BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?

Subject: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 04:10 PM

Just curious, again, as to which word processing programs the writers among us prefer. Would also like to know where those of you who prefer to write online, do so. Amergin, I think you had mentioned doing this?

This thread was also sparked by Peter Tee's comments in the other writer thread:

If you are going to write on a computer, try one or two other Word Processing programmes, unless you really like the one you use. You can be quite surprised at how congenial another one can be. I have tried lots. In my opinion, Word is not a writer's software, but a report writer's software. It needs to be stripped right down for simplicity. WordPerfect is still the best for writers, but it is harder to get.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: MMario
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 04:23 PM

For me, Word Perfect is preferred, miles above anything else I've used. But I'm not given a choice.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 04:23 PM

Anyone have any experience with Linux's free download of their Word Perfect #8?

thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:23 PM

Thread creep alert...I noticed distinct generational preferences when writing research reports (required a lot of thinking). It seems that the older guys used pencil and paper; the younger guys could think at the keyboard. I was always in the middle. My best thinking, however, was with pencil and paper. It seems there was just something about using my hand to write that caused my brain to become more fluid. Then any old word processor that allowed me to enter text and move it around, seemed to meet my needs.

kat, I'm already thread-creeping into ideas of creativity, music, writers block, etc. But back to word processors, I'm always more comfortable with the familiar, and I have to force myself to learn and use new programs.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:32 PM

there is CryptEdit

*paste from their helpfile*

"Crypt Edit is a powerful freeware word processor, which can easily create, protect, modify, post and print your documents. It is a nice replacement for the standard Windows NotePad and WordPad (and even Microsoft Word in some cases)."

Crypt Edit has a lot of very interesting features:

Enhanced cryptography features (RC4, MD5), including encryption of binary files. Easy to use

Full OLE Objects support

Multiple documents in one instance of the program

Several configurable toolbars

Spell Checking (MS Office Compatible)

Multi-Language Interface

Html/Unix/Mac export

Templates and bookmarks

Integrated e-mail client with an address book

Built-in Character Map

Autoformat tool

Advanced editing

Fast start and small program size

Microsoft Word Compatible (Export/Import/Ole Automation)

Icon on the System Tray

Various converters (ROT-13, KOI-8 etc.)

Drag'n'Drop Interface

OEM/ANSI Codepage

Unlimited file size

Y2K Compliant

Zoom In/Out

Lines sorting operations

Clipboard Viewer

Print Preview

Find in Files

HTML Highlighting

Microsoft Mouse Wheel Compatible

Plug-ins support

Several numbering and underline styles

Easy Installation/Uninstallation ...and much more!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Amergin
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:35 PM

I just have one window open on my web-based email page....and the other window open on the online dictionary/thesaurus I use....

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:55 PM

mary, I used to be that way with pen and paper, too, but not anymore. I cannot wirte fast enough and it become unintelligble! THREAD CREEP AWAY, please! I'd love to hear some more from you on whatever ideas you have roling around!

Amergin, you said you wrote online and stored your stuff online, right? Do you mind my asking where, what site? Or if you recommend any?

BillD! I don't even know what half of thats tuff means, but it sure looks interesting! I will definitely check it out. I am using MS Works 4.0, which came with the computer when we bought it and it seems cumbersome and slow.

Thanks, everyone,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Amergin
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 07:11 PM

I store my stuff in my email...my email is web-based. Other than that....there are some places you that let you store (and lock) your work on the web...here's a few places you can check out: click here. Like I said though, do not store anything you wish to keep on your PC, because crashes happen...

Hope that helped you out a bit, Katdarling.....Sorry I couldn't help much more.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 07:15 PM

Thanks, Nathandarlin'...there is a lot there to choose from. The only one I've ever looked at is Driveway and I've just received a notice that they are closing or merging or something (haven't read it in full yet).

I am looking for info for all of us to share, not just for myself, so please, phoaks, let your creative sparks fly!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 08:29 PM

Each month I boost backups to the big sky file cabinet at MyDocsonline. You can toss it "up" there by folders if you are using IE, and file-manage it just like using Windows Explorer. Small accounts are free; big ones cost, but are worth it to me. I can download to any computer anytime, and no more worries about little diskettes to label and store and hunt through. I do back up some stuff onto diskettes, but I like the sky file better.

I do my tossups late at night when the modem has been able to grab the fastest connection possible among our rural lines and switches, and when net traffic is less. I name files and folders so that they sort by date, too. So the backup of February 2001 mail will be called 2001 0200 Mail Archive. Makes things much easier to find. Also you can create endless folders there, just as with Windows Explorer, and drag and drop contents for easier management.

I could, if I wished, do and save my work direct there. I think though that having the monthly review helps me prune as I go, or iIwould just save it all and then have to buy another account each year. The discipline of monthly file pruning is good for me, and besides, I can rename and resort more efficiently after the work has been created, without over-organizing it befroe it is even done.

When I started, I was pulling off personal files from my Red Cross computer, that were too big to fit on diskettes, and I had no zip drive. (Now if I started over I guess I'd zip it before tossing, but I still have many, many MGs of space left now.) I have a small freebie account still, in addition to the big annual-fee one. Now, if I want to, I can give the password to people, to that small one, and they can go find stuff I've hoisted up there that I want to share. In fact if I wanted to I could run threads from it-- hang a piece there and solicit comments, for instance, or solicit contributions to a project.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Sourdough
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 12:47 AM

I use WordPerfect 7.0. I write everyday and put out two columns a week about 1,000 words each.

I do my research using it, making notes, trasncribing interviews and it works for that. THe windows searchprogram works well for helping me retrive information whch i have been putting into the computer for fifteen years or so. It is quite easy for me to search by name, noun, or verg, even opartial words and get an almost immediate list of clickable files. THis is a big time saver for me.

I also distribute my column via e-mail to 200+ people. I create it in Word Perfect and embed photos, maps, illustrations and then, because these people ovewhelmingly use MS Word, I reformat it, using the Word Perfect utility, to MS Word, and send it as an e-mail attachment. Itr seems to work out well.

I started using WordStar 1.0 and stayed with it all through the time I had my Kaypro and even when I moved off of CPM to DOS. About five years ago, though, I had to give up. Word Star was a very good program for its time but Word Perfect certainly overtook it and I am quite happy with Word Perfect. I am afraid though that it is being squeezed out of the marketplace by MS Word.

Someone wrote above that MS Word was really for report writing. That sounds right to me but I'm afraid that it doesn't speak well for the future of Word Perfect. THere are a hell of a lot more report writers than than there are people who get to make their own writing formats.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: NH Dave
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 01:15 AM

Obviously we use what we are most familiar with, unless outside pressures force us to change. Those of us who converted the zillions of keystroke formatting commands used in WordPerfect prior to ver 5.1 with its toolbar, would never consider changing to another program, while those of us who began computing later on are perfectly happy with Word in one of its various iterations.

I happily used some of the better Commodore word processing programs until I got seriously into college late in life, and the Commodore was just too slow. I used Works for a while, but needed more power for longer papers. We had WordPerfect at school and I knew I didn't want to beat my head against the desk trying to discover a simple format or embedding command, so I began using Word. By this time I had seen how much easier Macs made life, but hadn't the bucks to go that route, and bought a very early version of Windows from a blow-out store.

Once I started using Word I discovered that there were other interesting and powerful programs out there that could work just as hard as Word, but would still involve a long learning curve again. The big problem with Word on a Wintel machines is its cost, and the amount of both disk space and memory it consumes. Additionally I understand that it is slow and poky on Macs. If I were to start over now I would seriously consider Star Office, which was available as a free download from the Sun web site. This program has Word, Excel, and Powerpoint work-alikes, and will open files created in most versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Additionally it is available for free download (or was) for several different platforms, including UNIX/LINUX, and offers a desktop similar to Windows in both UNIX/LINUX and Windows.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 01:16 AM

kat, what is your experience with Linux? Corel did (and I guess still do) provide a free version of Word Perfect 8 (light version) for Linux. I have it on a CD together with their distribution of Linux.

In case you don't know Linux, like Windows is an operating system and assuming you are looking to use both on 1 PC, you are looking at setting up some form of dual boot system - I use 2 hard disks in my PC, one for each OS. That is assuming you still want to use your Windows software (OK there is WINE but I have had no joy with it).

Linux demands far more knowledge of command line operations (cf Dos commands) than Windows and I find it a bit complicated - the sort of thing that would have interested me 10 years ago but now I can't be bothered with the hassle of learning.

Linux is nice and stable but I wouldn't have thought it would be a move that would suit your needs.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Spud Murphy
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 01:19 AM

I use MSWord at the office ad WP version 7 at home. About the same difference, but if I have to state my preference, it is Word Perfect. Sometimes referred to in recent time ass Corel.

Whaatt I need, insteadd of a neww word processsing program, iss a new left hand. Minee is crippled. It makes lots of reedundant letters that i don't need and sometimes doesn't press hard enough on the sshift key.

If you know anybody who ha an exxtra, please leet me knoe.

SSSSpud (My hand iss demented)

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 01:21 AM

Also kat, although I haven't used it, like NHSDave, I would give Star Office serious consideration.

Jon (who started with Wordstar2 on a CP/M system)

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 01:23 AM

Thanks, Jon, that is juts the kind of info I was looking for. I knew Linux was an OS, but that is all. I went from an old WP program in a 386 where I had to know DOS command to get in and out of it etc. to the MS Works 4.whatever which came with this machine. I found the free download of Word Perfect 8.0 at Corel, but have not downloaded it. Now, I know i will not, as I am not interested in getting into the nitty-gritty, again. I just have been wondering, since Peter's psoting in the other thread, if there was something more elegant and easy to use than the Works.

Thanks, Sourdough for the info. I will look at that one, too.

BillD, I am assuming you use CryptEdit? You wouldn't steer me towards anything you haven't tried out yourself, now wouldja?**BG**

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 01:26 AM

Spud, re WP and being called Corel: Corel are now the company who produce this software. I can't remeber who first made it (possibly WordPerfect) but I think it went to Borland (now called ?Enprise?) before Corel bought it.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 03:31 AM

I just found out I have another program called MS Win WORD, is that MS's version of WP? Have any of you used it? I guess I was so happy to get an updated computer two eyar ago, brand new that I just went for the first program on it I found and settled in. I feel like an idiot not knowing what else is on here!

Still planning to check out Star Office, thanks Jon.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 03:40 AM

kat WinWord.Exe is the main program file for Microsoft Word. Try opening it - maybe you already do have it installed.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 03:44 AM

Yes, Jon, I think I do, as I was able to open it. So is that the same as Word Perfect, just the MS version, that everyone refers to? The funny thing with it is, the only way I cqan find it to open it is to do a Find "Word" and then it comes up. When I go to Start, Programs, it is not there. Strange...I will figure out and make a shortcut or something.

I just was looking over the Star Office, wow, it certainly does a LOT! I know I'd have a learnign curve, but I am impressed with what it will do, don't know if I really need all of that though.

Thanks, again, Jon.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 05:20 AM

kat, the 2 big rival wordprocessing packages on Windows operating systems are Microsoft Word and Corel Word Perfect.

I am just a general user and Word which was on my PC suits my needs (and I consider it to be very user friendly even though it has lots of features - except for that damn staple clip thing - God knows where MS got that irritation from).

It would appear from this thread that both Word and WP have their strengths and weaknesses and that WP may be more suitable for your needs as a writer but assuming you already have Word installed, you would have to take the cost of purchasing WP into the equation and I doubt (my guess) that this cost would be justified.

As far as I understand it Star Office offers similar functionality (and operation and compatibility) to Word but I can't really see the point in downloading it if the version of Word you have meets your requirements.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: GUEST,Midchuck upstairs f/k/a EMG
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 07:48 AM

I have been a WordPerfect fanatic since I started with 4.2, going successively to 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, and now in transition to 9.0. I find that I'm hopelessly dependant on the "reveal codes" feature for formatting purposes. My beloved bride, on the other hand, sticks with the MS Works word processor. Somehow we manage to overcome this, among all the other obstacles to a happy marriage, that we have faced.

A good friend who is a computer professional once made the statement that "WordPerfect 5.1 was the last good word processor." But he never explained quite why.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 08:10 AM

It's funny, I hated Word Perfect 5.1. The actual Wordprocessor was certainly capable and was more popular than Wordstar but I could not stand the way they assigned certain keys and I had already reached the point with computers that I couldn't be bothered learning different ways just for one package, e.g. F1 had become pretty well established as the help key so they used F3 or was it Escape? I seem to remember that doing something unexpected.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 08:37 AM

This is very interesting, especially to see how many people are devoted to Word Perfect 7. We've just ordered a new computer, which is being assembled by a local guru and promises to be faster, better, leap tall buildings and have an extensive memory. Because we're doing this thru a privately owned business, the 'puter isn't coming with the usual software bundles that Staples and Radioshack computers offer. So we're planning to stick good ol' Word Perfect.7 on there and hope for the best. The one frustration I have with that program is getting emails with fancy attachments in Word that read as gobbledy-gook in Word Perfect. Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 11:12 AM

Apart from the numbering systems, it is probably true that Word 5.1 and Wordperfect 3.5 for the Mac (and their PC equivalents) were/are the best for writers. The later versions -- there hasn't been one in Wordperfect for the Mac, though one is coming (I fear the worst) -- have many more features, but they are also (a) bloated; and (b) have these so-called "simplifying" features that are actually very confusing, because they mess up the mental picture one often needs to sort out which level of the system you might be on. This is a particular problem in Windows because there are already layers upon layers of "simplifying" frames. Also, it is worth saying that, in spite of the rhetoric, neither Word nor Wordperfect have ever been tested on ordinary users. I know this because a friend of mine has been doing research on the history of these two systems, and their proliferation. They are designed in house by "experts", i.e. computer people who like nifty new things. Word was originally designed to be for report writing (which is why its formatting instructions are the way they are), and to complement spreadsheets, etc. Wordperfect was designed for writers (which is why it tends to "edit forward" as you go).

The irony is that the later Word has two features that, if they were on an earlier Wordperfect I would not switch over ever: but they are incredibly useful. The first is that you cannot get a horizontal and vertical page rule (picas, etc.) for layout in earlier Wordperfect, so it is useless for reports of any printing quality (more recent Wordperfects for PC seem to have this). The second is that Word has the draft/edit function which is terrific (I don't know if more recent Wordperfects for the MAC do this).
It is also worth saying that ALL WORD PROCESSING PROGRAMMES OF MY KNOWLEDGE STINK WHEN IT COMES TO DOING GRAPHICS. They are hopeless.
Concerning getting documents sent in Word by e-mail easily out into Wordperfect, I have basically despaired. I believe it is not a problem with Word, but everyone sends them in Windows Word, which screws things up. I get people to "Save As" either Word MS-DOS or RTF. That always works. I have tried translation software that works on disk material, but doesn't work on e-mail. One nice macro that you used to be able to get from COREL, and is still available on some Wordperfect user sites solved the problem of the damned hard return formatting that you get when you download or cut and paste stuff into Wordperfect. It kills the unnecessary HRs and reformat.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 12:14 PM

Word? WordPerfect? The debate continues. I've been hearing variations on it since 1983. I've used almost all versions of both for years. I was once a passionate advocate of WordPerfect. I now am content to use whatever is on the PC I am currently sitting at.

Like the current computers they run on, both programs are incredible overkill. They have become swiss army knife programs that try to be all things to all writers. Most users take advantage of less than 10% of their features (a wildly generous estimate).

Both have become almost infinitely customizable. You can make them do anything you want with any set of keystrokes or menu choices, if you want to take the time to customize the program.

I have come to use Winword almost exclusively when given a choice because, for better or worse, it is a Microsoft world.

Russ (the assimilated)

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Sarah2
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 08:47 PM

Sorry, I despise all Word programs. Gimme Quark; it is publication and print ready. All kinds of capabilities that are easy to master. For graphics, it's Adobe, Illustrator (7.0 or higher) and Photoshop. All these are fairly expensive, but nothing else touches them, IMHO.

On the other hand, Pagemaker inventors are scheduled to be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.

But, if I'm writing a song, I'm using my guitar, probably; this makes paper easier to reach than the keyboard...

Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 11:13 PM

I'm a bit behind here...but, yes, I do use CryptEdit..(we have MS Word, but Rita is the typist and heavy user...I find CryptEdit will do MANY things and it is compatible with Word,,,plus encryption if one wants that...and it uses less memory than MS Word.....so for smaller jobs, CryptEdit is fine

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 11:15 PM

(oh...and I am really fighting to avoid getting StarOffice just because it is there & free...what a temptation!...many folks swear by it...but it is SO big)

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 11:36 PM

Lotus Ami Pro 3.0

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 01:25 PM

I like Microsoft Word; but if you want a free word processing package with fairly basic abilities, try Yeah Write, which you can download for free and pay a few dollars for if you like it; try shareware.com or tucows for it or do a search on google and you should find it.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 03:28 PM

Hye, JTT, thanks! I jsut downlaoded Yeah Write and it looks like a neat and easy to use program with a lot of features, without a lot of useless frills to muck about it; exactly what I was looking for, I think.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 04:06 PM

I forgot about YeahWrite..had it on the old (gerbil powered) machine,,pretty little tabs and basic features,,I never did use it much, and didn't download it for this machine...maybe will take another look

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 04:12 PM

I like what I see of it, so far, Bill. MS Works just seems so cumbersome to me, esp. when I am just wanting to make notes, etc. and I don't like Notepad, except for a quick paste and save of something to put in a thread.

Nice to know Yeah Write has the Ol' Curmudgeon Seal of Approval Through Experience and Actual Use or, OCSATEAU, for short!*BG*

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Bardford
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 04:29 PM

For Mac users, there is Nisus Writer. I've not used it, but the reviews over the years have been favourable.
Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 04:35 PM

I downloaded and tried CryptEdit on the basis of the recommendations here and have to say it seems pretty reasonable to me. Many thanks.

mcmoo

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 05:01 PM

great, mcmoo...it is quite a program for being 'free'

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 07:57 PM

As one who composes and rewrites at the keyboard for much of my writing, my first exposure to a wordprocessor was revelatory and exhilirating. I suddenly realized I could stop buying white-out by the 55-gallon drum and that instead of scribbling new ideas and edits in the narrow margins of the page on the platen, I could just drop down the screen a bit and plug in those inspirational flashes immediately, then cut and paste at leisure.

WordStar for DOS was my first WP program, followed by WordPerfect for Windows before finally being swept up by the Redmond juggernaut when I upgraded to Windows 95 and its successors.

Still using Word today, and happily enough, on balance. (Though of course, I evicted the troupe of cutesy "Office Assistants" immediately upon installation of the Office suite.) What I don't like about Word - and its maker - is the arrogant and erroneous assumptions it makes about the way I want to do my formatting, spelling, etc. (For instance, ever tried writing lyrics or a short story in dialect with spell-checker turned on? The page looks like a bloodbath with all the red underlined words!)

My main criterion for a WP program is one that I know so well that it's never an issue, simply a tool. Word fulfills that for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 08:17 PM

For simple wordprocessing, I was very happy with Microsoft Works, up through Version 4.5 (I think I started with Version 1.5 in about 1989). I haven't used Works 2000 for wordprocessing because I've switched over to Word - but I use Works 2000 for the databases I built in Works 10 years ago (and can't convert easily to other formats).
I liked Word for Windows 95 very much. It came as part of Office 95 on my old Pentium 133, and all the programs in Office 95 seemed to be stable and never sluggish. I've found Word for Windows 97 and 2000 to be a bit sluggish (on a Pentium III 600 Mhz), and more likely to crash than Word 95 was. Microsoft loaded the program down with too many features I don't need.
I thought it was going to be great that Word 2000 did HTML, but I found out the hard way that does a very bad job of it.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: hesperis
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 08:40 PM

Word 6.

I have StarOffice on this computer, actually, and I find it is way to big for my needs. It takes a long time to load, and I hate their desktop thingy. When I go into a writing program, I want a blank sheet as soon as possible. I often end up writing things in notepad because even wordpad is too slow to load. I should take Word 6 of my other computer and put it on this one, and get rid of StarOffice. The "art" programs aren't that great in it, either.

If you plan to just write for most of the day, then StarOffice is a good program for it. I like to multi-task, with play evenly distributed as well. So I go on the net, create artwork, edit my website, chat on YM, work on my midis, read all my forums, work on mp3.com stuff, write my stories, etc...

And I barely EVER use a spell-checker.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 03:19 AM

Word has currently acquired a nasty trick which is really irritating. I imported a dictionary in Irish (Gaelspell), and added it through Tools/Options/Spelling/Add.

Now Word refuses to recognise lots of ordinary words in English - "book", for instance. I'm gradually adding them back.

The weird thing is that if you right-click on the underlined word, it's there in the choices, but sliding down to that choice doesn't work.

If you use F7 or Check Spelling, the word is shown in its capitalised version - "Book", for instance - but not in its lower-case ("book") version.

Still, at least I can type in Irish without the whole thing being queried.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers, again - Preferred WP Programs?
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 08:21 AM

On the Mac, word 5.1 was pretty good as WP programs go.
I've managed to crunch Word 98 down into a passable version of Word 5.1, but it's still far too bloated a program, with all kinds of irritations. However, as it seems to be such an industry standard, I've reluctantly stuck with it.
Just for jotting, I quite like Apple's Simple Text - it does exactly what it says on the tin, takes up sod-all memory and its documents can be opened by any text program in any platform (which is more than can be said for Micro$oft's stuff).
On my last newspaper we used a version of Lotus Notes for writing and, believe me, that was a crock of sh**!