From: Max R. Keetch (krmx@tryi.com)
Date: Thu Feb 21 2002 - 21:17:51 GMT
I'm a writer by profession and for a long time I've looked for a simple, clean word processor not tied to Microsoft bloat. I'm using Windows 95 on an older computer with limited speed and memory and a 14 inch monitor that actually translates into 9 1/2 X 7 1/2 inches of working space. So far, Abiword is exactly what I've been looking for. You are doing a great job. I realize it is a work in progress and that some of the things I suggest (maybe all of them) are already underway or being considered. I am using version 0.9.6-1 and would appreciate your consideration of the following enhancements to Abiword:
Screen real estate: Currently with margins set at one inch on each side and even if I remove the rulers, I can barely get my text on the screen. Using the "Zoom" option at 75 percent makes my text too small. How about adding increments of 95 and 90 percent to the Zoom scale? How about making the "Page width" option a screen width option? (I note also that with "Page width" my text runs outside the margins.) I find it no hardship to use the keyboard to scroll the screen. How about making scroll bars optional?
Margins: I find that if I change the margins, ("File" then Page Setup" then "Margin") prepare a document, then exit Abiword, that when I reload the document I've saved, I'm back to the default margins (I'm using rtf). How about making margins: 1- stick with the document so that when it is reloaded it has the same margins as when saved. 2- When margins are changed have the new margins remain the default margins until once again modified.
Templates I note that there is a "Templates" folder. How about being able to retrieve templates from a list brought up in the "File" menu?
Style I especially like the "Style" capability. ("Format" then "Style") I played around with it both trying to modify existing styles and creating my own "User defined styles." I could create a style okay but when I shut down Abiword, and then reloaded it everything apparently goes back to defaults. A way to save styles is needed.
Modify Tool Bars No big deal, but I'd like the option to modify the icons on the tool bars. The way I like to set up is give first priority to key board short cuts, then have only one tool bar set up with frequently used icons and then as a last resort use the menus.
Page numbers I had a devil of a time setting up a header with page numbers. I'd go to "Insert" and then "Page numbers" get the little dialog box, bring up "header" and "left" and nothing happened. Then I noticed that there is a second way of doing page numbers. "Insert" then "Field" then "Numbers." This way works! Why two ways? Going through the "Field" option isn't a very intuitive way to insert page numbers into a header..
Headers: I found you can't set up a header (or footer) without making room for it in "File" then "Page setup" then "Margin." I suggest a "Header" and "Footer" option in the "Insert" menu, then a dialog box to set desired size, to edit, erase, etc.
Plugins: I've had no luck with the plugins. At this point in time are they only operational for Linux users? If they should work with Windows 95, I'll go back and play with them some more.
--
Max R. Keetch, krmx@tryi.com on 02/21/2002
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Thu Feb 21 2002 - 16:27:28 GMT