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From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: net.text,net.unix
Subject: Use of ``vi'' for business office word-processing
Message-ID: <1246@kitty.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 4-Sep-86 01:11:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: kitty.1246
Posted: Thu Sep  4 01:11:22 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 7-Sep-86 20:21:50 EDT
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 33
Keywords: ``vi'' word-processing non-programmers
Xref: mnetor net.text:940 net.unix:5394


	On occasion I get asked for my opinion on computer systems for small
business applications.  Since 100% of my computer applications are scientific
in nature (which is pretty far afield from business applications), I try to
avoid giving business applications advice (except to go UNIX :-) ).  However,
sometimes I cannot avoid getting involved...
	In addition to programming, I do an extensive amount of document
preparation.  On UNIX systems I use ``vi'' _exclusively_ for document editing,
and use nroff and troff for formatting when required.  If I am using a letter
quality printer with justification capability, often I will imbed justification
commands and other printer commands in the text file and not use nroff or troff.
	In my humble :-) opinion, I cannot think of any editor more universally
useful than ``vi'' (yes, I know about Emacs, but I still prefer ``vi''). 
	So my question is: Am I WRONG in advising people to stay with ``vi''
and not spend money for "word-processing software" in the BUSINESS APPLICATION
environment?
	In my travels I have taken a cursory look at various word-processing
packages for UNIX machines, and do not find their operation or command set any
more intuitive than ``vi''.  I am certain that some people will disagree with
me on this issue; so, tell me, what are the ADVANTAGES of word-processing
software (like Lyric, Wordstar, etc.) over the standard UNIX editing/formatting
utilities in the business-only environment?
	At the moment I am being compelled to offer an opinion on a computer
system for a medium-sized law office; they want to start out small, and do
not want to spend the money for a law office automation system (like a product
of Barrister Information Systems).  For three or four secretaries (and to allow
for growth), I am inclined to recommend a 3B2 or NCR Tower XP as the most
COST-EFFECTIVE means of implementing a multi-user system.  Comments, anyone?

==>  Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York
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