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Do 100% of IMers know how to use MS Word?

by Brad Callen
23 replies
Confusing GUIs are the kiss of death for us software developers, so I'm trying to figure out what 1 program most all people know how to use and are familiar with.

Do you guys all know how to us Microsoft Word?

or is there some other program everybody knows how to use (i.e. gmail etc)

Thanks!

Brad
#100% #imers #page not found #word
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Brad, about the only software I can think of that comes close to 100% is a web browser. That leaves the major players as Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari, I believe...
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  • Profile picture of the author CPA
    i can bet 90% of actual COMPUTER users know how to use ms word, not to mention IMers.
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  • Profile picture of the author CPA
    BTW there might be some exceptions like people using open source software, for example open office.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Bard
    Everybody uses, reads, comes in contact with, knows about PDF. Even game developers use Adobe and PDF to create manuals.

    I don't know how many people know how to create PDFs but almost everyone has tried to read a PDF ebook or manual.

    Maybe you could come up with a "Video Professor" type of product.
    "How To Get The Most Out Of Your PDF Book".
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  • Profile picture of the author Sam Rodrigo
    HI Brad,

    If it's 100% I suppose the "browser" interface is THE GUI we use most. But, since all kind of things are added, like extensions, roboform, etc. no browser page will look similar.

    Then you have #2 --which I'd say is Word -- Soon as you show the "W" icon, people "get it".

    Success,
    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Then
    I know that 100% of the IMers knows how to turn on a computer.

    Anyway, I believe it's more possible that IMers know how to use browers. You would split the crowd when it comes to Word Processors because I know some are die-hard Open Office users...
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    Couple of questions come to mind:

    1). Is there an MS Word for Mac? I've never used one, so I don't know, but if so then I'd say it's close to 100%.

    2). How about Notepad? I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I first used Notepad, then learned Word.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Hi Brad,

    The real question is do 100% even have Word. No, for a lot of people it's simply to expensive.

    I have Word, but don't use it. I prefer OpenOffice, as the PDF conversion is super easy, and requires no additional software.

    However, when I send my members their regular niche info and keywords, I convert the files to Word. Not because I think it's better, but because of this: If they have Word they can't read OpenOffice documents, BUT if they have OpenOffice they CAN read Word documents. In other words (no pun intended), sending it in Word means virtually everyone can access it.

    Hope that helps.

    All the best,
    Michael Oksa
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  • Profile picture of the author Otis Ogle
    I'm fairly sure %100 of all people know of Microsoft Word, and know how to use it in the most basic form.

    However there is a statistic and i forget it now but it's something like 80% of all users, use less than 10% of microsoft words functions :|

    Otis
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  • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
    Unless you're developing a word processor, the problem with this approach is that you could find yourself prising your application into a Word tin.

    You quickly find that the model works for its original purpose, but not so well for yours. You end up with something that would actually be better if you had just designed your own interface to be as intuitive as it possibly can be, instead of trying to make it something that it was never going to be.

    In practice, this usually means emulating the best bits from all sorts of other applications.

    Just my take.

    Cheers,

    Neil
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Brad,

      I agree with Neil. IMO, it's best to design your interface from the ground up to be as intuitive as is reasonable, given the program's intended function.

      Incidentally, I realise your question concerned the number of IMers using Word, but a recent survey by Clickstream Technologies,
      published in November 2008, indicated that Word was being used by only 51% of all adult US computer users.

      http://www.clickstreamtech.com/11.14.08.htm

      It's easy to get caught up in our own world and forget that a sizeable chunk of the population still use their computers mainly to just check their emails


      Best,


      Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew_Wardle
    I write for a living and I have never used Microsoft Word.

    Open Office can export to .doc format for clients who prefer it, so where is the incentive to buy Word?

    Although it is common to see these programs being used in schools today, some of us are of such a vintage that we were last in school when the ZX81 was seen as a technological marvel.

    Andrew
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    • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
      Originally Posted by Andrew_Wardle View Post

      Although it is common to see these programs being used in schools today, some of us are of such a vintage that we were last in school when the ZX81 was seen as a technological marvel.

      Andrew
      Wow, I use to own one of those (it was my 3rd computer) - guess I'm showing my "vintage"!

      Question - do we universally know how to use Word?

      Answer would seem that most of us do, or at least we all can use a word processor that has similar features.


      Question - do we all know how to use some of the more advanced features with Word?

      Answer is probably not, I know just enough of them to frustrate myself so I wouldn't be able to answer yes to this.


      Are you looking to design a product with a Word-like interface?

      Bill
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      • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
        As Bill was saying this is one of those "how long is a piece of string" things.

        It's like asking "Do 100% of IMers know how to use Wordpress/Twitter/Dreamweaver/The Warrior Forum?" When you say "use" what level of proficiency do you mean?

        For example, look at how many people here didn't know how to use the Thanks feature, the advanced editor, the blog etc.

        Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author footpod
    read somewhere once that most software is actually only used to 2% of its capacity. People may know how to cut/copy/paste but if start talking about formating, merging etc. Most people won't even know what that is - never mind do it...
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      Probably not 100% but many do. If you're on a MAC you might want to use Pages or Open Office.

      I'm sure there are plenty of PC users that use Open Office instead of MS Word.

      That being said... many of the word processing programs are similar and the skills required to use one are transferable.
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  • Profile picture of the author AverageGuy
    Most people only use less than 10% features of MS word. General users do not need these most advanced features at all and do not even know they exist in MS word.

    So, depends on how you define "use", the answer varies.


    david
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    The last version of Microsoft Word I used was the 2001 version. And that was only used for when people sent me Word documents that I couldn't open any other way.

    There is no way I would ever use Word to create a document of my own.

    I don't have a newer version of Word on any of my newer computers. I see no conceivable reason why I would ever want to buy or use Word.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by beareroftruth View Post

      How do you process text-based documents?
      TextEdit or Pages. Or sometimes I'll just compose straight in InDesign.

      On my old computer, I did everything in SaintEdit and PageMaker. SaintEdit was a simple text editor that did everything I needed.

      But, they don't make SaintEdit anymore and it doesn't run on the new computer. I'm doing more and more things in Pages rather than TextEdit because Pages will give me a word count whereas TextEdit does not. SaintEdit gave me a word count.
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    • Profile picture of the author AverageGuy
      MS word is not a simple text processing software, it is a complex system, although many features can be done in other software. because of its complexity, general users may feel it not so user friendly.

      Unfortunately, it becomes the "actual" standard of the office document processing. that's why MS Office is always the most profitable department in microsoft although there are free office software out there.

      I do not like microsoft, but I guess there must have some reasons why so many people use it.

      david

      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

      I see no conceivable reason why I would ever want to buy or use Word.
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      • Profile picture of the author WinsonYeung
        Originally Posted by AverageGuy View Post

        MS word is not a simple text processing software, it is a complex system, although many features can be done in other software. because of its complexity, general users may feel it not so user friendly.

        Unfortunately, it becomes the "actual" standard of the office document processing. that's why MS Office is always the most profitable department in microsoft although there are free office software out there.

        I do not like microsoft, but I guess there must have some reasons why so many people use it.

        david
        One of the reason is because of the Cool and user-friendly user interface. Just compare the interface between office 2008 and open office
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  • Profile picture of the author WinsonYeung
    Well, if you are not into microsoft word, maybe you can try the open office which is very similar to microsoft. It's free at as well

    OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

    I myself cannot live without microsoft word
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