I have fond memories of the early DOS version (1.something). Its tutorial was a masterclass (included full screen ascii graphics illustrating the scenarios) and as a kid playing on my father's laptop I went through it several times. I particularly enjoyed the database tutorial where you worked on WHODUNIT.WDB to solve the mystery of a murder at a ski slope by narrowing down the customers against clues...
Microsoft Works 2.0 also had the tutorial! I don't remember the ascii graphics - maybe my IBM PS/2 didn't show them, or maybe I have brain damage. (edit: was there a mountain picture?)
It ruined my expectations for help documents forevermore: nothing was as cool.
The graphics weren't elaborate, I just remember things like the illustration of a storefront before you worked on an inventory spreadsheet, or the ascii picture of a telephone and modem before the "Communications" tool (i.e. telnet) section.
I remember using this in the Netherlands. Must have been Works 2000. and kinda surprised in hindsight Microsoft maintained 2 code-bases with competing products for so long. I realize they address different segments. I kinda liked Works 2000's simplicity.
This was a great app that is wand was under appreciated.
Some versions included a FileMaker like interface to make little apps. A friend built an inventory system and fleet maintenance tracker for his auto repair business that was fantastic. And he’s a gear head, not IT.
I appreciated the simplicity of Works. It was quick to start up and used less system resources than Office. PCs were so dog slow before SSDs. I used Works in college until some of my later classes required some advanced features that the Works spreadsheet could not provide and I was forced to start using Excel.
Works suites were a big earner for decades. MS Works started out on DOS and moved to Windows. Its database was arguably superior for simple stuff to anything out of MS for Windows.
Novell had a Works suite too, and Apple.
And there were several independent ones, such as PFS Works, Beagle Works and others. Also more primitive suits where one app has multiple functions, such as Pipedream and the original Lotus Symphony.
Most were single monolithic apps under the UI. LibreOffice still is. Data interchange was significantly easier than in standalone apps.
