ted@imsvax.UUCP (Ted Holden) (11/20/85)
Info World just ran a reviews of WordPerfect, and explained that they'd been forced to go from a four to a five star rating system due to the experience; the new 4.1 version radically outclassed everything they'd ever seen. My own work involves word processing and the Navy DIF (Document Interchange Format) standard, as well as various other projects involving systems integration, and I thought I might as well get my own two cents worth in on this one. The niftiest feature of WordPerfect is an invisible one which they don't really advertise; the fact that the program is coded in PC assembler. This makes the program hellishly fast compared to ANY other word processor I've ever dealt with on any kind of hardware. WordPerfect can flash from one end of a 50 page document to the other in seconds. It further tightens the code up to such an extent that, of the PC word processors which you could call high-class or full-featured, WordPerfect is the only one which will run elegantly and well on minimal PCs i.e. 256K and 2 floppies. WordPerfect has more features than any other PC word processor. It has text, decimal, centered, and right-flush tabs, all retained in file-structure (many PC word processors simply expand tabs into white-space on the spot), automatic footnotes and endnotes, automatic indexing and outlining, on-screen serpentine columns, multiple headers and footers, multi-document capabilities, and generally every feature I've ever seen on any word processing system whatsoever except for one; It doesn't have on-screen (WYSWYG) graphics or type-setting features like the Xerox 8010 or 6085, or special font capabilities for Greek alphabet or math symbols, including multiple superscripting etc. like the Mark Software WordMarc package. However, since WordPerfect does have drivers for HP and Canon laser printers with all font cartridges, one could even say that it has a minimal type-setting capability.
reza0@ihlpl.UUCP (Zarafshar) (11/22/85)
I would like to put in my few cents on this also if I may. The opinions expressed here are of my own and not that of my employer. I have not used Wordperfect, but I have seen a complete sales pitch on it and I was impressed. If it really can do what it promises, I would say it is good. > > > Info World just ran a reviews of WordPerfect, and explained > that they'd been forced to go from a four to a five star rating > system due to the experience; the new 4.1 version radically While I understand Infoworld is accepted by many as THE authority on PC software evaluation, they have been know to make a few mistakes. The have put their "diskettes" of approval on such garbage as Sidekick also. > > The niftiest feature of WordPerfect is an invisible one > which they don't really advertise; the fact that the program is > coded in PC assembler. This makes the program hellishly fast > compared to ANY other word processor I've ever dealt with on any > kind of hardware. WordPerfect can flash from one end of a 50 > I don't feel that something written in Assembly language these days can be considered a "nifty" feature. While I agree that there are a few programmers left that can write faster code than a few non-optimizing compilers, it is still a better idea to produce something that is maintainable and not a "hack" than something that is just plain fast. There are far better reasons for writing in high level languages than just speed these days. Speed is wonderful but if the stuff makes you re-boot every once in a while, I think one ends up wasting more time than that gained by Assembly language speed. > WordPerfect has more features than any other PC word > processor. It has text, decimal, centered, and right-flush tabs, It is a noble idea to produce "Swiss Army knife", but believe me the more features your throw in the thing the more chances of blowing yourself out of the water very often, especially when the stuff is written in Assembly. Reza Zarafshar ihnp4!ihlpl!reza0
pavlov@hscfvax.UUCP (840033@G.Pavlov) (11/22/85)
I, too, believe that WordPerfect is an excellent wp; we use it extensively, with an HP LaserJet for hardcopy output. One word of caution though: it is best-suited for use by people with computing backgrounds, or people who may not know much about computers but have already used other micro pakages extensively. This is one reason it gets such good reviews: the reviewers all fall into one of these two categories. It is a difficult package to master for "neophyte" computer users, much more so than packages such as Word, Volkswriter, etc. So: if you are looking for a package for yourself and others with similar exper- rience, I would recommend WordPerfect over almost anything else. If you are looking for a package for a general office environment, I would suggest you look at others as well, or be prepared to spend a considerable amount of your own time in training and "debugging" traps your people will fall into. greg pavlov, fstrf, amherst ny, 716-837-4000