Help - Mac users

[kelownagirl]

My imac is about 3 1/2 years old (OX 10.3.9) and I've been waiting until Leopard comes out to buy a new one. My son just got a new macbook and I was helping him do some work on it and found out some things that are going to make my life really difficult if I get a new computer. Maybe someone knows a "workaround"?

It doesn't come with Appleworks anymore. Instead, there is a program called iWork with a WP called Pages. Nice to have new software BUT I can't open the saved docs with Appleworks and that's all I have to print from at school (work).

1. Does anyone know if it's possible "save as" an appleworks document with Pages? When I first got the new upgrade of Appleworks way back when, I used to be able to save documents to an older version so they could print at work. (There is no hope of upgrading at school and we are not allowed to plug in our personal computers to the network either.)

2. Can I install an old copy of Appleworks on the new OS (Leopard)?

I'm a bit peeved that no word processing software came bundled with my son's computer - it only has a 30 day demo copy of iWork and Word. (His still has Tiger). It looks like I'll have to purchase iWork IF I buy a new computer but I'm not sure I want to if I can only use it at home.

I guess my only real possible solution is to start using Word instead (we have PC's at school) but I find it such a PITA especially when I'm trying to make worksheets with graphics and boxes etc.

Anyway, just a whine from me...

[OakLeaf]

Not sure if this is helpful - I skipped OS 10.3.x and went straight from 10.2 to 10.4... and I haven't used AppleWorks since, oh geez, System 6 or 7

But if you're running AppleWorks under Classic Mode (and I don't know whether you could do that in 10.3), you will *not* be able to do that in 10.4+

I hate MS Word, too. What a stupid excuse for software. Too bad it's become the standard; just for that reason, I think we're stuck with it.

[kelownagirl]

No, I'm using Appleworks 6.2.9 on OS 10.3.9

I do have classic but I only use it for my old $600 copy of Photoshop and my Outlook Express because Mac Mail is always slow and/or crashes on me.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't think the new Macs will run Classic mode.

I do know that the newest current version of Pages opens windows Word docs beautifully, with very few of the weird glitches and formatting problems that used to plague Mac users when they tried to open MS Word .doc files.

[Kitsune06]

The workaround I'd suggest is using Open Office as your main word processor. It's a free download (as is most of my stuff) and should suit your needs well. Try it out on your son's book first, though... I haven't downloaded it since I got my macbook

[kelownagirl]

I don't think the new Macs will run Classic mode.

I do know that the newest current version of Pages opens windows Word docs beautifully, with very few of the weird glitches and formatting problems that used to plague Mac users when they tried to open MS Word .doc files.

0

That's good. Can I save in word as well so I can print it on the PC's at school?

[kelownagirl]

The workaround I'd suggest is using Open Office as your main word processor. It's a free download (as is most of my stuff) and should suit your needs well. Try it out on your son's book first, though... I haven't downloaded it since I got my macbook

Thanks Kit - taking a look at it now. Can you tell me if I can save as a Word doc so I can print at school?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't know.
But i bet there are "Pages" forums out there to google that question on.

[kelownagirl]

Good point. And I found this out. I can export a Pages file as a Word doc with some formatting changes, as usual...

[CycleTherapy]

I had the same problem....I purchased a new MacBook and found out there was no longer AppleWorks. I bought the iWorks but really don't care for Pages or TextEdit. I REFUSE to use Microsoft, no matter how hard they push the 30 day trial deal ! I opted for Mariner Write

http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepage.php?page=12

Mariner Write is just like AppleWorks, you can read Word documents with it.
Check out the website and see what you think. I have been thrilled with the software.

[kelownagirl]

I'm going to take a look at that one too thanks. Update: I just managed to download my copy of Appleworks onto the Macbook and it works! I don't know if it will work on the new OS leopard though.

[onimity]

The workaround I'd suggest is using Open Office as your main word processor. It's a free download (as is most of my stuff) and should suit your needs well. Try it out on your son's book first, though... I haven't downloaded it since I got my macbook

Ditto this.

OpenOffice will save in MS Word Format. It will also open/save all of the other major Office doc types. It's free and open source and supported by major corporations and individual developers alike. I use it exclusively at work and have no problems with compatibility with other Office users. Unlike proprietary, expensive apps the format of the docs is well-documented and open, so there is always a route out of future incompatibility.

Anne

[kelownagirl]

Ditto this.

OpenOffice will save in MS Word Format. It will also open/save all of the other major Office doc types. It's free and open source and supported by major corporations and individual developers alike. I use it exclusively at work and have no problems with compatibility with other Office users. Unlike proprietary, expensive apps the format of the docs is well-documented and open, so there is always a route out of future incompatibility.



Call me paranoid, but I wouldn't test this theory unless you find specific documentation stating that. You might at the least reconsider making that offer that publicly...

Anne

OK. Done. How about you delete your quote too?