My first PC-based word processor was WordPerfect (not counting pre-PC word processors). I greatly appreciated the Reveal Codes and being able to edit in it (probably helped me easily dive into HTML editing, later) and I was disappointed by MS Word's inability to offer similar control of the document. I (mostly) got over that, learnt MS Word and then, later, OpenOffice Writer and LibreOffice Writer.
I've taught a LOT of classes in MS Word and found the vast majority of users don't really understand how to do word processing — they are typists using the barest of word processing features. Many use the <ENTER> key at the end of each line as if it were the carriage return of a typewriter — which makes editing almost impossible! I tell people who want to do word processing they should never use the <ENTER> key at the end of a line, never use two-in-a-row keystrokes of the <ENTER> key OR the spacebar, and avoid direct formatting when possible: Styles should be used. THAT is word processing instead of just typing. There is nothing wrong with not understanding word processing, but I suspect it skews what MS produces. IIRC, the whole reason for that horrific 'Ribbon' in MS Office was because the designers determined that the menu didn't work since users were asking for features which already existed. In my experience, MS Word seems more tolerant (than OO/LO Writer) of typists who don't understand word processing. Although the 'Ribbon' made the use of Styles more in-your-face, most users don't want to be bothered with it. OTOH, OO/LO Writer seems more insistent on the use of Styles which seems (to me) to be a good thing, but much more of a challenge to typists who don't know word processing. Disclaimer: old guy, now retired, who has happily abandoned all Micro$oft products -- T. R. Valentine A rich heart may be under a poor coat. -- To unsubscribe e-mail to: [email protected] Problems? https://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: https://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ Privacy Policy: https://www.documentfoundation.org/privacy
