Use of ``vi'' for business office word-processing

[Daniel P Faigin]

In article <1246 at kitty.UUCP> larry at kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes:
>	So my question is: Am I WRONG in advising people to stay with ``vi''
>and not spend money for "word-processing software" in the BUSINESS APPLICATION
>environment?

[Note: My wife asked me to post this. I personally perfer vi and
think it is usable for novices... with the right support]

A few notes -- you asked for it!

I _have taught_ word processing to secretaries several times in
the past, and am currently being scheduled for a MASS-11 "Train
the Trainer" class so that I can teach our system to several of
our company's (semi-local) groups.  I agree with Paul
Higginbottom

1. vi, Wordstar, EMACS, TECO and the rest of those "programmer
friendly (HAH!)" languages will drive a secretary to _tears_ (or
to quit -- which is bad news if she's a good secretary). Forget
'em in the _business_ world. Anyone who advises teaching vi,
nroff, et al to secretaries should be forced to do the training
themselves.

2. "Word Processing Software" comes in two forms:
  a. IBMs and clones (e.g., IBM 5570, CPT)
  b. That which I can teach running rudiments of to a programmer
     in 5 minutes, and a secretary in less than an hour.

--> Corollary: Stay away from IBMs "word processors"

3. A _good_ word processing package on a stable system is worth
its weight in expensive rare-earth metals.

4. WSIWYG is a _must_. Labelled keycaps (_not_ loss-prone
templates) can help immensely.

5. Remember that word processing applications expand to fill all
available features.

Recommendations:

1. Standalones: NBI (can also be networked to other NBIs, and
through software, to "name your computer")

2. Standard & Multiuser:
    : IBM-PC or clone with SAMNAword, NBI, or MASS-11 software on
      hard disk (w/LAN)

    : MicroVax w/ All In One and MASS-11 software, VT200/VT220
      terminal (up to ~15 users)

    : Larger Vaxen as need arises.

Karen Davis
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