Even with good Windows and OSX kit, Office crashes, and has dumb 'help'. Word is ok for a 1 pager but geez-help-you if you want a paper with formatting and tables/charts, never mind a 100 pager plus.
Actually, when assembling long and complex documents, Word is the *only* one that is full featured and stable (600+ pages with tables, charts, and extensive formatting). Pages is okay, but you can't do pleadings in it, and not just for lack of templates. Word handles large documents with far greater stability than Wordperfect (the only other real competition in town), especially in document finishing, and OpenOffice is utterly useless for a large number of document types simply for compatibility reasons--if you work with lots of important text on a regular basis, in a legal or publishing context in particular, you need something beyond what a PDF can offer. XML formats aren't standardized or effective yet, but that could change the scene.
We've never had a stability problem with Word (for Windows or OS X) in any of my workplaces, from when I did systems administration all the way to today. I've dealt with hundreds of computers in various environments.
All my years as a Director/Producer - manager - I have never needed Microsoft apps...apple 'text' is as great as their word app, who really cares.
That's absurd. That's like saying that Quicktime's video capture is equivalent to Final Cut. You need the right tools for the right job. Most home users and many business and professional fields don't need all the features of the various Office applications, but there are those that do and there are few real competitors in the field.
I really do love Keynote, but PowerPoint is still a great deal more powerful. Keynote has the advantage of a lower learning curve and a more sophisticated experience, but simplification comes at a price (a fair one, since presentations should generally lean toward simple rather than flashy). However, I've been around for presentations from medical professionals and aeronautics engineers who do use the advanced features of Powerpoint and write off Keynote as a child's toy in comparison--yes, even dedicated Mac users who, like myself, love Keynote for what it
can do. Pages, on the other hand, is not a Word replacement for text-based professions.
People act like this is a Final Cut Pro, Maya, or something that can do something of some significance...if your into writing, get Final draft.
If you're into
writing, get a pen and paper or type into Stickies, for all it matters. If you work professionally with
documents, Word (or InDesign, etc., depending) is tough to beat. OpenOffice and iWork certainly don't cut it, and Corel's suite is old and spotty (but still exists because lots of lawyers simply won't let go).
