Microsoft announces Word for Windows, Version 2.0, with features to make everyday tasks easy
`1,603 words
`21 October 1991
`Business Wire
`BWR
`English
`(Copyright (c) 1991, Business Wire)
`LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Microsoft Corp. Monday announced Microsoft Word for Windows 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 Toolbar, 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 Co. ``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.
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```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, MultiMate and WordStar.
`
`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.
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`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, DisplayWrite 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 Corp. 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.
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