A few years ago for I'm not sure what reason (boredom?) I found those old WordPerfect binaries and ran them on recent Linux. The tricky part is that it required libc5 support. But it worked.

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I've been using Applixware 4.2 then 4.3 to write papers and such for a year and a half. Bear in mind that I've only used the Words module, not anything else.

In many ways Applixware is a superb program. Great interface, great looks, multiple-language support, including dictionaries and thesauruses (important for a Spanish major like me). The only major deficiencies are 1) inadequate filters support (Word 6/7 import and export is pretty buggy; I hear 4.4.1 will do a much better job, and handle Word97 too) and 2) missing some basic features like a simple way to do single/double spacing (you have to type in the measurements yourself).

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Another notable omission is word count; I used a macro as substitute.

Despite the flaws (4.4.1 did not fix the inability to do simple line spacing, and I was told by the company that there were no plans to change this), Applixware was good enough. I produced .rtf files that I printed via Word on campus laser printers, and .pdf files for job applications during senior year.

It was definitely on SunOS, I installed it for several customers.

I have used Ami Pro and CorelDRAW! on OS/2 but had never heard of this Island suite before, and it made me curious if these were why Apple's Pages and Numbers have such awkward terrible names:

- Island iWrite: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=74013904&caseSearchType=U...

- Island iDraw: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=74013951&caseSearchType=U...

It looks like Apple did attempt to file a US trademark for “iWrite” in 2003 which was tentatively assigned but then canceled in 2005 shortly before Pages 1.0's release:

- Apple iWrite: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=78299734&caseSearchType=U...

…but Apple's USA trademark issue seems to be failure to submit documentation about a “foreign application” they filed for the same “iWrite” in Hong Kong.

“This is in response to the Examining Attorney's September 12, 2005 Suspension Inquiry. The Examining Attorney requested that Applicant indicate the status of the foreign application. The Application had previously been suspended pending receipt of a copy of the foreign registration certificate under 44(e). The foreign application has been advertised but has not yet matured to registration. Applicant therefore requests that the Application be put back into suspension pending the registration of the foreign application.”

“Section 44(e) Based on Foreign Registration: Applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and /or services, and submits a copy of [ Hong Kong registration number B1127/2005 registered 03/13/2003 ]”.

I looked that up (HK 2005B01127) and it is an active HK trademark filed by Apple which is valid through 2030: https://esearch.ipd.gov.hk/nis-pos-view/#/tm/details/view/78...

So nothing to do with Island's iWrite at all and sorry that this comment is now mildly off-topic. My complete speculation is that Apple didn't want to wait for this to get sorted out and delay the release of Pages any longer w/r/t Microsoft's Office 2004 being one of last remaining elements of control MS could exert on 2000s Apple v(._. )v

Cool history; thanks for posting!

Some of these boxes look familiar.

The CorelDRAW manual was a beast. Took forever.