Am I the only one who think that....

dangermou5e · Nov 8, 2009, 04:08 PM

Am I the only one who thinks that if iWork was made by Microsoft they would get slaughtered with abuse about how crap it is?

I'm a new'ish mac user, got an iMac last July... And obviously I had to get a word processor with it because it's one of my main uses in my computer. I heard Office for Mac was terrible so I thought buying the Apple alternative may actually be better.

It was only when I installed it that I realised how impossible it is to use. It has possibly the most un-intuitive interface ever, and to bring up the boxes to do things like, change a font or make a table, it took me about 15 minutes to realise how, not including the time to Google it.

I'll save you from my ramblings and stop now :P

Can someone PLEASE recommend a word processor (don't care about presentations or spreadsheets, never use them), that doesn't make me want to regret that I bought a mac?

Peace

celticpride678 · Nov 8, 2009, 04:12 PM

I used Microsoft Office 2008 on my Mac for a few months and got tired of it. Since then, I have been using NeoOffice 3.0.1. It works wonderful; easy to use too.

If you just want a word processor, I recommend Bean for Mac.

macjram · Nov 8, 2009, 04:12 PM

OpenOffice.org

NT1440 · Nov 8, 2009, 04:13 PM

Um, as with any new software vs being used to the previous way things were done, there is a learning curve.....

I'm a few months in on iwork now, still haven't learned everything yet, but still love it way more than office (especially 2007). I LOVE the fulllscreen option in pages that makes me focus solely on my work.

dangermou5e · Nov 8, 2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celticpride678

If you just want a word processor, I recommend Bean for Mac.

Just trying this now, it's great so far!

I'll check out NeoOffice too

Thanks guys!

andiwm2003 · Nov 8, 2009, 04:27 PM

i like pages and numbers. however they should get rid of these stupid inspector windows just to make a font smaller and such. these functions should be like in MS Word/Powerpoint.

Keynote is fantastic aside of that.

DKatri · Nov 8, 2009, 06:24 PM

I have iWork, Office and OpenOffice all installed on my MBP and i think if you are looking for something that feels familiar then OpenOffice is your best bet and its free!

mysterytramp · Nov 8, 2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangermou5e

It has possibly the most un-intuitive interface ever, and to bring up the boxes to do things like, change a font or make a table, it took me about 15 minutes to realise how, not including the time to Google it.

To change formatting, Pages uses the same setup as about 95 percent of other software. Hit Command-T and the font dialog appears. If you want, you can use the Inspector, but you don't have to. There's an onscreen pop-up menu to change fonts.

To make a table, you hit the Table button and you can alter it with the inspector.

This really took you 15 minutes?

Look, if you don't like Pages, you're welcome to your opinion. I think Bean's great. I think Neo/Open is slow and far too ponderous. But hey, to each his own.

mt

Nov 8, 2009, 04:08 PM	#1
dangermou5e macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London	Am I the only one who think that.... Am I the only one who thinks that if iWork was made by Microsoft they would get slaughtered with abuse about how crap it is? I'm a new'ish mac user, got an iMac last July... And obviously I had to get a word processor with it because it's one of my main uses in my computer. I heard Office for Mac was terrible so I thought buying the Apple alternative may actually be better. It was only when I installed it that I realised how impossible it is to use. It has possibly the most un-intuitive interface ever, and to bring up the boxes to do things like, change a font or make a table, it took me about 15 minutes to realise how, not including the time to Google it. I'll save you from my ramblings and stop now :P Can someone PLEASE recommend a word processor (don't care about presentations or spreadsheets, never use them), that doesn't make me want to regret that I bought a mac? Peace

Nov 8, 2009, 04:12 PM	#2
celticpride678 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: United States of America	I used Microsoft Office 2008 on my Mac for a few months and got tired of it. Since then, I have been using NeoOffice 3.0.1. It works wonderful; easy to use too. If you just want a word processor, I recommend Bean for Mac. __________________ Late 2008 Aluminum 2.4 GHz MacBook; 8GB iPod touch 2nd Generation It's All Tech

Nov 8, 2009, 04:12 PM	#3
macjram macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2008	OpenOffice.org __________________ 32GB iPhone 3Gs. 15" Unibody Macbook Pro, 2.4 GHz, 4GB RAM, 350GB HD www.mfjram.com -Blog www.diryshoebox.com -Portfolio

Nov 8, 2009, 06:24 PM	#7
DKatri macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2009	I have iWork, Office and OpenOffice all installed on my MBP and i think if you are looking for something that feels familiar then OpenOffice is your best bet and its free! __________________ 13.3" Unibody MBP, 2.26 GHz, 2GB RAM (for now), 160GB HD, 40GB music, Blackberry Curve 8900

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Nov 8, 2009, 04:13 PM	#4
NT1440 macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rochester	Um, as with any new software vs being used to the previous way things were done, there is a learning curve..... I'm a few months in on iwork now, still haven't learned everything yet, but still love it way more than office (especially 2007). I LOVE the fulllscreen option in pages that makes me focus solely on my work.

Nov 8, 2009, 04:27 PM	#6
andiwm2003 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA	i like pages and numbers. however they should get rid of these stupid inspector windows just to make a font smaller and such. these functions should be like in MS Word/Powerpoint. Keynote is fantastic aside of that.