Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!helios.physics.utoronto.ca!ria!braille.uwo.ca!bill
From: bill@braille.uwo.ca (Bill Carss)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Term Progs
Message-ID: <.675501501@braille.uwo.ca>
Date: 29 May 91 07:18:21 GMT
References: <3305.apple.a2.net@pro-nbs> <3655@kluge.fiu.edu>
Sender: news@ria.ccs.uwo.ca
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I am very reluctant (although not too reluctant boviously) to put in my two
cents re the present discussion.

I must object to the contention that WordPerfect is "easy to
use".  I have taught people to use it, provided support for support staff
who use it and had lengthy discussions with support staff from WordPerfec in
Utah about it.  I think that qualifies me to make a couple of comments about it.

First:  WordPerfect is an extremely versatile program - assuming you can take 
the time to learn how to do the things you want to do.  If you have several daysto commit to learning the ins and outs of the program you can eventually learn
to do darn near any word processing / desktop publishing activity imaginable 
with it.

Second:  Probably 80% of the people who use WordPerfect on a daily basis never
come close to using half of its power, never mind its features.  If you 
don't mind buing a cadi when all you need is a horse, this program is for you.

Third:  If you don't mind using a program that clearly had little or no logical
planning during its development this is also the program for you.  Take a look
at the layout of commands, that is, the actual relationship between what you
have to do to accomplish anything.  Clearly they were inserted in what could
only be called an ad-hoc manner (as apparently are most commands in MS-DOS 
software).

Fourth:  When all of the above is combined with similar properties from any 
number of other MS-DOS software I believe the lack of similarity from program
to program, combined with the lack of "user-friendly/logical" command structure
and orientation make anyone's conscious choice to use said software over any 
number of more appropriate choices (and yes I am thinking Apple) darn near 
insanity.

Finally:  Just because 25 quintillion people (many of them with no choice) use
the software doesn't make it THE BEST SOFTWARE to use.  Clearly the majority 
isn't always right - somehow or other a majority of Progressive Conservatives
managed to get themselves elected to our (Canada's) federal government and look
at the screw-ups that has caused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- 
Bill Carss
bill@braille.uwo.ca