Re: [libreoffice-users] LibreOffice Writer is sabotaging real work

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.

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