Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!gatech!mcnc!ecsgate!seals From: seals@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Larry W. Seals) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc Subject: Re: Damn WordPerfect and HELP !!! Summary: It's easy if you just try... Message-ID: <1991Jun7.134625.15034@ecsvax.uncecs.edu> Date: 7 Jun 91 13:46:25 GMT References: <91156.050521U0DCB@wvnvm.wvnet.edu> <1991Jun6.153146.5403@midway.uchicago.edu> Organization: UNC Educational Computing Service Lines: 48 About two years ago, the site where I was working decided on WP 5.0 as the standard for all editorial and clerical staff (we in the tech area had been using it for a number of months) when we expanded our network. I was designated as the WP "expert" in charge of installation, instruction and help desk (this was only because I was the only one in our area who had taken the time to read any of the manuals and use some of the features). The DP Manager (who refused to use WP - he was miffed because PC Write wasn't chosen) decided that we would also purchase Ko-Pilot, an add-on product that presents pull-down menus to the user. The instruction was tough. These poor souls had been using Display Write on a IBM SYS36 for years and were unprepared to give up their 3180 terminals for PS/2s, DOS and the network (Novell). To their credit once they saw what was available to them in WP and with one good reference book available (I don't remember who wrote it but it was from Sybex Books), they gave it the benefit of the doubt. One of the hardest to convert was my wife. She had made up her mind that WP was too hard, too complex and she just didn't have the time. With about two hours of individualized instruction, I saved my marriage and turned her into a WP 'pro'. In fact, most of the users decided against using Ko-Pilot in favor of just using the templates and relying on their own skills. Two years later and this staff of 35 or so has moved on to 5.1, producing camera-ready copy and moving into desktop publishing. It's not that I'm some great teacher - I'm not. It was two things: 1. The power of WP and 2. the "learn a feature as you need it" approach coupled with sharing the knowledge. I had used Word for DOS and WordStar along with some other minor players but I found WP much easier to learn and use. Intuitive, no. Maybe WP for Windows or the Mac are (I've moved on to 'greener pastures' where we don't have much in the way of PC based resources, so I haven't seen them). My two cents... :-) Standard disclaimers apply. ************************************************************************ Larry Seals @ Trailing Edge Software - "When it doesn't have to be the very best!" "Hot Damn Tamale, Charley! You forgot to put the top on!" - Tortelvis ************************************************************************