And I can’t justify the cost just to have a slightly better spellcheck and grammar check. No matter what word processor I use, I have to customize the dictionary. And I don’t need my word processor telling me what sounds weak or not. If you write in the passive voice, grammar check isn’t gonna make you a better writer.

All a writer needs is a program that writes neat paragraphs. Some of us like simplicity. Word may have some better features, but If I never use them to begin with, I’ll stick with the freebie.

Some people still write on paper for goodness sake.

At home I’ve been using Open Office for a while, and a few other similar free word processors. As far as I can see, Word is better, but that’s probably because I am more experienced using Word.

What’s important is that people who work together should use the same software (at least it used to be like that). If they do, it’s a lot easier to share documents and things will stay the same (that was even a problem with old and new versions of Word).

After I bought a Mac, I’m using WriteRoom and Scrivener. They are both very cheap and awesome. You can’t actually compare them to Word, but for me, Word has so many features and tools that I will never use. WriteRoom and Scrivener are perfect.

Of course I’d add more ram to that, but I’d do the same with any PC.

You can buy anything from this up to fully loaded Mac Pro but in every case a comparable PC costs just as much.

Anthony Lawrences last blog post..Windows 7 learning experience by Anthony Lawrence

If you spend $3,000 on a Mac, you’d spend just as much on an equivalent PC.

Macs start at $599.00. You can buy cheaper PC’s, of course, but if you are comparing apples to apples, you’ll be spending $600 or more to match them.

Anthony Lawrences last blog post..Windows 7 learning experience by Anthony Lawrence

As for constant virus worries… um, I never had that. Why would one have constant worries about viruses if one doesn’t visit sites that are likely to infect or open questionable emails?

(Good to have you back!)

Contrary to Microsoft propaganda, Mac’s are NOT expensive. In fact, when you consider what you get (and what you DON’T get, like constant virus worries), there’s no real difference.

Of course I’m much more apt to use “vi” than any word processor so maybe that shouldn’t count for much

But Microsoft in general: fah on that. Mac or Linux for me. Actually, Mac AND Linux for me..

Anthony Lawrences last blog post..Windows 7 learning experience by Anthony Lawrence

As for me relying on the grammar checker, I dropped that a looong time ago (though since I’m Canadian, I have to pay somewhat attention for my American friends). However, I run a team (had you read the About Us you’d know this) so that means using all resources possible to keep everything 100% great for my client.

I haven’t tried Grammatik, nor did this post suggest that I was reviewing ALL software out there. If you have the money to pay me, I’d be more than happy to do so.

And as for passive language, well, let’s just say I like to stay with the times. Do you?