[mso] Re: Suggestions needed from Word Perfect converts

Linda
I haven't used WP in Windows for ages but I cut my teeth on WP for DOS and I 
would therefore make the following observations.
  1.. You gave a hint that the people you will be teaching are largely 
secretaries - I am/was one of that dying breed - dedicated touchtypists, 
reluctant mouseusers.  The gr8 thing about WP was that - at least in the DOS 
and earlier Windows versions of it - it had a whole load of keyboard shortcuts 
(some using function keys, others not), dating from its DOS origins but a boon 
to those who instinctively keep their fingers on the keys rather than reaching 
for the mouse.  (I've been a PC user for 13 years now and still resent having 
to take my hands off to find the beast, and more to the point, see which part 
of the screen it's been snoozing over).
  2.. Macros in WP were a piece of cake - as you will see from my earlier post 
today, I've not been brave enough to attempt them in Word - even after 5 years!
  3.. Reveal Codes was a smart WP feature that I used many times to sort out 
formatting problems.  There is a limited range of these things in Word by the 
use of the reveal formatting view option but your WP diehards will need to be 
shown some neat trix before they will be impressed!
  4.. Mostly your audience will feel strong resentment at the fact that Word 
(aka Microsoft Corp) is being forced on them.  WP users are, in my experience, 
intensely loyal to their product and pretty much loathe all things Microsoft.  
There is onboard help for those converting from WordPerfect to Word in 2002 - I 
presume it is available in other editions also - and it would be well worth 
checking this out.  However, it is rather simplistic and I would guess that 
your students will need to be coaxed through their dual resistance to both 
change and Microsoft in easy stages.  
  5.. I would always encourage Word users to work in print layout even when 
drafting.  The things I found hardest when making the transition were: having 
to use the mouse instead of keyboard shortcuts; page/section numbering; 
automatic date insertion (esp. "create date" and associated codes); tables of 
contents/authorities etc - they may even need the latter to be explained to 
them.  Mailmerge is probably no better or worse in one program than the other.  
The things I found greatest were tables - Word makes really neat tables!; 
headers/footers for different document sections, which are much easier in Word 
than WP; symbol/foreign character insertion (though I am not sure what WP for 
Windows is like in this regard - only used it briefly).
I came across a book called "Moving from Word Perfect for Windows to Word for 
Windows: 060302 IE Instructor's Edition: Advanced", ISBN 0-7580-0235-1 / 
0758002351, publisher Element K Content LLC which is probably available from 
Amazon.  Doubtless there are other similar titles around.

I would reiterate that it is about 5 years since I started using Word so am 
that much out of touch with WP now.  But I still miss it, and not purely for 
nostalgic reasons.  It had some superb features which to the dedicated 
*secretary* will be sorely missed.

Good luck with the lessons - HTH.

Anne
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda F. Johnson 
  To: MSO Freelist Group 
  Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 11:12 AM
  Subject: [mso] Suggestions needed from Word Perfect converts


  Hey gang...I need some input from any of you who converted from Word
  Perfect to Word....

  I have a job Monday teaching Word to a secretarial pool full of women who
  have been forced to switch from Word Perfect and are NOT happy (does this
  sound like heaven or what? Lol)

  Anyway...if anyone knows of the things that are most different and cause
  the most problems when you switch, I would love some advanced warning of
  what I am to expect....I know Styles are one thing I have to teach them
  and I know macros from Word Perfect cannot be converted, but must be made
  anew in Word...but that's about all I know, since I've hardly ever even
  seen Word Perfect

  Any input would be greatly appreciated...thanks.

  Linda
  Publisher ~ ABC ~ All 'Bout Computers
  Owner ~ Linda's Computer Stop
  http://personal-computer-tutor.com
  FREE MS Office eBook Tutorial
  http://personal-computer-tutor.com/library.htm
   


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