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· Amiga at Work
#WordPerfect
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If anyone can crash the current version of WordPerfect Amiga in any way shape
or form (we're talking 4/15/88) I would sure like to know about it. And I
don't mean "yeah I heard that someone crashed the new one."
Uh-huh.
Unfortunately, I think it's become more fashionable, more "in", "popular",
"fun", and "clique-ish" to deride an excellent company over a fantastic
program. It's amazing the way bad news sticks. I haven't heard anyone
really rave on and on about some of their really favorite products here yet.
(I'm guilty about the same thing, no doubt).
You should've seen some of my initial letters to WP back in October. But
things are much different now, and it's time to wake up to that. especially
since we're not talking about an itsy bitsy featureless product made in
October with no updates that crashed constantly.
I'll see what I can find out; If it _really_ is crash proof, then I'm ready
to buy it; if not, well, scribble works. –ben–
Please keep in touch about this. If you do crash 4/29/88 tell me exactly
how. It won't crash like that again in a few weeks after you tell me.
(I'm not being fecetious).
Please keep in touch about this. If you do crash 4/29/88 tell me exactly
how. It won't crash like that again in a few weeks after you tell me.
(I'm not being fecetious).
I'll see what I can find out; If it _really_ is crash proof, then I'm ready
to buy it; if not, well, scribble works. –ben–
Hey, if it starts working well, we will hear about it. Do you have the
Amiga version? If so, let us know how great it is. It is good that WP Corp
supports the product so well, but if it's unusable to someone because it
mungs their data, then they have a legitimate complaint.
As I was telling Ben, I've been using 4/15/88 version of WordPerfect Amiga
few a few days, and then 4/29/88 WordPerfect for a few weeks. This is on a
512K Amiga with 1 drive, which pushes error checking to its limits.
I haven't seen a single guru. I haven't had my data trashed. I have seen 1
cosmetic problem – the slider bar on the side is inaccurate with double
spacing.
However, I do have up to 5 columns, microspaced justification, complex
macros, complex mail merge, table of contents, index generation, thesaurus,
110,000 word speller, print priorities program that works with ALL WP Corp
products, footnotes and endnotes that renumber and resize themselves
automatically, fantastic header/footer (and pagenumbering) support, and
automatic hyphenation.
So far all those features have performed flawlessly for me. I haven't tried
the Math part – I have no use for it.
I don't know about earlier Amiga versions, but I suspect the program wsa
corrected earlier, and the bad press "lives on". I know they are still
getting trashed in the Atari community for a release that was solid in
1/8/88.
I'm not saying this because I'm biased. I simply haven't had a single crash.
Henry,
The bad press comes from a lot of people reporting that they had problems,
a lot of news about which update was the atest (you almost need a scorecard),
on this and many other networks, in user groups, etc.
Now, I will say one thing. WP Corp has a great customer support philosophy,
and I applaud them for that. One can excuse a lot of problems if you know
they will be made right, but that doesn't mean that everyone who has ever had
the program will be happy. I know a few who sold it, because they just
couldn't afford, or wouldn't put up with the bugs.
Please note that i am not bashing WP or WP Corp. I am merely pointing out
that a lot of the criticism has basis in fact.
-larry
I really can't defend WordPerfect a whole lot for releasing a buggy
product. There's not much that can be used to defned a $250 program that
crashes all the time.
However, it's distressing to hear people say that "it still crashes all
the time" or watch the bad press linger around for a very long time after the
product has been fixed. We are talking -hard working peoplewho made an
honest mistake and have since rectified the problem. I wish good news stuck
around as easily as the bad news does. I've bene using WP Amiga ever since I
had my Amiga – and have yet to visit Mr. Guru. I've done spelling checking,
footnotes, columns, everything available in list files, macros, you name it
(except for math) and haven't seen a thing.
WP Atari chose -not- to keep releasing new versions every other week.
Consequently people perceived them as not working hard enough. It's one or
the other – new versions alot or hold off for a few months. What to do?
The answer is (of course) to test a produt much more thoroughly before it
comes out. Considering the -considerable- revamping of the beta test
departments, I doubt if anything else from WP will be severely problematic
the first time through.
But in any case, let's try to move ahead. WP is an incredible
WordProcessor that is solid as we speak. And has been for awhile. It has no
compeition currently, and it's a great investment. They plan on continually
improving the product and backing it 100%.
Henry,
Just two things…
1. Good news does stick around. I recommend programs all the time. For games,
I have yet to see a better playing, more well behaved, and un-copy protected
game than Mindwalker. I heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a game,
and if that doesn't constitute good news 'sticking around', i don't know what
does.
2. The bad news sticks around as long as there are still early versions of WP
out there, with owners who don't know they can get their problems fixed. Not
everyone is online as much as we are, or belongs to a user group.
-larry
WordPerfect has mailed at least 1 update to all Amiga owners – with no phone
calls or anything. Blind mailing. If someone still has an old version, it's
because they're a thief or WP Corp lost their information (it does happen –
there were reports of customer support having people down as IBM or Amiga
owners and not gettipng ST updates, etc. – it does happen).
But you know what happened when those people were found? WordPerfect Corp.
FEDERAL EXPRESSED them updates overnight, no charge. As a dealer we've
gotten several 2 day fed exes from them (without asking)
If a person walks into a dealer, buys Word perfect, and does not send in the
registration card (do you know the average return rate on those cards/), then
they will not be on WP Corp's mailing list. it happens.
-larry
You are very right. That's why every single time I sell a copy of
WordPerfect, I say "be sure to send in your warranty card to get the updates
and customer service. It's a very essential link between you and the
company, and you won't get a significant return on your investment if you
don't do it". That seems to work – I have not a single customer who didn't
get ST 4/15/88 WordPerfect. Curiously enough, after all that work, they
completely forgot about me. 🙂
I think salespersons should stress the importance of those registrations
cards with productivity software. I can't tell you how many times I've heard
"I can't get the Mark WIlliams C update for $50 because I didn't turn in my
warranty card and I found out about the deadline too late. Now I have to pay
$100". Or, "Gee I just heard I could get the PUblishing Partner Professional
update for $50 and the deadline was yesterday. Now it's $115. Wish I'd sent
in that warranty card".
Maybe unimportant for games, but important for productivity.
Henry as a service to your customers maybe you could open the package and
fill out the card from the recipt. Or better yet have the companys that
sell thru you store authorise you to sell updates? That would make my
local dealer a heck of a lot more use!!! And good after support promo!
Really? Your local dealer doesn't update you?? As a dealer, our letters
from WordPerfect say "PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CUSTOMERS."
Now that is a hell of alot of support. Alot of companies don't allow that
because they don't trust the dealers – they want to be in charge and in
control of the update process.
If your dealer won't update you, ESPECIALLY if you bought from him, then you
need to complain!!
By the way, this only holds true for bug fixes. Not for charged updates from
4.2 to 5.0 of course (then you need a new manual). Also, I'm not sure what
the policy is for non-bug fix updates that they charge for. Hmmm. Supposedly
they only charge for the disks…(mind working…hmm..) which would mean that
it would be OK for the dealer to update you even in that situation….and
following that logic, it makes it all the more important to buy WP from a
dealer and not mail order…which is a way of supporting the dealer. (If
this logic is correct).
I need to fire another message to Don Curtis about dealer support if this is
true!
Really? Your local dealer doesn't update you?? As a dealer, our letters
from WordPerfect say "PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CUSTOMERS."
Now that is a hell of alot of support. Alot of companies don't allow that
because they don't trust the dealers – they want to be in charge and in
control of the update process.
If your dealer won't update you, ESPECIALLY if you bought from him, then you
need to complain!!
By the way, this only holds true for bug fixes. Not for charged updates from
4.2 to 5.0 of course (then you need a new manual). Also, I'm not sure what
the policy is for non-bug fix updates that they charge for. Hmmm. Supposedly
they only charge for the disks…(mind working…hmm..) which would mean that
it would be OK for the dealer to update you even in that situation….and
following that logic, it makes it all the more important to buy WP from a
dealer and not mail order…which is a way of supporting the dealer. (If
this logic is correct).
I need to fire another message to Don Curtis about dealer support if this is
true!
Henry as a service to your customers maybe you could open the package and
fill out the card from the recipt. Or better yet have the companys that
sell thru you store authorise you to sell updates? That would make my
local dealer a heck of a lot more use!!! And good after support promo!
You are very right. That's why every single time I sell a copy of
WordPerfect, I say "be sure to send in your warranty card to get the updates
and customer service. It's a very essential link between you and the
company, and you won't get a significant return on your investment if you
don't do it". That seems to work – I have not a single customer who didn't
get ST 4/15/88 WordPerfect. Curiously enough, after all that work, they
completely forgot about me. 🙂
I think salespersons should stress the importance of those registrations
cards with productivity software. I can't tell you how many times I've heard
"I can't get the Mark WIlliams C update for $50 because I didn't turn in my
warranty card and I found out about the deadline too late. Now I have to pay
$100". Or, "Gee I just heard I could get the PUblishing Partner Professional
update for $50 and the deadline was yesterday. Now it's $115. Wish I'd sent
in that warranty card".
Maybe unimportant for games, but important for productivity.
larry then it's their fault for not registering the product. They cant play
the game unless the card is mailed in.
Of course Mike. But people will be people. I would bet that if I asked 100
AMiga owners how many registration cards they mailed in, there would be a
significant number that would say 'none'. There would be an even greater
number that would say 'some', and the lowest count would be the group that
said 'all of them'.
-larry
I don't think that's quite true of WordPerfect tho – probably true of games.
The manual says to get support, you have to mail in the card, and it's the
way it's presented in the manual, it looks like you need to send it in.
But I agree with games, many cards get left lying on a table and then swept
away.
I don't think that's quite true of WordPerfect tho – probably true of games.
The manual says to get support, you have to mail in the card, and it's the
way it's presented in the manual, it looks like you need to send it in.
But I agree with games, many cards get left lying on a table and then swept
away.
Gee, Larry, you seem more tolerant of people who do not take the
"responsibility" to register than of those who do not take the
"resonsibility"X to notice that screen messages and disk drive lights are at
odds. 🙂
// Jim
Gee, Larry, you seem more tolerant of people who do not take the
"responsibility" to register than of those who do not take the
"resonsibility"X to notice that screen messages and disk drive lights are at
odds. 🙂
// Jim
Of course Mike. But people will be people. I would bet that if I asked 100
AMiga owners how many registration cards they mailed in, there would be a
significant number that would say 'none'. There would be an even greater
number that would say 'some', and the lowest count would be the group that
said 'all of them'.
-larry
larry then it's their fault for not registering the product. They cant play
the game unless the card is mailed in.
If a person walks into a dealer, buys Word perfect, and does not send in the
registration card (do you know the average return rate on those cards/), then
they will not be on WP Corp's mailing list. it happens.
-larry
Henry – Just to jump in here, I'm a registered owner/user of WordPerfect and
have _never_ been mailed an update yet (I bought one of the first ones out,
7/something/87. After reading the messages here, I called them yesterday
about some problems with printer selection and they cheerfully agreed to send
me the update. They claim I am listed in their records, too. I have been
very happy with their support, and use WP all the time, putting up with the
odd crash or lock, usually to do with printing somehow. I will be very glad
to see a version that doesn't crash – I hope the latest version is the one!
@ Anne
Most of the problems that I've seen with the latest WP are slight cosmetic
defects in some of the places. If there's anything nastier, please let me
know. I'm glad to here of your good experiences – it's funny that those who
badmouth the program don't own it, and those who really like it do own it,
isn't it?
I have nothing but good things to say about the customer support of WP.
However, as a somewhat more cynical person I know pointed out, it's too bad
that they have been called upon to provide _lots_ of support for a product
released so full of bugs. I'm glad to see most of them worked out, and I get
the impression that the current version, for most of us pedestrian users, is
stable. Now if WP 5.0 for Amiga ever appears, well…. <grin> @ Anne
WordPerfect 5.0 for the Amiga is coming – and it'll be quite superior than
the IBM version. This time it's getting written for the Amiga from ghe
ground up. Previously they stuck with IBM algorithms to save time and money,
because it was a risky venture (that paid off quite nicely).
WordPerfect 5.0 for the Amiga is coming – and it'll be quite superior than
the IBM version. This time it's getting written for the Amiga from ghe
ground up. Previously they stuck with IBM algorithms to save time and money,
because it was a risky venture (that paid off quite nicely).
I have nothing but good things to say about the customer support of WP.
However, as a somewhat more cynical person I know pointed out, it's too bad
that they have been called upon to provide _lots_ of support for a product
released so full of bugs. I'm glad to see most of them worked out, and I get
the impression that the current version, for most of us pedestrian users, is
stable. Now if WP 5.0 for Amiga ever appears, well…. <grin> @ Anne
I think anyone who owns WP and has dealt with Customer Support would have
to be a misanthrope not to like it–a program is more than code, it is the
CONTEXT (docs, customer support, copy protection, other users, etc.) of
that code; WordPerfect Corp. is really a standard setter in many ways. If
you do not own the program and merely see it ina store or friend's house,
you will evaluate only the look and feel-which is always subjective. I
didn't like Word Perfect so much at first: it takes longer to get from top
to bottom of a document than Easy Script on my 64 ever did, for one thing
But I like it a LOT now. I like the Company even better. // Jim
I think anyone who owns WP and has dealt with Customer Support would have
to be a misanthrope not to like it–a program is more than code, it is the
CONTEXT (docs, customer support, copy protection, other users, etc.) of
that code; WordPerfect Corp. is really a standard setter in many ways. If
you do not own the program and merely see it ina store or friend's house,
you will evaluate only the look and feel-which is always subjective. I
didn't like Word Perfect so much at first: it takes longer to get from top
to bottom of a document than Easy Script on my 64 ever did, for one thing
But I like it a LOT now. I like the Company even better. // Jim
Most of the problems that I've seen with the latest WP are slight cosmetic
defects in some of the places. If there's anything nastier, please let me
know. I'm glad to here of your good experiences – it's funny that those who
badmouth the program don't own it, and those who really like it do own it,
isn't it?
Henry – Just to jump in here, I'm a registered owner/user of WordPerfect and
have _never_ been mailed an update yet (I bought one of the first ones out,
7/something/87. After reading the messages here, I called them yesterday
about some problems with printer selection and they cheerfully agreed to send
me the update. They claim I am listed in their records, too. I have been
very happy with their support, and use WP all the time, putting up with the
odd crash or lock, usually to do with printing somehow. I will be very glad
to see a version that doesn't crash – I hope the latest version is the one!
@ Anne
WordPerfect has mailed at least 1 update to all Amiga owners – with no phone
calls or anything. Blind mailing. If someone still has an old version, it's
because they're a thief or WP Corp lost their information (it does happen –
there were reports of customer support having people down as IBM or Amiga
owners and not gettipng ST updates, etc. – it does happen).
But you know what happened when those people were found? WordPerfect Corp.
FEDERAL EXPRESSED them updates overnight, no charge. As a dealer we've
gotten several 2 day fed exes from them (without asking)
Henry,
Just two things…
1. Good news does stick around. I recommend programs all the time. For games,
I have yet to see a better playing, more well behaved, and un-copy protected
game than Mindwalker. I heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a game,
and if that doesn't constitute good news 'sticking around', i don't know what
does.
2. The bad news sticks around as long as there are still early versions of WP
out there, with owners who don't know they can get their problems fixed. Not
everyone is online as much as we are, or belongs to a user group.
-larry
I recently received a flyer about WP's soon to be released Word
Perfect Library. Since I seem to remember that you've been involved in
beta testing for WP, I'd like to know what you think of it. I'm very
curious, but some of its features look similar to a series of programs
already available in PD and shareware.
So what do think? Have you seen it? Is it better than the PD and
shareware variety?????
Anyone else out there with an opinion about this????
I recently received a flyer about WP's soon to be released Word
Perfect Library. Since I seem to remember that you've been involved in
beta testing for WP, I'd like to know what you think of it. I'm very
curious, but some of its features look similar to a series of programs
already available in PD and shareware.
So what do think? Have you seen it? Is it better than the PD and
shareware variety?????
Anyone else out there with an opinion about this????
I really can't defend WordPerfect a whole lot for releasing a buggy
product. There's not much that can be used to defned a $250 program that
crashes all the time.
However, it's distressing to hear people say that "it still crashes all
the time" or watch the bad press linger around for a very long time after the
product has been fixed. We are talking -hard working peoplewho made an
honest mistake and have since rectified the problem. I wish good news stuck
around as easily as the bad news does. I've bene using WP Amiga ever since I
had my Amiga – and have yet to visit Mr. Guru. I've done spelling checking,
footnotes, columns, everything available in list files, macros, you name it
(except for math) and haven't seen a thing.
WP Atari chose -not- to keep releasing new versions every other week.
Consequently people perceived them as not working hard enough. It's one or
the other – new versions alot or hold off for a few months. What to do?
The answer is (of course) to test a produt much more thoroughly before it
comes out. Considering the -considerable- revamping of the beta test
departments, I doubt if anything else from WP will be severely problematic
the first time through.
But in any case, let's try to move ahead. WP is an incredible
WordProcessor that is solid as we speak. And has been for awhile. It has no
compeition currently, and it's a great investment. They plan on continually
improving the product and backing it 100%.
Larry the main problem with word perfect came from marketing pressure to get
product out. The july release would have been better delayed a month or two
to get some of the major headaches removed. All things considered this
product has been a superior performer in terms of sales and after sale
support.
Larry the main problem with word perfect came from marketing pressure to get
product out. The july release would have been better delayed a month or two
to get some of the major headaches removed. All things considered this
product has been a superior performer in terms of sales and after sale
support.
Henry,
The bad press comes from a lot of people reporting that they had problems,
a lot of news about which update was the atest (you almost need a scorecard),
on this and many other networks, in user groups, etc.
Now, I will say one thing. WP Corp has a great customer support philosophy,
and I applaud them for that. One can excuse a lot of problems if you know
they will be made right, but that doesn't mean that everyone who has ever had
the program will be happy. I know a few who sold it, because they just
couldn't afford, or wouldn't put up with the bugs.
Please note that i am not bashing WP or WP Corp. I am merely pointing out
that a lot of the criticism has basis in fact.
-larry
As I was telling Ben, I've been using 4/15/88 version of WordPerfect Amiga
few a few days, and then 4/29/88 WordPerfect for a few weeks. This is on a
512K Amiga with 1 drive, which pushes error checking to its limits.
I haven't seen a single guru. I haven't had my data trashed. I have seen 1
cosmetic problem – the slider bar on the side is inaccurate with double
spacing.
However, I do have up to 5 columns, microspaced justification, complex
macros, complex mail merge, table of contents, index generation, thesaurus,
110,000 word speller, print priorities program that works with ALL WP Corp
products, footnotes and endnotes that renumber and resize themselves
automatically, fantastic header/footer (and pagenumbering) support, and
automatic hyphenation.
So far all those features have performed flawlessly for me. I haven't tried
the Math part – I have no use for it.
I don't know about earlier Amiga versions, but I suspect the program wsa
corrected earlier, and the bad press "lives on". I know they are still
getting trashed in the Atari community for a release that was solid in
1/8/88.
I'm not saying this because I'm biased. I simply haven't had a single crash.
Larry,
I wish someone would POST a list of the things that are supposed to
crash WordPerfect. IF they do, I'll try each and every one on my copy
(4/15/88).
I've had the Amiga version of WordPerfect since it came out. I even
waited until January to get my first update – and only because the DATE
function wasn't working properly. I use it extensively (although not all of
the features yet), and have YET to have it CRASH on me – OR DESTROY DATA.
So I get a little tired hearing that it does things to other people
that it has never done to me. If someone can list a sequence of actions that
will crash or garble data, I'll say O.K., I'm wrong. Until then, I'll believe
that it was caused by "external" forces (hardware/software), or Propoganda by
people wishing to sell something else.
Not that I think WordPerfect is "perfect". I just get tired of
hearing the negative comments when *I* can't evaluate the source of those
comments.
Lloyd
Thank you! I've also given the same request to many people. I have YET to
get a response!
I do believe there is a 4/29/88 WordPerfect Amiga, also. You may want to
call customer support.
Thank you! I've also given the same request to many people. I have YET to
get a response!
I do believe there is a 4/29/88 WordPerfect Amiga, also. You may want to
call customer support.
Lloyd,
I am a new purchaser of WP, and I've had the program crash a few
times. How do I tell what version I have? The only place I see a date is on
the HELP window, and that is Jan 7, 1988. Is this the version date? If so,
who do I talk to to get the latest vesrion.
Jeff
OOPS! you've got an old one. Call customer service (the number's in the
installation section – toll free). You'll get a free update ASAP. You've
got old stock.
OOPS! you've got an old one. Call customer service (the number's in the
installation section – toll free). You'll get a free update ASAP. You've
got old stock.
Jeff,
You have an older version, as the other message mentioned. The
toll-free number is in the manual – page 551.
I don't doubt that WordPerfect can be crashed (anything can), but I'm
just trying to get people to tell me HOW it has crashed. I want to see if I
can duplicate the crash. Is there any function, or series of actions you can
take that will predictably cause WP to crash? If so, please tell me.
Lloyd
Try loading an ICON…Dave
I loaded an Icon last night. Now I admit I never tried it with the
OLDER versions of WordPerfect, but with the 4/15/88 version it didn't
"Crash". Now it DID exhibit a nasty flaw – if you forced the load as a
WordPerfect file (after answering the requester that asks you if you wish to
continue to load a "non-WP" file), IF you MOVED the CURSOR after the load,
the HYPHENATION requester would come up and you wouldn't be able to "get out"
of it. IF you CLEAR the file BEFORE you move the cursor – you are OK. But if
I moved the cursor I would end up having to reboot to get away from the
Hyphenation requester (effectively doing the same thing as a "crash", but
still not a real Crash). Now if the ICON was loaded with TEXT IN (CTRL F5)
instead, the hyphenation requester COULD eventually be "silenced" long enough
to CLEAR the file from memory.
This does need looking into, in my opinion. The Hyphenation requester
pops up even though it hasn't been "turned on" as an option.
But still not a Bona-Fide "crash". Maybe earlier versions would crash
– I don't know. I don't save ICONS with my DOCUMENTS, and I have all the
DOCUMENTS in their own SUBDIRECTORY. So I never loaded one by accident.
Lloyd
We had a similar problem with the hyphenation box with Atari WP. We were
told that what's happening is that the lines in the file are so long (like
can go out to 5,000 characters) that do to autoformatting it keeps popping up
to split it up – even if it's not turned on.
The only way around it, and the only thing they can do, and the only thing
they can suggest doing, is keep "accepting" until it stops (it will
eventually, believe me). At that point you can clear.
The problem is the autoformatting – it keeps formatting the document at 80
columns (or whatever your margin is) and when it can't deal with a 5,000
character line (with no spaces or CRs) it MUST pop up the hyphenation box.
I'm not sure that's the best answer. Perhaps they can insert CR's
automatically to break it up, or not allow icons to be loaded in the first
place (like maybe there are a few bytes in a file to identify it as an icon?)
But it doesn't hang the system – put up with it and it goes away.
Henry,
Like I said, I never loaded an ICON into WordPerfect before, even by
accident. There should be a way to "exit" more gracefully though.
It's not a big problem to me. Maybe to others it is.
Lloyd
Henry,
Like I said, I never loaded an ICON into WordPerfect before, even by
accident. There should be a way to "exit" more gracefully though.
It's not a big problem to me. Maybe to others it is.
Lloyd
We had a similar problem with the hyphenation box with Atari WP. We were
told that what's happening is that the lines in the file are so long (like
can go out to 5,000 characters) that do to autoformatting it keeps popping up
to split it up – even if it's not turned on.
The only way around it, and the only thing they can do, and the only thing
they can suggest doing, is keep "accepting" until it stops (it will
eventually, believe me). At that point you can clear.
The problem is the autoformatting – it keeps formatting the document at 80
columns (or whatever your margin is) and when it can't deal with a 5,000
character line (with no spaces or CRs) it MUST pop up the hyphenation box.
I'm not sure that's the best answer. Perhaps they can insert CR's
automatically to break it up, or not allow icons to be loaded in the first
place (like maybe there are a few bytes in a file to identify it as an icon?)
But it doesn't hang the system – put up with it and it goes away.
Lloyd, that's how I got in trouble. The ICON was left over from a file
that I had in there before I stopped saving ICONs. The version I am using
is the very latest (later than the 4-15 version I think, I'll look). When
I did it I got no requestor, just a total lock up of the system that had to
be rebooted. I'll try it again and see what it is realy doing, I just
deleated the .info file and proceeded. It's an off-the-wall event anyway,
I don't think many people will be using the ICON option, but it should be
fixed…Dave
No "lockup" here, but I couldn't really get out of that Hyphenation
requester. It should be worked on – either to IGNORE files with .info at the
end, or to allow a graceful exit from a mistake.
Lloyd
Lloyd, seems like one should not be allowed to load an .info file…Dave
Lloyd, seems like one should not be allowed to load an .info file…Dave
No "lockup" here, but I couldn't really get out of that Hyphenation
requester. It should be worked on – either to IGNORE files with .info at the
end, or to allow a graceful exit from a mistake.
Lloyd
Lloyd, that's how I got in trouble. The ICON was left over from a file
that I had in there before I stopped saving ICONs. The version I am using
is the very latest (later than the 4-15 version I think, I'll look). When
I did it I got no requestor, just a total lock up of the system that had to
be rebooted. I'll try it again and see what it is realy doing, I just
deleated the .info file and proceeded. It's an off-the-wall event anyway,
I don't think many people will be using the ICON option, but it should be
fixed…Dave
WP has had the problem you're describing since the very first release.
The "problem" with the hyphenation requester isn't a problem at all, but an
annoying side-effect with autoformatting. I saw a long explanation about it
once, and to be frank, it's been several months ago. But the gist of it is
that there is absolutely no way around it, and if you are patient with it it
will go away.
The only time anyone should ever run into it is when loading machine language
files or something bizarre like that.
Now, there was a bug from a very long time ago that's been fixed, when the
hyphenation would pop up when it shouldn't have….but that was a different
problem that's now gone.
Who wants to spend ten minutes (or who knows how long) clicking the mouse?
Seems like there ought to be _some_ sort of protection or way out.
pp
I agree! My only point is that it hasn't really crashed. I'll see what's
up with that.
pp
I agree! My only point is that it hasn't really crashed. I'll see what's
up with that.
The "problem" with the hyphenation requester isn't a problem at all, but an
annoying side-effect with autoformatting. I saw a long explanation about it
once, and to be frank, it's been several months ago. But the gist of it is
that there is absolutely no way around it, and if you are patient with it it
will go away.
The only time anyone should ever run into it is when loading machine language
files or something bizarre like that.
Now, there was a bug from a very long time ago that's been fixed, when the
hyphenation would pop up when it shouldn't have….but that was a different
problem that's now gone.
I loaded an Icon last night. Now I admit I never tried it with the
OLDER versions of WordPerfect, but with the 4/15/88 version it didn't
"Crash". Now it DID exhibit a nasty flaw – if you forced the load as a
WordPerfect file (after answering the requester that asks you if you wish to
continue to load a "non-WP" file), IF you MOVED the CURSOR after the load,
the HYPHENATION requester would come up and you wouldn't be able to "get out"
of it. IF you CLEAR the file BEFORE you move the cursor – you are OK. But if
I moved the cursor I would end up having to reboot to get away from the
Hyphenation requester (effectively doing the same thing as a "crash", but
still not a real Crash). Now if the ICON was loaded with TEXT IN (CTRL F5)
instead, the hyphenation requester COULD eventually be "silenced" long enough
to CLEAR the file from memory.
This does need looking into, in my opinion. The Hyphenation requester
pops up even though it hasn't been "turned on" as an option.
But still not a Bona-Fide "crash". Maybe earlier versions would crash
– I don't know. I don't save ICONS with my DOCUMENTS, and I have all the
DOCUMENTS in their own SUBDIRECTORY. So I never loaded one by accident.
Lloyd
Try loading an ICON…Dave
Jeff,
You have an older version, as the other message mentioned. The
toll-free number is in the manual – page 551.
I don't doubt that WordPerfect can be crashed (anything can), but I'm
just trying to get people to tell me HOW it has crashed. I want to see if I
can duplicate the crash. Is there any function, or series of actions you can
take that will predictably cause WP to crash? If so, please tell me.
Lloyd
Lloyd,
I am a new purchaser of WP, and I've had the program crash a few
times. How do I tell what version I have? The only place I see a date is on
the HELP window, and that is Jan 7, 1988. Is this the version date? If so,
who do I talk to to get the latest vesrion.
Jeff
Lloyd:
While I am not about to try to intentionally create the condition that caused
loss of data again on purpose (I did spend several days doing just that for
WP Corp and that was enough), I definately lost data. Basically three
different things were causing data loss:
1. Deleting a code while in two column that should not have been
deleted. This is WP's fault (IMNSHO) as their Delete/Cut/Copy
operations should check for such codes and at least warn the user.
Most importantly though is this IS NOT an ami specific problem.
2. Timed backup munged files, this has been corrected in the latest
release.
3. Exceeding WP's path length limits. This was sometimes a
recoverable loss if the OS could revalidate the directory. One
nice thing about WP in this regard is that if you use logical
assigns WP does USE them.
I personally have not had a crash that I could attribute to WP since this
latest release though I am not using it nearly as much as before.
73, bill
Bill, loading an ICON (opps) as a text file will lock up the program
too…Dave
Bill, loading an ICON (opps) as a text file will lock up the program
too…Dave
Yeah, if YOU spent several days trying to duplicate the condition, I think it
must have been an obscure problem. I'm sure that it existed, but your
description is far from "it crashes all the time" which I'm still hearing
from others.
Yeah, if YOU spent several days trying to duplicate the condition, I think it
must have been an obscure problem. I'm sure that it existed, but your
description is far from "it crashes all the time" which I'm still hearing
from others.
Bill,
Thanks for something concrete. I'll try the first item you mentioned.
I've used multiple columns with no problems, but haven't done block-deletes
in them. I'll see.
I've always used timed backups, however, with no problems. I was
using 10 min. intervals when I first started using WP, now I use 15.
That third item is also something that I haven't had any problem
with, so I'll have to try an extra long path to test it. I try to keep my
subdirectory names on the short side anyway – just to save typing. But I will
try it.
Once again, thanks for the concrete examples.
Lloyd
Bill,
Thanks for something concrete. I'll try the first item you mentioned.
I've used multiple columns with no problems, but haven't done block-deletes
in them. I'll see.
I've always used timed backups, however, with no problems. I was
using 10 min. intervals when I first started using WP, now I use 15.
That third item is also something that I haven't had any problem
with, so I'll have to try an extra long path to test it. I try to keep my
subdirectory names on the short side anyway – just to save typing. But I will
try it.
Once again, thanks for the concrete examples.
Lloyd
Lloyd:
While I am not about to try to intentionally create the condition that caused
loss of data again on purpose (I did spend several days doing just that for
WP Corp and that was enough), I definately lost data. Basically three
different things were causing data loss:
1. Deleting a code while in two column that should not have been
deleted. This is WP's fault (IMNSHO) as their Delete/Cut/Copy
operations should check for such codes and at least warn the user.
Most importantly though is this IS NOT an ami specific problem.
2. Timed backup munged files, this has been corrected in the latest
release.
3. Exceeding WP's path length limits. This was sometimes a
recoverable loss if the OS could revalidate the directory. One
nice thing about WP in this regard is that if you use logical
assigns WP does USE them.
I personally have not had a crash that I could attribute to WP since this
latest release though I am not using it nearly as much as before.
73, bill
Lloyd, same here, it's workin' like a champ for me…Dave
Lloyd, same here, it's workin' like a champ for me…Dave
Larry,
I wish someone would POST a list of the things that are supposed to
crash WordPerfect. IF they do, I'll try each and every one on my copy
(4/15/88).
I've had the Amiga version of WordPerfect since it came out. I even
waited until January to get my first update – and only because the DATE
function wasn't working properly. I use it extensively (although not all of
the features yet), and have YET to have it CRASH on me – OR DESTROY DATA.
So I get a little tired hearing that it does things to other people
that it has never done to me. If someone can list a sequence of actions that
will crash or garble data, I'll say O.K., I'm wrong. Until then, I'll believe
that it was caused by "external" forces (hardware/software), or Propoganda by
people wishing to sell something else.
Not that I think WordPerfect is "perfect". I just get tired of
hearing the negative comments when *I* can't evaluate the source of those
comments.
Lloyd
Hey, if it starts working well, we will hear about it. Do you have the
Amiga version? If so, let us know how great it is. It is good that WP Corp
supports the product so well, but if it's unusable to someone because it
mungs their data, then they have a legitimate complaint.