From: davis@chrysanthemum.cs.odu.edu (Mark Davis)
Subject: Re: WordPerfect 5.1 for Unix is available
Followup-To: mark@taylor.twuug.com
Organization: Lake Taylor Hospital Computer Services
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 14:58:43 GMT

>There are only two reasons anyone would want to upgrade to 5.1 over 5.0:
>
>- You want the same differences as exist in the DOS versions 5.0 and 5.1.
>  The only things in 5.0 that are different from the (text-based) 5.1
>  are tables and math equations;
>
>- You have ODT and you want a GUI-based word processor.

This is true.  But, it does depend on what your current version is.  I do
believe that there are still people using WP4.2, in which case the upgrade
is MAJOR.  The whole graphics interface is also a major change from 5.0

>Actually, WP carved out the lion's share of the DOS word processing
>market when it was at release 4.2. If anything, its portion of the
>market is slightly smaller now; while it's still dominant, WP is being
>challenged by Microsoft Word and (to a smaller extent) by Lotus' AMIPro.

Although the wordprocessing market is much more dilute that a while ago,
WordPerfect remains the cornerstone (IMHO) wordprocessing system of today.
Having cross-platform compatibility, many users, a long track record, and
very stable software has been very important to the world of office automation.
If you know WordPerfect, chances are you are in good shape in the wordprocessing
world!

>>The Unix version seems to be slated tword the SCO platform,
>>but I think it will work under most flavors.

>It has already been reported that the GUI version is unstable on any
>Intel UNIX platform except SCO's. While the text-based version was solid
>pretty well across the board (version 5.0 included a special terminal
>definiton for the console used by most R4 vendors), there have been big
>problems. The GUI version apparently crashes and burns on any of the R4
>servers, including Destiny.

I am not sure why this would be true, and this does concern me greatly.  I
hope that either these problems are resolved or a separate port is made.
Because few people actually have 5.1 right now, I have inadequate information
on flavor compatibility.  I apologize if my statement was taken to
literally.

>WP is aware of this. It is one of the companies on Univel's list of
>endorsements, so I imagine they're working on a version that will work
>with the standard Desiny X server. Until then, you may be advised to
>stay away.

1) On text terminals, at least, the program should still work fine.  So this
   should (speculation) not cause problems with V.4 users purchasing 5.1
2) If there is a need to change to a different version or platform, I am
   quite sure WordPerfect Corp will take care of the customers well, this
   has been mine and other's experience in the past.
3) In any case, if one plans to use WP 5.1 on V.4, I suggest they call WP
   first:  1-800-321-5906

>The price is a significant boost compared to 5.0,
>the upgrade is steep too, and they've changed the way the product is
>sold. (A 20-user licence is just a piece of paper and a code to upgrade
>the binary to allow more simultaneous users -- no extra docs).

Yes, the price is steeper than ever before, see below.
The licensing WP now uses is the same as most other companies. 

>I believe the look-and-feel is Motif's.

Correct.

>WordPerfect has VERY good upgrade pricing and policies to take care of their
>customers.  Out total upgrade for a 20 user floating licence from 4.2 will
>be around $1384 COMPLETE.

>>That's pretty hefty for an upgrade. 

That is not hefty for an upgrade from 4.2 to 5.1.  And considering the
addition of graphics, WYSIWYG, and GUI, I think that is very reasonable for
a *20* user floating licence.  Considering this, it is still a great value
for those upgrading from 5.0 (as long as you are able to use the graphics)

>The price for a full (non-upgrade)
>20-user version of 5.0 is about $2,500, but the list price for a 20-user
>licence 5.1 with media is a whopping $5,841. For a system which doesn't
>use the GUI, that's a damned huge premium to obtain two features which
>aren't that important to most users.

****************************************************************************
*(I don't think it is as bad as you say- street price is less than retail. *
*Now compare WP5.1 to, say, FrameMaker.  Retail price of a 20 user floating*
*licence of Frame is at least $44,000 (believe it, I have the pricing in   *
*front of me).  Retail price of a 20 user floating licence of Island Write *
*Draw and Paint is $16,000.  Now, who says that WordPerfect at $5,841 is a *
*bad value???????  A 20 user licence should be enough to cover 90 end users*
*(at least it will here).                                                  *
****************************************************************************

Now if you don't plan on using the graphics part of WP5.1, the value is not
as great.  But show me a standard, cross-platform, powerful, and supported Unix
word processor for less!  Besides, when that person does start using X,
he won't have to pay *ANYTHING* for full graphics support!!!!

>I hope the company plans to maintain 5.0, or offer a cheaper version of
>5.1 for text-only systems, which leaves out the GUI stuff for those who
>don't need it. The price of the combined package is going to be, IMO, too
>much for even loyal WP users to swallow.

This may be a good idea, but then it would cost graphics users more in the
long run.  I think they just want to have one WP5.1 Unix product.

>>We are in the process of a hardware upgrade to an Altos 15000, so it won't
>>be loaded immediately.  But if there is interest, send me E-Mail and I will
>>give you an overview of our experience with the new software.  If there is
>>enough interest, I will post it to the net.

>You may want to seriously consider saving big bux and upgrading to 5.0
>instead.

No, I plan on adding X-Terminals to our large collection of ASCII terminals.
I want the graphics capabilities!

I will agree, however, that most *ALL* Unix software is *OVERPRICED*!!!
But don't pick on WordPerfect- even though the price increased, it is still
a great value, and they did work hard to make pricing almost the same across
all platforms.

> Evan Leibovitch, Sound Software Ltd., located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario
>         evan@telly.on.ca / uunet!utzoo!telly!evan / (416) 452-0504
>         "IBM's three letters are probably EBCDIC for CYA" - Nik H.

Nice hearing your input, thanx!


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