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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!uwvax!gumby!g-frank
From: g-frank@gumby.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Looking for a word processor
Message-ID: <384@gumby.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-May-85 16:28:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: gumby.384
Posted: Fri May 24 16:28:28 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 25-May-85 09:17:58 EDT
References: <10989@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 50

> I am looking for recommendations for a word processor to be used for
> routine office work:  letters, medium length memos, and technical
> reports.  The distinguishing feature needed is that it must do justified
> proportional space type on a Toshiba 351 (note:  not 1351).  My personal
> favorite, Final Word, does do proportional space, but not on a Toshiba.
> 
> It would be nice if the WP also could use the multiple fond features on
> the Toshicba.
> 
> And, would one of the people who was recently enthusing about Word
> Perfect please let me know if it does proportional space??
> 

   I use both Microsoft Word and Word Perfect, and would recommend the new
version of Word, 2.0, with a mouse.  Until recently, Word Perfect was faster
than Word for many things, which made it worthwhile to put up with.  Also,
Word did not hyphenate or spell, two pretty critical features for a modern
word processor.  However, all these problems have been corrected in 2.0.

   Word Perfect takes a unique and truly crummy approach to proportional 
spacing.  Lines are broken based on a hypothetical fixed spacing size (for
example, 13 pitch for a ten pitch proportional wheel), and then letter-
spacing (white space between the letters of words) is used to adjust the
length of the line to match.  The result is that some of your lines have
all the characters crammed together, and others are stretched way out.
I've spoken to Satellite Software about it, and they think it's just a 
great idea.  So, don't expect it to change in v. 5 or something.

   Also, while Word Perfect makes you choose hyphenations while you type,
Word allows you to do it as a batch process, and suggests hyphenations
(WP just tells you you have to hyphenate, not where to do it).

   Word also allows you to choose document layouts, or styles, in advance,
then call them up with a single keystroke.  You can do a double space
draft of a technical report, then produce a proportional spaced, two
column final document simply by changing style sheets.  With embedded
coding processors like WP, you have to go back and insert lots of new
codes.

   Let me know if you have any other questions.



-- 
      Dan Frank

	  Q: What's the difference between an Apple MacIntosh
	     and an Etch-A-Sketch?

	  A: You don't have to shake the Mac to clear the screen.