Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Gamoe · 05:52 PM

It's been discussed to some degree, but I thought it deserved its own thread.

Is this FINALLY the AppleWorks replacement/update we've been looking for and who's making the change from AppleWorks to Pages? I, for one, do believe that this is probably a worthy AppleWorks replacement (based on the limited feedback so far, and because I BELIEVE!) and I do plan to make the change.-- Perhaps even convert all my old AW documents to Pages documents.-- Waiting anxiously for my my iWork box to arrive!

Edit: Anyone know if Pages has multiple dictionary support? Can you switch from say, English to Spanish for spelling or is this handled by the OS or what?

Millennium · Jan 22, 2005, 05:36 PM

It does seem to work with some AppleWorks documents. In fact, although I can't confirm this, it may still use the AppleWorks format as its own, meaning you wouldn't even need to convert anything.

However, be careful: Pages only deals with the word-processor aspect. iWork does not even attempt to update the spreadsheet, draw, paint, or database modules, and it's unclear if Keynote can import AppleWorks presentations. If you use anything but the word processor, in other words, it is not a suitable replacement.

It is possible that replacements for these modules will be developed in time. However, they're not there now, so if you need them now then there's no reason to switch and a good reason not to.

Gamoe · Jan 22, 2005, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by Millennium:
It does seem to work with some AppleWorks documents. In fact, although I can't confirm this, it may still use the AppleWorks format as its own, meaning you wouldn't even need to convert anything.

However, be careful: Pages only deals with the word-processor aspect.

It would be great if Pages uses the AppleWorks format. That would save me some work!

But, as for the word-processor only focus: This is why Pages seems so suitable in my case-- I use AppleWorks only for its word processor. I've only used the spreadsheet once in semi-recent memory, and I can't recall the last time I used any of the other modules.

wilsonng · Feb 4, 2005, 05:57 AM

I believe the Pages documents are in some sort of XML and not AppleWorks. There appears to be a recent trend towards applications using XML standards.

I think the iTunes library and iPhoto library also use XML

PurpleGiant · Feb 4, 2005, 06:20 AM

The pages file format is very similar to Keynote's. Basically a bundle which includes all the elements of the document, and XML markup.

It does quite a good job of opening appleworks files, but it isn't the same format. On the note, AppleWorks and Pages coincide perfectly on the one machine at the same time. I still have both. Over time I'm updating AW word processing docs to pages, and open any spreadsheet files in AW still.

I'd imagine the next version of iWork will have a spreadsheet app. I don't think the drawing module really needs to be replaced, however Apple might also bring out a 'Paint' replacement in a future version. Presentations are done, and I don't believe Apple will bring out a database app.

iWork '06:

Pages
Keynote
Cells
Canvas

...or something.

Millennium · Feb 4, 2005, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by PurpleGiant:
Presentations are done, and I don't believe Apple will bring out a database app.

I don't know about the database app. Given that they're integrating SQLite into the OS as 'CoreData' (among other things, it powers Spotlight), it shouldn't be terribly difficult to work up something AW-like. The hard part -a database backend- is already there.

Pages
Keynote
Cells
Canvas

I can guarantee you they won't be calling it canvas, unless they want to face a legion of Deneba lawyers. A basic draw app would bee nice, though.

PurpleGiant · Feb 4, 2005, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by Millennium:
I can guarantee you they won't be calling it canvas, unless they want to face a legion of Deneba lawyers. A basic draw app would bee nice, though.

Wow, they're still around??

Millennium · Feb 4, 2005, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by PurpleGiant:
Wow, they're still around??

Not only are they still around, but apparently they're still porting their stuff to OSX.

wilsonng · Feb 4, 2005, 08:06 AM

Well, word processing and presentation is taken care of with Pages and Keynote.

ACD currently has Canvas 9 and it takes care of both the draw and paint side. But its interface and power doesn't have Apple's flair for simplicity and restraint.

The application Canvas has been around a long time so i doubt they would change the name just for Apple.

We can always try out Mariner Calc if Microsoft Excel is too much. I'm not sure about how good Mariner Calc is though.

My current AppleWorks replacements are:

Word processing - still using AppleWorks. I may try Pages when it hits version 2

Spreadsheet - still using AppleWorks but I have been finding myself needing to use Excel for its multiple worksheet capabilities. Thinking about Mariner Calc now.

Draw - OmniGraffle 3 Pro. I have been thinking of getting Canvas 9 to take care of draw and paint.

Paint - currently using GraphicConvert although I am starting to look Canvas 9.

Presentation - Keynote

Originally posted by PurpleGiant:

iWork '06:

Pages
Keynote
Cells
Canvas

Cadaver · Feb 4, 2005, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by wilsonng:
My current AppleWorks replacements are:

Word processing - still using AppleWorks. I may try Pages when it hits version 2

Spreadsheet - still using AppleWorks but I have been finding myself needing to use Excel for its multiple worksheet capabilities. Thinking about Mariner Calc now.

Draw - OmniGraffle 3 Pro. I have been thinking of getting Canvas 9 to take care of draw and paint.

Paint - currently using GraphicConvert although I am starting to look Canvas 9.

Presentation - Keynote

Though I haven't used it personally, I've heard good things about Mariner Calc. For people who need basic spreadsheets, its probably more than sufficient (and far more up to date than the AppleWorks spreadsheet module), and much more affordable than Excel.

For a draw module, I agree that OmniGraffle is an excellent solution. Omni software quality is only second to Apple's (like Keynote 2.0).

For a paint module, I suggest Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0. Very full featured, "industry standard" and affordable. Plus, it can handle things like camera RAW files and advanced formats like multi-layer TIFF. GraphicConverter 5 is also good for those who need something less expensive (less than half what PSE 3 costs).

Personally, with all these options, I think we've got the AppleWorks replacement.

Gamoe · Feb 4, 2005, 10:09 PM

I've opened some AppleWorks WP documents with Pages, and I was disappointed to see it doesn't preserve text styles (bold, italics, underline, etc.), though it does support tables. It seems to keep AppleWorks in-document anchors, but has trouble with the links.

I tried to open a large (42 pages) AppleWorks file with document links (in a table of contents), and Pages quit on me, consistently, until I removed the links from the file in AppleWorks and tried again. Pages said it was missing some fonts when I was able to open the file. I don't know if that was also a factor.