🚀 go-pugleaf

nmouawad@water.waterloo.edu (Naji Mouawad) writes:

>IMHO, for a simple reason: Tech support and learning curve. WP has an
>edge over all the other editors: 800 free line. No matter what 
>kind of a problem you run into, there is a human person to help
>you. Best feature, ever.

Well, the learning curve is far less steep then with WP, I'm sure.
Everything is done with menus (there are shortcuts) and pop-up boxes.
The only problem you have is where to find something. For example, is 
the top margin setting under Global Format or under Page Layout?
This is only a problem for novices and one of the most difficult ones with
Manuscript. Really it is quit easy to use.
Maybe you're referring to release 1 of Manuscript: in this version, everything
was done with backslash commands like TeX. In release 2 everything is done with
tags (Alt-F10). These tags can be applied on text, sections, blocks like all
other commands.

>Eventually, all the editors will have more or less the same
>features. Tech support will be the cutting edge.

I don't think so. Ever heard of tech support for TeX? OK, your colleages can
help you, but you can't bother them all of the time. Still TeX is used
everywhere, and the learning curve is steep!

I think the most used wordprocessor, historically I mean, will win.
Just look at WordPerfect, it has been very user unfriendly untill recently.
Just because it was the best one (or nearly, and with the most features) from   1983 to 1988 (dangerous statement, mind you), it still is on top.
Microsoft Word for Windows is coming though and I think it will win just
because it is easier to use and has a WYSIWYG display.
If Lotus comes out with a improved version of Manuscript (it can't do some
things the others can), I think it can be a winner, if it is marketed right.
I have never seen an add from Lotus about Manuscript, why don't they do that?

Richard.