🚀 go-pugleaf

>We are running WordPerfect 5.1 on our VAXcluster.
>We need to convert some documents that were generated in WordStar to
>WordPerfect.  The WordStar documents are currently on floppies.

I assume you have two challenges:  Getting your Wordstar documents uploaded
to the VAX, and getting them converted.

I have not tried to upload text with control characters to the VAX; I hear
there are many problems if you try.  Both WordStar document text and
WordPerfect contain many control characters.  I convert all PC
wordprocessing to ASCII text before shipping it.  If you still have access
to WordStar 3.3, it can do it for you; I think you just open your document
as non-document text.  Control characters enter the picture in WordStar
when you start using word wrap.  If you don't have WordStar, you will still
need to find a convert program; there used to be many of these to strip out
the high-ASCII characters WordStar used to indicate ends of words for word
wrap.  The high ASCII came across as "garbage".

Once a document is converted to ASCII, I use KERMIT to send it across to
our VAX, and use an ASCII import to get it into the wordprocessing program
on the mainframe.  (Text In/Out).  I have also had success with straight
ASCII upload into an open empty document onscreen; the process looks TERRIBLE
because the screen control characters show and text flies all around, but
it works and saves the Kermit step.  (But then, I'm using WPS+ in All-in-1
on the VAX.  I don't know if this will work in WordPerfect, but it might.)

Several people have mentioned the CONVERT.EXE program on the MS-DOS version
of Wordperfect 5.1.  I have used the CONVERT in 5.0 but didn't like it.
Wordstar justification turns into extra spaces between words, and tabs and
centering also turn into spaces.  I have not used the WP51 version of
CONVERT but don't expect it works any better at REAL conversion.

If you still have access to Wordstar, I recommend using it to reformat all
your documents by removing justification.  Centering and tabs are a
nuisance, but the extra spaces are very difficult to work with in
WordPerfect (which add justification when printing, not earlier.)

I hope some of this fits your situation.  Good luck.

Marsha Williams
Library Automation Coordinator
Meharry Medical Library
WILLIA97@MMC.BITNET
(615)327-6335