CompuServe Messages

Nancy, Hi. The next time you speak to Michael Yates you can tell him I'll probably use CIX or Fax when I have future questions or comments. I like Protext 6, too, but there are still a few problems. First, I found a few bugs, but they already fixed them and are sending be the updated version. Next, the program is excellent, BUT, they still need to put the finishing touches in to make it a fully Amigatized program. Yes, I agree the Dialogue boxes are a major improvement, but they should have always been there in the first place. Protext is meant to work basically the same way on all the supported platforms and in an international setting. I think Arnor needs to rethink this if they want to succeed in the U.S. They must make Protext as Amiga-specific as possible. They shouldn't leave out any Amiga-specific features or do things in a non-standard Amiga way, just so the interfaces for all the platforms are the same. They also need to Americanize the program and the manual and sell it as a U.S. edition. Right now, there's one international edition for everybody. The date and time functions bug me. They use the European format of dd/mm/yr, instead of the American format of mm/dd/yr and they use a 24 hour clock instead of AM/PM. You can change the date format in the User Options, but that only affects how the date displays in a directory listing. I'd like to be able to set my date and time preferences and have them used everywhere throughout the program. The manual also refers to pounds instead of dollars and to a full stop instead of a period. Not that big a deal, but since Protext is virtually unheard of in the U.S., there's a great opportunity for it to become a replacement for WordPerfect here, and to do that, I think there should be a U.S. edition of the program. There are still a few areas of the program that do not provide file requesters and the Catalogue Files menu option has got to go. It doesn't comply with the Amiga style guidelines. The Spell Checker is excellent in theory, speed, and execution, but I don't like the interface. You have to type a letter to select an option instead of clicking on an option with the mouse. There also is no option for Ignore Once (only Ignore All), if you use the checker from the menu. You have to run it from Command Mode to use both options. I also don't like the non-standard way they implemented the Cut and Paste options. I've used numerous Amiga word processors, text editors, Midi sequencers, and other programs with Cut/Paste and they ALL work the same way. I don't like and am still having trouble getting used to the Protext method of using Cut/Paste. Finally, and probably the most important thing, they have just got to get rid of the way they implemented the Stored Commands. Having these commands displayed at all times is totally unacceptable. If I use the Date command, it displays the date in European format. Therefore, I must tediously configure and use a stored command so the date displays in the correct U.S. format. But instead of actually seeing the date displayed, I'm forced to endure the display of a cryptic command that will display the date when printed. This is no good. They also need to make a few of the more often-used commands available from the menus, instead of as only stored commands. The Changing Date Function comes to mind. However, the above items could very easily be fixed and Michael Yates has indicated that they do intend to change practically everything I mentioned. That's good, because everything else about the program is truly outstanding. I agree with you about the Graphics Import. Great feature and very nicely done. I also like the Glossary very much. And the Macro/Glossary Editors are also great. The program is indeed powerful and has more features than any other text-based word processor I've ever used or read about. If they can just apply the finishing touches, it will be a truly outstanding product. Thanks for all your help. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–