Q: A document saved as a ".wps" file won't open in OpenOffice or on our Windows XP Stations. How do I handle it?
A: For a detailed explanation see here:
http://www.userful.com/support/ms-works. There are moves afoot to incorporate a .wps import filter for open office.
In the interim, we would strongly encourage anyone using works to upgrade to the free (and vastly more capable) OpenOffice office suite.
http://www.openoffice.org/ It is easy to download, install, and use and even works on older versions of Windows.
Recent versions of Microsoft Works (2001 and later) include Microsoft Word hence write by default to the supported (.doc) format. Older versions write by default to Microsoft's proprietary, obscure, and poorly supported (.wps) format. Even Microsoft's own Office Suite won't import .wps files without first downloading and installing a special converter.
To import legacy Works files (.wps versions 3.x --> 6.x) to DiscoverStation first use Microsoft works to save them in the Rich Text Format (.rtf) (.rtf is widely supported even in old versions of Works).
Alternatively if you have access to Word 2000 or 97 you can install the appropriate Works converter linked above and import your old Works files then save to .doc or .rtf.