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Subject:Re: word processing programs From:Matt Ion <soundy -at- NEXTLEVEL -dot- COM> Date:Sat, 11 Nov 1995 13:12:23 PST
On Wed, 1 Nov 1995 20:51:44 -0500 you wrote:
> I am in the process of upgrading the software on my PC and I
>wanted to get some comments about different word processing programs.
Personally, I use QEdit (yeah, good ol' QEdit) for most of my "word
processing". Adding fonts, layouts, etc. can be relegated to the heavier-duty
tools later, but for the initial entry, editing and proofing of the text, I
find QEdit plenty powerful (block functions, split windows, spellcheker, ASCII
chart, etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum), and best of all, blindingly fast compared
to overblown GUI-interface apps.
>The program I am currently using is Wordperfect5.1, I have had this for
>about 5 years. Although it still works fine, I am looking for something
>that offers more options for graphics and fonts, etc. The two programs
>that I am looking at are Wordperfect 6.1 for windows and Microsoft Word
>for windows. I have also recently heard about a program called Amipro
>but I don't know much about it.
AmiPro is made by Lotus (as in, 1-2-3, SmartSuite, etc.) and is the third of
the word-processing "Big Three".
My own choice, which will likely get me flamed but which I would highly
recommend taking a look at, is DeScribe for OS/2. Just as full-featured as
the Windows competition, by inherantly more powerful by virtue of its
operating platform.
It's nice, if I have to print a 100-page proof, to simply click the "Quick
Print" icon and go straight back to typing -- no Print Manager to deal with,
no hourglass, no "Printing, please wait...", just an unobtrusive little window
that pops up (without stealing the focus) to let me know its doing its job, so
I can continue writing.
It does all the standard stuff as well... linked frames across pages, TOC,
footnotes, styles, tables, graphics importing (just drag-n-drop a graphic file
into the document), multilingual spelling and grammar checker (included, BTW -
extra languages are NOT an add-on)... etc. etc. etc.
Oh, and let me just head this one off at the pass: I don't want to hear anyone
shoot down the idea of changing to a new operating system, then turn around
and recommend MS-Word 7 or something.
New personal email address: soundy -at- nextlevel -dot- com
Internet Direct tech address: mion -at- direct -dot- ca