreadsheet frames could be embedded in a word processing document, or formatted text into drawings, etc. A common misconception is that the components were derived from the existing Claris programs MacWrite
and MacDraw
. In fact, ClarisWorks was written from scratch and then redesigned to match other Claris programs after the purchase by Claris.
ClarisWorks 1.0 shipped for the Macintosh in 1991 and subsequently ported to the Windows platform, shipping as ClarisWorks 1.0 for Windows in 1993. When the Claris company was disbanded and absorbed back into Apple, the product was renamed AppleWorks; in fact, version 5 of the software was first briefly called ClarisWorks 5, before being renamed AppleWorks 5 following the product's return to Apple.
The last version, AppleWorks 6, replaced the communications feature with a presentation feature (in prior versions there was only rudimentary support for presentations through the other features). It was also ported
to the Carbon API
to work on Mac OS X, but as an early Carbon application, it did not take advantage of many of the newer features of Mac OS X and portions of the interface still retained elements of the Platinum appearance of Mac OS 8/9.
Using Claris' XTND
framework, AppleWorks could create, open, and save files in a number of file formats. For example, word processor documents could be saved in Microsoft Word
format, and spreadsheet files could be saved in Microsoft Excel
format.
The software received good reviews during the course of its lifespan for its interface and the tight integration of its modules. For example, like the earlier versions mentioned above, in AppleWorks a drawing "frame" could be placed in a spreadsheet document, a paint frame could be placed in a drawing document, etc. This allowed for very elaborate and data-rich layouts. However, the limitations of the product (such as its confusing and cumbersome stylesheet feature) became more apparent as the product aged. The program also only allowed for a single undo/redo, and in many cases, if a frame from one module was placed in another module, the frame would no longer be editable in any way as soon as it was deselected. In August, 2007, Apple declared AppleWorks "end of life" and stated that they will no longer sell the package. The iWork
package, which includes a word processing program, a spreadsheet, and a presentation graphics program, is intended to be its replacement. While much more feature-rich, iWork still lacks some of the modules and the tight integration of AppleWorks. AppleWorks will not run on any versions of Mac OS X later than Snow Leopard because it is written in PowerPC
code.
Equation Editor by Design Science was bundled with AppleWorks. Also, the MathType
or MathMagic
equation editors can be used. Both support automatic baseline alignment for inline equations.
Office suite
In computing, an office suite, sometimes called an office software suite or productivity suite is a collection of programs intended to be used by knowledge workers...
products, both of which are now discontinued. Originally, AppleWorks was an integrated software
Integrated software
Integrated software is software for personal computers that combines the most commonly used functions of many productivity software programs into one application....
package for the Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
platform, released in 1984 by Apple Computer
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
. In 1998, the name AppleWorks was repurposed by Apple following its elimination of its Claris
Claris
Claris was a computer software developer formed as a spin-off from Apple Computer in 1987. It was given the source code and copyrights to several programs that were owned by Apple, notably MacWrite and MacPaint, in order to separate Apple's application software activities from its hardware and...
subsidiary, which marketed a software package for Macintosh and Windows named ClarisWorks. At one time, AppleWorks was bundled with all consumer-level Macs
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
sold by Apple.
As of August 15, 2007, AppleWorks has reached end-of-life status, and is no longer being sold. Word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications with capabilities similar to AppleWorks are currently sold as the iWork
IWork
iWork is an office suite of desktop applications created by Apple for the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. The first version of iWork, iWork '05, was released in 2005. The suite originally bundled Keynote, a presentation program which had previously been sold as a standalone application, and...
suite.
"AppleWorks Classic" (Apple II version, 1984–1991)
The original AppleWorks was one of the first integrated office suiteOffice suite
In computing, an office suite, sometimes called an office software suite or productivity suite is a collection of programs intended to be used by knowledge workers...
s for personal computers, featuring a word processor, spreadsheet, and database merged into a single program. It was written by Bob Lissner and released in 1984 by Apple for the Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
family of computers. Apple had previously published Lissner's QuickFile, a database program that closely resembled what became the AppleWorks database module. An Apple III
Apple III
The Apple III is a business-oriented personal computer produced and released by Apple Computer that was intended as the successor to the Apple II series, but largely considered a failure in the market. Development work on the Apple III started in late 1978 under the guidance of Dr. Wendell Sander...
version of AppleWorks, which used the same file formats, was dubbed III E-Z Pieces and marketed by Haba Systems.
Wary of stepping on the toes of its third-party developers, including its own popular AppleWriter word processing application, Apple barely promoted the product at all. AppleWorks nevertheless debuted at #2 on the Softalk
Softalk
Softalk was a magazine of the early 1980s that focused on the Apple II computer. Published from 1979 through 1984, it featured articles about hardware and software associated with the Apple II platform and the people and companies who made them...
's monthly bestseller list and quickly became the best-selling software package on any computer, ousting even Lotus 1-2-3
Lotus 1-2-3
Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
from the top of the industry-wide sales charts
Apple released version 2.0 in 1986, and then a year later the program was published by Apple's new software subsidiary Claris. Claris contracted with Beagle Bros
Beagle Bros
Beagle Bros was a software company that specialized in creating personal computing products that were both useful and whimsical. Their primary focus was on the Apple II family of computers.-History:...
to upgrade AppleWorks to version 3.0 in 1989, then turned its attention to producing Macintosh and Windows software, letting AppleWorks languish. Claris did, however, finally agree to license the AppleWorks trademark to Quality Computers, which released AppleWorks 4.0 in 1993 and AppleWorks 5.0 in 1994.
In the mid 1980s, many companies provided "add ons" to AppleWorks. One of the most successful was the TimeOut series from Beagle Bros
Beagle Bros
Beagle Bros was a software company that specialized in creating personal computing products that were both useful and whimsical. Their primary focus was on the Apple II family of computers.-History:...
. TimeOut developers Alan Bird, Randy Brandt and Rob Renstrom were involved in developing AppleWorks 3.0 and eventually AppleWorks incorporated numerous TimeOut functions. . TimeOut developers Randy Brandt and Dan Verkade created AppleWorks 4.0 and 5.0 for Quality Computers.
The 8-bit AppleWorks is sometimes referred to as "AppleWorks Classic" in order to differentiate it from AppleWorks GS as well as the later product for Macintosh and Windows of the same name. The term "Classic" in this context does not refer to the Classic
Classic (Mac OS X)
Classic, or Classic Environment, was a hardware and software abstraction layer in Mac OS X that allowed applications compatible with Mac OS 9 to run on the Mac OS X operating system...
compatibility environment in Mac OS X.
Versions of "AppleWorks Classic"
| Version | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1984 | First release. |
| 1.1 | 1985 | Fixed hardware bugs with printers and interface cards. |
| 1.2 | 1985 | More hardware compatibility improvement. |
| 1.3 | 1986 | Hardware support enhancements. Update cost $20. |
| 2.0 | September 1986 | More features and better hardware support. Update cost $50. |
| 2.1 | September 1988 | Bug fixes and hardware compatibility improvement. Released by Claris. |
| 3.0 | 1989 | More features. Update either cost $79 or $99. |
| 4.0 | 1 November, 1993 | More features. Released by Quality Computing. |
| 4.01 | Early November, 1993 | Bug fixes. |
| 4.02 | Bug fixes. | |
| 4.3 | 1993 | |
| 5.0 | November 1994 | Code-named 'Narnia'. |
| 5.1 | Summer 1995 | Bug fixes. |
AppleWorks GS (Apple IIgs version, 1988–1996)
In 1988, Claris acquired an integrated package called GS Works from StyleWare and renamed it AppleWorks GS, bringing the AppleWorks brand to the 16-bit Apple IIgsApple IIGS
The Apple , the fifth and most powerful model in the Apple II series of personal computers produced by Apple Computer. The "GS" in the name stands for Graphics and Sound, referring to its enhanced graphics and sound capabilities, both of which greatly surpassed previous models of the line...
, though no code from the 8-bit Apple II version was used. In addition to the word processing, database, and spreadsheet functions, AppleWorks GS also included telecommunications, page layout and graphics modules. Only one version of major AppleWorks GS was ever published, progressing as far as 1.1, although a vaporware
Vaporware
Vaporware is a term in the computer industry that describes a product, typically computer hardware or software, that is announced to the general public but is never actually released nor officially canceled. Vaporware is also a term sometimes used to describe events that are announced or predicted,...
2.0 update was rumored to be "just short of completion" for a long time.
Versions of AppleWorks GS
| Version | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1988 | First version |
| 1.0v2 | Bug fix release. | |
| 1.1 | 1989 | Supports System Software 5. |
| 1.2 | (not released) | Planned bug fix release, developed by Quality Computers. |
| 2.0 | (not released) | Planned release, developed by Quality Computers. |
AppleWorks/ClarisWorks (Macintosh/Windows versions, 1991–2004)
FileMaker Inc.
FileMaker Inc. is a computer software company formed in 1998 from the vestiges of Claris as a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple Inc.FileMaker develops, supports and markets two relational database programs; FileMaker and Bento. FileMaker is available for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows operating...
). The file extension of AppleWorks and ClarisWorks documents is .cwk. ClarisWorks combined
- a word processorWord processorA word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
, - a drawing program,
- a painting program,
- a spreadsheetSpreadsheetA spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
, - a databaseDatabaseA database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
program, - and a terminal program for communications.
- Also, a GUI based equation editorFormula editorA formula editor is a name for a computer program that is used to typeset mathematical works or formulae.Formula editors typically serve two purposes:...
bundled.
All the components were integrated to provide a seamless suite that worked in concert; for example, spreadsheet frames could be embedded in a word processing document, or formatted text into drawings, etc. A common misconception is that the components were derived from the existing Claris programs MacWrite
MacWrite
MacWrite was a word processor application released along with the first Apple Macintosh systems in 1984. It was the first such program that was widely available to the public to offer WYSIWYG operation, with multiple fonts and styles...
and MacDraw
MacDraw
MacDraw was a vector based drawing application released along with the first Apple Macintosh systems in 1984. MacDraw was one of the first WYSIWYG drawing programs that could be used in collaboration with MacWrite. MacDraw was useful for drawing technical diagrams and floorplans...
. In fact, ClarisWorks was written from scratch and then redesigned to match other Claris programs after the purchase by Claris.
Porting
In computer science, porting is the process of adapting software so that an executable program can be created for a computing environment that is different from the one for which it was originally designed...
to the Carbon API
Carbon (API)
Carbon is one of Apple Inc.'s procedural application programming interfaces for the Macintosh operating system. It provides C programming language access to Macintosh system services...
to work on Mac OS X, but as an early Carbon application, it did not take advantage of many of the newer features of Mac OS X and portions of the interface still retained elements of the Platinum appearance of Mac OS 8/9.
Using Claris' XTND
XTND
XTND was a document import/export system developed by Claris for their products on the Apple Macintosh. Products supporting XTND placed an additional popup menu in the open and save dialogs, allowing users to read and write documents from any supported format...
framework, AppleWorks could create, open, and save files in a number of file formats. For example, word processor documents could be saved in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
format, and spreadsheet files could be saved in Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
format.
The software received good reviews during the course of its lifespan for its interface and the tight integration of its modules. For example, like the earlier versions mentioned above, in AppleWorks a drawing "frame" could be placed in a spreadsheet document, a paint frame could be placed in a drawing document, etc. This allowed for very elaborate and data-rich layouts. However, the limitations of the product (such as its confusing and cumbersome stylesheet feature) became more apparent as the product aged. The program also only allowed for a single undo/redo, and in many cases, if a frame from one module was placed in another module, the frame would no longer be editable in any way as soon as it was deselected. In August, 2007, Apple declared AppleWorks "end of life" and stated that they will no longer sell the package. The iWork
IWork
iWork is an office suite of desktop applications created by Apple for the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. The first version of iWork, iWork '05, was released in 2005. The suite originally bundled Keynote, a presentation program which had previously been sold as a standalone application, and...
package, which includes a word processing program, a spreadsheet, and a presentation graphics program, is intended to be its replacement. While much more feature-rich, iWork still lacks some of the modules and the tight integration of AppleWorks. AppleWorks will not run on any versions of Mac OS X later than Snow Leopard because it is written in PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
code.
Equation Editor by Design Science was bundled with AppleWorks. Also, the MathType
MathType
MathType is a software application created by Design Science that allows the creation of mathematical notation for inclusion in desktop and web applications.- Features :...
or MathMagic
MathMagic
MathMagic is a mathematical WYSIWYG equation editor, available for Windows and Mac OS X since its first debut in 1998. MathMagic is known for its DTP quality equations and widely used by Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress users...
equation editors can be used. Both support automatic baseline alignment for inline equations.
Competing software
- Alpha FiveAlpha FiveAlpha Five is a relational database management system and Rapid Application Development system for building Windows desktop and Web applications.The most recent version of the product -- Alpha Five v11 was released in October of 2011...
- Borland Paradox
- DataEaseDataEaseDataEase is an RDBMS, and is considered a rapid application development tool for developing relationally-organized, data-intensive software applications for personal computers. DataEase was created in the early 1980s by software developers Arun Gupta and Joseph Busch. The first version of the...
- dBaseDBASEdBase II was the first widely used database management system for microcomputers. It was originally published by Ashton-Tate for CP/M, and later on ported to the Apple II and IBM PC under DOS...
- FileMaker Pro (formerly Claris FileMaker)
- Verside.org
- KexiKexiKexi is an integrated data management application, designed to fill the gap between spreadsheets and database solutions requiring more sophisticated development...
- LibreOfficeLibreOfficeLibreOffice is a free and open source office suite developed by The Document Foundation as a fork of OpenOffice.org. It is largely compatible with other major office suites, including Microsoft Office, and available on a variety of platforms...
- Lotus ApproachLotus ApproachLotus Approach is a relational database management system included in IBM's Lotus SmartSuite for Microsoft Windows.Start-up company Approach was first formed in 1991, won over 30 awards the first year, including "best of show" at Comdex...
- Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft OfficeMicrosoft Office is a non-free commercial office suite of inter-related desktop applications, servers and services for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, introduced by Microsoft in August 1, 1989. Initially a marketing term for a bundled set of applications, the first version of...
- NeoOfficeNeoOfficeNeoOffice is an office suite for Mac OS X. It is a fork of the free/open source OpenOffice.org that implements nearly all of the features of the corresponding OpenOffice.org version, including a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, and graphics program...
- OpenOffice.org BaseOpenOffice.org BaseOpenOffice.org Base , a database module, initially appeared with OpenOffice.org version 2.0. As of 2010, it builds on the HSQLDB database engine written in Java....
- Sun StarBaseStarOfficeStarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
- Symantec GreatWorks
- FoxProFoxPro 2FoxPro is a text-based procedurally-oriented programming language and DBMS, originally published by Fox Software and later by Microsoft, for MS-DOS, MS Windows, Apple Macintosh, and UNIX....
(later acquired by Microsoft) - SQLiteSQLiteSQLite is an ACID-compliant embedded relational database management system contained in a relatively small C programming library. The source code for SQLite is in the public domain and implements most of the SQL standard...
- Sybase PowerBuilder
- nuBuilderNuBuildernuBuilder000 is a RAD tool for creating web-based Back Office Applications.The nuBuilder platform is an open source PHP/MySQL/Javascript database development tool which stores forms, reports, company data and any custom code in MySQL and displays the content dynamically in a web-browser...
- Omnis StudioOmnis StudioOmnis Studio is a rapid application development tool that allows programmers and application developers to create enterprise, web, and mobile applications for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X personal computers and servers across all business sectors....
See also
- iWorkIWorkiWork is an office suite of desktop applications created by Apple for the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. The first version of iWork, iWork '05, was released in 2005. The suite originally bundled Keynote, a presentation program which had previously been sold as a standalone application, and...
- List of office suites
- Comparison of office suites
- AppleWorks User GroupAppleWorks User GroupThe AppleWorks User Group is a group formed in 1991 to support users of Apple Computer's AppleWorks software suite. The group is often referred to as "AWUG". AWUG publishes a monthly newsletter, the AppleWorks Journal, that provides hints, tips, and techniques for AppleWorks...
- Formula editor or MathMagicMathMagicMathMagic is a mathematical WYSIWYG equation editor, available for Windows and Mac OS X since its first debut in 1998. MathMagic is known for its DTP quality equations and widely used by Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress users...
WYSIWYG equation editor
External links
- Apple: iWork
- A Brief History of ClarisWorks - A history of ClarisWorks/AppleWorks from one of the original developers, Bob Hearn.
- Apple II History: AppleWorks - Chapter of an Apple II History dedicated to AppleWorks.
- GUIdebook > Articles > "Apple II User Interfaces"
- ArsTechnica: RIP Appleworks