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