I think what's confusing me here is...is there an 'old' Pages 09 and a 'new' Pages 09? I'm using version 4.3, and it does have the Outline. I think it's strange that they would remove something like Outline because only 30% of users use it. That's a lot of users! I had to download my current version (09, v 4.3) because the MacMini no longer has a disk player, so disks won't do me any good. You know, I really HATE technology sometimes ...especially these obligatory upgrades that actually screw up the way you work and don't offer any benefits.
I don't know to be honest. Maybe when I upgraded, it took me to the app version instead of full, and rewrote the whole thing? It's a relief that they still have Outline in the full version. But why would they then be asking us to upgrade to some skeleton version, I have no idea. I give up. Steve Jobs, please come back
Well, I wouldn't let Jobs off the hook. In fact, I think the decline started a long time ago—on his watch—with the big switch to iPhones and pads. It's not that there is anything wrong with these devices, but they took emphasis away from creating and put it firmly on consuming. The creative wordprocessing 'apps' ...god, I hate that word too! ...like AppleWorks and Pages were messed up to accomodate folks who merely consume what's online. People who simply interact on forums and play around with Facebook, Twitter, and order stuff from websites probably don't need an Outline function. Writers do, however, and it's people like us who are being shunted aside in this headlong rush towards bystanderism and consumerism. And we're also the ones who suffer badly from backward compatibility issues as well ...because the files we created years ago are still important to us.
That's so true. I only changed to Mac from PC in 2010, and truthfully, even with all the issues now, it's still much more elegant and user friendly then the alternative. I must say that I adore my iPad, but don't use iPhone much apart for work. I think it was all about mix and match, what devices suit your lifestyle. I just feel that since Jobs is gone the company has no focus and their perfectionism has decreased significantly, which in this case, isn't a good thing. Also, what's left is interested in profits far more than brand integrity and reputation, I feel since he's gone, nobody cares so much, hence the downward spiral. I hope they don't ruin it, though, I don't know how I'd cope with clunky tech available otherwise. #firstworldproblems
i use MS word on my PC... i'm afraid i wont be going anywhere near Apple. i have one of their iPods, but where ive worked with Windows for the past 17-18 years (since i was 2/3) i will be sticking with it, and have been able to see the improvements that the company has made (and it is quite a lot) plus when i start my computer science course, a PC will be easier to code on rather than a macbook.
Yeah, I think it's all what you get used to. I had to use a PC with Windows at work, and I didn't like it at all. It was not as intuitive as the Mac system was then. But I've been with Mac ever since my first computer, back in 1994. I went online for the first time in early 1995, so I've been with them a LONG time. I remember whenever a new model came out, I would get all excited and want to own it. That has not happened for years, not since the anglepoise one. Now it's ...shit, another upgrade. And instead of pushing to get the newest model, I cling to the old one as long as I can, before everything becomes obsolete. And no, it's not because I'm getting older. It's because Mac no longer represents what I like to do as well as it used to. (Your experience with the outline function is just one example.) But the last time I looked, neither does Windows, and I know many old-time Windows users who HATE the new version. So I guess it's across the board, really. One good thing, though. Mac and Windows are no longer so incompatible. Files can easily be shared, via many formats. There are some programmes that only work on one or the other, but they've met in the middle in lots of other ways. Because I work at home and don't need internet access when I'm out, I have no use for a tablet or iPhone. And the day they make a laptop that doesn't get hot, and doesn't require frequent recharging of batteries, I'll consider it. But I'm perfectly happy to sit at my comfortable desk in my comfortable chair and turn on my computer with the adjustable screen (Formac Oxygen) whenever I want and use it for as long as I want without having to worry about recharging. Until my needs change or these desktop computers are no longer available, that's me happy. I'll concentrate on writing, and not bits and bobs of tech goodies.
i can vouch for windows, i love 98,xp and 7 but 8? why oh why? im going to have to get one for uni anyway
About the hot laptops, wtf was that about? I actually seriously injured my left wrist on MacBookPro, I bought it after a string of 3 laptops in 3 years, Windows crap, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, dreadful design, loose components, terrible colour representation on the monitor, problem after problem. Bit the bullet and bought MacBook with NHS discount, and after 2 years of writing on it, and not daring to tell my husband I need to spend another 2 grand, after I went to the physio and started wearing a splint for my swollen and inflamed wrist, I finally bought Mac desktop. The hand is recovered now, but I am very disappointed. I know it's because of the aluminium casing, but how's that safe, I don't know By the way, if you have a wireless router, iPad is perfect fro around the house. I write on it, read, in the garden, around the pool, it's such a gorgeous gadget, but it was sitting on my shelf gathering dust for 2 years before I finally decided to give it a try.
I love my iPad as well. Small, easily portable, and easy to use. I mostly use this over my laptop these days, and with Dropbox, I don't really have to worry about losing anything. I use Pages for my writing, though maybe I should give Scrivner a try.
I tried Scrivener but it was just too busy for me. I used LibreOffice and Google Docs. I used to use FrameMaker but they dropped the Linux version ages ago.
Thought this might present interest as a writers' resource. It's not a full featured editors program, it's more used for sketches, notes and article writing where the number of words, characters and keyword density do matter. I personally use this on-line editor and word counter to write commercial articles and blog posts. It takes care of technical part of my text as words number, characters count, paragraphs count, finds keyword density. It auto-saves my text, so I can forget it in my browser window and do another job. When I come later text is still there. I'm looking for more tools like this one with enhanced functionality. Anyone may help?
For many years, I have used WordPerfect. I have always preferred it over Microsoft Word. After I started writing my novel, I discovered a program called Scrivener that lets you divide chapters into separate files and then compile them when you are ready to publish.
WordPerfect? I've never heard of that one before. Will definitely check it out. A lot of people around here use Scrivener (like me, for instance), we even have a resource about it: Scrivener. It's a pretty neat and awesome program!
I did a blog post about this not too long ago! And everyone seems to like different things. If it's NaNoWriMo, I use FocusWriter which has a words tool, a timer tool (for word wars) and is exceptionally distraction free. If it's not NaNo or I'm writing an essay/thesis, I use Microsoft Word 2010. I brought '07 when I got my second laptop but upgraded a few months ago.
I am a newbie writer and I use Write (http://wri.tt). It is minimalistic and very convenient for writing. I would probably use a different minimalistic software, but my PC works on Windows, that is why I use this one. Moreover it's free. Have you tried distraction-free word processor? Do they help you to concentrate?
Scrivner here. when I tried to get Microsoft word on my mac it refused to open or save any of my documents. Bit me in the ass metaphorically speaking, so i dropped it like a bad egg and bought the program I currently have, and it works like a dream. Even though i don't quite know how to use it in its entirety yet... hehe
I use OpenOffice for actually writing, and put notes and stuff in text files. I have also been known to draw things (eg an explanation of the cosmology for a fantasy story I'm writing) on sheets of paper and scan them.
I stepped away from WordPerfect just one month ago due to incompatible issues. WP 15 had troubles with DocX files and decided to use MS Word 2013. Though I admit that I miss WordPerfect sometimes :-(
MS Word may not be the best, but it IS the industry standard. Are there people here who work with publishers and use anything but MS Word? (I tried, but the 'track changes' function didn't carry over well to Open Office, so I had to break down and use Word).
I use word for writing but google docs for organizing. I try to keep it at one e-mail per story/Nano. Google must hate me.
Oh, hey, I was just looking for some advice on this. I use MS Word 2007 (super outdated, I know) and haven't really been too motivated to make an update. Would you guys say there's any significant improvement to the newer versions?
From my (somewhat limited) experience I would say that there is really nothing truly new and innovative in the later versions. Apart from visual differences (I personally find Word 2013 to look way better than Word 2007 and 2010) and the fact that you can connect your Word 2013 to the cloud (using an MS account) I have not noticed any functional differences. You can write, organise, format, etc. just as before, though there are probably some new/improved features and options.
