peirce@outpost.UUCP (Michael Peirce) (02/25/91)
In article <11498@adobe.UUCP>, mills@adobe.com (Dan Mills) writes: > > What word processor would people recommend that I get my Dad? He's never > used a computer before, but he's interested in checking it out. I found a > cheap used Mac for him, and now I want to set it up with some basic > software, most importantly a simple easy-to-use word processor. It need not > have lots any whiz-bang features, but it shouldn't be as non-Mac-like as > MicroEmacs either. Any suggestions? The first two that come to mind are MacWrite II and WriteNow. I use MacWrite II - as do my Mom & Dad. It's quite easy to use and get started with (does is still come with a "Guided Tour"? If it does, GT's are a terrific way to get introduced to a product). I've heard that WriteNow is in the same category of easy to get started with. I would avoid MicroSoft Word for beginners. -- michael -- Michael Peirce -- outpost!peirce@claris.com -- Peirce Software -- Suite 301, 719 Hibiscus Place -- Macintosh Programming -- San Jose, California 95117 -- & Consulting -- (408) 244-6554, AppleLink: PEIRCE -- Ask me about AppSizer (and ask Claris about Public Folder :-)
cavrak@kira.UUCP (Steve Cavrak) (02/25/91)
In article <11498@adobe.UUCP>, mills@adobe.com (Dan Mills) writes:
What word processor would people recommend that I get my Dad?
He's never used a computer before, but he's interested in
checking it out. I found a cheap used Mac for him, and now I
want to set it up with some basic software, most importantly a
simple easy-to-use word processor. It need not have lots any
whiz-bang features, but it shouldn't be as non-Mac-like as
MicroEmacs either. Any suggestions?
I like WriteNow. It is compact and fast - both of which are important
if you're working on a single floppy system.
You might consider MS-Works. It has the a wordprocessor and
spreadsheet. It also has a database component and a terminal
emulator. Works is popular with teachers - probably because
there are "versions" for DOS and APPLE II machines also.
See ya
SteveTimothy.Allen@dartmouth.edu (Timothy Allen) (02/25/91)
In article <0B010004.sh0tbe@outpost.UUCP> peirce@outpost.UUCP (Michael Peirce) writes: In article <11498@adobe.UUCP>, mills@adobe.com (Dan Mills) writes: > > What word processor would people recommend that I get my Dad? He's never > used a computer before, but he's interested in checking it out. I found a > cheap used Mac for him, and now I want to set it up with some basic > software, most importantly a simple easy-to-use word processor. It need not > have lots any whiz-bang features, but it shouldn't be as non-Mac-like as > MicroEmacs either. Any suggestions? WriteNow would be an excellent choice. It doesn't have all the features of something like Word, but what it does it does very well. Also, it doesn't get in your way - almost all tasks that it is capable of are very straight-forward in implementation. Best of Luck, Tim tim.allen@dartmouth.edu
john@granada.mit.edu (John Olson) (02/26/91)
Sory to take up bandwidth, but I can't seem to mail a reply... I agree with Mr. Peirce that Microsoft Word should be avoided by beginners. I use WriteNow for all my work (and I'm not a begin- ner) because it has all the features I need, while being easier to use and much faster than Word. I haven't used MacWrite II, so I can't compare them. You can get a free version of WriteNow--called "sample WriteNow"--from anyone who has the real thing: it's only limitation is that it adds a header to every page. So you could get that and try it out. John.
john@newave.UUCP (John A. Weeks III) (02/27/91)
In article <1991Feb25.004122.5560@dartvax.dartmouth.edu> Timothy.Allen@dartmouth.edu (Timothy Allen) writes: > In article <11498@adobe.UUCP>, mills@adobe.com (Dan Mills) writes: > > What word processor would people recommend that I get my Dad? He's never > > used a computer before, but he's interested in checking it out. I found a > > cheap used Mac for him, and now I want to set it up with some basic > > software, most importantly a simple easy-to-use word processor. It need > > not have lots any whiz-bang features, but it shouldn't be as non-Mac-like > > as MicroEmacs either. Any suggestions? > WriteNow would be an excellent choice. I second this--WriteNow is excellent for everyday use, and it is very hard to get lost in WriteNow. There are two deals available for WriteNow right now. One offer includes a free copy of Gramatica, the other offer is called the Mac Software Pack, which includes SuperPaint, a spreadsheet, and a database program. Check with your dealer or with one of the mail order places. -john- -- =============================================================================== John A. Weeks III (612) 942-6969 john@newave.mn.org NeWave Communications ...uunet!rosevax!tcnet!wd0gol!newave!john ===============================================================================
wjb@eds.com (Bill Biesty) (03/12/91)
I really love WriteNow. I used MacWrite (5.0) at work for a while and really could not stand it. The spelling checker is abominally slow. There's a lot to WriteNow. They give a suggestion and hints book but not a demo. There is a tutorial that is preetty quick and gives you the basics. There's also a some great package deals going from T/Maker. Like getting a Thesaurus, and Grammar checker. For some extra cash you get SuperPaint, a spreadsheet (Full Impact?), and a Data Base (Record Holder Plus). But these packages may change. I haven't checked in a while. Also be sure to get 2.2, it fixes some things in 2.1 and returns some features that were taken out of 2.1 Bill