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7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition



 
 
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  #106  
Old December 7th 19, 07:13 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Char Jackson
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Posts: 10,449
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition

On Sat, 7 Dec 2019 03:20:05 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/6/19 4:30 PM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Fri, 6 Dec 2019 11:01:57 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/6/19 10:23 AM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Fri, 6 Dec 2019 07:17:01 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/5/19 9:50 PM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Thu, 5 Dec 2019 21:07:22 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/5/19 6:54 AM, Mayayana wrote:
So if you think MS and Adobe are going to collapse then
you'll have to start by telling millions of people who work
in offices and graphics shops what Microsoft and Adobe are.
They really don't know. Most don't even know they're using
Windows. (They do know if they're using Mac but that's only
because they paid twice what it's worth to show off the logo.)

Having the active spread across the entire widescreen monitor also dries
me up the wall.

Then why do it? I assume you're speaking of your own behavior, since
other's behavior wouldn't be up to you. If you don't like it, don't do it
that way.

I rarely do things full screen. Google Maps, or any mapping type
program, would be an exception,

Sometimes, I get close to that with a program that has various control
panels on one side or the other. Such as a styles and formatting display.

I wasn't clear, but I was referring to things like writing a document,
and that's the only thing on the screen.

As for me, almost everything gets run full screen. I find it very
distracting to have multiple windows partially overlaid atop one another,
but I wouldn't tell anyone to do it one way or another. It's an individual
decision.

Regarding multiple windows on the screen, for me it depends on the
contents of the various windows. If those windows have different tools
that come with a particular program, it doesn't bother me.

But I don't have a browser window, email window, instant messenger
window, etc. all on the same desktop. For those situations, I use
alternate/multiple desktops. Each program is assigned to run in a
specific desktop. I've not found a way to do that with W10's Task Views.

It is an individual's choice. I get frustrated with people who choose
to do it one way, without knowing what their options are.

That last part is what gets you into trouble. I don't know how you can look
at someone and determine whether they know what their options are. It seems
much more likely that they're doing something exactly how they want to do
it. If *they* speak up and express frustration, that's different, but
until/unless they do so, you have no reason to be frustrated.

You can't look at them and know whether they know their options. You
actually have to ask and/or show them the options.


Right, that was exactly my point. So I don't understand why you allow
yourself to become frustrated. That's not making sense to me.


I guess it's seeing the same ignorance over and over again, and wonder
why they seem to be incapable of moving to another step ans asking what
they can do make life easier on themselves.


I thought we just established that you can't look at someone and determine
whether they know their options, i.e., you can't determine their level of
ignorance by looking. So what if someone doesn't do something the way that
you'd like? If you get frustrated by that, and you've said it drives you up
a wall, then that's entirely on you and has nothing to do with the other
person.

Frustration is not something that someone else gives to you. It's something
that you give to yourself.

I'm reminded of a friend who used to have exactly one application open at a
time on his Windows PC. One day he was showing me some photos that he'd
just taken at the local nature/animal park. I asked him to email a few to
me. He closed the photo viewer and opened Outlook Express, where he began
composing an email to me. By then, he had forgotten which photos I wanted,
so he saved the email as a Draft and closed OE. He opened the photo viewer
and located the photos, making a note of their names and location. He
closed the photo viewer and opened OE, where he completed the email and
sent it. He finished by closing OE. And guess what? He did everything
exactly the way he wanted to do it. He wanted one program open at a time,
period. Was that frustrating for me? No, of course not. I think it would
have been frustrating for you, but it shouldn't have been.

These are PERSONAL computers. Everyone should be able to use them how they
want to. Multiple desktops, (not for me, thanks, but you go ahead), one
application open at a time, the primary application being full screen,
multiple windows one atop the others with corners visible for easy
selection, and a thousand other variations. Throughout it all, I choose not
to become frustrated. In the end, that's what it is - a choice. Choosing to
be frustrated isn't going to make my day any better.

If the individual doesn't know what their options are, you can't assume
they are using what they want. If an individual only knows one options,
that's the one they are going to use. :-) Once you know they know
their options, and they choose to continue with the way they are doing
it, perfectly fine with me. :-)

Besides, your 'multiple desktops' approach isn't better than running an
application full screen. Those are just two different approaches that get
you the same result - an application with fewer distractions.

I disagree, with all due respect. I'm still not using full screen
windows the vast majority of time. I just have less that full screen
windows on the different desktops.


I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. What I said is accurate.


I think the alternate desktops are a bit more efficient. A hotkey setup
gives you one step to switch, compared to using the mouse to pick a
different window via the taskbar.


When there are two or more ways to get a job done, it's fine if you think
one way is more efficient than the others. I have no problem with that. If
you think there's a significant difference between using a hotkey combo and
using a mouse to make a single click, you should use the way that you think
is more efficient.

Ads
  #107  
Old December 7th 19, 07:22 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Ken Blake[_7_]
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Posts: 569
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite � 2019 Edition

On 12/7/2019 11:13 AM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Sat, 7 Dec 2019 03:20:05 -0700, Ken Springer


I'm reminded of a friend who used to have exactly one application open at a
time on his Windows PC.


I didn't know my wife was your friend.

--
Ken
  #108  
Old December 7th 19, 07:36 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Char Jackson
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Posts: 10,449
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite ? 2019 Edition

On Sat, 7 Dec 2019 11:22:54 -0700, Ken Blake wrote:

On 12/7/2019 11:13 AM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Sat, 7 Dec 2019 03:20:05 -0700, Ken Springer


I'm reminded of a friend who used to have exactly one application open at a
time on his Windows PC.


I didn't know my wife was your friend.


Let's not make a big deal of it. No one would have known if you hadn't
mentioned it.

  #109  
Old December 7th 19, 08:15 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Frank Slootweg
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Posts: 1,226
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite ? 2019 Edition

Big Al wrote:
On 12/6/19 1:18 PM, Ken Blake wrote:

[...]
I agree with you. I also never run anything full-screen. I have two 23"
monitors. I always have at least three programs open on each screen (the
same three by default, but sometimes more than three). Each window is
large and takes up a good part of the screen, but the ones that are not
in the foreground have a corner visible, and that makes it very easy to
switch to it quickly.

Isn't that the reason for the task bar?? (no need to reply). I do the
same thing but I'm on a laptop and now and then one program I like full
screen so I so use the icons on the taskbar.


I run everything full-screen. I have four laptops side-by-side.
Copy-and-paste from one screen to another is a tad hard, but I'm working
on it!
  #110  
Old December 7th 19, 09:32 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
The Horny Goat
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Posts: 8
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition

On Wed, 4 Dec 2019 22:09:22 -0000 (UTC), Boris
wrote:

Would you recommend one of the above for use with Windows 10 or would
you suggest Open Office? https://www.openoffice.org


I still use MS Office 2010 Student & Teacher in 2019 and have never
felt the need for any of the advertised new features - at least not
enough to spend $ on them particularly any of the subscription
versions.
  #111  
Old December 7th 19, 09:35 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
The Horny Goat
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Posts: 8
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition

On Thu, 5 Dec 2019 21:07:22 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

I would say the size of the business will factor in too. There are lots
of small businesses that do not need or user that inter-connectivity to
operate their businesses. And, many times, people use PDF files these days.


I have no idea whether it's true or not but I heard MS Office was
designed with heavy input from major law firms on their needs.

Which are obviously far different from people like most of us.

There are lots of free PDF programs around and I tend to experiment
between them on a regular basis.
  #112  
Old December 7th 19, 09:38 PM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
The Horny Goat
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Posts: 8
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition

On Fri, 6 Dec 2019 11:18:20 -0700, Ken Blake
wrote:

I agree with you. I also never run anything full-screen. I have two 23"
monitors. I always have at least three programs open on each screen (the
same three by default, but sometimes more than three). Each window is
large and takes up a good part of the screen, but the ones that are not
in the foreground have a corner visible, and that makes it very easy to
switch to it quickly.


Sounds like my setup (though I have twin 27" monitors).

I generally keep everything down on the taskbar and don't full-screen
anything but Skyrim (which is one of the more remarkable user mod
platforms out there and is primarily why this 2011 game is still
played - I know game mods are strictly speaking not 'freeware' but to
all intents and purposes they are)
  #113  
Old December 7th 19, 10:32 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Mayayana
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Posts: 6,438
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite - 2019 Edition

"Ken Blake" wrote

| You choice of course. As far as I'm concerned, personal financial
| software is wonderful. I use Quicken, not Money, and it saves me an
| enormous amount of time and trouble. It's also a wonderful resource for
| searching for past expenses--where did I buy something, who provided the
| service, when was it, how much did it cost, etc.
|
I have a system for that, too. It's called "receipts".


  #114  
Old December 7th 19, 10:42 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Ken Blake[_7_]
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Posts: 569
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite - 2019 Edition

On 12/7/2019 2:32 PM, Mayayana wrote:
"Ken Blake" wrote

| You choice of course. As far as I'm concerned, personal financial
| software is wonderful. I use Quicken, not Money, and it saves me an
| enormous amount of time and trouble. It's also a wonderful resource for
| searching for past expenses--where did I buy something, who provided the
| service, when was it, how much did it cost, etc.
|
I have a system for that, too. It's called "receipts".




If you're happy with that, that's fine. I won't try to convince you to
change. But I'll just point out that I can do a search within Quicken
and find what I want *much* *much* faster than you can thumbing through
a file of receipts.


--
Ken
  #115  
Old December 7th 19, 10:55 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
nospam
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Posts: 4,718
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite - 2019 Edition

In article , Ken Blake
wrote:


| You choice of course. As far as I'm concerned, personal financial
| software is wonderful. I use Quicken, not Money, and it saves me an
| enormous amount of time and trouble. It's also a wonderful resource for
| searching for past expenses--where did I buy something, who provided the
| service, when was it, how much did it cost, etc.
|
I have a system for that, too. It's called "receipts".



If you're happy with that, that's fine. I won't try to convince you to
change. But I'll just point out that I can do a search within Quicken
and find what I want *much* *much* faster than you can thumbing through
a file of receipts.


as well as instantly obtaining a total, rather than needing to manually
tally each one.
  #116  
Old December 8th 19, 12:31 AM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Ken Springer[_2_]
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Posts: 3,817
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition

On 12/7/19 11:13 AM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Sat, 7 Dec 2019 03:20:05 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/6/19 4:30 PM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Fri, 6 Dec 2019 11:01:57 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/6/19 10:23 AM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Fri, 6 Dec 2019 07:17:01 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/5/19 9:50 PM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Thu, 5 Dec 2019 21:07:22 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

On 12/5/19 6:54 AM, Mayayana wrote:
So if you think MS and Adobe are going to collapse then
you'll have to start by telling millions of people who work
in offices and graphics shops what Microsoft and Adobe are.
They really don't know. Most don't even know they're using
Windows. (They do know if they're using Mac but that's only
because they paid twice what it's worth to show off the logo.)

Having the active spread across the entire widescreen monitor also dries
me up the wall.

Then why do it? I assume you're speaking of your own behavior, since
other's behavior wouldn't be up to you. If you don't like it, don't do it
that way.

I rarely do things full screen. Google Maps, or any mapping type
program, would be an exception,

Sometimes, I get close to that with a program that has various control
panels on one side or the other. Such as a styles and formatting display.

I wasn't clear, but I was referring to things like writing a document,
and that's the only thing on the screen.

As for me, almost everything gets run full screen. I find it very
distracting to have multiple windows partially overlaid atop one another,
but I wouldn't tell anyone to do it one way or another. It's an individual
decision.

Regarding multiple windows on the screen, for me it depends on the
contents of the various windows. If those windows have different tools
that come with a particular program, it doesn't bother me.

But I don't have a browser window, email window, instant messenger
window, etc. all on the same desktop. For those situations, I use
alternate/multiple desktops. Each program is assigned to run in a
specific desktop. I've not found a way to do that with W10's Task Views.

It is an individual's choice. I get frustrated with people who choose
to do it one way, without knowing what their options are.

That last part is what gets you into trouble. I don't know how you can look
at someone and determine whether they know what their options are. It seems
much more likely that they're doing something exactly how they want to do
it. If *they* speak up and express frustration, that's different, but
until/unless they do so, you have no reason to be frustrated.

You can't look at them and know whether they know their options. You
actually have to ask and/or show them the options.

Right, that was exactly my point. So I don't understand why you allow
yourself to become frustrated. That's not making sense to me.


I guess it's seeing the same ignorance over and over again, and wonder
why they seem to be incapable of moving to another step ans asking what
they can do make life easier on themselves.


I thought we just established that you can't look at someone and determine
whether they know their options, i.e., you can't determine their level of
ignorance by looking. So what if someone doesn't do something the way that
you'd like? If you get frustrated by that, and you've said it drives you up
a wall, then that's entirely on you and has nothing to do with the other
person.

Frustration is not something that someone else gives to you. It's something
that you give to yourself.

I'm reminded of a friend who used to have exactly one application open at a
time on his Windows PC. One day he was showing me some photos that he'd
just taken at the local nature/animal park. I asked him to email a few to
me. He closed the photo viewer and opened Outlook Express, where he began
composing an email to me. By then, he had forgotten which photos I wanted,
so he saved the email as a Draft and closed OE. He opened the photo viewer
and located the photos, making a note of their names and location. He
closed the photo viewer and opened OE, where he completed the email and
sent it. He finished by closing OE. And guess what? He did everything
exactly the way he wanted to do it. He wanted one program open at a time,
period. Was that frustrating for me? No, of course not. I think it would
have been frustrating for you, but it shouldn't have been.


I think you may have missed my basic point for someone like your friend.
Did your friend know he/she had other options to get things done? If
yes, OK, go ahead. If no, why didn't your friend know of the other options?

These are PERSONAL computers. Everyone should be able to use them how they
want to. Multiple desktops, (not for me, thanks, but you go ahead), one
application open at a time, the primary application being full screen,
multiple windows one atop the others with corners visible for easy
selection, and a thousand other variations. Throughout it all, I choose not
to become frustrated. In the end, that's what it is - a choice. Choosing to
be frustrated isn't going to make my day any better.

If the individual doesn't know what their options are, you can't assume
they are using what they want. If an individual only knows one options,
that's the one they are going to use. :-) Once you know they know
their options, and they choose to continue with the way they are doing
it, perfectly fine with me. :-)

Besides, your 'multiple desktops' approach isn't better than running an
application full screen. Those are just two different approaches that get
you the same result - an application with fewer distractions.

I disagree, with all due respect. I'm still not using full screen
windows the vast majority of time. I just have less that full screen
windows on the different desktops.

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. What I said is accurate.


I think the alternate desktops are a bit more efficient. A hotkey setup
gives you one step to switch, compared to using the mouse to pick a
different window via the taskbar.


When there are two or more ways to get a job done, it's fine if you think
one way is more efficient than the others. I have no problem with that. If
you think there's a significant difference between using a hotkey combo and
using a mouse to make a single click, you should use the way that you think
is more efficient.



--
Ken
MacOS 10.14.6
Firefox 70.0.1
Thunderbird 60.9
"My brain is like lightning, a quick flash
and it's gone!"
  #117  
Old December 8th 19, 01:34 AM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Ant[_3_]
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Posts: 873
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite ? 2019 Edition

In alt.comp.os.windows-10 The Horny Goat wrote:
On Wed, 4 Dec 2019 22:09:22 -0000 (UTC), Boris
wrote:


Would you recommend one of the above for use with Windows 10 or would
you suggest Open Office? https://www.openoffice.org


I still use MS Office 2010 Student & Teacher in 2019 and have never
felt the need for any of the advertised new features - at least not
enough to spend $ on them particularly any of the subscription
versions.


For me, I was still using 2000, 2003, and now 2007. Also, I had
OpenOffice and have LibreOffice.
--
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  #118  
Old December 8th 19, 01:55 AM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Ken Springer[_2_]
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Posts: 3,817
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite - 2019 Edition

On 12/7/19 7:12 AM, Mayayana wrote:
"Ken Springer" wrote

| Too many people don't know an operating system from an alternator. :-(
|

With all the effort you put into that I'm loathe to
disagree with anything.


ROFL No problem, Mayayana, I've always enjoyed out conversations.

But I don't think it's their fault. Computers are very
complex tools made by linear/logical thinkers. Someone
could just as well say it drives them crazy that some
people don't know how to act with children, or bake a
cake... or change an alternator. There's nothing intuitive
about computers. I learned because I'm a handyman by
nature and I was intrigued, in part by the sheer
opaqueness of the thing. Everything was hard to figure
out. Nothing in my experience prepared me for the most
basic task of accessing a floppy disk from the Desktop.
And it wasn't in the Windows manual. (Which used to
exist.) I read books and did research. There's no reason
other people should want to do that.


It's partially their fault, in that so many of them do not make an
effort to learn. It's not helped by the disappearance of the manuals
that used to come with the systems, as well as books and magazines
available on the racks at various locations.

To Apple's credit, the computer comes with a basic manual (of sorts)
with the Mac. Andi it's actually on the hard drive. My 2009 iMac
included a small booklet that told you how to find it. Unfortunately,
no info on what was going on when you first turned the computer on. To
be honest, I don't remember if this Mac Mini had the same booklets, but
it didn't matter to me as I have the experience to know what was
happening. You don't see anything like that from MS, and their help
requires the internet. I think MS did the best with Vista, but it 's
been downhill ever since.

Contrary to the opinions of some who post in this group, there is
*always* someone without that experience.

Under the skin, you're right, computers are complex. It's the UI that
makes the difference, IMO. Each system has its pluses and minuses. I
generally break users into 2 groups: If they are logical thinkers, they
will probably prefer Windows. If they are creative, non-logical
thinkers, they will probably like Mac better.

I break that observation. I tend to be a logical thinker, yet for most
things I prefer my Mac.

Most people start it up, cross their fingers, do their work,
then shut it down.


I think these are the users who have some experience with computers.
But, what about the use with no experience? How long does it take them
to get their work done? Where did all that experience get most users
when they saw the Windows 8 Start Screen?

I'm facing a similar scenario now with
phones. I don't want a cellphone for several reasons, but one
big reason is that I don't want to waste a month of my life
trying to figure out the OS, only to have it change or find
out that I can't actually control it and that Google is in
control. Why should I make all that effort? They go to great
lengths to stop me from understanding and accessing anything
but the functions they want me to use. And I love working
with computers. I don't blame the majority for just looking
for the button that will do what they want. They didn't ask
for a degree in computer science. They just wanted a typewriter.


I couldn't agree more. I'm trying to help a friend with her Android
phone. What a POS user interface. No logic to it at all. Thankfully,
I have/had a 2013 Nexus 7 that is similar. Even with that, I find
myself saying "WTF?"

I don't want a smartphone either. It appears to me everyone is addicted
to them, and it's becoming a recognized medical condition. They are an
anchor to people doing things. You are not going to see me walking into
a door because I'm looking at a phone.

| Interestingly... I'm a member of a small networking group. 10-12
| members at the moment. You always hear about how businesses use
| Windows. The comments make it sound like it's impossible to use
| anything thing else. I was shocked to learn about a monthg ago, half of
| us use Macs. :-)
|

I noticed a lot of people switching to Macs a few
years ago. Mostly younger people. It was a lifestyle
thing. They weren't working on their computers. They
were sitting on their sofa, shopping online or emailing;
maybe streaming a video; and they simply didn't want
to deal with the technical side. They'd heard Macs
didn't have viruses, so they called their parents and
asked their parents to buy them a Mac laptop.


I switched in 2009. My XP system had a power supply that failed, took
out the motherboard, keyboard, and mouse. I wanted to see what a Mac
looked like, so I went to the first Apple store in town. I'd heard the
Mac couldn't be infected, but it did not take me long to learn that was
false.

I'll admit, it was a single thing I saw with the iMac that sold me. The
quality of the display. The image was astounding, far better than
anything I'd seen with a Windows system. That was it. LOL

But I'm not one of those younger folks. I was 61 when I bought it. But
it seems, from the people I come in contact with, the Mac users that
want to know how to do things are basically seniors.

With business I don't think it's just a choice of OS.
Business could use Linux far more cheaply. But neither Mac
nor Linux has the software. Microsoft have spent decades
making sure it's easy for business to make their own custom
software on Windows. Businesses created their own in-house
databases and such. Microsoft also catered to business
needs with their office suite. Their customer is business.


I would take the software question from the opposite direction. Does
the size of your business require the multitude of features available
with MS, Adobe, AutoCAD, etc.? If the answer is no... Why insist a
Windows system is necessary? With more and more of the the "gorillas in
the room" forcing you into subscriptions and doing things on the web,
does it really may any difference?

I suspect most people know so little about Linux, they don't even think
of it. But the web use has the same result.

I wonder what percentage of business actually create their own custom
applications?

Linux is used by some scientists, but mostly it's a system
for computer people who want a customized system for a
specific purpose, like a server or a kiosk system.


I wish I would win the lottery. Then I could hire maids and handymen,
so I would have the time to learn more about Linux. LOL

Mac is aimed at the consumer market.
Jobs put a lot of effort into getting Macs into schools
but avoided business. Business was too prosaic for him.
He fancied himself a spiritual avatar... And he locked the
system down... And he made it difficult to write software.
People had to do it the Mac way or not at all. It was
designed and intended for the kind of people who
drive you crazy. People who wanted a simple, cute
entertainment device and would gladly worship Lord
Jobs for providing it. All you need is a couple thousand
bucks and you can buy salvation at the Apple church,
that glass cathedral that usually sits in the swankest
part of most big cities.


Didn't desktop publishing get it's start with Macs?

Jobs was an arrogant control freak who fancied himself
some sort of Zen master and was going to bring his
transcendent aesthetic to the world. To riff raff like us.
What he really did was to make lots of very well designed,
addictive, entertainment devices that brought Taylor
Swift and online gossip to the world 24/7. He exploited
virtual slave labor in Asia and exploited his own customers
at home. And Tim Cook is following in his guru's footsteps.

I saw an interview recently where Cook was asked about
the Chinese labor issue and Cook responded that iPhone is
made by the whole world. It's a lovey-dovey, international
effort. [Parts are made in various places,
then shipped to China for assembly.] With Jobs it was all
brilliance and miracles. With Cook it's all sweetness and
bunnies. Lately, he's here to protect your privacy. (But he
never finishes that sentence. He's here to protect your privacy
from any third parties that might be able to exploit it and
leave Apple with less profits to hide offshore.)

I think of it like Apple is the estate manager who you
trust but is gradually draining your bank account. Google
is the thief who just breaks in your front door and pretends
there's nothing amiss. "What? Me? I didn't just break in."
Ironically, Microsoft seems almost honest by contrast.
They're a more old fashioned business. They want to exploit
you in any way they can, but their business market
is not as starry eyed as the Mac devotees.

| I do computer tutoring, but I don't teach specific programs. IOW, I
| don't teach people to open and save a file using MS Office 365 Word, for
| instance. I cover features all the more complex word processors do.
| Such as what styles and formatting does, or using Autocorrect (Smart
| Text in Softmaker Office) to type a couple of letters and having a
| complete return address entered complete with formatting.
|

You'd have to teach me that. I've never used spellcheck
or any kind of auto-correct. They drive me crazy. It's worse
than those clowns who leave dozens of windows open.


These days, I couldn't live without spellcheck. My spelling is good,
but the typing on this Q#$^!#%Y@Q$Y^W Magic keyboard is atrocious. With
the current state of my vision, I wouldn't see the errors I make without
the squiggly red line underneath misspelled words. And, I still miss
things.


--
Ken
MacOS 10.14.6
Firefox 70.0.1
Thunderbird 60.9
"My brain is like lightning, a quick flash
and it's gone!"
  #119  
Old December 8th 19, 01:58 AM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Ken Springer[_2_]
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Posts: 3,817
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite — 2019 Edition

On 12/7/19 1:35 PM, The Horny Goat wrote:
On Thu, 5 Dec 2019 21:07:22 -0700, Ken Springer
wrote:

I would say the size of the business will factor in too. There are lots
of small businesses that do not need or user that inter-connectivity to
operate their businesses. And, many times, people use PDF files these days.


I have no idea whether it's true or not but I heard MS Office was
designed with heavy input from major law firms on their needs.


That sounds more like WordPerfect, to me. Maybe Ken Blake knows.

Which are obviously far different from people like most of us.

There are lots of free PDF programs around and I tend to experiment
between them on a regular basis.



--
Ken
MacOS 10.14.6
Firefox 70.0.1
Thunderbird 60.9
"My brain is like lightning, a quick flash
and it's gone!"
  #120  
Old December 8th 19, 02:09 AM posted to alt.computer.workshop,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware
Ken Springer[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,817
Default 7 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Office Suite - 2019 Edition

On 12/6/19 7:37 PM, Mayayana wrote:
"Zaghadka" wrote

| We're still experiencing the fallout from Microsoft's freaking "curly
| quotes" adventure. I personally don't understand the need to bolt on
| "pretty" when straight-up ASCII will do the job. Why mess with
| interoperability?

My feeling, too.

|
| On the same token, given memory and storage sizes, and its backward
| compatibility with ASCII, why not just use UTF-8 for everything? That's
| where we're supposed to be at this point. Universal unicode, right?
|
I've heard that's what Linux does. But that's complicated.
First, most older files are ASCII, or more precisely, ANSI.
People who speak a language other than English will usually
have files that depend on a codepage. ASCII, 1-127, is the
same everywhere, but 128-255 depends on the codepage.
So those older files are not compatible with UTF-8.

Another problem is that UTF-8 may or may not have a
BOM. It's not recommended and generally isn't in HTML
fils, yet Notepad adds it. That can screw things up, so that
a simple ASCII file is still not compatible.

I typically clean up any files I get in UTF-8. They're not
worth the trouble. With webpages it's usually just
non-breaking spaces and curly quotes that make it UTF-8.
And those webpages are in English. So there's no advantage
to UTF-8.

To me it seems that the real motive is political correctness.
Inclusiveness. For us English speakers that's not a reason
to use it.


Much as I hate to say this, nospam is correct.

It's for correct typography. More broadly, it to ensure correct written
communications, where everyone writes following the same rules. In
turn, that helps to minimize misunderstandings by the reader.

Sadly, the texting world is destroying this.



--
Ken
MacOS 10.14.6
Firefox 70.0.1
Thunderbird 60.9
"My brain is like lightning, a quick flash
and it's gone!"
 




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