If you convert files often, you should consider linking your PCs and Macs in a local area network, which allows quick and simple exchanging of files. The TOPS network is the most cost effective.
Q: How can we convert Wang word-processing files?
If you need to do this regularly, you should install suitable hardware and software for getting microcomputers and Wang systems to talk to one another. M/H Group sells such products for the IBM PC and the Macintosh; DataViz Inc. has a similar product for the Mac. If you need to do the conversion only once from a Wang or other office system, a simpler solution is to use a data-conversion ser-vice, which will have equipment for converting disks and tapes from many different types of computers and software.
Q: Is there an easy way to address envelopes on a laser printer?
Envelopes must be inserted sideways into most laser printers, which means that the address must be printed sideways as well. Some word processors can do this, but many cannot. Two effective programs specifically for printing on envelopes are NVelope for the IBM PC and MacEnvelope for the Mac. These programs take care of printing sideways and such needs as positioning the address correctly on standard-size envelopes. Of course, you could avoid printing on envelopes altogether by using window envelopes. Then all you need to do is set up your letters so that the inside address shows through the window.
Q: How can we include equations in our documents?
The programs Exact for the IBM PC and Expressionist for the Macintosh let you create an equation and plop it into your document without leaving your word-processing program; both are compatible with most word processors. Two general-purpose programs with built-in equation generation are Lotus Manuscript for the PC and Microsoft Word for the Mac. If you create a lot of equations, you should look into Tex, an equation-processing system popular in the academic world; it is available as PC Tex for the PC and Textures for the Mac.
Q: Are grammar programs helpful?
Programs that check writing style and grammar are still primitive. They look for a fixed set of common problems -- stock phrases indicating wordy prose, repeated words, or sexist language. If you write "in view of the fact that," for example, the program might suggest "because." At best, these programs are only moderately useful. You're almost always better off asking someone with a good eye and ear for the language to go over your document with you.
Q: To get a report typeset by our local printer, we have to deliver it on paper, and then someone retypes everything. We have to pay for this retyping, proofread the pages, and pay for corrections. How can we avoid such expense and trouble?
Find another print shop. Many printers can accept word-processor files on disk or via modem, so you should be able to proofread and correct your work before it is typeset. The electronic link is not always the fastest; for short, highly formatted documents, retyping can be quicker. But ordinary documents should never have to be retyped by the printer.
RESOURCES
Where to go for additional information
If you'd like to find out more about the products mentioned, you can contact the following companies:
Amí: Samna Corp., 5600 Glenridge Drive, Atlanta GA 30342; (404) 851-0007
Exact: Technical Support Software Inc., 72 Kent Street, Brookline MA 02146; (617) 734-4130
Expressionist: Allan Bonadio Associates, 814 Castro Street, San Francisco CA 94114-2809; (415) 282-5864
GEM 1st Word Plus: Digital Research Inc., P.O. Box DRI, Monterey CA 93942; (408) 649-3896
LapLink Mac: Traveling Software Inc., 18702 North Creek Parkway, Bothell WA 98011; (206) 483-8088
Lotus Manuscript: Lotus Development Corp., 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge MA 02142; (617) 577-8500
MacEnvelope: Synex, 692 10th Street, Brooklyn NY 11215; (718) 499-6293
MacLinkPlus: DataViz Inc., 35 Corporate Drive, Trumbull CT 06611; (203) 268-0030
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Write: Microsoft Corp., 16011 Northeast 36th Way, Box 97017, Redmond WA 98073; (206) 882-8080
Nisus: Paragon Concepts Inc., 990 Highland Drive, Suite 312, Solana Beach CA 92075; (619) 481-1477
NVelope: Paul Mace Software Inc., 400 Williamson Way, Ashland OR 97520; (503) 488-0224
PC Tex: Personal Tex Inc., 12 Madrona Avenue, Mill Valley CA 94941; (415) 388-8853
Q&A Write: Symantec Corp., 10201 Torre Avenue, Cupertino CA 95014-2132; (408) 253-9600
Software Bridge: Systems Compatibility Corp., 401 North Wabash, Suite 600, Chicago IL 60611; (312) 329-0700
Textures: Blue Sky Research, 534 Southwest 3d Avenue, Portland OR 97204; (800) 622-8398
TOPS: Sun Microsystems Inc., TOPS Division, 950 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda CA 94501; (415) 769-9669
Wang conversion packages: M/H Group, 222 West Adams Street, Chicago IL 60606; (312) 443-1222
WordPerfect: WordPerfect Corp., 1555 North Technology Way, Orem UT 84057; (801) 225-5000
WriteNow: T/Maker Co., 1390 Villa Street, Mountain View CA 94041; (415) 962-0195
