Greetings Mike, Jim, et. al.--
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Buraczewski <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, March 16, 1998 1:58 AM
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] WordPerfect Upgrade
>The reason I hear most often from WordPerfect users for not >moving to Word
is reveal codes. I grew up (in computer years) using >WordPerfect. At one
point it was the best word processor on the >market for many reasons.
However, in my opinion there has not been >a well developed version of
WordPerfect since DOS ver. 5.1. The >program did not migrate well to the
windows enviornment, and is still >struggling. It does not perform well
when comparing *overall* ease >of use against MS Word.
I agree that, in some respects, WP still struggles a bit in the Win
world, but I take some issue with the claim that overall ease of use
of Word is superior to WP.
>The Power Bar is not nearly as flexible or useful as the multiple >toolbars
available with Word.
Judicious setting of preferences for the tool and power bars in WP
will encompass *all* (or nearly all) of the options requiring the
display of *multiple* toolbars (encroaching on doc real estate) in
Word.
>OLE with other programs has gotten better but not as seamless as in >the
Microsoft product line. The equation editor is a nightmare to >use.
Perhaps. Equation editors are, by definition, nightmares, IMHO.
>Adding simple things like lines, boxes, text anywhere on the page, >moving
an object and anchoring it anywhere on the page etc. just are >not as easy
in WordPerfect.
Adding simple things like lines, boxes, text, etc. is often easier in
WP. For example, one click (on a toolbar button) inserts an image,
which can then be moved, or scaled without first framing it. Also, a
right click (since v. 6.0) on the image brings up image editing tools
(brightness, contrast, etc.). Anchoring the image, admittedly, must
be done twice to make the anchor stick. This, however is also true in
Word. Another ease of use advantage for WP is the ctrl+w access to
alternate character sets. Far simpler than having to go through the
hoops Word puts one through to get a copyright or a cent sign.
Having had a newsletter 'dumped' on me for a little over 2
years, I came to really appreciate the self-generating table of
contents available in the Newsletter expert. Word had no such
capability in its newsletter template. (Still doesn't, at least not in
Office 95). WP does load slower, but it is much more 'code heavy.'
>Although to it's credit, the newest version of WordPerfect is
>getting better with each release. There are many more reasons to use >Word
than not, especially if reveal codes is the only reason not to >migrate.
Reveal codes are a crutch that many long term WordPerfect >users have become
so accustomed to that living without them seems >to be impossible.
From Mr. Meagher's example, "But there is NO way to see
or - more importantly - *remove* all the crud that is hidden in
there." I have often had the experience of opening a doc created on
one machine in Word to find it looking extremely unlike it was
originally intended by its creator using Word on a different
machine. When I (or anyone) take the trouble to 'reveal
codes' in WP and delete the extraneous junk, the chances of a doc
not appearing as it should are greatly reduced, and, of course, the
size of it remains more 'trim.'
>Just my two cents worth, I hope I have not offended anyone.
No offense taken and this is just a trade of my $.02 for yours . . .
Regards,
Paul A. Shippert [log in to unmask] Library/Media Specialist
Margaret Brent Middle School
web: www.smcps.k12.md.us/mbms/index.htm
Phone: 301-884-4635 FAX: 301-884-8937
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" . . . and I'm hovering like a fly
waiting for the windshield on the freeway." Genesis
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