Microsoft Updates Works Suite

Version 8 of Microsoft Works, the company's low-cost productivity suite, has been released and will ship this month. Works includes a word processor, spreadsheet and database applications, along with e-mail tools. The new release adds an improved calendar, PowerPoint viewer and a new stand-alone dictionary. Works 8 will retail for $49.95 USD, with a $10 rebate available to some customers. But Microsoft's academic version of Office remains a better deal for most households.