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Help for uni: What word processor for old ibook G3 and OS9?

student_trap

student_trap

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 14, 2005
1,879
0
'Ol Smokey, UK
Hello all,

since my powerbook's ethrenet port died, I have bought an ibook to use for my papers at university.

Everything seems great with the unit itself (it had been used for only six months of the last nine years and then put in storage so is in pretty much mint condition!), however the appleworks 6 that came with the unit (would this be on the install discs too?) is horrendously incompatible with my uni's word documents, and so is causing me loads of problems.

Does anyone know therefore what the best (in terms of performance on my slow hardware and compatibility) word processor would be. I know that there were office 98 and 2001 for mac, but not much else so I really need your help!

Thanks in advance

PS. If anyone has OS9 software that they are looking to sell (especially some office software), I would be interested but will only do transactions in the market place.

EDIT: ibook specs:

G3 366mhz Indigo
192 MB RAM
10 GB Hard drive
CD dive
 
If exchanging documents with Word users is important to you, then Word 98 or Word 2001 are your only credible options. Otherwise, Corel WordPerfect 3.5e is a decent powerful word processor. It is free. You may also want to consider Claris MacWrite II, WriteNow, Nisus Writer 6.5, AppleWorks, or any number of other applications.
 
If you're looking for a word processor that runs with lightning-speed, try locating a ciopy of Word 5.1.

It has all the standard functions (text formatting, columns, headers/footers, footnotes/endnotes, tables, etc.) plus it has customizable menues, and lots more.

It runs with no perceptible cursor lag whatsoever, even when working with 500 page documents. Text, menues and dialogue boxes appear instantly. Pages scroll in perfect synchronization with the mouse wheel.

I've worked with Word 5.1 since it appeared, and have never had the need to upgrade. I also have Word 2001 on OS9, but it has a noticeable slowness compared to Word 5.1, plus the sheer number of menues and dialogue boxes you have to go through for simple text formatting is a definite turn-off for me. MS made huge changes in Word sometime after 5.1. For instance, 5.1 has no animated paper clip!

(I regurlarly boot into OS9 to work on old Word documents, so I use 5.1 almost daily. I haven't found a suitable OSX replacement yet, but am still looking.)
 
jofima said:
If you're looking for a word processor that runs with lightning-speed, try locating a ciopy of Word 5.1.

...
Click to expand...
Word 5.1 can be updated to allow you to read Word 6.0 files. Since the vast majority of users use Word 97 or higher, even the most updated version of Word 5.1--Word 5.1A, if memory serves--leaves you unable to handle files sent by friends, family, or colleagues.
 
That's true.

For me personally, whenever I need to convert a word-document sent to me, I can always open it with Word 2001, and if need be (if I need to work on it), I'll then convert it to a Word 5.1 document.

However, people who send me documents do so mostly in either PDF, PS or RTF format. I don't normally need to edit their documents. I only need to read them or print them.

I have no idea what needs to OP might have, of course.
 
The speediest word processor for OS9 was WriteNow. Awesome ... small. it will create RTF files for sure and possible .doc files (though they'll be of an older variety for sure). WN's table maker is still probably the best on a computer ever.

Clarisworks/Appleworks also had a serviceable word processor.

mt
 
mysterytramp said:
The speediest word processor for OS9 was WriteNow. Awesome ... small. it will create RTF files for sure and possible .doc files (though they'll be of an older variety for sure). WN's table maker is still probably the best on a computer ever.

Clarisworks/Appleworks also had a serviceable word processor.

mt
Click to expand...

Can you still get them though??? The only ones that I can find are Office...

J
 
Thanks for all of the replies guys, they are all really helpful.

The crucial thing for me is compatibility with my friends and tutors here at university, and moreover, I am limited to software from CD's or downloads, as my ibook has only a CD drive.

I should be picking up office 2001 later today. Im assuming that this will best suit my need for compatibility with more modern windows word files?
 
student_trap said:
I should be picking up office 2001 later today. Im assuming that this will best suit my need for compatibility with more modern windows word files?
Click to expand...

It depends on how modern the files are. If you receive a file of the newest Office file format (.docx, .pptx, and .xlsx are the most common), Office 2001 won't be able to open them. The earliest version of Office that will be able to do anything with them is Office 2004, but that requires OS X.

Regards,
Nadyne.
 
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