| WordPower is
a presentations application from Software Publishing Corporation, who also
bring you Harvard Graphics.
The thing that interested me about this application was it's claim of "lightning-quick way to create compelling reports, handouts, and presentations". If you are like me, the biggest drawback to most applications is the steep learning curve. By the time you reach a point where you can actually use it, the application is no longer needed, or obsolete. The outside of the package says there isn't a manual because you won't need it. There is a 25 page booklet with some helpful information, as well as an online help section. Other than that, the claim is accurate. This is the easiest presentations package I have used. Installation is fast and easy. WordPower comes on three 3.5 floppies. The application actually fits on a single disk, and uses two to install only because one is for the spell checker. The version for Windows 95 is on one, and the version for Windows 3.1 is on the other (again, one contains the spell checker). It also uses only one megabyte of free RAM, and as the box says, your laptop will love that. A tutorial of sorts is available in the help section, and is more than adequate to get you up and running quickly. The trick in all of this is a goodie called "Intelligent Formatting". There are 22 layouts, 14 designs, and 18 color schemes, all included. You simply add your ideas to each of the components, and WordPower maintains a consistent theme throughout your presentation. Of course other presentation apps do this, but this one really is easy to use. The interface looks almost primitive compared to some of the presentation apps I have seen. By this I mean simple controls. You have seen wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) on screen or in print, but this is wysiwyg in the controls. WordPower is compatible with all popular application suites like Microsoft, Lotus, Novell, and Corel. An example, for users of MS Word, is an ASAP button installed automatically on the Word toolbar. Using Word, create text you wish to use in a presentation, and click the ASAP button. ASAP creates a presentation from the selected text. ASAP recognizes outlines, paragraphs, tabs, bullets, pie charts, tables, and reports. This means you can import data from spreadsheets, and databases directly into your presentation. When completed, you can send the presentation by e-mail. If you have a MAPI compliant mailer ( like MS Mail), choose Send on the File menu to bring up your mail program. When you send your document, the ASAP presentation is included as an attachment. You can imbed sound and movies into the presentation. I used .wav and .avi files to try out this capability, and they worked smoothly. As a tip for those still intimidated by a presentation app, after installation, open the Help menu. Click on "Getting Started" and follow "4 quick steps to a finished presentation". This is a very easy intro to creating a presentation, and a good reason why there is not much in the way of a manual. There is something else about this product I REEAAALLLYYY like! It has a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!!! If you are "not absolutely thrilled with ASAP WordPower, you don't own it. Simply return it to us within 90 days for a full refund. No questions asked". There is a developing trend among the better software publishers toward this policy. It makes sense if you think about it. If you purchased a refrigerator that did not preserve your food at a proper temperature, would you keep it, exchange it for another that did the same, or demand a refund? For those who like skunkware, buy a clothespin. I prefer to get a quality product from the start. My thanks to SPC for a quality product that doesn't require a return. You might consider this refund policy for the next application you buy. It would seem that this indicates a confidence in the product the company is trying to sell. I like this product for the simple reason that it works, and is easy to use. RECOMMENDED! Software Publishing Corporation
Customer service: (800) 234-2500
For those interested: SPC offers several of their products (including WordPower) as trial versions free for download from their website. If you like them, and want to purchase, call SPC and you can purchase over the phone. You will be given a code to unlock the app you downloaded. I did not find ASAP WordPower in stock locally, but it can be ordered. It is available mail order, and has a 'street' price of $87.00. Version ASAP Basic Lite is $29.00.
|