[net.micro.pc] Word Processing Systems

mike@LOGICON.ARPA (05/23/84)

At the present time, my IBM PC/XT really needs a good word processing package.
I am debating seriously between two systems Word Perfect (from SSI) and
the IBM Displaywriter package for the IBM PC.  

I would appreciate any comments on either package.

Mike Parker
{alias mike@LOGICON.ARPA}

doc@ecsvax.UUCP (05/28/84)

The IBM Displaywriter package for the IBM-PC is dynamite stuff!
On an IBM-PC with 2 disk drives it is a little bit slower than the
same package on the Displaywriter -- on the XT, it should be much faster.
DisplayWrite 2 (for the PC) is the equivalent of the Displaywriter
Textpack 4 program.  It is so close that a Displaywriter user can
use it with just the keyboard template for the PC.  It's main
limitations are two:  1) printers supported.  The Epson's are for sure,
but it's not clear to me about what other printers it will work with
(I've heard a NEC 3550, but have not verified it, especially with
a cut sheet feeder).  and 2) DisplayWrite 2 may not have the features
that you need.  In particular, it will not do footnotes, table of
contents, and indices (a la FinalWord).
If your need is for 8 hour a day secretarial use, get the real
Displaywriter.  The keyboard is enough nicer to make it worth the
extra price (e.g. you'll get back that extra $5K in productivity).
If you have mixed needs, get the PC and DisplayWrite 2 (assuming its
features fit).
Doc Muhlbaier
mcnc!ecsvax!doc