01659@AECLCR.BITNET (Greg Csullog) (08/05/89)
I have been a LOTUS, VIP, LDW and EXCEL user (oh yes, SHEET16 and OPUS as well). For those who do not need LOTUS compatibility, OPUS is a good choice. Almost forgot, I had purchased and used SWIFTCALC but I do not recommend it. I have stuck with LDW because I like its complete use of LOTUS keyboard commands yet it has a full GEM implementation as well (unlike VIP, you can interchange mouse and keyboard use during command execution; VIP made you continue with the mouse if you started a command sequence with it or stick with the keyboard if you started with it). EXCEL has lots of powerful features but I dislike its poor keyboard interface since I find that mice often hinder spreadsheet use (though they are useful at times). Version 1.1 of LDW is out (just got it) and it removed the limit of about 128 points on a graph (now its 32K). Anyone who is using VIP should seriously consider LDW since VIP is SLOW, SLOW, SLOW. AccuSoft has a PD disk with a demo version of LDW . It does not allow saves (it is version 0.98 I think). I have a copy. Mail me a disk with a buck to cover return postage and I'll send you a copy of the demo.
ooa@MSG002.UUCP (O.Atkins) (08/09/89)
I have been using the combined version of VIP for a long time now. The first
version allowed only keyboard input, though the manual came out with both
GEM and keyboard. With the exception of cell movement - once in a while -
skipping the cell I'm trying to move toward, I'm pleased. I have heard
about LDW, and the ones using it swear by it, but mine VIP is paid for.
You might check with the VIP folks. When I got my upgrade, it was not very
expensive.
Owen {In-debt} Atkins