What Program do you write in?

[Jamesaritchie]

OpenOffice

Jules,
You can do the same things in Word that OpenOffice does, and a good deal more besides. But I never saw the point of document dependent dictionaries. There are too many times when I need to revisit old characters and words in a new document, and I want all those names already in the dictionary.

I do keep the latest version of OpenOffice on my computer at all times, it's at 1.1.2 right now, and version 2.0 is due out early next year, I think.

I keep hoping it will cacth up with Word, but so far it's about five years behind Word XP in features, and doesn't do outlining or final editing nearly as well.

As for grammar check programs, as an editor I always wished more writers would use them. They're wrong fairly often, but what they do right they do very well indeed. One thing they do very well is to find passive sentences. They do most things well, in fact, if you take the time to go in and set them up properly.

The biggest problem with grammar checkers is that out of the box they're set to do too much.

A grammar check program can also catch a bunch of typos that spellcheck misses.

 

[SRHowen]

grrr

OK< I tired to post several times on this thread and it keeps getting eaten--Oh well, here we go again.

Grammar checker--I did try to say what James said above--it does catch a lot of things, many times the fixes it offers are silly, but it finds passive voice very well. And it catches weird spellings, too.

I prefer WP over Word--I use very recent version of both, I was a beta tester for the newest version of Word.

The grammar checker in WP is hands down better than the one in Word. Heck, WP will even sentence digram for you.

Thesaurus: While both have one, WP's runs in the tool bar as a drop down menu of word choices for any word you click on or are typing at the moment. No right click and choose thesaurus--it's there all the time.

I like WP's dictionary as well.

Word assumes too much and i have to fiddle with it to make it stop saying things like--I see you are writing a letter--or auto formatting stuff I don't want done.

A big goof up and my formatting goes hay wire--in Word I may as well start a new file to get rid of it. In WP hit view codes and I see a true assortment of what is making my document behave as it is and i can get rid of the odd coding and all is fixed.

Macros: I hate them in Word, can't ever get them to work right and have not tried to do one since a very early version--just plain to much work. In WP I have one set up for the start of each chapter--hit F-11 and I get a new page for my chapter start, it drops down the correct number of lines and puts the word chapter in there for me and drops a line and indents. ZIP--all my chapters start out formatted correctly. I don't even have to think about it. (I did have to set up this particular macro--but boy does it save me time)

Love the old blue screen and yellow text. call me weird. But I have so many of the short cut keys in my head that I auto hit them--in Word that does funky stuff to my text. LOL

Shawn

Anyway, just my 2 cents on why I prefer WP over Word.

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Re: grrr

Just gave the grammar checker of my new copy of WP 2003 a try for the first time... seems like it's improved vastly since the last time I tried it on the old WP 6.1. Since I do still have a problem with passive voice, I predict this is going to come in very handy

 

[ChunkyC]

Re: grrr

I use OpenOffice. I agree it's behind the big word processors in features, but since I write almost exclusively from a manuscript template with Courier12/dbl spaced, etc., what do I need all the fancy shmancy stuff for? That and the price.

Plus, the file sizes are about a quarter of the size of Word's, which means I can cram tons more onto my backup CD's.

 

[Jamesaritchie]

OpenOffice

Well, some of that fancy schmancy stuff in Word that OpenOffice lacks is incredibly goood and useful stuff.

As for CDs, I have one CD here with 3,000 novels on it. I don't think the file size of a Word file is going to matter a bit. And a big part of the file size in Word is there because more useful information is incorporated into the file.

File size is almost much more a matter of format than of the two word processors. I get roughly the same size files in Word and Staroffice when I use the same file formats.

But when you're talking kilobytes, file size is unimportant. Whether 100 or 400 kilobytes, you're still talking extremely small. One of my CDs will hold almost 700 complete novels in manuscript form when filed in Word. I doubt I'll ever write that many.

As for price, more often than not, you get what you pay for. An individual can get Word or MS Office on the cheap, and know it's fully compatible with anything and everything industry professionals, be it writers, editors, or agents, will throw at them. The same can't be said for OpenOffice. OpenOffice is mostly compatible, but sometimes makes ghastly mistakes when converting complicated Word docs.

 

[maestrowork]

Re: OpenOffice

3000 novels? Must be very short novels. That average about only 200KB per file. My ms in Word format is about 1MB large. A CD would only be able to hold 700 of them.

 

[Akuma]

Word, my peeps.

I use word and have the book i'm writing down to a science. seperate chapters with their own files, my own private website with history, character bios, etc. I might be obsessed but I think it's just a good way to keep track of stuff.

 

[seeb55]

For those looking for a good program for writing for the screen, stage and novels, take a look at Movie Magic 2000. I've been using it for years for screenplays and was recently surprised at how well it works for novels. I also like the super easy 'print as pdf' function for sending work on the internet.

 

[Euan Harvey]

File Sizes?

Uh, isn't worrying about file sizes with different programs perhaps just a little, well, pointless?

My novel takes up 1.62 Mb, with each chapter in a seperate file. I don't think it would that much smaller if it was all in a single file: "The War God's Own" by David Weber is 1.34 Mb (the RTF version from the Baen free library).

But so what?

If all my books end up being the same length, that means I can fit 407 of my books on a CD. I don't think it really matters if I can fit 50, 400, 600, or 3000 different books onto a CD: however you want to do it, it's going to be a pretty damn big number. When I can fit more novels than I will ever write in my lifetime onto a CD, I think arguing about file sizes is, ahem...

But anyway,

Cheers,

Euan

 

[ChunkyC]

Re: File Sizes?

Well, nobody's really arguing about file sizes, Euan, just discussing it as a side issue. And I don't feel it's pointless.

Yes, a CD has a huge capacity for text documents. I probably should have said floppy disk instead. My first novel came in at 570 manuscript pages which was a little over 1.2MB in Word format (I use Word at work and checked it out there). That's barely small enough to fit on a disk. In OpenOffice, the same novel takes less than 200K. I know most folks use CD burners these days, but I just happen to like the fact that OpenOffice doesn't swallow up my drive at near the rate Word would.

More to the point of the thread, could the Word users point out some of the features you feel make Word a better choice for a writer? I really am curious, I'd like to know if I'm missing out on something that would make it worth spending the money. Word ain't cheap in Canada -- around $300. And the full Office suite is about $800.

 

[maestrowork]

Re: File Sizes?

I like Word's editorial features such as track changes, comments. They're extremely useful especially if you're collaborating or editing.

Auto-correct sometimes comes in handy when I type very fast and misspell common words -- it can be annoying, too, however. For some projects the tables, simple layouts, templates, etc. are helpeful. I also use a plugin to turn the ms to MS Reader format so I can let the computer voice-read it -- and I use my tabletPC to annotate any changes while I'm mobile. For sending out correspondence, mail merge, etc. is cool. I also like style sheets and auto-format for typesetting purposes (it doesn't apply if you only use ms. formats). HTML and PDF output is very useful.

I can't think of anything else that I use off the top of my head.

But CC, if you're happy with OpenOffice for writing only, I don't see why you need to spend that money getting someone just for a little more bells and whistles. Unless you need to for something else.

(It would be nice if someone could just turn on track changes and comments and send you the edits, without using the "red pen" approach)

 

[Gala]

Size Matters

1. e-mail attachments
2. ram needed to open, close, save, spell-check the file
3. uploading to the web or server, or downloading
4. converting to other formats (pdf, html)
5. knowing deep in my heart a file could be smaller, and should be, but the reason it isn't is cuz the software programmers were lazy or zoned out on triple Americanos on a particular day. (I have first hand knowledge of this paradigm.)
6. files, all files on computers should strive to be smaller, so the need for huge amounts of ram, hard drive, processor speed, and bandwidth decreases, that computer prices drop, and everyone who wants a computer can afford one. I sure miss my Mac Plus and the elegance with which it ran WriteNow. I love my VAIO, with its bells and whistles, but life is short.
7. when I notice that 2 different programs save a file in different sizes, I know something bad could be happening in the background of the larger file (this can be true of smaller as well) like hidden info and properties, glut for viruses to eat, bloated font info that might explode. (For a visual, compare the html generated by Word with the same code typed into NotePad. Auk!) It goes on and on.
8. a cd is full in the middle of a backup and you have no more cds on hand. Ooh that's painful.
9. the speed of working with the file as it resides on a server
10. excellence in all things

I know most users don't care, or know of these things. I do.

So yeah, for me smaller is better in certain processes.

<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_geek.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_bigsmile.gif" />

<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/nerd.gif" />

 

[ChunkyC]

Re: Size Matters

You bring up a point that occurred to me after making my last post here, Gala.

Smaller programs load and run faster. Smaller files open and save faster. For those with slower computers, this could be important. Until recently, I was using a 450mhz laptop with 64MB of ram and OpenOffice loaded and opened documents faster on it than Word did on my work's 866mhz workstation with 384MB of ram.

I do think that as writers, the program/computer combo that lets you get your work done in the most efficient and comfortable (as in: does everything you want it to) manner possible is the ticket. For some chores, it sure seems Word is the best choice. But for me personally, I have yet to find a feature I require that the free OpenOffice can't do.

 

[Euan Harvey]

Why Word?

>More to the point of the thread, could the Word users point out some of the features you feel make Word a better choice for a writer?

The single most important reason for me is that it came free with my computer.

To be honest, I don't think it would matter all that much to me if I was using another program. I guess I probably use about 10% of Word's functionality.

>...but I just happen to like the fact that OpenOffice doesn't swallow up my drive at near the rate Word would...

It's not the file sizes of the documents that swallow your hard drive, it's the size of the program itself. I bought my computer three years ago for about 500 bucks. It came with a hard disk with two 18gb partitions. I've saved a copy of every file I've ever typed for work, for my MA and for writing fiction, and my documents folder is 120mb. The program folder containing Office is 130mb. So after three years of writing and saving interesting web pages and downloading pictures my documents fodler is only now approaching the same size as the MS Office folder.

Now, as for the Word files swallowing your hard drive, my documents folder is 120mb, and on one of the partitions of my hard drive I have 16gb of free space. So that means I have enough free space for another 100 of my documents folders on the hard drive. Let's call it fifty to be safe, and that works out to another 150 years of writing.

> ... so the need for huge amounts of ram, hard drive, processor speed, and bandwidth decreases, that computer prices drop, and everyone who wants a computer can afford one.

I used to sell computer equipment in the UK. I remember when D2 came out with an external 1gb hard drive in a neat looking case. Everyone was amazed by it: 'it's so large!', 'Why would anyone need so much space?'. I was amazed by its price: just under 1,000 pounds at the time.

Now of course, you can buy an MP3 player with 20 times the storage capacity for one quarter the price (and that's not even counting the effects of inflation).

Seems to me that the rule for computing is that crap expands to fill the space available. It's not just a simple matter of increased file size driving up the demand for space, it's also the amount of space allowing people to use larger file sizes.

As for prices...

The price of a top-end laptop in Thailand has stayed at around 2,500 dollars for the past six years -- the performance has shot up, but the price has stayed about the same.

I think this is important because it shows that the price for a computer isn't just determined by what's inside it. I am guessing that the 2.500 dollar price is a ceiling and that the market won't bear any more than that.

And for people not being able to afford them:

If you want to go second-hand, you could pick up an old PC here for about 250 dollars or less. I've seen some being sold for less than the price of a top-end mobile phone. I don't know if there's as much of a market for second-hand PC stuff in the US -- I don't remember much of one in the UK.

The killer in this country for price is the software. Microsoft doesn't really drop its prices much (at all) when it sells its products in Thailand. When you get in the situation where the Office suite costs more than the same price as a decent desktop machine, well...

The end result of course being massive piracy.

>I sure miss my Mac Plus...

And they were cuter looking than any other computer I've seen since.

>...that the free OpenOffice can't do...
>...Word ain't cheap in Canada -- around $300...

There's the best reason for not changing right there.

Word does a whole lot of stuff, but is any of it really worth 300 dollars? I don't think so.

If it hadn't come free with my machine, I sure wouldn't have paid for it.

Anyway,

Just my 2c,

Euan

 

[ChunkyC]

Re: Why Word?

Good & interesting points, Euan. Over here, there is a used computer market, mostly aimed at companies wanting basic workstations. For about a hundred and fifty Canadian dollars, you can get a machine that was state of the art 3 years ago and cost nearly a thousand. Only problem is, they almost never have software, so by the time you buy Windows and Word, you could have had a new machine.

For someone who was into it, you could get one of these cheapies, throw a free distribution of Linux and the Linux version of OpenOffice on it, and you're in business. I think you need to be a bit of a computer junkie to go that route, though.

Anybody use the AlphaSmart (is that the right name?) or something like that? They look like an interesting option for someone who uses a desktop mostly, but who might want to jot stuff down while away from it.

 

[SRHowen]

Re: Why Word?

I like the AlphaSmart. Granted mine got lost ( taken, borrowed, never returned) when we moved from Germany a few years back, but I loved it.

It was light weight, the interface was easy to use, and the keyboard a good size--and for the most part people didn't look at it as a gee maybe i should steal that thing. Though the group that packed out our house in Germany took anything they could get away with.

My lap top was ancient and finally died. I want to replace both, but haven't had a lot of time to go looking lately. We do have a few used computer stores around here, so I may go looking since I own many versions of Windows, (XP is the latest) and Word (XP--hated the new version when I beta tested it, so never bought it), and WP (12) --the software issue is not a problem.

One great thing about the AlphaSmart--no Internet to disrupt your work time. LOL Any new (used) lap top I get is not going to have Internet either, that way I can work away from my office and not have distractions--:rofl

Shawn

 

[annied]

Re: word processor

Sometimes I still write my stuff longhand...and in that case, I use a 3-ring binder where I keep drafts, research and character bios. I also use different colored pens to help me remember what's where. (Okay, so I am a bit old-fashioned. Sue me. :rollin ) But eventually, I do type it into the computer.

I use WordPerfect for my drafts. I have a folder where I put my poetry and another for short stories. Each novel has its own separate folder, where I keep various drafts, versions, snippets, etc. etc.

I also work on a PDA and use Documents to Go. I have to remember to HotSync every night before I go to bed (it's part of my nightly routine) and transfer the day's writing to my desktop computer. Plus, I keep backup copies on CD-Rs.

Microsoft Word drives me absolutely crazy...I use to fight with it a lot. Plus I also use Excel to keep track of submission information.

Annie :grin

 

[ncq13]

Re: word processor

I use Open Office, but have an earlier version and the spell check and grammar checks are horrid. My next major purchase will probably be a mac and I'll install a better version of Open Office with more useful tools. The big draws, initially, to Open Office were that it is non-proprietary, faster, and far more stable than MS Word and Word Perfect. Unlike, proprietary software updates are constantly being made to Open Office and they are available free as downloads- the only catch is that you actually have to keep up with the changes.
~Kate
katestamour.com

 

[MissKathyClarke]

I use Microsoft Word (on my laptop) and MS Works on my family's Windows XP Computer. I really like MS Works 'cus it's fun with that auto correct, you can put people's names in and when they use it for homework, it says something like *FATAL ERROR* hahah very fun... (you probably have no clue what I'm talking about... but that's ok) :jump

 

[TerriLynn]

I use WordPerfect because it's what I started with many moons ago when you had to access DOS. I've since graduated to WP8 in windows, but the higher numbers got too complicated, so I don't upgrade.
I also copy all mms to a Word Doc. because my husband makes me and because my crit partners prefer word documents. But all my aside folders are in Word Perfect.

Terri
by the way HConn....your quote under your name? I think I dated that person! (the name is definitely coincidental) :eek

 

[HConn]

Terri, the fellow I'm quoting died in 1927.

Had you dated him in a past life?

 

[TerriLynn]

lol...it's possible although his spirit could have been born into my ex...same name, same initial. And lazy as hell!

 

[Sunny7l]

Re: word processor

I use Word 2000 and WordPad. I also maintain a private website to easily manage and access info.

 

[arainsb123]

Re: word processor

I use OpenOffice because it's free and because I can save in just about any format. As well, it can do everything that Word 2000 can (or at least everything that I did on Word 2000 - don't know about Word XP).

 

[robertquiller]

Word Processors

Word XP for me. Although when I started I just used notepad.

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Iustitia, Consilium et Aequitas