Pfs:Write
Encyclopedia
pfs:Write was a simple early word processor
for Apple II
and DOS
systems created by Software Publishing Corporation
. It included basic features such as automatic word wrapping, spell checking, copy and paste, underlining, and boldfacing
. It was considered easier to learn and use than its fuller-featured and more expensive competitors WordPerfect
and XyWrite
.
Software Publishing Corporation created an early office suite
under the "pfs" brand, releasing companion products pfs:File (database
), pfs:Report (reporting software), pfs:Graph (business graphics), pfs: First Choice (integrated software
for DOS), and pfs:Plan (spreadsheet
). They also released versions of the "pfs" series for Apple II
-based computers. A later enhanced version of pfs:Write was called pfs:Professional Write.
In the mid-1980s IBM
contracted with Software Publishing Corporation to develop the IBM Assistant Series, which was an enhanced and rebranded version of the pfs family of products, and was localized for European markets. IBM
advertised the suite using a Chaplin-esque
figure getting all of his ducks in a row, in a Super Bowl
TV ad, and in print ads.
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
for Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
and DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
systems created by Software Publishing Corporation
Software Publishing Corporation
Software Publishing Corporation was a Mountain View, California-based manufacturer of business software, best known for its pioneering Harvard Graphics presentation package....
. It included basic features such as automatic word wrapping, spell checking, copy and paste, underlining, and boldfacing
Emphasis (typography)
In typography, emphasis is the exaggeration of words in a text with a font in a different style from the rest of the text—to emphasize them.- Methods and use :...
. It was considered easier to learn and use than its fuller-featured and more expensive competitors WordPerfect
WordPerfect
WordPerfect is a word processing application, now owned by Corel.Bruce Bastian, a Brigham Young University graduate student, and BYU computer science professor Dr. Alan Ashton joined forces to design a word processing system for the city of Orem's Data General Corp. minicomputer system in 1979...
and XyWrite
XyWrite
XyWrite is a word processor for DOS and Windows modeled on the ATEX mainframe program. Popular with writers and editors for its speed and degree of customization, XyWrite was in its heyday the house word processor in many editorial offices, including the New York Times from 1989 to 1993...
.
Software Publishing Corporation created an early office suite
Office suite
In computing, an office suite, sometimes called an office software suite or productivity suite is a collection of programs intended to be used by knowledge workers...
under the "pfs" brand, releasing companion products pfs:File (database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
), pfs:Report (reporting software), pfs:Graph (business graphics), pfs: First Choice (integrated software
Integrated software
Integrated software is software for personal computers that combines the most commonly used functions of many productivity software programs into one application....
for DOS), and pfs:Plan (spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
). They also released versions of the "pfs" series for Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
-based computers. A later enhanced version of pfs:Write was called pfs:Professional Write.
In the mid-1980s IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
contracted with Software Publishing Corporation to develop the IBM Assistant Series, which was an enhanced and rebranded version of the pfs family of products, and was localized for European markets. IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
advertised the suite using a Chaplin-esque
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
figure getting all of his ducks in a row, in a Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
TV ad, and in print ads.