• Re: New Mac word processor

    From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Tue Jul 28 20:57:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 12 Apr 2026, Steve Hodgson wrote
    (in article <XDKCR.430169$171.349499@fx05.ams4>):

    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Reminds me of how much I enjoyed using Nisus Writer as my word processor for years. Now I miss it.

    <https://tidbits.com/2025/10/25/nisus-writer-schrodingers-word-processor/>

    It was great that the files were natively rtf.

    Nisus is still there - itrCOs the Word Processor I use. WhatrCOs the problem?

    MST

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Tue Jul 28 21:00:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 13 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article<TuvvivliWRshhufWFFpFZmQhZZvDheBy@news.usenet.farm>):

    I used Nisus Writer Express a lot in the '00s and early '10s. That and the much-missed Pages rCO09.

    I loved Pages rCO09, and refused to update the MacOS for years just so I could keep using it.

    Nisus is still there, though. I use it every day.

    MST

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@hugybear@gmx.net to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 08:26:08 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit post <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.
    --
    "Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 07:40:54 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114c6e0$ja8u$1@solani.org>):

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the interface terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought through and elegant, and I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt.

    MST

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@hugybear@gmx.net to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 10:42:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 29.07.26 08:40, Martin S Taylor wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114c6e0$ja8u$1@solani.org>):

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the interface terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought through and elegant, and I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt

    The GUI can be trimmed to your personal preferences and beyond.
    I therefore strongly disagree. What I do not accept under any
    circumstances are word processors that create proprietary file types.

    I do not know anything about "Versowriter" but I do not see any need for another word processing application.

    What is the USP?
    --
    "Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan B@alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 09:23:37 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 2026-07-28, Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
    On 13 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article<TuvvivliWRshhufWFFpFZmQhZZvDheBy@news.usenet.farm>):

    I used Nisus Writer Express a lot in the '00s and early '10s. That and the >> much-missed Pages rCO09.

    I loved Pages rCO09, and refused to update the MacOS for years just so I could keep using it.

    Nisus is still there, though. I use it every day.

    I think their site is having a duvet day - error 504 gateway timeout. I'll try again later.
    --
    Cheers, Alan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 14:47:35 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 11 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article <10rd608$1no1j$1@dont-email.me>):

    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit post <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    I had a play with it this afternoon. ItrCOs okay. Aesthetically nice.

    Two problems for me:

    1. ThererCOs no real support for editing your own style sheets. This is a deal-breaker, and I wonrCOt be forking out -u15 until it gets this.

    2. It seems to revert to its default font (SF Pro) too easily.

    IrCOm also chary of any program written by one guy. If (I knew that) he was well financed and was committed to maintaining this thing for another ten years, then IrCOd give it another chance. But I donrCOt think I will.

    MST

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 15:33:58 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 29 Jul 2026, Alan B wrote
    (in article<114cgqp$oec9$1@alphabravo.eternal-september.org>):

    On 2026-07-28, Martin S Taylor<hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
    On 13 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article<TuvvivliWRshhufWFFpFZmQhZZvDheBy@news.usenet.farm>):

    I used Nisus Writer Express a lot in the '00s and early '10s. That and the
    much-missed Pages rCO09.

    I loved Pages rCO09, and refused to update the MacOS for years just so I could keep using it.

    Nisus is still there, though. I use it every day.

    I think their site is having a duvet day - error 504 gateway timeout. I'll try again later.

    Ah yes - the link quoted upthread seems to think Nisus is on the way out.

    <https://tidbits.com/2025/10/25/nisus-writer-schrodingers-word-processor/>

    MST

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 15:36:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114cedc$jv8g$1@solani.org>):

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the interface terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought through and elegant, and I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt

    The GUI can be trimmed to your personal preferences and beyond.
    I therefore strongly disagree.
    Based on your suggestion I downloaded Libre Office and gave it another go. ItrCOs so hard to put my finger on why I dislike it so strongly, although it is the interface - it just smacks of everything thatrCOs wrong with Word.

    What I do not accept under any
    circumstances are word processors that create proprietary file types.
    I agree with that, though!

    MST

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Brock McNuggets@brock.mcnuggets@gmail.com to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 17:04:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On Jul 29, 2026 at 1:42:20rC>AM MST, "J||rg Lorenz" wrote <114cedc$jv8g$1@solani.org>:

    On 29.07.26 08:40, Martin S Taylor wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114c6e0$ja8u$1@solani.org>):

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the >> interface terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought >> through and elegant, and I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt

    The GUI can be trimmed to your personal preferences and beyond.

    It can be customized but as far as I know it is still quite limited... dialogs and the like will remain much the same. And there are lots of issues. Still, I use it for opening markdown and for other needs.

    I therefore strongly disagree. What I do not accept under any
    circumstances are word processors that create proprietary file types.

    I can understand that -- but accept proprietary file types since the overall workflow is better for me.

    I do not know anything about "Versowriter" but I do not see any need for another word processing application.

    What is the USP?
    --
    It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with you.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Brock McNuggets@brock.mcnuggets@gmail.com to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 17:11:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On Jul 29, 2026 at 6:47:35rC>AM MST, "Martin S Taylor" wrote <0001HW.301A3BF701CE470930B9DA38F@news.eternal-september.org>:

    On 11 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article <10rd608$1no1j$1@dont-email.me>):

    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    I had a play with it this afternoon. ItrCOs okay. Aesthetically nice.

    Two problems for me:

    1. ThererCOs no real support for editing your own style sheets. This is a deal-breaker, and I wonrCOt be forking out -u15 until it gets this.

    2. It seems to revert to its default font (SF Pro) too easily.

    IrCOm also chary of any program written by one guy. If (I knew that) he was well
    financed and was committed to maintaining this thing for another ten years, then IrCOd give it another chance. But I donrCOt think I will.

    MST

    I tried it. Typed a few words. Decided to see how it handled images. Dragged a jpg in. All it shows is a link. OK, does not handle images -- more of a text processor than full featured word processor. I can live with that. Hit undo... and it undid my text not the image and then insisted all text was a link to
    the image.

    Not impressed. Nothing there I see as being better than what I have elsewhere.

    Did try opening markdown and it handled that fine. Wish Pages did... but LibreOffice handles conversation for me well (even if having to jump through some dumb hoops -- maybe I can build a shortcut to make it faster).
    --
    It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with you.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan B@alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 17:21:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 2026-07-29, Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, Alan B wrote
    (in article<114cgqp$oec9$1@alphabravo.eternal-september.org>):

    On 2026-07-28, Martin S Taylor<hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote: >> > On 13 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article<TuvvivliWRshhufWFFpFZmQhZZvDheBy@news.usenet.farm>):

    I used Nisus Writer Express a lot in the '00s and early '10s. That and the
    much-missed Pages rCO09.

    I loved Pages rCO09, and refused to update the MacOS for years just so I could keep using it.

    Nisus is still there, though. I use it every day.

    I think their site is having a duvet day - error 504 gateway timeout. I'll try again later.

    Ah yes - the link quoted upthread seems to think Nisus is on the way out.

    <https://tidbits.com/2025/10/25/nisus-writer-schrodingers-word-processor/>

    I see what you mean. It would be a shame if such an elegant app were to end up unsupported.
    --
    Cheers, Alan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@hugybear@gmx.net to uk.comp.sys.mac on Sun Aug 2 09:26:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 29.07.26 15:47, Martin S Taylor wrote:
    On 11 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article <10rd608$1no1j$1@dont-email.me>):

    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    I had a play with it this afternoon. ItrCOs okay. Aesthetically nice.

    Two problems for me:

    1. ThererCOs no real support for editing your own style sheets. This is a deal-breaker, and I wonrCOt be forking out -u15 until it gets this.

    2. It seems to revert to its default font (SF Pro) too easily.

    IrCOm also chary of any program written by one guy. If (I knew that) he was well financed and was committed to maintaining this thing for another ten years, then IrCOd give it another chance. But I donrCOt think I will.

    I could not agree more!

    But even he is committed now we all know what can happen in a man's
    life! I simply do not accept one man shows.

    That is also the reason why I do not use Betterbird for instance.
    --
    "Ave! Morituri te salutant!"
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From David B.@David@hotmail.co.uk to uk.comp.sys.mac on Sun Aug 2 09:35:35 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 02/08/2026 08:26, J||rg Lorenz wrote:
    On 29.07.26 15:47, Martin S Taylor wrote:
    On 11 Apr 2026, Mark wrote
    (in article <10rd608$1no1j$1@dont-email.me>):

    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though...
    Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/
    i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    I had a play with it this afternoon. ItrCOs okay. Aesthetically nice.

    Two problems for me:

    1. ThererCOs no real support for editing your own style sheets. This is
    a deal-breaker, and I wonrCOt be forking out -u15 until it gets this.

    2. It seems to revert to its default font (SF Pro) too easily.

    IrCOm also chary of any program written by one guy. If (I knew that) he
    was well financed and was committed to maintaining this thing for
    another ten years, then IrCOd give it another chance. But I donrCOt think >> I will.

    I could not agree more!

    But even he is committed now we all know what can happen in a man's
    life! I simply do not accept one man shows.

    *Gone but not forgotten*!

    The domain howardknight.net has expired and links to it have been
    replaced by a holding page from Network Solutions.

    From whois:
    Creation Date: 2008-07-15T00:43:34Z
    Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2027-07-15T00:43:34Z
    Tech Email: pendingrenewalordeletion@networksolutions.com

    Reported in news.software.readers, a Facebook group had announced his
    demise:

    Message-ID: <m2qzkloelv.fsf@cock.li>

    "He passed away on March 10th".

    RIP.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan B@alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid to uk.comp.sys.mac on Sun Aug 2 08:52:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 2026-07-29, Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114c6e0$ja8u$1@solani.org>):

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the interface
    terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought through and elegant, and
    I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt.

    Years ago I used to quite like WordPerfect. It seems to be Windows only now though.
    --
    Cheers, Alan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan B@alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid to uk.comp.sys.mac on Sun Aug 2 09:02:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 2026-08-02, Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:
    On 2026-07-29, Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114c6e0$ja8u$1@solani.org>):

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_windows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the interface
    terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought through and elegant, and
    I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt.

    Years ago I used to quite like WordPerfect. It seems to be Windows only now though.

    You can sort of run it under emulation but it's not an up to date version. I don't think
    I'll bother!

    <https://mendelson.org/wpdos/mac-intel.html>
    --
    Cheers, Alan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Theo@theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk to uk.comp.sys.mac on Sun Aug 2 12:51:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mraermtoivnestaylor.tchoims> wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114cedc$jv8g$1@solani.org>):

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I
    find the interface terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to
    be well thought through and elegant, and I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt

    The GUI can be trimmed to your personal preferences and beyond.
    I therefore strongly disagree.
    Based on your suggestion I downloaded Libre Office and gave it another go. ItrCOs so hard to put my finger on why I dislike it so strongly, although it is the interface - it just smacks of everything thatrCOs wrong with Word.

    I think that's the point - it's supposed to be friendly for people who are
    used to Word. ('intuitive' == works like something I'm already familiar with)

    (although on Windows it avoids the problems of railroading you towards the ribbon by taking away the menus - something that the Mac version of Word
    never suffered from)

    I'd be interested to know if anyone's done some reskins of LO to make it
    less Word like...

    Theo
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@hugybear@gmx.net to uk.comp.sys.mac on Sun Aug 2 17:36:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 02.08.26 13:51, Theo wrote:
    Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mraermtoivnestaylor.tchoims> wrote:
    On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114cedc$jv8g$1@solani.org>):

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I
    find the interface terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to
    be well thought through and elegant, and I simply find that Libre
    OfficerCOs isnrCOt

    The GUI can be trimmed to your personal preferences and beyond.
    I therefore strongly disagree.
    Based on your suggestion I downloaded Libre Office and gave it another go. >> ItrCOs so hard to put my finger on why I dislike it so strongly, although it >> is the interface - it just smacks of everything thatrCOs wrong with Word.

    I think that's the point - it's supposed to be friendly for people who are used to Word. ('intuitive' == works like something I'm already familiar with)

    (although on Windows it avoids the problems of railroading you towards the ribbon by taking away the menus - something that the Mac version of Word never suffered from)

    I'd be interested to know if anyone's done some reskins of LO to make it
    less Word like...

    I would never do that: I use LO on Linux, Mac and Windows.
    --
    "Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan B@alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid to uk.comp.sys.mac on Mon Aug 3 09:35:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 2026-08-02, WolfFan <akwolffan@zoho.com> wrote:
    On Aug 2, 2026, Alan B wrote
    (in article<114n0fr$beb0$1@alphabravo.eternal-september.org>):

    On 2026-07-29, Martin S Taylor<hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote: >> > On 29 Jul 2026, J||rg Lorenz wrote
    (in article <114c6e0$ja8u$1@solani.org>):

    On 11.04.26 11:58, Mark wrote:
    'Verso' <https://www.versowriter.app> looks quite cool. -u15 though... >> > > > Reddit
    post
    <https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1sidiau/i_came_to_mac_from_wind
    ows_needed_a_word/>

    Why don't you consider Libre Office? Open Source and therefore free.

    I keep trying Libre Office when people recommend it on here, but I find the
    interface
    terribly clunky. I do like the user interface to be well thought through >> > and elegant, and
    I simply find that Libre OfficerCOs isnrCOt.

    Years ago I used to quite like WordPerfect. It seems to be Windows only now >> though.

    There was, about 30 years ago, a Mac version. About that time WordPerfect changed owners. Twice. (WordPerfect Corp, Novell, then Corel) Management was not serious about supporting WP on Macs; they made it hard (and expensive) to
    upgrade (you had to go through a precise sequence to get from WP 3 to 3.5, and it involved two paid upgrades, and no, you couldnrCOt just get the 3.5 updater. It was actually cheaper to just buy 3.5. I didnrCOt bother and stayed on the old version.) After a while someone at Corel noticed that sales
    were tanking, and made the updates free. After a bit, Corel literally gave 3.5e away. For free. By that time no-one cared; I got a free copy from CorelrCOs site and used it a few times, but the. then current version of Word
    was far better. When Apple moved from rCyClassicrCO Mac OS to OS X, Corel never released a OS X native version. Which meant that after Snow Leopard, WP
    would no longer run.

    Yes it's a shame they dropped the Mac version. FWIW LibreOffice has an
    option to open WordPerfect documents but not save in that format. Also
    LO will open MacWrite docs.
    --
    Cheers, Alan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2