Novell Announces WordPerfect 6.1 For DOS

Press Release

Company Continues to Support Millions of DOS Users

OREM, Utah -- July 31, 1995 -- Novell#, Inc. today announced WordPerfect#6.1 for DOS, the latest version of the world's best-selling DOS word processor. The new version is designed to help users work faster and smarter and is scheduled to ship later this summer.

WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS is a lean and code-efficient product targeted at the large installed base of DOS users not currently planning a move to Windows, or users who are extending their investment in 286 and 386-based PCS. The installed base of WordPerfect for DOS is estimated to be 10 million users worldwide and customers continue to be interested in updates.

"Novell has an extremely loyal installed base of WordPerfect for DOS users," said David Wright, product marketing manager, WordPerfect for DOS. "These users are adamant about using DOS for their word processing. We will continue to support the millions of users who choose WordPerfect for DOS as their word processing solution."

DOS Users Can Work Faster

WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS has been streamlined to improve speed and resource usage, and is faster than previous versions. Enhancements to several features make the product more accessible. For example, Tables can now be edited within the document window, without going into a separate table editing mode. New "history" lists in a variety of dialog boxes display the last several options chosen by the user for faster access to recently used files, search options, font selections and even the address on an envelope.

New Enhancements Help Users Work Smarter

WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS includes new enhancements, based on customer research, that help users work smarter. For example, QuickCorrect helps users write better by automatically correcting spelling errors on the fly and includes 130 of the most commonly misspelled words. QuickCorrect also automatically removes extra spaces in between words and sentences, capitalizes the first letter of a sentence and inserts typeset-quality quotation marks.

To help users quickly create professional-looking documents, new templates automate the process of creating letters, memos, fax cover sheets, newsletters and calendars. Templates are automated documents that prompt users for information. The Letter template, for example, interviews users for information and then lets them choose from a selection of pre-written letters. Users can also create their own automated templates for custom documents.

The Make It Fit Expert solves the problem of trying to fit a document on a certain number of pages. This step-saver can, for example, take a document that is more than one page and either shrink it to fit on one or expand it to fill two or three pages. Users can choose to expand or shrink a document up to 50 percent more or less than the original size.

According to user research, one of the most common tasks people perform is to open and reuse existing documents, but they do so with the concern that they might accidentally overwrite the existing file. The File Open dialog now includes an Open As Copy option so users can open an existing document as an unnamed file, and then edit as needed without worrying about losing the original document.

Smooth Transition for DOS Users

For the veteran WordPerfect for DOS user, WordPerfect 6.1 has the same clear WordPerfect DOS screen and reliable keystrokes. The product also includes a graphical user interface with convenient pull-down menus so users can choose to work in a WYSIWYG environment. In addition, WordPerfect 6.1 includes a conversion for Quattro Pro 5.5 for DOS files so users can easily import or link spreadsheet files. WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS is also compatible with WordPerfect for UNIX and WordPerfect for Macintosh.

Pricing and Availability

WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS is scheduled to ship late summer with a suggested retail price of $295 (US) and an upgrade price of $89 (US). Through October 1995, current WordPerfect for DOS users can upgrade for $79 (US). Current WordPerfect for DOS users can also purchase Quattro Pro 5.5 for DOS for $59.95 (US).

Customers who have purchased WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS between July 17, 1995 and September 15, 1995 qualify for a free upgrade.

Customers who purchase WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS receive six months of unlimited, toll-free support, after which they can choose from a variety of support options. Novell is the only major software vendor that continues to offer toll-free, no-charge customer support for business applications.

System Requirements

Recommended: 386 processor or above, 510KB or more free conventional memory (or RAM), DOS 6.0 with MS-DOS MemMaker memory manager, DOS 6.0 disk cache, 16MB hard disk space and VGA graphics adapter and monitor.

For more information about WordPerfect 6.1 for DOS, customers can call Novell at (800) 451-5151.