Word processor for the Mad with spellchecker interface as good as WordPerfect's?

[infobleep]

Hi there

Can anyone tell me if there is a word processor available for the Mac with a spellchecker interface similar to the one used in WordPerfect? I have recently purchased a Mac and would like to install a word processor on it.

I am dyslexic and I have found the WordPerfect spellchecker interface to be the best one I've come across for my needs, far better than MS Word. This also includes being better than Text Help System's Read & Write, the spellchecking application designed and recommended for dyslexics!

In WordPerfect, if you don't spell a word correctly, you can retype the spelling. Instead of having to hit suggest, it automatically makes suggestions as you retype. This way, after only typing part of the word, you may see the correct spelling come up. If your new suggestion is wrong you can then simply retype the word until you get a suggestion which works. Much quicker than hitting suggest 4-5 times and it takes into account the original misspelt word when making the new suggestions.

In comparison the version of Read and Write I have, which was released in 2006, didn't even have a suggest option. So much for specialist software. In fact it didn't even have the word dyslexic in it's dictionary, until I point out this omission to them!

If there isn't such a word processor available for the Mac, I might consider buying and installing WordPerfect X4 in my virtual Windows 7. However having purchased a Mac, I would prefer where possible to use Mac based software.

Kind regards

 

[gerabbi]

I haven't used WP in quite a while but a couple of suggestions are:

NeoOffice it's free and does import WP files so maybe it's worth a go.

NisusWriter is another quality word processor and worth a trial look.

HTH

 

[talmy]

I was a WordPerfect user for probably 20 years, but forced myself to drop it when I went all Mac. However it still stays on a Windows virtual machine to edit existing documents. I still like it best for long document creation, but I haven't had to write one in a number of years!

Frankly, running a virtual machine for a few applications is nothing to be ashamed about. I didn't think twice about installing WordPerfect on a Windows virtual machine. I keep all my data files on the OS X "drive" so they get backed up with TimeMachine, and as already pointed out NeoOffice or Openoffice.org do a pretty good job importing if you need that.

 

[Benito]

Years ago I created a few templates in WordPerfect and I haven't bothered to learn how to do them in either Word or Pages. Instead when I need those templates, I open WP in Windows in my VM.

 

[exegete77]

Spell Catcher works well, and can be customized for all applications.

 

[infobleep]

Thank you for all your replies. I will look into Spell Catcher.

I will also look at NeoOffice and NisusWriter and I know there's OpenOffice too to look at.

I must admit I do like the codes in Word Perfect but the most important function is the spellchecker.

The reason I'm partly put off buying the latest WordPerfect X4, is the fact, in the UK at least, one can only buy the full version of the software and not any of the cut down editions that they sell in the US.