Even though I use Linux on my main workstation, I have to admit that I can't live without Microsoft Word so I have it installed through Wine and VirtualBox.I know there are several good Office Suites that have capable word processors and run natively on Linux. But I still prefer the one that's made by Microsoft for a very simple reason. --I need a reliable grammar checker.
You may already know that I am from the land of Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines, so I don't speak or write in English that well. That is why I heavily rely on MS Word to save me from total
I once tried OpenOffice.org Writer with Language Tool extension installed, but it is still not as good as MS Word when it comes to correcting grammatical errors. To prove it, see the following screenshots:
MS Word...
OO Writer...
As you can see, MS Word recognized all the wrong grammars and spellings. Meanwhile, OO Writer failed to identify three grammatical errors.
So that is why I still use MS Word even until now. But I know OpenOffice and other free and open source Office Suites for Linux are continuously improving that I’m sure I won’t be in need of Microsoft Office any time soon.
Do any of you out there also prefer to use MS Word in Linux?
I know of several English an writing teachers who absolutely despise the use of spell and grammar checkers. Their response would be to tell you to learn better English and not depend on a computer to do a persons work.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I know it can be time saving and efficient to use such tools, especially if you don't have a dictionary next to you.
Having said that, I never, ever count on any software's spell and grammar checking tools as a determining factor because I have also found that as many items as they catch and fix, they can also not catch. There is a web page somewhere, I need to try to dig up the addy again, that has quite a laugh at the results these spell and grammar checkers produce at the worst possible times.
These tools can be handy, but not part of a deciding factor.
Big Bear
Uhm, I don't see any difference between the two examples given. Both have grammar errors in the sentences. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd they spell it identical.
If only WordPerfect worked well under wine...
ReplyDeletethat I’m sure I won’t be in need of Microsoft Office any time soon.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't catch that one.
Install Languagetool into openoffice and try again.
ReplyDeleteOpenOffice support plug able in grammatical it does not install 1 by defualt. Yes I do class it as a bug not installed by default.
Languagetool you can try out online http://community.languagetool.org/ but do feed spell correct data into it.
Languagetool finds grammar errors MS misses. Neither is perfect. Languagetool does give better advice on average.
I just fed your example text into the online version of the language tool mentioned above. I guess its [sic] not that bad...
ReplyDeleteResults of your text check
Did you mean this? [Visit Rule]
These is MS Word. Its the best in the busness. It can speaking in English. It's features are really good....
Did you mean it's (=it is) instead of 'its' (possessive pronoun)? [Visit Rule]
These is MS Word. Its the best in the busness. It can speaking in English. It's features are really good. Woohoo!
Did you mean it's (=it is) instead of 'its' (possessive pronoun)? [Visit Rule]
These is MS Word. Its the best in the busness. It can speaking in English. It's features are really good. Woohoo!
The verb 'can' requires base form of the verb: speak. [Visit Rule]
These is MS Word. Its the best in the busness. It can speaking in English. It's features are really good. Woohoo!
MS knew that they could fail where IE failed and start losing the second most important area of their business: MS Office.
ReplyDeleteSo they really focused in Office, for the version 2007 and got a really nice job. It is simpler to use and for me the killing factor is smartarts... They allow you to chose a predefined draw and type your text so they are replaced. It gives a much more professional look to your documents and it is easy to use.
For the same reason, Windows is so bad, and even with Windows 7 it has not improved a thing. They are not interested in focusing in something it is harder to lose market share. That is why distros like Ubuntu are better than Windows. They will not do anything significant until they really fear they can lose a big portion of market share.
Hey, going on a tangent here, but Filipinos can write good English. Your posts are good examples. I find it hard to believe that each entry goes through a thorough machine-based grammar/spell check.
ReplyDeleteThe It's features not being turned into Its features is that a rule is turned off in Languagetool. Little reason called false positives. That even word suffers from. Grammar is annoying problem. Some times people expect to abuse the rules.
ReplyDeleteI could bet most people would not look that far. Remember once languagetool is installed in openoffice it grammar checks with underlines just like word. With fine control over rules in use.
Of course this person would overlook Abiword with link grammar checking engine that does a better job included by default.
languagetool is a all rounder. Openoffice is designed to have grammar checkers added in on fly. There is a second checker lightproof that can also be used with openoffice not that great on english at all.
Mind telling us how to add a grammar checker to Word that checks maths? It is possible with OpenOffice.
Note that he said he was trying with languagetool installed. The underlines of languagetool are missing.
Only 1 should have been missed and that is a rule you can turn on. Incompetent testing. Both are equal just one need person to know what they are doing to setup.
Ie you want out the box working. Not add and turn on all rules.
http://www.languagetool.org
ReplyDeletehttp://nancib.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/fixing-the-openoffice.org-grammar-glitch-in-ubuntu-hardy/
http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/61714
Nice revelation :)
ReplyDeleteI thought you're a pure Linux user. I'm wrong :(
"Do any of you out there also prefer to use MS Word in Linux?"
A big NO! I am bound to use F/OSS. No turning back. We have a saying "Kung maigsi ang kumot, magtiis mamaluktot". So whatever available I'll use it. If not, I'll find a way. In this case, I don't rely on grammar checker. I do it myself. This is one way of learning :)
You say that "Language Tool extension [...] is still not as good as MS Word. To prove it [...]", and then you post a screenshot of openoffice.org *without* languagetool installed? I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, after reading your blog post, I know learnt about languagetool, and it correctly fixed all the errors you mentioned above. The screenshot you posted is wrong.
I agree with your view. I also prefer Ms Word to OO Writer. In fact, Ms Office is the thing that I miss most from my Linux workstation in the office. Open Office is free but I'd rather pay and have a proper office package.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous ^^^. So basically to be a proper office suite it must be a M$ one, right?
ReplyDeleteGive them a break.
ReplyDeleteAt least MS Word doesn't spy on you like Eric $chmidt, $ergey Brin and Larry Page($) love to do.
I use Ubuntu Linux about 95% of the time. I use Windows for my CAD program and doing an excel macro report once every 3 months.
ReplyDeleteBut...I am about to try this. I still find MSWord more responsive than Open Office, I really find outline view (especially in draft text mode) to be much better at managing content. Honestly, in my opinion, MSWord is just better. I am about to switch back after about 5 years of OpenOffice and Lyx.
Thanks for posting.