On Tuesday 15 June 2010 15:32:50 Nick Vettese wrote: How is using multiple programs more efficient than using one? I am both a Windows and a Linux user, so you downward tone towards Windows users kind of irks me, as I have been a user/administrator of both types of systems for many years, so I am no Johnny come lately.
With respect to spell checking I encounter three situations and have different strategies for each. 1. Writing an email: I use the built in spell checker in Kmail and correct keying errors as they occur. 2. Writing a 650 word +/- column once a week: I key the column using Gvim with the spell checker turned off (the default on my setup). Just before dispatching the column I turn the spell checker on and correct the underlined words as needed. I am not distracted by spelling corrections as I am composing the article. 3. Writing or preparing a longer document: I prepare the document in plain text via Gvim or convert from doc or pdf format to plain text. I spell check the text document using ispell. Most misspelled words can be corrected with a single keystroke. If I have an unusual word, often a proper name, that is correct as is then I key "a" and that spelling will be accepted from that point on. Alternatively I can add a word to the spelling dictionary with the keystroke "i". This single keystroke method is faster than retyping the word. Half or less of the words found by the spell checker program need to be rekeyed. There are two efficiencies to be gained by using the standalone spell checker. First the flow of typing is not interrupted by either spelling errors or formatting considerations. Second when a word is misspelled a single keystroke is faster than backspacing and rekeying the word. I can spell check a book length document in a few seconds, certainly less than a minute. As others have mentioned using separate programs for separate functions instead of bundling everything into one big program is a Unixish way to operate. Although I began using computers before there was a Unix I find that Linux to be comfortable and efficient. In particular the plain text document format with formatting tags inserted if/as necessary is my native modus operandi. I have no objection to a spell checker being added to Scribus, so long as I can turn it on and off. I just see no need for it with all the other spell checking options I have and use regularly, including of course the aging but still useful spell checker resident between my ears. John Culleton Wexford Press "Create Book Covers with Scribus" Printable E-book 38 pages $5.95 http://www.scribd.com/doc/24676863/ http://www.booklocker.com/books/4055.html
