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The recent release of Microsoft Works 8 (**** out of four) introduces new and improved features of this popular productivity software. Although designed for home use, the program could easily suits the needs of many small businesses.

New to this version is a dictionary that includes a thesaurus and parental controls for age-appropriate learning, a PowerPoint viewer, an improved calendar that allows up to four users to create and color code a personal calendar and then view all four calendars together. Also new is auto-backup and document recover and iCalendar format support to make it easy to share appointments with other iCalendar programs and import events and holidays into your calendar. Other updates and improvements in existing features of the program make it easier and more useful than ever.

Works 8 includes several programs that provide all the tools many people will ever need: a word processor, spreadsheet, database, calendar, project organizer, dictionary, PowerPoint viewer and e-mail and Internet tools. Each of these programs is easy to learn and easy to use, a big plus in this day of complex programs that take months to master. Works 8 includes a Works Tour, Getting Started, and a Quick Tour to introduce you to the features of the programs, and help for any of the Works programs is available by pressing F1 at any time.

Once you’re familiar with the basics of the program, just click on the Task Launcher to access your calendar and address book, or use Quick Launch to access the primary Works programs. Many of the programs include templates to make it easy to start using that program immediately.

When you start any task, a sidebar appears (you can close it if you want) and offers instructions on how to complete that task, such as fill in your calendar, write a letter, create a database or whatever you want to do. The calendar and address book make it a snap to organize your time and contacts. You can enter appointments, events and the like on the calendar, set reminders and recurrence if you want, and print the calendar in a variety of formats. Use the address book for organizing your contact information; you can also use it to send e-mail to people listed in your address book by using Outlook Express or other e-mail programs--and much more.

The word processor includes the commonly-used editing, layout and formatting features and also includes templates that make it easy to give any type of document a more professional look. There are letter, report, resume, project and many other templates for business types of documents and also more than 40 templates for making colorful and creative greeting cards, invitations, notes, announcements and the like. The convenient dictionary and thesaurus are helpful for any written documents you create.

Use the spreadsheet to create a chart, calculate figures, set up a series of numbered items, or use the financial worksheets to help with budgeting and other financial needs. With the new Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) support, you can now transfer a spreadsheet or associated chart directly into a document--great for describing finances in a report and then displaying them in your document as a chart or spreadsheet with the actual figures.

The database lets you enter information directly in a database format, or you can use the many included templates to help organize collections such as books, wines, videos and the like, and even set up a list of home information or create a recipe book. All the information you enter can easily be updated, cross referenced and printed in a variety of formats.

The project organizer has templates for coaching a sports team, managing club or group activities, organizing a household, plan for a family reunion, party or vacation, prepare for holidays, start a fund raiser, do well in school or just create your own project. No excuse for not being organized if you have this program and all this help!

For people who have an Internet connection, Works 8 also includes Internet Explorer and many links for accessing a vast amount of information on the Web.

Works also includes a "History" feature that maintains a list of every document you create, and you can sort the list by name, date, template or program. To open any document in History, just click on the name.

With all these options, you surely don’t want to loose any work or data, so Works now offers auto backup and document recovery. Your documents are now backed up every 10 minutes (or at the interval you set) while the program is open.

The new PowerPoint viewer lets you view Microsoft PowerPoint presentations even if you do not have MS Office or PowerPoint. Just click on the file icon for viewing. Other features include synchronization with a Palm or Windows CE.

If you want a set of programs that includes word processing, database and project organization, spreadsheets, calendars, contact lists and much more and that all work together, Works 8 will suit your needs well. And for only $49.95 for everything, you won’t go wrong to invest in it, especially since you can upgrade to the full version of Office for the lower upgrade price if you decide you need it.