gjp@sei.cmu.edu (George Pandelios) (11/30/89)
Hello Netlanders! I have an interesting question for you. Here's the scenario: My parents (who are in their late '60s, early '70s) own an AT compatible (Tandy 3000 HD). I am looking for a *SIMPLE*, *EASY-TO-USE* word processing package for them. All they want to do is compose small documents - letters, short newsletters, church financial statements (no spreadsheet usage). To date, they have been stymied by PC-Write (steep learning curve) and confused by Mass-11 (too arcane). I must confess that I probably pushed them too far too fast. So, before they boot this computer out the door (better it than their relationship with me!), I have one more chance to get them going. All that out of the way, here is what they need in a word processor: Simple, intuitive (remember, these folks are used to typewriters) user interface Well written, easy to follow documentation (tutorial & reference manual) NOT a lot of features (simple is better). Please send me your suggestions (e-mail) for products I should evaluate for their use. I'm going to let them pick the winner (if any), but I want to narrow the field down to a few finalists with real merit. If there is sufficient interest, I will summarize to the net. Many thanks! George =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= George J. Pandelios ArpaNet: gjp@sei.cmu.edu Software Engineering Institute usenet: sei!gjp 4500 Fifth Avenue Voice: (412) 268-7186 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Disclaimer: These opinions are my own and do not reflect those of the Software Engineering Institute, its sponsors, customers, clients, affiliates, or Carnegie-Mellon University. In fact, any resemblence of these opinions to any individual, living or dead, fictional or real, is purely coincidental. So there. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
jwi@cbnewsj.ATT.COM (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ) (12/01/89)
George Pandelios writes: > > My parents (who are in their late '60s, early '70s) own an AT compatible > (Tandy 3000 HD). I am looking for a *SIMPLE*, *EASY-TO-USE* word processing > package for them. All they want to do is compose small documents - letters, > short newsletters, church financial statements (no spreadsheet usage). To > date, they have been stymied by PC-Write (steep learning curve) and confused > by Mass-11 (too arcane). I personally use WordPerfect 5.1, but my wife can't hack it. She uses AMI. AMI is a WYSIWYG KISS that runs under WINDOWS. It's very easy and intuitive, and even has styles. It doesn't have merges or macros or any of the really fun stuff, and its hyphenation isn't the world's best, but it is adequate for what you want, and it's the easiest learning curve I've ever seen. Jim Winer ----------------------------------------------------------------- opinions not necessarily | "And remember, rebooting your brain and do not represent | can be tricky." -- Chris Miller any other sane person | especially not employer. |