Re: Switch from WordPerfect to Word? Oh no!

Subject: Re: Switch from WordPerfect to Word? Oh no!
From: Peter <pnewman1 -at- home -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2000 07:45:19 -0500

Dianne Blake wrote:
>
> Joyce wrote:
>
> Today I received notice that the company intends to standardize EVERYONE on
> Word.
>
<snip> If I were you I would take a document that requires header and/or
footer
> format changes, or page format changes (e.g. portrait to landscape and
> back). Show the person asking you to make the change how easy it is in WP
> and then show them how difficult it is in Word.
>
> You can also show them how easy it is to move around tables (add, delete
> rows) using keystrokes and then show them how much more difficult it is in
> Word - especially since you have to use the mouse.
>
> There are lots of little things that are different about the two tools.
> This is because WP was developed around the typist and Word was developed
> around the desk top publisher.
>
> Even if you show the person making the decision the difference between the
> two products, you'll probably be overruled. Most companies, even legal
> firms are moving to Word because it has become the standard for most
> companies. Other software is being designed around it and companies can
> share files.
>
> WP has changed hands so many times that it lost its market. Now folks feel
> like it doesn't have a real future. Companies want to be sure that the
> products they buy will go the distance because they will invest a lot of
> time, energy, and training in the tool.

If the IT guys had to write long documents they wouldn't insist on
switching to Word. IT guys don't know WP, so they don't recommend it's
use. Also, there is a culture that exploits the myth that all MS
products work well together.


--
Peter

There are few situations in life that cannot be resolved
promptly, and to the satisfaction of all concerned,
by either suicide, a bag of gold,
or thrusting a despised antagonist over a precipice on a dark night.
Ernest Bramah (Kai Lung stories)

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