Review by Bob Feeser

This review is for X8 Standard which does not include the database, for that youll need the Pro version. Installation is easy, just put in the disc in your DVD drive and choose autorun.exe. (Sorry for mentioning the obvious) By default you get the Word Perfect X8 word processor, Quattro Pro X8 spreadsheet program, and Presentations for multimedia slide shows, and WordPerfect Lightning for note taking. In the original install windows they give you the option, as some separates install After Shot 2 a highly touted photo editing software, and as another installs a full suite of clipart, photos, and fonts. Once the initial install is complete it takes you back to the install window and you can click on the additional from there.

I have MSFT Office in my other machine WITHOUT the option to put it in any of my other machines. In all fairness I did buy the system builder version of Windows that allows only one install. I have a laptop, desktop, and a highly portable 10 inch HP X2 2 in 1. Fortunately with this Corel Office you can install it in up to 3 machines BUT only use it in one at a time. They keep track of this judicious usage by requiring that you have your computer connected online at least once per month.

So I am relieved that now I am able to use a Word processor etc. in the other two machines. In the user agreement (EULA) they only mention that you agree to use it in only one machine at a time. The 3 machines install information, and then checking on it via internet connection at least once per month I got off of a Corel user forum. By the way the additional included install of fonts places them in the Windows font folder so they are accessible to other programs and general usage.

When I bought Corel Draw X7 I found it to be a program that was profoundly easy to use in order to do the most popular features, yet the amount of depth in the program didn’t leave you short with advanced features. Over time you can grow into the program as well.nWith Word Perfect I was able to within seconds of opening the program immediately identify the top task bar icons and would highlight, bold, change fonts, color, etc. etc. etc. They even have a PDF creator built in.

I was really happy to see that it can open and edit MSFT Word files etc. I was also of course able to access the programs in this Corel installation from Remote Desktop in Windows. (Versions of Windows that has the remote desktop feature) I am typing this review via remote desktop in the WordPerfect X8 program.

I noticed the Grammatik built in spell check and grammar checker is not quite as robust as the one in Word in that is asked me repeatedly at times, jumping around from different words about correcting something. If I chose ignore or skip, and it went onto the next couple of words, it would come back to that one again. It is not that I wasn’t able to use it effectively, and it did work, it is just that Corel needs to make that one feature Word Perfect. Hey I have to write an honest review. They also provide a standalone spell checker tool for doing just that. The Grammatik may be checking further terms and grammar usage further down the line, and then coming back to prior word usage, and that is why I am getting the doubling of some word checks. It doesnt work that way in MSFT Word. Maybe I just need to learn the ropes better, after all it is a new program.nOkay I just went back in and used just the spell checker and that behaves just like MSFT word in that regard. Grammatik is more comprehensive in that it checks grammar also. However, MSFT Word does both also.

All in all a very nice program. I love the ease of use, and the clear window, as well as the elaborate ribbon icons across the top that highlight their usage by scrolling over them. A little short window shows up with a quick explain. Highly recommended. I love Corel stuff.