[conclusion of Carlson et al. article and entire Dinan article at top of this page]

If you are looking for inexpensive, user-friendly word-processing software, this article will interest you. Or if you have been frustrated by your own or your students' use of word-processing packages such as WORDSTAR, SCREEN WRITER, or BANK STREET WRITER, don't put this article down until you have read it.

All computer writing, of course, requires the use of word-processing software. But not all word-processing software is the same. Some is complex to learn and almost impossible to use--such software is termed user-nasty. USER-NASTY software confuses writers and requires them to memorize lengthy routines and commands, all to get a single job done. In contrast, sore word-processing software is simple to learn and easy to use. Such software is termed user-friendly. USER-FRIENDLY word-processing software often requires little training and no supervision of its use. Moreover, user-friendly word-processing software must have all the basic features that a general writer needs daily.

To those unacquainted with it, HOMEWARD

is a user-friendly word-processing package that offers many advantages to teachers, students, and general writers. The first great advantage is its availability. Versions of HOMEWARD can be purchased for use on the following microcomputers: Apple II, II+, IIe, Atari 800, 800 XL, Commodore 64, IBM PC, and PC Jr. In addition, all versions of HOMEWARD are inexpensive, listing at $69.95 but usually selling for less than list price.

For those who do not want to spend time on word-processing commands and procedures, HOMEWORD is ideal. Accompanying each copy of HOMEWARD are an instruction manual and cassette tape. This demonstration takes the writer through a 15-20 minute presentation, reviewing the operations of the entire word-processing package. The program itself uses a menu with both pictures and words so that the user need not remember any of the handy choices. Thus, a student wanting to print a document would select the icon (picture) of the printer with the word PRINT under the picture, as in the mouse/MacWrite program on the Macintosh. The printer would then print the document selected. Similarly, all major word-processing functions are menu-based, menu-driven, allowing writers to choose options any time in the composing process and requiring little memory of commands and procedures. Students using HOMEWARD in libraries, dormitories, and writing labs, as well as in their homes, indicate that one-half hour familiarizes them with the word-processing system and its features. Students also report that they can go back to HOMEWARD and use it again, efficiently, after not using it for long periods.

Further, word-processing functions such as inserting, deleting, moving, underlining, copying, and printing text are carried out expeditiously. A single keystroke completes a function.

Disadvantages of HOMEWARD include limited disk storage space for word-processed files (seven double-spaced pages per file or document), but this problem can be overcome by expanding 64K machines to 128K or by merging a series of files for printing. In addition, this software does not handle traditional footnoting by placing notes at the bottom of the page. Rather notes can be listed on a single page at the back of the paper or can be included in the text using the American Psychological Association format.

For teachers of composition who do not want to take valuable class time to teach word-processing skills, HOMEWARD is excellent. For writers who do not need sophisticated superscripting and subscripting, who do not require vast amounts of storage space for documents, who do not need the fringes of more sophisticated, complex and expensive word-processing packages, HOMEWORD is an excellent choice. It is important to note, however, that students never list as a HOMEWORD weakness its user-nastiness. Indeed, students and teachers alike agree that HOMEWARD is friendly.

HOMEWARD and HOMEWARD spelling checkers are available from Sierra On-Line Building; Coarsegold, California 93614, for all versions except IBM. See IBM dealers for IBM color versions.