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by Steve Becker Company: Mariner
Software Inc. Remarkably, even many years after having been discontinued WriteNow remains a popular and viable word processor. While WriteNow's interface is somewhat dated, WriteNow Enhancer spiffs up WriteNow with a modern Tool Bar and new features. Unfortunately, WriteNow can't be used in OS X. This has left many of the loyal and satisfied users of this venerable word processor with the dilemma of finding a satisfactory replacement for WriteNow. Indeed, I regularly get emails from users asking me to recommend a good replacement for WriteNow. This fact, plus my own need for a good OS X compatible word processor, has spurred me to do some research on this issue. While the Mac has always been blessed with a nice selection of good word processors, over the years this selection actually has narrowed, The unique combination of small footprint, short launch time, substantial but not bloated feature set, user-friendly interface, and speed of WriteNow has endeared it to its users and set WriteNow apart from its competition. For the past couple of months, I've been spending some time using Mariner Software's Mariner Write word processor instead of WriteNow, and I like it -- a lot! Mariner Write 3.x works in both the Classic Mac OS and OS X, so it solves the problem of finding a good word processor for OS X. Also, Mariner Write is fast, doesn't require much memory, has a robust but not bloated feature set, includes a Tool Bar, and has both a pleasant and user-friendly interface. I've found Mariner Write to be stable and easy to use. However, while Mariner Write includes a useful Tool Bar, I would like to see Mariner Write's Tool Bar make better use of the space it occupies. Also, while the Tool Bar is customizable, it still isn't as customizable or as flexible as I'd like. Although Mariner Write doesn't include file translators for converting WriteNow files into Mariner Write files, WriteNow users can use WriteNow to save their files as RTF files which Mariner Write can open. The main downside to doing this is that some formatting from the source files may not be preserved. I find Mariner Write to be the most WriteNow-like word processor I've come across. Mariner Write's ability to run in both the Classic OS and OS X is a bonus, though I'm likely to continue using WriteNow with WriteNow Enhancer when in the Classic Mac OS. Under OS X, I find Mariner Write a pleasure to use, and the transition to it has been painless. If you are a WriteNow user that's migrating to OS X, or if you are having problems using WriteNow in OS 8.6 or later, I highly recommend that you take a look at Mariner Write! Pros: WriteNow-like feel, works in both the Classic Mac OS and OS X, a pleasure to use. Cons: Tool Bar can use some improvements, no WriteNow file translators included. © Steve Becker. All rights reserved. |
