Microsoft Announces Word for Windows, Version 2.0
Microsoft Announces Word for Windows, Version 2.0,
With Features To Make Everyday Tasks Easy
LAS VEGAS -- Oct. 21, 1991 -- Microsoft
Corporation today announced MicrosoftR Word for
WindowsTM version 2.0, a major new release of the
internationally acclaimed word processor for the
Microsoft Windows operating system. With this version,
Microsoft focused on making everyday word processing
tasks easier. The company made extensive use of its
state-of-the-art Usability Lab to improve the usability of
all key features, including the customizable ToolbarTM,
Drag and Drop, Envelope Generator, Print Merge Helper,
and Help for WordPerfectR Users, among many others.
The new and improved features in Word for Windows v.
2.0 can be grouped into three major areas -- easy access to
everyday tools, easy creation of great looking documents,
and easy migration for users switching from other word
processors, especially WordPerfect for DOS.
"With dramatic usability improvements and an
innovative feature set, we expect Word for Windows
version 2.0 to have tremendous user appeal," said Mike
Maples, Microsoft senior vice president of applications.
"Users of other word processors should find the transition
to this product both easy and rewarding."
Designing for Usability -- A Dramatic New Approach
to Software Design
To optimize the usability of Word for Windows v.
2.0, Microsoft used traditional techniques such as
listening to focus group comments, gathering feedback
>from user letters, and analyzing product support calls.
The company also used innovative "instrumented
versions," which record user tasks and keystrokes over a
period of time to learn which features are most used and
how they are used. From the beginning, the Word for
Windows v. 2.0 development team was encouraged to
focus on end-user tasks, rather than on abstract feature
design. The product was extensively tested throughout
the development process by real users in the Microsoft
Usability Lab which is staffed by professionals trained in
the field of cognitive psychology.
"Microsoft's investment in studying and testing
usability has paid huge dividends," stated Walt Zilahy,
manager of office systems at Travelers Insurance
Company. "This product reduces the complexity of high
end word processing features and brings them within the
grasp of even casual users. It is very intuitive."
Easy Access to Tools for Everyday Tasks
Toolbar. From the very first view of the product,
ease of learning and use changes are visible in the new
customizable Toolbar. The features represented by
buttons on the Toolbar were selected as a direct result of
studies on instrumented versions. Now most needed
features such as indenting a paragraph, spell checking and
envelope creation are just a click away.
"The expanded Toolbar has enhanced Word for
Windows ease of use, making it much more intuitive,"
stated Johnnie Nero, manager of office information
systems at Texas Instruments. "It brings the power of the
product to the user's fingertips."
Drag and Drop. Microsoft Word for Windows v.
2.0 is the first major word processor to let a user "drag
and drop" text. With the new Drag and Drop feature,
users can move words, sentences and even paragraphs by
just clicking on highlighted text and dragging it to its new
location. This feature simplifies the cut-and-paste method
found in most Windows-based word processors and makes
text editing easier than ever before.
"It is obvious Microsoft really did their homework
regarding usability," stated Greg Friedman, director of
information services at Southern California Edison. "For
example, the ability to select and drag text is a feature that
is not only a pleasure to use, but the time we save
producing and editing documents is clearly identifiable."
Envelope Generator. Creating envelopes is a task
that, until now, most people have done on a manual
typewriter. With the new Envelope Generator in Word for
Windows v. 2.0, addresses are automatically taken from a
document, positioned correctly and printed on the
envelope.
Print Merge Helper. One of the most often used
yet cumbersome word processing tasks is producing form
letters for custom mailings. To make this process easier,
Microsoft created a new visual Print Merge Helper that
guides the user through the merge process step by step.
This feature is the result of extensive usability testing.
Bullets. With Word for Windows v. 2.0 it is easy
to create and apply bullets to any list. Users can select
>from a bullet palette of more than a hundred bullets,
including standard business bullets and more specialized
symbols such as hearts and arrows. Users can also easily
control the amount by which they indent their text and see
it in a sample box before applying it.
Grammar Checker. One of the most requested
new features was a grammar checker. Microsoft added
one, based on Houghton Mifflin technology, and fully
integrated it into Word for Windows v. 2.0.
Graphical File Finder. The new File Finder
allows users to see long file names, the subject, or
contents of a document on screen before opening it.
Users can also search using other criteria such as the date
a file was created or saved. This valuable tool can
dramatically cut time spent searching for documents.
Tables. Word for Windows v. 2.0 also simplifies
the creation and manipulation of tables. Users simply
click on the table button on the Toolbar, visually highlight
the number of rows and columns appropriate for the table
being created, and a table appears on screen. Users can
easily change the column width by clicking and dragging.
To move rows and columns the user simply drags and
drops them.
Easy Creation of Great Looking Documents
WordArt. WordArt lets users manipulate text and
fonts. Users can add excitement to their documents by
creating interesting text effects, such as curved, rotated or
even upside down text.
Columns. Columns are only a mouse click away
with the new column button that lets users easily change
one-column documents into multi-column documents.
Borders and Shading. Adding borders and
shading is now easy. Users can choose from a wide
variety of options to get the look they want.
Drawing. The new drawing feature lets users
create or enhance visuals for a document. This is
especially valuable for desktop publishing tasks.
Charting. With the new charting capabilities in
version 2.0, which are the same as in Microsoft Excel,
users can present data in great looking 3-D form.
Easy Move for WordPerfect Users
Help for WordPerfect Users. With the goal of
making it easy for WordPerfect for DOS users to
transition to Word for Windows, Microsoft has added
Help for WordPerfect Users to version 2.0. With this
feature, the user selects a WordPerfect command from a
menu or types in a WordPerfect command they know, and
then watches as Word for Windows v. 2.0 gives
instructions or a demo of the equivalent command in
Word for Windows. Over time, the former WordPerfect
user learns the Word for Windows commands and no
longer needs the Help feature. This lets WordPerfect
users make an easy transition to Word for Windows.
Easy File Conversion. Users of version 2.0 will
find conversions to and from all major word processors,
including WordPerfect for DOS, Word for DOS, MultiMateR and
WordStarR.
Other New Features
Object Linking and Embedding. New object
linking and embedding (OLE) capabilities let a user
embed information from any Windows application that
supports OLE. For example, if a user embeds a
worksheet from Microsoft Excel into a Word for
Windows document, the user can double click on the
worksheet to access Microsoft Excel.
Multilingual Spelling Checker. For users who
create documents in multiple languages, Word for
Windows v. 2.0 provides support for multilingual spell
checking. The user marks the text as written in a foreign
language. Then, while the document is being spell
checked, Word for Windows automatically uses a foreign
language dictionary that corresponds to that text. The
switch to the different speller is seamless. Foreign
language dictionaries are available separately.
Equation Editor. It is easier than ever to add
equations to documents with the new graphical Equation
Editor. This feature is especially useful for engineers and
scientists.
Pricing, System Requirements and Availability
Word for Windows v. 2.0 will be available in
November 1991 through resellers for a suggested retail
price of $495. System requirements include: Microsoft
Windows environment version 3.0 or later; a PC using
80286, 80386 or higher microprocessor; 2MB of memory
recommended; EGA or higher resolution monitor;
minimum installation requires 5 MB hard disk, maximum
installation (all options) requires 15 MB, one double-sided
disk drive; Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing
device recommended.
Users of Microsoft Word for Windows and other
full-featured word processors, including WordPerfect for
DOS, Microsoft Word for DOS systems, DisplayWriteR
or MultiMate, can upgrade to version 2.0 for $129.
Users who acquired Microsoft Word for Windows version
1.1 after Oct. 1, 1991 can upgrade for free.
Microsoft Word for Windows 2.0 has been
localized to meet the language-specific needs of
international markets. The English version of Microsoft
Word for Windows v. 2.0 will be available in more than
120 countries worldwide. French, German, French-
Canadian, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, Danish,
Norwegian and Finnish versions are scheduled to be
available in the first half of 1992. Arabic, Russian,
Czech and Hungarian versions are planned.
Microsoft Corporation offers a complete family of
applications for Windows. Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
Word, Microsoft PowerPointR, Microsoft Mail and
Microsoft Project are designed to work well together and
are integrated to provide a comprehensive computing
solution. They share consistent interfaces, so once users
have learned one application, they are well on their way
to learning the others.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT")
develops, markets and supports a wide range of software
for business and professional use, including operating
systems, network products, languages and applications, as
well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the
microcomputer marketplace.
#########
* As used herein, DOS refers to the MS-DOSR and PC-DOS operating
systems.
** All prices listed are U.S. suggested retail prices.
Microsoft, MS-DOS and PowerPoint are registered trademarks and
Toolbar and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
DisplayWrite is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation.
WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro International
Corporation.
MultiMate is a registered trademark of Multimate International
Corporation, an Ashton-Tate Company.
WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corporation.
WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro International
Corporation.
CorrecTextR Grammar Correction System developed by Houghton Mifflin
Company; underlying technology developed by Language Systems, Inc.
English spelling software developed by Houghton Mifflin Company,
publishers of The American Heritage Dictionary.
With Features To Make Everyday Tasks Easy
LAS VEGAS -- Oct. 21, 1991 -- Microsoft
Corporation today announced MicrosoftR Word for
WindowsTM version 2.0, a major new release of the
internationally acclaimed word processor for the
Microsoft Windows operating system. With this version,
Microsoft focused on making everyday word processing
tasks easier. The company made extensive use of its
state-of-the-art Usability Lab to improve the usability of
all key features, including the customizable ToolbarTM,
Drag and Drop, Envelope Generator, Print Merge Helper,
and Help for WordPerfectR Users, among many others.
The new and improved features in Word for Windows v.
2.0 can be grouped into three major areas -- easy access to
everyday tools, easy creation of great looking documents,
and easy migration for users switching from other word
processors, especially WordPerfect for DOS.
"With dramatic usability improvements and an
innovative feature set, we expect Word for Windows
version 2.0 to have tremendous user appeal," said Mike
Maples, Microsoft senior vice president of applications.
"Users of other word processors should find the transition
to this product both easy and rewarding."
Designing for Usability -- A Dramatic New Approach
to Software Design
To optimize the usability of Word for Windows v.
2.0, Microsoft used traditional techniques such as
listening to focus group comments, gathering feedback
>from user letters, and analyzing product support calls.
The company also used innovative "instrumented
versions," which record user tasks and keystrokes over a
period of time to learn which features are most used and
how they are used. From the beginning, the Word for
Windows v. 2.0 development team was encouraged to
focus on end-user tasks, rather than on abstract feature
design. The product was extensively tested throughout
the development process by real users in the Microsoft
Usability Lab which is staffed by professionals trained in
the field of cognitive psychology.
"Microsoft's investment in studying and testing
usability has paid huge dividends," stated Walt Zilahy,
manager of office systems at Travelers Insurance
Company. "This product reduces the complexity of high
end word processing features and brings them within the
grasp of even casual users. It is very intuitive."
Easy Access to Tools for Everyday Tasks
Toolbar. From the very first view of the product,
ease of learning and use changes are visible in the new
customizable Toolbar. The features represented by
buttons on the Toolbar were selected as a direct result of
studies on instrumented versions. Now most needed
features such as indenting a paragraph, spell checking and
envelope creation are just a click away.
"The expanded Toolbar has enhanced Word for
Windows ease of use, making it much more intuitive,"
stated Johnnie Nero, manager of office information
systems at Texas Instruments. "It brings the power of the
product to the user's fingertips."
Drag and Drop. Microsoft Word for Windows v.
2.0 is the first major word processor to let a user "drag
and drop" text. With the new Drag and Drop feature,
users can move words, sentences and even paragraphs by
just clicking on highlighted text and dragging it to its new
location. This feature simplifies the cut-and-paste method
found in most Windows-based word processors and makes
text editing easier than ever before.
"It is obvious Microsoft really did their homework
regarding usability," stated Greg Friedman, director of
information services at Southern California Edison. "For
example, the ability to select and drag text is a feature that
is not only a pleasure to use, but the time we save
producing and editing documents is clearly identifiable."
Envelope Generator. Creating envelopes is a task
that, until now, most people have done on a manual
typewriter. With the new Envelope Generator in Word for
Windows v. 2.0, addresses are automatically taken from a
document, positioned correctly and printed on the
envelope.
Print Merge Helper. One of the most often used
yet cumbersome word processing tasks is producing form
letters for custom mailings. To make this process easier,
Microsoft created a new visual Print Merge Helper that
guides the user through the merge process step by step.
This feature is the result of extensive usability testing.
Bullets. With Word for Windows v. 2.0 it is easy
to create and apply bullets to any list. Users can select
>from a bullet palette of more than a hundred bullets,
including standard business bullets and more specialized
symbols such as hearts and arrows. Users can also easily
control the amount by which they indent their text and see
it in a sample box before applying it.
Grammar Checker. One of the most requested
new features was a grammar checker. Microsoft added
one, based on Houghton Mifflin technology, and fully
integrated it into Word for Windows v. 2.0.
Graphical File Finder. The new File Finder
allows users to see long file names, the subject, or
contents of a document on screen before opening it.
Users can also search using other criteria such as the date
a file was created or saved. This valuable tool can
dramatically cut time spent searching for documents.
Tables. Word for Windows v. 2.0 also simplifies
the creation and manipulation of tables. Users simply
click on the table button on the Toolbar, visually highlight
the number of rows and columns appropriate for the table
being created, and a table appears on screen. Users can
easily change the column width by clicking and dragging.
To move rows and columns the user simply drags and
drops them.
Easy Creation of Great Looking Documents
WordArt. WordArt lets users manipulate text and
fonts. Users can add excitement to their documents by
creating interesting text effects, such as curved, rotated or
even upside down text.
Columns. Columns are only a mouse click away
with the new column button that lets users easily change
one-column documents into multi-column documents.
Borders and Shading. Adding borders and
shading is now easy. Users can choose from a wide
variety of options to get the look they want.
Drawing. The new drawing feature lets users
create or enhance visuals for a document. This is
especially valuable for desktop publishing tasks.
Charting. With the new charting capabilities in
version 2.0, which are the same as in Microsoft Excel,
users can present data in great looking 3-D form.
Easy Move for WordPerfect Users
Help for WordPerfect Users. With the goal of
making it easy for WordPerfect for DOS users to
transition to Word for Windows, Microsoft has added
Help for WordPerfect Users to version 2.0. With this
feature, the user selects a WordPerfect command from a
menu or types in a WordPerfect command they know, and
then watches as Word for Windows v. 2.0 gives
instructions or a demo of the equivalent command in
Word for Windows. Over time, the former WordPerfect
user learns the Word for Windows commands and no
longer needs the Help feature. This lets WordPerfect
users make an easy transition to Word for Windows.
Easy File Conversion. Users of version 2.0 will
find conversions to and from all major word processors,
including WordPerfect for DOS, Word for DOS, MultiMateR and
WordStarR.
Other New Features
Object Linking and Embedding. New object
linking and embedding (OLE) capabilities let a user
embed information from any Windows application that
supports OLE. For example, if a user embeds a
worksheet from Microsoft Excel into a Word for
Windows document, the user can double click on the
worksheet to access Microsoft Excel.
Multilingual Spelling Checker. For users who
create documents in multiple languages, Word for
Windows v. 2.0 provides support for multilingual spell
checking. The user marks the text as written in a foreign
language. Then, while the document is being spell
checked, Word for Windows automatically uses a foreign
language dictionary that corresponds to that text. The
switch to the different speller is seamless. Foreign
language dictionaries are available separately.
Equation Editor. It is easier than ever to add
equations to documents with the new graphical Equation
Editor. This feature is especially useful for engineers and
scientists.
Pricing, System Requirements and Availability
Word for Windows v. 2.0 will be available in
November 1991 through resellers for a suggested retail
price of $495. System requirements include: Microsoft
Windows environment version 3.0 or later; a PC using
80286, 80386 or higher microprocessor; 2MB of memory
recommended; EGA or higher resolution monitor;
minimum installation requires 5 MB hard disk, maximum
installation (all options) requires 15 MB, one double-sided
disk drive; Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing
device recommended.
Users of Microsoft Word for Windows and other
full-featured word processors, including WordPerfect for
DOS, Microsoft Word for DOS systems, DisplayWriteR
or MultiMate, can upgrade to version 2.0 for $129.
Users who acquired Microsoft Word for Windows version
1.1 after Oct. 1, 1991 can upgrade for free.
Microsoft Word for Windows 2.0 has been
localized to meet the language-specific needs of
international markets. The English version of Microsoft
Word for Windows v. 2.0 will be available in more than
120 countries worldwide. French, German, French-
Canadian, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, Danish,
Norwegian and Finnish versions are scheduled to be
available in the first half of 1992. Arabic, Russian,
Czech and Hungarian versions are planned.
Microsoft Corporation offers a complete family of
applications for Windows. Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
Word, Microsoft PowerPointR, Microsoft Mail and
Microsoft Project are designed to work well together and
are integrated to provide a comprehensive computing
solution. They share consistent interfaces, so once users
have learned one application, they are well on their way
to learning the others.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT")
develops, markets and supports a wide range of software
for business and professional use, including operating
systems, network products, languages and applications, as
well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the
microcomputer marketplace.
#########
* As used herein, DOS refers to the MS-DOSR and PC-DOS operating
systems.
** All prices listed are U.S. suggested retail prices.
Microsoft, MS-DOS and PowerPoint are registered trademarks and
Toolbar and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
DisplayWrite is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation.
WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro International
Corporation.
MultiMate is a registered trademark of Multimate International
Corporation, an Ashton-Tate Company.
WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corporation.
WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro International
Corporation.
CorrecTextR Grammar Correction System developed by Houghton Mifflin
Company; underlying technology developed by Language Systems, Inc.
English spelling software developed by Houghton Mifflin Company,
publishers of The American Heritage Dictionary.
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