XyWrites 4 and 5 (was: RE: Dataviz and xyW)

[Peter Evans peterev@xxxxxxxx]

Mimi, it seems to me that there are two problems you're talking about.
First, a problem of perception of Xy by your new or prospective employees.
Secondly, a problem when you can't get things done and have to "convert all
of the documents from Windows".

The first one. Most (not all) people who've used Xy 3 and Xy 4 (for DOS)
prefer the latter. It may be inherently a good idea for you to upgrade to
it. However, this upgrade (if it is an upgrade) will do nothing for the
problem (or pseudo-problem) of perception, as Xy 4 for DOS is, well, for
DOS. (Descriptions of its graphic mode may make it sound a bit Windowsish,
but I find one find this extremely irritating to work in. I think few
people use graphic mode.)

Meanwhile, XyWrite for Windows (often referred to hereabouts as XyWin) is
Xy 4 with a Windows interface (but still with the command line) and
therefore a usable graphic mode (for all the TrueType fonts you care to
throw at it) . . . and also with lots of bugs. I happen to like it (even
as I curse it), but even among Xy users I'm in a minority.

The second question: what do you mean by "Windows" when you talk of
converting documents "from Windows"? I can make guesses but it would be
laborious to spell them out ("if you mean A, then try X; if you mean B,
then try Y; if C, then Z should do the job").

Your questions:

>Is it easy to convert files from XW windows to XY dos?

XyWin and Xy4 have the same file format. Conversion from Xy3 to either
XyWin/Xy4 is trivial (perhaps a single change from MDRV to MDIT). To
convert from XyWin/Xy4 to Xy3 may require some thought, but it's
straightforward.

> 3) is it easy to learn?

If it were, it wouldn't be XyWrite!

You can use either of the new XyWrites in almost the same way as you use
the old one. If you want to use the new features, you'll have to do some
reading.

> 4) can we PURCHASE it?

Yes, from an outfit called the Technology Group http://www.tgrp.com/ They
undertake to support the products, too--and who knows, by 2003 or so they
may even have a "Y2K" bug-fix. (NB do not use XyWrite to pilot your B-52
late on 31 December '99.)

The big boss of the Technology Group occasionally pops up on this very
mailing list to promise "Smart Words" (i.e. XyWrite 5 for Windows). Most
recently, he even specified a price, and the price is a lot lower than what
you'd have to pay for XyWrite 4. I'm forwarding you his latest message on
the subject, posted on 17 Mar 1999, which reads in part:

> we will begin shipping the Beta release of the
> SmartWords editor in approximately 2-3 weeks

All of us here on the Xy list are waiting for more news with bated breath.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Peter Evans