AppleWorks 6.1, which has been available (off and on) since March 24 in a downloadable preview edition, is now available. And it also comes in a special edition, exclusively for educators that supports both Mac and Windows systems.
Fans of the productivity suite will be happy to learn that version Works 6.1 now features DataViz MacLinkPlus translators that let you view, modify, share and exchange Microsoft Office documents. (In times past, the translators shipped with the product, but that ended when version 6.0 shipped.)
“AppleWorks is the ideal productivity application for education, with features designed specifically for teachers and students,” said Cheryl Vedoe, Apple’s vice president of Education Marketing and Solutions, in a company statement. “With support for both Mac and Windows machines and translators for Word and Excel, AppleWorks now has even greater flexibility for use in schools.”
AppleWorks 6.1, available for Mac OS 9 and in a Mac OS X preview version, is targeted to schools and environments with mixed platform environments. It also “works well” in TCP/IP, AppleTalk, and Novell networked environments, according to Apple.
In case you’re not familiar with AppleWorks, it combines word processing, page layout, image manipulation, spreadsheets, databases and presentations in a single application. Version 6.1 also includes a library of Internet based education-specific templates, designed by educators.
Minimum system requirements to run AppleWorks 6.1 for the Mac are: Mac OS 8.1 or later, a PowerPC-equipped Mac, 24MB RAM with virtual memory set to at least 25MB, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, QuickTime and an optional Internet connection for accessing Internet-based templates.
Minimum system requirements to run AppleWorks 6.1 for Wintel systems are: PC with a Pentium processor running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME with 32MB of physical RAM, CD-ROM, Internet Explorer 5 and QuickTime.
An updater is available immediately as a free download to all Mac users currently running AppleWorks 6.0.4. The updater includes a special preview version of AppleWorks 6.1 for Mac OS X. A retail package including versions for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X operating systems is expected to be available in spring 2001.
Education orders for AppleWorks 6.1 are now being taken with shipment expected in May. AppleWorks 6.1 is available to U.S. educators through Apple’s direct distribution program. More information is available online.