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From: chuq%plaid@Sun.COM (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Suggestions for Replacing Word 3.0
Message-ID: <18152@sun.uucp>
Date: Wed, 6-May-87 01:28:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: sun.18152
Posted: Wed May  6 01:28:32 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 7-May-87 07:26:29 EDT
References: <354@sdics.ucsd.EDU>
Sender: news@sun.uucp
Reply-To: chuq@sun.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach)
Organization: Fictional Reality, uLtd
Lines: 45
Keywords: text editors

>The last straw has broken my back.  I give up on Microsoft Word 3.0.

>Personally, WORD is an unbelievably crappy design. I can live with the
>bugs because, after all, those can be fixed.  But not poor design
>decisions.

I'm not sure I agree, but this is a religious issue.  Word 3.0 has its
problems, but I can only say (1) don't underestimate what they might 'fix'
in 3.01 until you see it, and (2) if you work with the program instead of
fighting it, it works much better.

For reference, I get lots of verbiage out of Word 3.0 every month,
successfully and without significant cussing.  At least, no more cussing
than I did to Word 1.05.  But there IS a learning curve, and you can't
expect to walk into a powerful product and be able to use it like an expert.
It'll be interesting to see what Microsoft does with 3.01 -- if it isn't
rock solid and have some serious cleaning up, they might as well write off
the WP market for the Mac.

>QUESTION: What are the alternatives.

>The only two candidates I know of are T/maker's Write Now and Ann
>Arbor Softworks Fullwrite Professional.  I have seen neither.  Do they
>really exist?

Last I heard, Fullwrite was still in beta, and doing pretty well.  I've
heard good things, but haven't had my hands on it.  Writenow has also gotten
some good press, but I'm not sure it is shipping yet, either.

>I need it immediately.  My book is due at the publisher in 1 month.

No question here. Stick with 1.05 until you get the book out and THEN find a
new WP. The last thing you should do under deadline is change the basic
underpinnings of your work -- because if the conversion doesn't work well,
you've blown your deadline.  Also, you won't have time to do a good
evaluation AND get the book out, and do both well.  Finish the thing with
what you have, and then take your time.

Never ask Murphy in for lunch -- don't change things you don't have to when
you can't afford the downtime.

chuq
Chuq Von Rospach	chuq@sun.COM		[I don't read flames]

There is no statute of limitations on stucococ o