| CommonSpace | DIWE DOS | DIWE Windows | DIWE Mac | Norton Connect Windows | Norton Connect DOS | Norton Connect.NET | Aspects1 | |
| Word Processor | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Word 6, 7, or 97 or WordPerfect 6.1/7 for Windows | Built-in | Word 6, 7, 97 | Built-in |
| Annotation | Built-in; column metaphor for side-by-side, visually linked annotations; linked columns mimic marginal comments; embedded sound available | None other than inter- leaved comments with the word processor | None other than interleaved comments with the word processor | None other than interleaved comments with the word processor | Macros for commenting and "grading" allow embedded text comments | Macros for commenting and "grading" allow embedded text comments | Macros for commenting and "grading" allow embedded text comments | |
| Handbook | Built-in; based on Raimes' Keys for Writers; hyperlinkable | none | none | none | Built-in; hyperlinkable; based on Dawn Rodrigues' Writing Essentials | Built-in; hyperlinkable; written by Myron Tuman | Built-in; hyperlinkable; based on Dawn Rodrigues' Writing Essentials | |
| Bibliography Generation | None | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Any Word or WordPerfect add-in | Built-in MLA and APA | Any Word add-in | |
| Conferencing | TCP for Internet or local | local network only | local network only | local network only | local network only | local network only | via user's Internet connection | local or Internet; limited to 16 in each group |
| Spelling | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | MS Word or WordPerfect | Built-in | MS Word | N/A |
| Grammar | None | None | None | None | MS Word or WordPerfect grammar checkers | None | MS Word grammar checker | N/A |
| Heuristics/ Question-Sets |
Instructor writes | Built-in; instructor can add own | Built-in; instructor can add own | Built-in; instructor can add | Instructor writes | Instructor writes | Instructor writes | Instructor writes |
| Compatibility | Import/Export from and to standard wordprocessor or text files | Text files or Daedalus format | Saves as Text files or the built-in Daedalus format | Mac | Any Windows word processor | Import/Export from WP 5.x, Word 2, text files | Any Windows word processor | Import/Export from Mac word processors: MacWrite, and Microsoft Word 3-5; will also work with MacLink Plus to make other word process ors compatible |
| Grading Templates/ Boilerplates |
Instructor writes | None | None | None | Built-in; editable (can add in Word, edit-only in WordPerfect) | Built-in; editable (can add own) | Built-in; editable | None |
| Platforms | Mac; Win 3.11 and 95 | DOS only | 32-bit systems only | Any Mac | Windows 3.1 and 95 | DOS/Win 3.11 and 95 | Windows 95 | Mac |