Not happy with WordPad

[Dearelliot]

What are others using instead of WordPad for story writing that is easy to use?
For a really old dummy who can't even follow the simplest directions...

 

[Jorunn]

I just use Notes in Windows. Too much AI stuff as you go up the App line. Trying to format things automatically, changing a misspelled word to something else, style rules, etc.

Hopefully you will get other ideas here. I would look too.

 

[PennameWombat]

Two tools that are both reasonably compatible with Microsoft Word, thus offer sufficient Word processing for my needs.

• Google Docs - via browser or app, allows me to access via multiple devices easily.
• Libre Office - purely local on my laptop, use for final editing and proofreading before submission.

I have my own formatting templates I use. I only use the basic spell and grammar checking on the first, but ignore most grammar advice. The latter doesn't interact with AI.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

Lots of us use LibreOffice, but mostly because (I think) we're already used to it. Notepad would actually be fine for Literotica, unless you want to use lots of formatting.

--Annie

 

[EmilyMiller]

I use Google Docs. I used to use Word365, but kept getting personal docs appearing in my work list (we have BYOD at work). I’d prefer not to use Google from a privacy POV, but I’ve found things like Proton fiddly. And GD is great for sharing docs for review with editors / beta readers and getting their comments back.

The iOS version is very much cut down. Only in-line spell-check for example (no check the whole document now option). But as I write plain text with mark-up, it’s normally fine. The fact that it keeps prior versions is helpful from time to time.

 

[ronde]

I'm still using Word 97 which doesn't suffer quite as much from function bloat as newer Word. I've also used Libre Office and if I ever lose Word 97, I'll revert to that. It looks and functions a lot like Word, has all the functions I use, and it's free.

 

[TheLobster]

I don't use Google Docs for writing, only for sharing with beta readers and editors; but I can imagine it's by far the simplest option. It can save your story to a Word file which you'd then upload to Lit.

It saves automatically and keeps multiple past revisions, so it's practically impossible to lose anything.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

I used to use WordPad all the time because it's no bs simple. For someone who wants to keep it simple I recommend WordPad. The only reason that I stopped using it is because I switched to Linux. Now I use Libre and turn off all the spellcheck and auto correct.

 

[avabacchus]

I use Google Docs and sometimes Scrivener.

 

[Comshaw]

I found this little jewel a while back while I was looking for a compact word processor. It fits on and runs from a thumb drive and it works well for me. It's free too.

Libre Office Portable

Comshaw

 

[Dearelliot]

I would like to use Libre office and I probably will, I am concerned it might be a bit too complicated for me to master...I notice as I have aged, I have more difficulty comprehending.
and word pad is so nice and simple.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

The old Notepad does not have spell check. The new one does.

Wordpad does, but it's an extra step as I recall, not while typing.

LibreOffice .... iz da zhitz Mon, does almost everything with little effort. It's getting a bit bloated in disk size though.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I would like to use Libre office and I probably will, I am concerned it might be a bit too complicated for me to master...I notice as I have aged, I have more difficulty comprehending.
and word pad is so nice and simple.

Many on this forum are 65 and over. Some WELL over.

 

[jsmiam]

What happened to you with word pad could happen with libre office too.

I don’t mean that in a bad anti libre office way. Just saying if you know wordpad, you had a round with the school of hard knocks and unfortunately the hard knocks seem to have won that round. But lesson learned, don’t do it again?

In your case think of it as a crucial perfect storm of a mistake happened, somewhat (symbolically) like throwing away a hundred dollar bill, not that your wallet malfunctioned and lost it. It’s happened to everybody.

Newer technologies have a few more safeguards, but in exchange, they’re more invasive, and in certain ways, you’re files aren’t quite as much YOURS and yours alone as before. Again I don’t mean it in a bad way, it’s just the way it is. There are pros and cons and definitely a few cons. Prose too. Ba-dom-bom.

Did you try the suggestion I made in your other thread by the way? Also, where do you save your files? I don’t think anyone asked if you got automatically steered to OneDrive, that would open some new possibilities. Nonetheless, It only takes a minute to try, so even if odds aren’t quite on your side it’s worth a try.

 

[Dearelliot]

Many on this forum are 65 and over. Some WELL over

JSMIAM< asked if I tried his suggestion. Was it Re back up? Sorry, I can't recall my last post. I'll try to find it..
Maybe I mentioned I lost the damn story in Worsdpad, I hit something wrong. My fault, my damn fingers hit the wrong place, not always where I aim them,
On Wordpad, I used to "hit save under File, I guess they went to Documents.
I'll probably go back to WordPad. Considering how difficult it will be for me to use Libre..

 

[Dearelliot]

Thank you all for responding

JSMIAM
Yes,...I tried, but it's gone!

 

[Dearelliot]

Many on this forum are 65 and over. Some WELL over.

My Rant on age:
I suppose I use my age as an excuse sometimes, but you have to admit, being old is a real pain in the ass. I mean, yeah, a hellva lot better than the alternative. I find I'm so damn useless in everyday things. I can still lift 30 or 40 pounds, but then I can't walk with it! My damn legs are almost useless. Reni, my wife, is only 88. She has to carry many things I can't, like the groceries. And don't mention multi tasking..Eww! Painful!
Problem is memory...I dont have a good one anymore.

 

[WittyUserName]

What are others using instead of WordPad for story writing that is easy to use?
For a really old dummy who can't even follow the simplest directions...

LibreOffice is a great free option. That's what I use. Open source, great program, been around for years.

 

[WittyUserName]

What happened to you with word pad could happen with libre office too.

I don’t mean that in a bad anti libre office way. Just saying if you know wordpad, you had a round with the school of hard knocks and unfortunately the hard knocks seem to have won that round. But lesson learned, don’t do it again?

In your case think of it as a crucial perfect storm of a mistake happened, somewhat (symbolically) like throwing away a hundred dollar bill, not that your wallet malfunctioned and lost it. It’s happened to everybody.

Newer technologies have a few more safeguards, but in exchange, they’re more invasive, and in certain ways, you’re files aren’t quite as much YOURS and yours alone as before. Again I don’t mean it in a bad way, it’s just the way it is. There are pros and cons and definitely a few cons. Prose too. Ba-dom-bom.

Did you try the suggestion I made in your other thread by the way? Also, where do you save your files? I don’t think anyone asked if you got automatically steered to OneDrive, that would open some new possibilities. Nonetheless, It only takes a minute to try, so even if odds aren’t quite on your side it’s worth a try.

Yeah, it's tough if you have trouble with newer programs. Auto save options are helpful. It's hard to know what to recommend, not knowing how tech savvy someone is.

 

[Dearelliot]

I agree, and damn, I want to use it..I think it has many excellent options that WordPad doesn't All I have to do is find a way to work through it...so I can understand how to use it....You tube is a big help, but I am slow
Tech savy...I'm not

 

[TheWritingGroup]

You can see there are lots of LibreOffice users here. Ask any questions you've got.

--Annie