#Wordprocessing Program
25 messages in this thread
TO: ALL FROM: Jacquie SUBJECT: Wordprecessing Program
Hello out there, I downloaded some ASCII files to my wordprocessing
program, only to find that the old bugger is worthless. Does anyone have
any opinions as to a new one I might get? From here or store I con't care,
I just want to get going and start learning. I would need one that is for a
beginner/intermediate. Thanks! Jacquie
Jacquie –
Most WP programs will handle ASCII files, but they need to load them in
differently than the files they create. If you told us which wordprocessor
you are using, we might be able to help you use your current program.
A couple of good, intermediate level wordprocessors for the Amiga are
PenPal by Softwood, and ProWrite by New Horizons. Both are capable of
mouse direction, and both will handle graphics. PenPal has a simple
database built in to the package. Either one would probably suffice for
your needs. If you need raw power in a wordprocessor, WordPerfect is just
about the only option.
You should probably avoid wordprocessors labelled as Basic or Beginner
level. You'll outgrow them very rapidly.
Bill, K3OZM
Bill, The wordprocessor that I presently have is LPD Writer. I think the
problem is in the disk itself. I have tried to open the files from it but
the screen freezes. I have two drives and can't get it to go to DF1 to open
files. I've seen Wordperfect for awhile in the stores but gosh it's sure
intimidating just looking at the box! Maybe I should just take the plunge
and go for it. Seems as tho I spend more time reading manuals than I do
actually using them. I have to ask myself, do I really NEED all that raw
power? But then the otherside of that is, what if I ever want it and don't
have it? Gets confusing.
Thanks for the reply. If you have any suggestions don't hesitate, I need
all the help I can get. Honest. Jacquie
Jacquie –
I am not familiar with LPD Writer. That said….. There is probably a way
to load and save ASCII into it. You might look in the index under ASCII or
TEXT. (Some wordprocessors call ASCII the TEXT mode….. I've got no idea
what they thing their program's native mode is.)
WordPerfect is an excellent wordprocessor. However, it has a very steep
learning curve. Most of the box you see in stores is for the manual, which
runs over 600 pages. Just browse through the computer section of any
reasonably large bookstore (Waldenbooks, Dalton's, etc.) and you will
notice rows upon rows of books to help people learn to use WordPerfect. In
fact, WP certifies instructors and seminars on how to use the produce. I
doubt anyone has ever entirely mastered WordPerfect and all it's features.
It isn't all that hard to get up and working, just to master all it's
features. Unless you really need those extensive features, or are writing
commercially, WP is really overkill.
Some folks like Excellence!, by MicroSystems Software. I had a copy of a
previous version, which failed miserably. I've never tried the current
edition because of that. This is an Amiga-only upper end wordprocessor.
Somewhere in the middle lie PenPal and ProWrite. Both of these
wordprocessors have the features needed by a non-commercial user. In fact,
most smaller commercial users could make use of them with little problem.
Both are designed for the Amiga, and allow you to use various fonts and
graphics within your documents.
ProWrite is the faster outputting of the two, but it can't make mailing
labels, and I don't like how it handles complex graphics. For basic
wordprocessing, writing with simple clip art, passionate love letters, or
notes to the kids, it will do a very nice job for you. It's spell checker
is second to none. It is a full featured wordprocessor, and, as such, is
somewhat complex. For most needs, using it is relatively easy, and the
documentation provided will assist in your more complex needs.
[ MORE ]
[ continuation ]
PenPal prints slower than ProWrite, but it handles graphics more
accurately, and contains a general purpose database. It does allow you to
resize the page small enough to use for mailing labels, a plus in for my
needs. Again, it is a full featured wordprocessor, and can be somewhat
complex to master, but fairly simple for every day use. It also comes with
a manual to help with the more complicated features, and a high quality
spell checker.
I have, and frequently use, all of the above except Excellence! My needs
are not the same as yours, as I do need the power of WordPerfect fairly
often. Because of this, WordPerfect is the one I grab most often for most
tasks. When I need graphics, or simply a variety of fonts, I tend to go to
PenPal. I also find myself using PenPal more often for its database
functions. It is just more convenient that running separate programs and
converting them all the time. When I can use previously created black and
white graphics, and don't really need the integrated database, ProWrite
does the job more quickly than PenPal. Page length is a little easier to
control in ProWrite than PenPal, which tends to creep over the page
perforations in longer documents.
If memory is a major consideration, WordPerfect probably uses the least
memory. ProWrite uses less than PenPal, but both use pretty close to a
megabyte. PenPal will run out of memory more quickly than ProWrite,
because they handle graphics and fonts differently, but that should not
normally be a major concern.
Your best bet would be to go to an Amiga dealer and test the programs
before you buy. Whichever feels more comfortable to you should be the one
to purchase. Any of the ones I've mentioned should handle most of your
wordprocessing needs, and then some.
Bill, K3OZM
WOW! Thanks Bill! What a treat, and on Halloween no less. From what
information you and Betty and the others have given me, it appears as tho
I'll be seriously looking at ProWrite. It seems to be just what I'm looking
for and certainly what I can handle. So I was right about Wordperfect eh? I
had this funny feeling that it would be overkill for me, and yes I've seen
MANY books on it and videos too. I'm so gratefull for all the help and
support.
Hey Bill, BTW, what does the K30ZM mean?
My guess is that WordPerfect would probably be overkill for you. I've been
wrong before though. <grin> You might be working on a PhD dissertation or
something, and WP would be the tool to use in that instance.
The K3OZM is my amateur radio callsign. It's been with me for over 30
years now, so I guess it's almost as much a part of my name as the "Bill"
part. <grin>
Bill, K3OZM
My mission today: Investigate ProWrite. Wordperfect is out of my league.
Thanks for the help, I feel like I'm finally going somewhere now.
10/4 Jacquie
Don't, (please don't) say that WordPerfect is out of your league. It is
quite a reasonable program. I am entirely self-taught, and my job is now
to know it "inside and out", as Bill claims might be impossible.
I have, in fact, uncovered a couple of "bugs" (though not bunnies) for the
WordPefect support staff, but overall, the product is quite good.
–An Other Voice
I'd just like to chime in for Excellence. Apparently 2.0 version is
really nice, and the list price was just recently lowered.
— Ethan
Jacquie,
Actually, I don't think WordPerfect is all that hard to learn. I think you
could take the manual and go through its excellent tutorial and do
everything you wanted to do with it. You only have to go as far in the
tutorial as you want to go. Later on, when you need to do something more
complicated, you get out the manual again, and learn to do that. I like
Prowrite – don't misunderstand me! I use both programs. However, I don't
want you to turn down the power of WordPerfect because of all those books.
(I have my own, far from complimentary, opinion on why those books exist
in such abundance, and it has nothing at all to do with the difficulty of
learning the program.)
Please look carefully at the manuals of the programs as well as at the
programs themselves, and THEN decide which is best for your needs. Your
dealer should be willing to let you spend some time with both manual and
program while you decide.
Betty
Hi Betty, Unfortunately, the problems in the Amiga store are many. They've
just changed hands and the one sales/support person is overworked as it is.
One reason why I'm here bugging you. The stock is down also. All in all its
the only game in town, but I'm gonna wait 'em out for now. When I was there
the other day for him to update the outdated program he gave me 2 weeks
ago, it got real busy and he was there alone. I figured I'd let him take
care of business since I was in no hurry. Well, by the time he got done
waiting on everyone, he was talked out and had nothing left of a
personality. He tossed me the disk, offended me and I left.
Now, I went to another store I just heard about that carries minimal Amiga
software. They were out of stock of all wordprocessing programs. I did find
a large selection of magazines for Amiga. I bought every one. VIA
mailorder, I purchased the ProWrite 3.0. I have also found some very good
reading material. The book AmigaDOS Inside & Out was there so I got that
too! I really want to learn that. Anyway, I was leading up to something
here. Oh yeah, The June issue of AMIGA Resource came with a disk. For grins
I put it in and found a ReadMe Icon. Guess what! Yup, I now have access to
those files I downloaded from the Pets forum! I'm so excited!
Looks like I'm getting somewhere here, thanks to you! This is great.
Smilin' now – Jacquie!!!!!!
Jacquie –
You always had access to the files you downloaded from the PETS forum, but
you just did not know it!
In the Utilities (I think) drawer of the WorkBench that came with the
computer is a program called MORE. It is a text reader. Since I doubt
your pet files came with icons, you would have to access it from the shell
with the command line:
sys:utilities/more <filename>
In addition, the notepad on the WorkBench disk could probably be used if
the file isn't too long. This is a somewhat rudimentary word manipulator.
If that were not enough, you also have access to 3 text editors. Ed and
Edit are both in the C: directory, and have to be called from the shell
(CLI). Ed is the better bet just to read the files, as Edit is a line
oriented editor. On the shell, the command would be:
ED <filename> ((to exit ED, you need to type a * then a Q.))
On the EXTRAS diskette there is a third text editor called MEMACS (if
memory serves.) This is a more full featured text editor.
I almost forgot, the TYPE command in the C: directory can also be used to
read text. You would still have to invoke it from the shell by using the
same syntax used for Ed.
All these are freebies that you already have!
Bill, K3OZM
Well Bill you sure know you're stuff!<G> And I don't. Holy moly, what
choices! Although I did try to remember that series in utilities that was
shown to me but it kinda went too fast with too much info at once. I tried
to take notes when he was talking but it was'nt that easy. I knew there was
something with sys and the More comand but could'nt quite get it right. And
to think I had all this just sitting here! I bought ProWrite via
mailorder. It should be here on mon. I'm looking forward to getting it.
Today I got a book called AmigaDOS inside & out. That'll give me something
to work on in the meantime. This should help me learn some of this stuff on
my own too. They had quite a selection of Amiga magazines, I got one of
each! Well okay, so maybe there's one that was essentially useless. In the
frenzy of grabbing I kinda got an extra. One came with a disk and it ends
up there's a read program right in it. Could've knocked me over with a
feather, I finally got to read the files! So, now that I have a general
idea of whats up I can practice with the different methods you've given me
here. Is that CB or HAM Radio that has been added to your name? Jacquie
Well, all that stuff isn't documented very well in the users manuals. There
is a book called The AmigaDOS Manual, which is sanctioned by
Commodore-Amiga, and published by Bantam Books, that does a much better job
of telling you what's available. Mine is an old edition, and ran about
$20. It used to be available at all the major bookstores. I don't know if
it is still there or not – I simply have not looked in a while. After
playing with the workbench disk for a while, you'll learn what is there,
and what can and can not be deleted safely to make customized disks.
ProWrite is a good wordprocessor. New Horizons hangs out over in
AmigaVend, so if you have any problems with it, they can help you out with
a simple message. They provide the kind of customer support that many of
the biggie companies can only dream about.
Just a word of caution. Ed, Edit, MeMacs, and notepad can all change text.
You could use them for limited wordprocessing if you watched yourself,
though they weren't designed for it. So, unless you want to change the
original files, don't use the Save command. (ProWrite will make it much
easier to modify the files once you do get it.)
I am into HAM radio. That's the one where you get to take tests, learn
morse code, and converse with folks all over the world who often can't
speak English. <grin> I sometimes have my doubts about folks in the US
speaking English — but that's another story. <grin>
Bill, K3OZM
Hey Bill,
The man that I rent my business building from is a HAM radio operator. He
lives for his 70ft antena! I always thought that it was a very interesting
hobby. I've seen things on tv where operator have picked up distress
signals and stuff like that. Last year I did a radio show for about 12wks,
and an operator from somewhere in Montana or thereabouts wrote the station
to say he'd picked up the show. I was so bad(not slang), that I honestly
wished only people from out of state could hear me! How do you communicate
with non-english speaking operators? You must have to take it slow. They
have those little language computers now, but I think they're only for
written type.
Regards, Jacquie
Jackquie, You will not be disappointed in ProWrite. It is an excellent
program. I just didn't want you to leave out a different one because
someone said it was hard. Actually, I think they have one of the best
manuals I have found, and their tutorial is excellent. But ProWrite can
handle graphics as well as text, and is a great word processor.
It's great that you are having all these successes. Really helps the
feelings, doesn't it! Let us know, though, if we can be of help to you.
Betty
Thanks Betty,
With certain successes I gain the confidence I need. If I get overwhelmed
then I get intimidated, which leads me to nowhere. Bill said that vendor
support is here too, so I'm happy about that. I don't think that I'm ready
for WordPerfect. In the future, when I get to the point of feeling very
comfortable I'm sure there will be no problem.
Jacquie
Sorry, Jacquie, I have a habit of replying to bits of a thread as I run
into them, even if they have happened weeks ago. I should learn to read
the whole thread, *then* go back and comment where I've got something to
*add*! }=-}
Anyway… I too have heard good things about ProWrite. I'd like to hear
your reactions to the product as well. Since I'm into education, I'm
always interested in what reactions people have in the learning
process-particularly when they're learning on their own.
So! Hey! Let us (or at least me) know how things are going for you with
ProWrite and the Amiga!
By-the-by, I'm not an Amiga demigod by any stretch, myself. I work with
predominantly IBM compatable systems by day, then sneak back home to my
Amiga at night. It's a weird double life for me…
And boy have I got a lot to learn!
–An Other Voice
ProWrite has been a real joy for me. I only wish at this point I could get
past writers block. It was sinfully easy to start up and although I kinda
got lost here and there, I was writing a sample letter without help in less
than 3 hours. ( I always follow the manuals through tutorials.) It has the
power and fun that works great for me. There are more options than I will
probably ever use, but they're there. Someday, I'll no doubt graduate to
WordPerfect, but for now I'm real happy and would gladly recommend it.
Apreciate your input. Jacquie
Bill –
It must be nice to have enough money to be able to afford the luxury of
having different word processors, depending on the weather. I'm jealous.
Jacquie, for general use I can recommend ProWrite (v3.1). It's is easy to
use, has a growing AREX interface, and New Horizons is an excellent outfit
to deal with (they're here in the AmigaVendor section.).
– Nelson …
(I remember when we thought a VDT was better than peanut butter!)
Nelson –
Not rich. If something does not do a job that has to be done, you have to
obtain something that does that job. While I have several wordprocessors,
I have almost as many games. <grin>
Bill, K3OZM
Here, here, Bill! There are things that cannot be done with any other tool
than with a game. <g> Games are very important!
–An Other Voice ext
Jacquie, I support WordPerfect users for the US division of a French bank.
WordPerfect will definitely give you room to grow, but is functional in a
very basic way as well. If you don't want to learn the features it offers,
wyou will not be paralized.
In addition, WordPefect skills will stand you in good stead with the
corporate world. I think I recall propoganda that claimed WordPerfect has
over 65% of the wordprocessing market share. Wether or not that's true, I
can tell you I've seen a large number of "want" adds that list knowledge of
WordPerfect as either an advatage or a necessity.
Though WP is a bit different on the Amiga than on other systems, the WP
conception is much the same, and you can port WP files from one platform
(like, the IBM) to another without hassle.
In short, though WordPerfect may look intimidating, it is nothing to be
afraid of, it may be of use to you in surprising settings, and there are a
*lot* of people around who could help you with it.
–An Other Voice
Jackquie,
You have just started another battle in a very religious war. 🙂 Some of
us think WordPerfect is the best, because it offers very powerful features
like footnotes, indexing, macros, etc. Others think Excellence is better,
and that it offers many of the same features. Most of us like either Pen
Pal or ProWrite because they do such a beautiful job of printing with your
printer's fonts while still letting you print graphics on the same line. Of
these, ProWrite gets the highest markes for online support here in the
forum. WordPerfect has a wonderful 800 number where you can call for help
at any time. Every one of these is a good word processor, and which you
would prefer will depend on your needs. All of them are commercial. I
don't know of even a reasonably good one in shareware or pd. There are
quite a few text editors in Library 7 of AmigaUser that are quite good,
though.
Betty