Classic Systems Emulated: The Macintosh (Microsoft's Offerings)
While the Apple II did well enough when it was first introduced, sales of the computer skyrocketed when VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet, was released in late 1979. VisiCalc, referred to as a "killer application", became so popular that it caused a increase in hardware sales. People wanted VisiCalc, and they didn't care how much they needed to run it, computer and all.
We fast forward to 1982. Apple realizes that in order for their new platform-in-progress to succeed, they needed killer applications to spur adaption. Even though Apple was able to provide some of their own worthy killer applications in the form of MacPaint and MacWrite, Apple would need to court third-party developers. In their quest, one developer would become essential for the Mac's success: Microsoft.
Microsoft was no stranger to Apple's products. The version of BASIC used in the Apple II, Applesoft BASIC, was licensed from Microsoft. It's interesting to note that during this point in computer history, Microsoft was not really even known for their application software or operating systems; but for their BASIC interpreters which was used on computers like the C64 and IBM PC. In 1980, Microsoft released the Z80 SoftCard for the Apple II. The Z80 SoftCard allowed the Apple II to run the CP/M operating system that was widely used at the time.
Apple had their reservations about Microsoft though. Their close association with Big Blue with the development of the IBM PC caused many within Apple to be less than frilled to work with the Redmond company. They also knew that Bill Gates has grand ambitions, and that they would use what Apple has developed to enhance their own software as well.
Multiplan
Not only that, at least within Apple, many viewed Microsoft as a company that didn't understand them. While the "Microsofties" were very well versed in software development, from Apple's perspective; they seemed to lack class and culture. Would they give it their dull-diligence to the new Macintosh. Microsoft made them aware that they would port Multiplan, their spreadsheet program, to the Macintosh. This did not inspire confidence within Apple as the DOS version of Multiplan was often the butt-of-jokes among PC users, especially in the light of SuperCalc and Lotus 123. Yet, no one understood software development more than Microsoft. Their expertise would be essential for the success to the platform. And Microsoft would give it their all.
While commonly referred to as "a port", Multiplan on the Macintosh was basically a total rewrite of the spreadsheet to take advantage of the WIMP (Windows Icons, Menus, and Pointer) interface that defined the Mac. Multiplan on the Mac made powerful use of QuickDraw. This new version of the spreadsheet was much more inviting and intuitive compared to the DOS port. Multiplan became one of the defining applications that cemented the Macintosh as a powerful business computer. At a time when many were looking at the whole concept of a GUI as a pointless toy, Microsoft was making the strong case that the their were powerful capabilities that could be exploited by business users. Graphics just didn't mean games. Their could be a valid business applications as well, and Multiplan proved it.
Excel
However, Microsoft wasn't just stopping with Multiplan. The Redmond company was already working on yet another spreadsheet that would go far beyond what Multiplan was capable of. Their work would not only go beyond Multiplan, but it would redefine the Macintosh, and general computing in general for decades to come. This spreadsheet was Excel.
Excel would take the world by storm. Originally released on the Mac, Microsoft Excel would set the standard for graphical spreadsheets. When sales of the Macintosh dropped off sharply in 1984-1985, the Macintoshes that Apple were selling were propped up by the Microsoft Applications. Programs like Excel would define business applications not only on the Macintosh, but Microsoft's own platform that would eventually become dominant.
Word
Reading the anecdotes on the Apple Folklore site, Andy Hertzfeld makes us aware that while Apple knew that Microsoft was working on a spreadsheet, they didn't let the company know that they were working on their own word-processor for the new platform as well.
Like Multiplan, Word was a "port" of their DOS-based word-processor. The Mac version of Word was basically written from scratch. Microsoft Word for DOS itself was basically a new product as it wasn't released until October 1983, just a few months before the Mac's introduction. However, in appearance and operation, the two ports could have been as different as night and day.
Upon release, the Mac port of Microsoft Word became a instant bombshell that quickly took the platform by storm. Word would quickly eclipse MacWrite in popularity and become the word-processor of choice on the Mac. It's ironic that while Microsoft's Mac products were critically acclaimed, their PC products that they were most known for on DOS were generally dismissed. Microsoft Word on DOS struggled against WordPerfect and Multiplan could barely compete with Lotus 123 and SuperCalc on those platform. The success that Microsoft enjoyed on the Mac would eventually translate to success on the PC when the GUI transition happened.
Already, one who already has experience with the later versions of Word could quickly get use to this application as it has the formatting features that we all take for granted today. The WYSIWYG capabilities of the Macintosh were rapidly exploited by Word. One could created documents that are much more detailed than on any DOS system. Word-processor became one of the defining features of the each Macintosh, and MS-Word showed what these early Macs were capable of.
Microsoft Works
As time went by, Microsoft got into the integrated software business. Integrated software was all the rage in the late 80's/early 90's. These were program that combined the word-processor, spreadsheet, database, and communication features into a single application. Such programs were popular because they were much cheaper in price than separate, dedicated programs. On MS-DOS, one would have shelled out an arm-and-a-leg if they purchased dBase, WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and ProComm Plus individually. On the Mac, good money was spent if one purchased Microsoft Word and Multiplan individually as well. As such, for those on a budget, integrated software was the way to go.
Examples of such programs includes AppleWorks on the Apple II, Lotus Jazz which was later released on the Mac, Lotus Symphony/Works on MS-DOS, and of course, Microsoft Works for both DOS and Mac. As popular as they were, they were certain drawbacks. Usually, the word-processor, database, and spreadsheet offered by such programs weren't as capable as their dedicated offerings. However, for home users on a budget, they were good enough.
On the Macintosh, Microsoft Works became the most popular and widely used of the integrated software. The Mac version of Works was generally much more favorable received than the DOS port. Eventually, Works was released for Windows 3.0, which compared favorably to the Mac version. By the mid 90's though, integrated software fell out of use as office suites became standard. Office suites just combined the full feature programs into one package. There rapidly drop in prices in the 90's made them much more appealing as one could use the full applications without compromise compared to using a scaled down version of such programs.
MinivMac
Trying to run older Microsoft applications under MinivMac requires one to become a "disc jockey" and shuffle the disc images around to get it running. Disc-copy protection was a big thing in the 80's, and one would have jumped through hoops in order to get this to run.
One couldn't run the original versions of either Microsoft Multiplan on a hard-drive or the "big floppy" (hard-drive for all intensive purposes) used in MinivMac. As such, one has to use the disk images, along with a spare one for saving data. Later programs, like Excel, Works, and later releases of Word; were much more forgiving.
MS Word is running on a emulated Mac 512k, which was basically the original Mac 128k with a memory upgrade.
Also, sites like the Macintosh Garden have done an awesome job archiving and preserving these early software titles. Programs that would have been lost to time have been preserved so that their impact on history wouldn't be lost.
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