An Alternative to Word for Freelance Writers?
I started my writing career with a manual typewriter, then graduated to a self-correcting selectric and thought I was in heaven until I discovered word processing. The idea that a machine could check my spelling was enough to turn me into an early adapter with an Apple II+, a C/PM card and WordStar. (If you dont recognize some of these terms, dont worry about it it was ages ago.)
I still think WordStar was the best program ever for touch typists, but it disappeared. Today, the standard is Word. I say this despite my general suspicion of Microsoft and Bill Gates in fact, the only curse I have is: May Bill Gates and his wife be using his software.
Word is the standard, period. If you want to email your editors and publishers, you need to use Word.
Change is, however, on the horizon, through Open Source software. Sree Sreenivasan, Columbia Professor & Poynter Visiting Professor at Poynteronline has a fairly extensive post on Trying Open Office.
Several years ago, I tried it and dumped it because it had problems
it looks like its getting there.
If youre inclined to explore, its probably worth downloading and trying it. Its certainly cheaper
in fact its free and it says it will save as a Word file. I havent tried it this time around, but I probably will, and when I do Ill post my results.
Dont wait for me, post your comments here now.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Freelance Writing Software
7 opinions for An Alternative to Word for Freelance Writers?
Scott
Jun 3, 2005 at 1:04 pm
For most writing needs, the current version of OpenOffice is great. I run it under Linux and Windows, and have had few (if any) problems with it. If you don’t mind shelling out a bit of money, you could also try TextMaker (http://www.softmaker.com/en…).
annew
Jun 3, 2005 at 2:50 pm
Scott, thanks… I keep wondering if it’s time for me to switch over to Linux… is TextMaker totally word compatable?
A
Scott
Jun 3, 2005 at 6:15 pm
Is TextMaker totally Word compatible? Good question … is anything? Including Word? Seriously, though, TextMaker has very strong Word filters. Probably better than those of OpenOffice. Admittedly, TextMaker has choked on one or two Word files, but I’ve had Word do the same.
annew
Jun 4, 2005 at 5:56 am
obviously I’ll have to give em both a try. Thanks
Gone Away
Jun 11, 2005 at 3:28 pm
The problem with Word (apart from the fact that it’s a lousy word processor, of course) is that it uses a different file format with every new version, so an older version of Word can’t decipher a file saved in a more recent version. I have used WordPerfect for years and they keep the file format constant. It can also save in Word format but it will be an older than current Word format. Mind you, Bill has made sure that the best word processor won’t be there to compete with Word much longer - Microsoft recently bought heavily into Corel which owns WordPerfect…
annew
Jun 12, 2005 at 6:35 am
Yes, Gone Away… Gates won’t make word backwardly compatible… I don’t know if the open source products are or will be… good question tho’
An Alternative to Word for Freelance Writers? | WhiteSandsDigital.com
Jul 13, 2008 at 8:55 pm
[…] to a self-correcting selectric and thought I was in heaven until I discovered word processing. read more | digg […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: