Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Microsoft's Word 5.1 injects fun in Mac processing Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 17:03:26 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN;MONEY;ON COMPUTERS \HD Microsoft's Word 5.1 injects fun in Mac processing \BY Mark A. Kellner \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES In 1982, when I started using a computer every day, I loved word processing - and hated it. I loved seeing thoughts leap from my fingers onto a display screen. I hated having to learn the command structure and keystroke combinations, such as "Control-K-B," that the technology demanded. Along came Apple Computer's Macintosh and, later, Microsoft Windows for PCs. At last, word processing became graphical and, with a mouse pointing device, it became easier to edit and format text. I was thinking about this the other day when Microsoft Word for Macintosh, version 5.1, glided into my life. It is a substantial improvement over earlier versions of Word for the Mac, particularly Word 4.0, and offers simplified ways for users to do things such as print envelopes or add bullets to the text. Useful, too, is a grammar checker that can help spot flaws in writing. WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THIS PROGRAM: Word 5.1 builds on a concept that is gaining popularity in word processing: a customizable "button bar" at the top (or side) of a screen that contains small icons that represent a given function. The picture of a floppy diskette triggers the program to save a file; click on the image of a computer printer and the print menu pops up. The button bar can be customized with whatever functions you desire and can accommodate a large number of buttons: 25 on a 13-inch Mac screen (such as the Apple High Resolution Monitor) and 30 on a 16-inch or larger screen. Like Windows-based Ami Pro 3.0, Word 5.1 for the Mac lets you move the tool bar around from top to side, which is another nice touch. But the proof of word processing is in the writing and editing. Here, I like the easy way Word 5.1 allows the selection of a "default" type face and point size (such as Century Schoolbook in 11 point). Paragraph markers and spaces between words are easily shown, and, of course, the Mac display offers a true what-you-see-is-what-you-get screen display. I also like Word 5.1's easy formatting tools, such as the "bullet" button, which not only inserts a bullet in front of a paragraph but indents the text as well. (Incoming policy wonks may appreciate this feature.) Also good is the spell checker, which is fast and facile. In several cases, it helped save me from making embarrassing mistakes in print, and the program usually suggests a good correction when the situation demands it. Best of all is the grammar checking feature, which eliminates the need to save a file, exit the program, load a separate grammar program, review the text, exit the grammar checker and go back to word processing to make corrections. I could get tired just re-reading those steps. While excellent at spotting the passive voice, dangling participles and unfamiliar words (e.g., "wonk"), the grammar checking feature could flatten creative writing in a nanosecond. Hemingway, Faulkner or Lincoln would see their work die with this feature. But for you and for me, having an on-line grammarian will doubtless help. WHAT COULD BE BETTER: Word 5.1 offers a great deal, but it could also add two features that I've long admired in Nisus, a Mac word processor from Nisus Software of San Diego. One would be a way to strip out the "invisible" characters that some MS-DOS and Mac programs add to their word processing files. These could mess up a word count or page layout and so far need to be removed one-at-a-time in Word 5.1. Nisus also offers an incredible 300 levels of "undo" - it will reverse the last 300 actions you've taken in a document. Word 5.1 will let you "undo" only your most recent action. ALL TOLD, HOWEVER, Microsoft Word for Macintosh 5.1 (list price $495, but sold for much less in area stores), is a solid, speedy program that will make your word processing more fun and functional. If you're in the market for a new program, this is one Word worth considering. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM