Word Processor Comparison Article

Abstract:

This study reviews four different word processors: MS Word, Google Docs, Zoho Writer,and Wiki Program, then compares all four based on their ability to import/exportdocuments, ease of use, their formatting and word count options, grammar and spellchecking, and finally their cost. The goal of this study is to define which Word Processor improves the quality of work being done the most. More effective uses of word processing as an instructional tool might include adapting instruction to softwarestrengths and adding metacognitive prompts to the writing program.

Introduction:

Word processing is a bridge that provides lifelong educational benefits to its users in aform of rich and smooth flowing text. A word processor, previously known as “document preparation system” is a computer application used for the creation of any sort of printable documents. These Word Processors are divided in two types; Web based such asGoogle Doc, Zoho Writer and Wiki Program; and non-web based like MS Word. The web based processors are fairly new on the market compared to MS Word, however thesecompanies has taken steps to broaden the reach of its Web-based features in order tocompete with Microsoft Corp. Word processors have numerous purposes of employmentin the business field, as well as for the educational and personal use. In the businessworld, companies use some of the mentioned processors to write memos, letterheads, andreference documents.

History:

Word Perfect, XyWrite, Microsoft Word (along with personal computers) competed in the1980s against dedicated word process machintes. Early word processing softwarerequired users to memorize semi-mnemonic key combinations rather than pressing keyslabeled "copy" or "bold." Development of higher-resolution monitors allowed these programs to provide limited typographical features such as bold and italics, indentation, justification and margins. The mid-to-late 1980s saw the spread of laser printers, a"typographic" approach to word processing, and of true WYSIWYG (What you see iswhat you get) bitmap displays with multiple fonts, Postscript, and graphical user interfaces. Standalone word processors tried to adapt by getting smaller and replacingtheir CRTs with small character-oriented LCD displays. Some models also had computer-like features such as floppy disk drives and the ability to output to an external printer.They also got a name change, now being called "electronic typewriters" and typicallyoccupying a lower end of the market, selling for under $200 USD. Soon after theintroduction of MacWrite and Microsoft Word, the dedicated word processors becamemuseum pieces.

Body:

MS Word

is a program widely used by users around the globe. It has various formattingchoices that user can select in order to achieve wanted document design. MS Word2003/2007 had the biggest variaty of options to format, edit and insert differentapplications. In other words, MS office in general is still a more complete program. Theonly disadvantage of MS Word would be the amount of work and time a group has to putin to save documents then e-mail them to all other group members. However, once you purchase the MS Office program, it is available on a laptop or computer even if there isno wireless connection or if the internet gets disconnected. As of now, MS Word remainsthe most widely used program opposed to the online programs because it is cheaper andalmost available at all times. Some of MS Word formating commands were choosingfont, font style, size and color, as well as bullets and numbering, borders and shading,document themes, formatting of selected text are some of the choices offered by Word.

Zoho writer

formatting palette offers a decent array of choices. It has more than 15 fontselections in addition to icons for special characters and emotions. Basically, offeredselections are very similar to those in Word, and it is easy to find them. However, there isa difference between Zoho and Word. Regardless of the license cost, Word is still usedwidely. That is because Word does not require internet connection, which is not situationwith the Zoho. However, if one wants to use Zoho, he/she will need decent internetconnection. On the other hand, Zoho frequently offers updates, and one of the recentofferings was offline editing capabilities. That means that users are able to view and editdocuments offline, but they need to have Google Gearsplug-in installed on their browser. So, one may choose to install plug-in and use Zoho, or to stick to Word.As a free program,

Google Docs

could be considered as a good substitute for MS Word.Basically, Google Docs is an elementary word processor, which includes font control,seven text sizes, highlighting, lists (using numbers or one of three bullet styles), indentsand outdents, and alignment (left, center, right). One can choose from among threeheading styles; single, 1.5, double, and triple line spacing; and superscript, subscript, andstrikeout properties. In comparison with Word, Google Docs is an online program, whichrequires a good internet connection.

Wiki program

has only several formatting features that other programs have, such as fontstyle, orientation, bullets and numbering and they are limited (such as number of differentfonts, colors, etc.) in comparison to other programs. It also requires decent internetconnection.Grammar, spell checking and word count options

MS Word

has very good grammar andspell checking and they work simultaneously. When the dictionary recognizes a word asmisspelled, the word is underlined with a wavy red line. One can correct misspelled textthrough the

Quick

menu or through a dialog box. We can also turn this feature off, and

Spell Check

will not run as we work on our document. The feature can be easilyactivated. The situation is the same with Grammar checking. Word counting can be easilyfound under the Tools option.

Zoho writer

offers spell checking option wherequestionable words are highlighted

By clicking the flagged word, we can choosesuggested alternate spellings. Unfortunately, there is no grammar checking. Whenever wesave a document, the word count is shown at the bottom right corner. It shows number of

words and characters. G

oogle Docs

spell checker highlights errors in yellow; right-click can be used for previewing the suggested spellings. There is also no grammar checking.Word count option is located in the File drop-down menu. It counts words, characters (nospaces), characters (with spaces), paragraphs, sentences and pages.

Wiki

program also hasa spell checking option. Spelling errors are highlighted and by clicking on the suggestedword, one can easily change it. There is no grammar checking option. Classic wordcounter is also missing, but there is a “change tracking” option, which means that program tracks the count of the added and deleted words.

Importing & Exporting

MS Word: was more practical, due to our familiarity and experience with the program, toimport/export HTML type files pictures and excel spreadsheets, compared to the other three sites which were online documents.Zoho: the easiest of all four to import URL format by clicking on "import" then you canimport a document or a URL in different file types such as html, doc, sxw (open office),odt, rtf, jpg, gif, png and text files. Also you can send Word / HTML document to your account by emailing them as an attachment to :e6gA3Agr862WJ9A@docs.zohowriter.com. Wiki (wetpaint) offered the option of bookmarking the document created on Del.icio.usandStumbleUponusing a fast and pratical way to export documents to be shared.Google docs is somewhat easy to work with as well using the "share" and "publish" buttons to export HTML documents and share them with other group members. As for importing, numerous options are available through the insert tab in the toolbar menu.

Sharing and collaboration of documents within a small group

MS Word 2003/2007:

If more than two people are working on a particular document,using MS Word would not prove beneficial to the group. Since only one person can makecorrections at any given time with MS Word, the program lends itself to human errorswhen multiple people need to edit and re-save at the next revision so everyone in thegroup can know if they are working on the latest version of the document.When it comes to sharing and collaboration then Ms Word2003/2007 is definitely not the best option. It has a drawback of not having a real time editing so people can not see/editthe shared document in real time.Google Docs is a better tool compared to MS Word as far as sharing and collaboration isconcerned. You can share the document and can give the permission to edit the shareddocument and also you can limit the sharing by restricting it to “share as viewer” inwhich the viewer can not edit the shared document.Zoho writer is a better tool than MS Word and Google Docs. It has got real time editingand has the option of limiting the access of the shared document to certain people. Onecan see who all is editing the document and who is viewing the shared document. On topof this Zoho writer extends mobile support, adds offline capability for windows mobileusing Google gears.Wiki program is good for sharing and collaboration. Its easy to edit the shared document.