@OlafS25

Quote:

Updating it to clean import modern Libre of MS Office documents is too much

Are you kidding me ?

Office documents are in zipped XML format which are very easily editable.

I use automation tools / macros to save files then batch edit the xmls, then in command line batch convert individual pages PDF, resize, add margins, page numbering etc.

I love using automation of documents and data merge to PDF using saddle stitch binding for brochures.

Windows is very poor keeping consistent page/document settings & print settings across machines. I always get different bleeds/margins with same file on same machine !

If Amiga could do what I need I would switch and use an Amiga workflow.

Amiga may need a Document Object Model for automation.

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@asymetrix

I have to agree, adding import/export functionality for ODF and OOXML formats is not too much. Of course you would be limited to the feature set FW supports.

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@asymetrix

you can of course import something but it should show the same and that is not the case. The problem even arises when using different versions of MS Word.

@asymetrix

I have already thought about Automatisation. The nearest on Amiga would be to have extensive Arexx ports for that.

@BSzili

If you import ODF/OOXML and then export you lose half of your document...

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@BSzili

Indeed, even if it could just import/export basic ODF/OOXML is better than nothing.

To be honest, I'd only buy it if it could do that. If not, the current version works well enough on OS3 and MorphOS.

Lack of industry standard compatibility has always been the biggest problem with Amiga office programs and word processors imho. Even back when I was at school in the 90s I'd have to remember to save Word docs as plain text or use conversion software off aminet to strip all the styling information out.

This situation is still the same 20 years later, the best I can do is open them in Google Docs via Odyssey but having a native word processor that can open the many Word docs I get sent each week would be the biggest step in the Amiga's word processing history imho.

Last edited by danwood on 17-Mar-2015 at 11:35 AM.

@Dwyloc

Quote:

I think if an updated version of Final Writer had good .rtf import and export support and built in PDF export that would cover most peoples needs to import or export documents to other platforms.

I think MS Office compatibility is absolutely essential for the platform, everybody else in the world just expects everyone and every computer to be able to read them, and has for the last 20 years.

I always get information, letters, attachments in .docx format (and often PDF) and people just assume you can read/edit them.

@danwood

who sends you lots of documents in docx format?

I get and send documents in PDF format because you cannot expect everyone being able to use a specific format. Final Writer certainly has not the same functionality as the big beasts on Windows or Mac so importing and exporting would end in different documents. For me exporting in PDF would be most important and perhaps (if possible) importing docx or the Libre Office format would be nice too (but you cannot expect the imported documents to show like on MS Word or Libre Office Writer).

Last edited by OlafS25 on 17-Mar-2015 at 12:01 PM.

@OlafS25
in case there will be support for any of open formats (i would personally prefer ODT) it would be the best time to switch from old default FW doc format to one of these as default.

@ExiE

It would make sense and have the option to at least import the old format. On the other hand there will certainly someone moan who just want to use the old format. Terminills must decide based on the old sources what is realistic doable.

@OlafS25

Considering much of the discussion is centered on support of this or that old or modern document format, perhaps that which is needed is a simple document conversion program rather than a overhaul of an old program.

In all honesty, if I was able to convert my FW97 documents to a modern format, I would no longer need to use FW97 at all. A modern FW would have to be pretty outstanding for me to use it over MSWord, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice on a PC (which is what I have to use for both work and home anymore).

Do we need an updated FW, or just a file conversion program?

Debate...

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@OlafS25

Quote:

who sends you lots of documents in docx format?

Any thing I need to edit, and lots of companies send out information/documents in docx regularly.

Quote:

you cannot expect the imported documents to show like on MS Word or Libre Office Writer

That's not such a big deal so long as they're readable, and most documents are just simple letters/essays etc. not laden with images for me anyway. It would certainly be a vast improvement over manually stripping out all the code and trying to extract the raw ascii.

Last edited by danwood on 17-Mar-2015 at 12:36 PM.

Did most of my work in FW 97. 20€ could be ok for an OS4 version. (As pc is free, LibreOffice etc)

30 for totally PC compatible docs and the legendary printer HP LaserJet Series 40€.

Why Buy? It was so good and we know how to use it?

@terminills

I would pay $50.00 - $75.00 for Final Writer.

@Rob

Your suggestion, "Have you tried blacklisting it in the compatibility prefs? That forces it to run in interpreted emulation rather than petunia JIT, it can help with some programs," was interesting, but it doesn't seem to have any effect. Using menu items turns the program off (e.g. no menu anymore) temporarily. It can usually be brought on in the sense one can continue typing by hitting "Enter" sometimes, or clicking the "Close" gadget. But even saving what I wrote with RA^C left an empty Clipboard.

I'll stick with FE.

@terminills

I would pay $50 for an update to the 68K version of Final Writer 97. The existing version of Final Writer 97 runs well on my OS4 system.

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redfox

Last edited by redfox on 18-Mar-2015 at 03:59 AM.

@PR

Quote:

PR wrote: 30 for totally PC compatible docs and the legendary printer HP LaserJet Series 40€.

What do you mean with that printer? Printing support for that serie? It's not up to application to have printer support... and current 68k FW prints just fine to HP LaserJets with both graphic and postscript modes. I use it on both classic Amigas and MorphOS for that, to print to the network printer running with HP Laserjet drivers.

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I may be willing to pay for liberation of sources, other than that I'm not interested. Who create documents in that kind of application anymore, anyways? I do all my documents using cloud services like EverNote and a few others.

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@Dwyloc

Quote:

Dwyloc wrote: @OlafS25 I think if an updated version of Final Writer had good .rtf import and export support and built in PDF export that would cover most peoples needs to import or export documents to other platforms. Some sort of updated printing support would also be very useful, as at the end of the day I expect that most home users, like me and the remaining Amiga users are mainly creating things like cover letters and other relativity simple documents but me do need to turn them into hard copies from time to time

Was looking for a post to agree with, and here it is
Good RTF in/export and PDF export. That's it. Cannot expect anything more.

In the future possibly docx/odf *export*, but not import.

Personally, I use Office Online in Odyssey on my X1000. Works fine for my simple Word and Excel needs.

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@jPV

.fi

I meant universally that We could Import pictures, use pc docs, use printers.

HP works but there are no native stuff.

Not FinalWriters fault in printing but could I transfer them to the pc Libre & print? Too Lazy to change the USB allways. Sometimes will try. DPaint stuff in FW.

Just suggestions. The problem would be cured now 50-60% and then the net. OMG ;)

Last edited by PR on 18-Mar-2015 at 08:59 AM.