WordPerfect Office Blog

Corel's 25th Birthday Contest

2010-07-08T02:58:00Z

Hi Folks,

This news should be released tomorrow. If you are interested in showing off some of your work you could win some cool prizes.

Cheers

Jay

What: Quest for the Best Creativity Challenge

When: July 6 - Aug. 31, 2010 (note: launches at 3:00 p.m. EST on July 6)

Where: US, Canada, UK and Germany only

Why: Corel is looking to discover and showcase some of the extraordinary and inspiring work created with Corel software every day.

How:

You are invited to participate in one of two ways:

Over $25,000 in prizes up for grabs!

Grand prize: "The ultimate design studio" (valued at $9,500 USD)

1st prize: Nikon® D700™ SLR and Nikkor® lense
2nd prize: Wacom® Cintiq® 21UX Drawing Tablet
3rd prize: iPad™ Wi-Fi + 3G 64GB
4th prize: 2nd Generation FLIP UltraHD™ Camcorder

Plus all above winners will receive Corel software package, including CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5, Corel® Painter™ 11, Corel® PaintShop Photo® Pro X3 and Corel® VideoStudio® Pro X3.

Twenty (20) Runners Up will receive:

(1) Nikon COOLPIX® Digital Camera

(1) Corel® PaintShop Photo™ Pro X3

Ten (10) Sweepstakes winners will receive:

(1) HP® 210 Mini Netbook

Microsoft Office launched today - upgrade to our family!

2010-06-15T18:19:00Z

Microsoft launched Office 2010 today.

The big things touted in this release (and my related comments) are:

More ribbon - it is integrated more in other Suite apps like Outlook (some like the ribbon and some do not, so not a huge feature for all)
Better views behind the scenes - backstage, etc (more tools were added to help you see what is hidden by the ribbon so calling these features seems weak)
New video and graphics tools integrated (cool and a nice addition for higher end users)
Online apps (I have made a lot of comments on this before - currently, not a huge feature for most users)
Not touted so much in the release is the new Outlook eMail client (new previewing options and better collaboration make this a sweet app - I am surprised more people don't point this out. But consider this my appreciation for this new tool)

Depending on who you are and your role, this may be a good buy for you or something to just track. Certainly, the "features" available in this release will not appeal to value conscious consumers and small businesses. For larger Enterprises, Outlook and other collaboration features are a plus.

However, one thing to note - Microsoft has removed upgrade pricing. That means that loyal customers basically get treated the same as anyone else. To me, this is a mistake. We should always treat our current customers as special and provide the tools, support and incentives to keep them happy.

With that said, I am pleased to announce a reach out program to Microsoft Office users. If you switch to WordPerfect Office from now until October 31 and send me in your purchase receipt and old Microsoft Office CDs I will send you a check for the difference between the Full price you paid and our upgrade price. WordPerfect Office is a great office suite and you can use the Microsoft Office launch as a springboard to a better office solution and become part of a family that will appreciate your dedication.

Mobile viewers for WordPerfect?

2010-06-09T19:19:00Z

Currently people with BlackBerrys can see WP documents "on the road". We wanted to survey folks on the board to see if there was interest in other devices as well.

Visit here to vote: http://officecommunity.com/forums/t/1001.aspx

Also, check out my earlier post on the PDF training session tomorrow! Sign up if interested.

Cheers

Jay

Error 24 and WordPerfect will not start

2010-06-02T13:16:00Z

Hi Folks,

A recent issue with software not starting up for people and popping up an error code (Error code 24) seems to be affecting users of CorelDraw and to some extent WordPerfect. All users that we have seen affected by this have, in fact, not purchased legitimate Corel software. They may have purchased it in good faith, but did not get real keys, but beta ones that do expire.

If you are affected by this for WordPerfect, please respond to this thread and we can see what we can do to get you legit. We will also be dealing with this from a support and Corel perspective so you can check out our website for updates as well.

Cheers,

Jay

WordPerfect Office PDF Webinar

2010-05-27T00:48:00Z

PDF in WordPerfect Office

Join us for a Webinar on June 10

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/240244441

Join us for a free webinar and see what WordPerfect Office can do for you.

PLEASE NOTE: Webinar start time is 11AM EDT.

Title:		PDF in WordPerfect Office

Date:		Thursday, June 10, 2010

Time:		11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Good article on metadata

2010-04-28T18:36:00Z

If you don't know about metadata and its possible effects, here is a good article. http://bit.ly/982Ekc A little too MS Word focused, but - so you know - In WordPerfect, Metadata Removal is built in (as are review and comment tools). But you probably already know that.

Cheers,

Jay

Webinar answers part 1

2010-04-16T00:27:00Z

Thank you to many of you for attending our webinars a few weeks ago. As promised we are going to post answers here on OfficeCommunity. Since there were so many questions I will post them up in sections. The following are answers to one section of questions - on WordPerfect Office X5. After a few days I will post answers to another section of questions.

Cheers,

Jay

-----

Q&A

WordPerfect Office X5

Availability of WordPerfect Office X5

Q: Is X5 available now and what is the upgrade cost?

A: Download is available now and boxed product April 10 - visit www.wordperfect.com to get the latest upgrade pricing.

Q: When will the Academic Version be available?

A: June 4

Graphics

Q: We've had some problems with graphics and images in the past few versions of WP, especially with very large file sizes-- so much so that we do not edit images in WP at all, and have to use Paste Special to paste everything as Device Independent Bitmaps. Any progress on images and graphics with the new version?

A: We always fix issues during the year, however pasting into WP will cause very large file sizes. I prefer to create JPGs and import them -- or create WPGs which is WP's native graphics file format then insert them via Insert / Graphics & Pictures / From File . . .

How to get a Trial or Demo copy of WordPerfect Office X5?

Q: how to obtain a copy of demo for other members of staff not available today?

A: Go to www.corel.com/trials or www.wordperfect.com and download a free 30-day Trial (or Evaluation) copy today.

Macros and WordPerfect X5

Microsoft Office File Compatibility

Q: What is DOCX as opposed to DOC?

A: DOCX is the Microsoft Office 2007 Open XML file format. But WordPerfect X5 opens and saves both by way of File / Open or File / Save. For best compatibility between Word-and-WordPerfect, do not use the Word WPD Open or Export – use WordPerfect X5 File/Open DOC or DOCX and File/Save DOC or DOCX.

Q: Will WP X5 work in both directions with the soon-to-be released Word Office 2010?

A: Yes, we have been testing with Office 2010 and we added support for the DOCX, XLSX and PPTX formats in X5.

Q: What changes have been made in the import and export tools for Microsoft Office. Often we have found that formatting is a problem when exchanging files in X3 and X4

A: Every service pack and release we update Microsoft Office compatibility. Download the trial of WordPerfect X5 and open your DOC / DOCX files directly from within WordPerfect to see the latest compatibility enhancements.

Q: Will X5 open .dotx files? (I have actually opened a few already with X4 by renaming the .dotx to .docx)

A: WordPerfect does not specifically save DOT file format (Word Template file), but you can open and save Microsoft Office 2010 and 2007 files to share with Microsoft users.

Operating System support

Q: What version of Windows do we have to have for WPX5

A: See the System Requirements on the web site – we support Windows 7, Vista and XP flavors.

Paradox

Q: Any changes in Paradox with the new version? The last few versions of WP have kept Paradox pretty much unchanged.

A: Paradox has newer Operating Systems support in X5 and fixed issues like printing support.

Q: Is Paradox software a part of Word Perfect Office X5?

A: Paradox is in the Professional Version. We have three versions, Standard, Professional and Home and Student.

Quattro Pro

Q: Quattro Pro in WordPerfect Office X5?

A: Yes, Quattro Pro X5 is included in WordPerfect Office X5

Q: what is Quattro pro?

A: Quattro Pro is a spreadsheet just like Microsoft Excel

Q: WordPerfect has always been the central application of the office suite with other applications such as Quattro Pro not fully consistent in terms of features, interface, etc.. Has X5 improved on this.

A: Quattro Pro and Presentations continue to evolve along with WordPerfect. For example, you can now create and save Microsoft Office 2007 file types (DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX)

Q: Any changes to QPro

A: Yes the ability to save XLSX files along with printing and other bug fixing.

Reference Center

Q: Reference center isn't an option in my version of X5. Why?

A: I have noticed that if you are using an older default template or a beta version of x5 -- it does not appear. Do you know how to rename your default template?

Q: where was the research center located?

A: The Reference Center is the newly added place to find all things Help-related. Look within WordPerfect under Help menu / Reference Center or within the operating system, select Start / All Programs / WordPerfect Office X5 / Reference Center

Updating and Installing

Q: Will X5 install over WP12 & retain files as is?

A: When you install with a previous version (down to version 11) you will notice an "Upgrade" option on the first page of the setup program. You can opt to keep version 12 (or 11 or X3 or X4) and migrate your settings or you can have the previous version removed. Both versions can run simultaneously while you transition to version X5.

Q: How many computers can I put X5 on?

A: Each version has different restrictions. Home and Student can be installed on 3 PCs. Volume license customers can install at work, on their laptop and at home. But, they can not have 2 machines running the suite simultaneously. In plain speak - For Home and Student you can install on all your home PCs (up to three). But the software can't be used for business purposes. If you are using the software for business purposes purchase Standard or Pro. You can have Standard and Pro on a desktop and laptop but it is only for you. You can't legally have it installed on your PC and give your laptop to a work colleague to use.

Q: I have old merge documents in WP11..can I bring them into X5

A: Yes, simply open them and start using them. The file format has not changed.

Q: I purchased version X5 download, but the download flaked and I can not get back to try downloading it again

A: Contact our Support Team via email for assistance if your have purchased yet the software did not properly download. Visit support.corel.com

Q: Can WPX5 export to PageAuthor and E-books software?

A: WordPerfect can export text in many formats – for software such as that, I would suggest HTML, DOC, DOCX Text or even copy & paste. It depends on what those programs accept as text importing.

Q: Does WP X5 have the new typographical features (selecting OSF, ligatures, etc) that Word 2010 does?

A: We will get back to this...

Upgrade-within-the-30-day window / Technology Upgrade

Q: If I *JUST* purchased 4x (40 days ago) is there a price break for 5x?

A: Yes we usually do have a price break, depending on time from purchase. You can call our Support group or send them an email from within your Corel account.

Q: I just purchased Corel X4, 3 weeks ago, so now you have X5. This seems unfair? Would you consider a free upgrade?

A: Visit support.corel.com and explain your situation. They will help

　

Web Services / Query

Q: Which type(s) of file formats are supported by the web query? We have inventory spreadsheets (Excel) on a common server that this would be useful to pul in remotely by our sales reps in read only mode.

A: Check out Insert / Spreadsheet-Database / Import and you will see the lists includes databases, spreadsheets, ODBC connections and more data sources. This is not what we are referring to as a web service but we could import this data as well

Q: can you query a web service that is password protected?

A: You would have to know the URL and be allowed access -- we just use the URL. If you are not allowed access, the URL will not return fields.

　

What is new?

Q: what the big difference x4 & x5

A: You can check out the upgrade matrix on our web site for more info.

Q: is it ready for 2010 office

A: Absolutely we are ready for Office 2010; we open and save Office 2007 / 2010 OOMXL files (DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX). Download the free trial and check it out yourself at www.corel.com/trials

Q: Any changes to equation editor?

A: Depends on what version you are coming from. We have made updates over the years.

Q: can you do blogs without further software?

A: You can definitely use WordPerfect X5 to create text to post for your blogs. Using WordPerfect will allow you to utilize the writing tools and other features – then simply copy and paste or Publish to HTML to post on your blog. Lightning can also publish to WordPress blogs

Q: Publishing to my website/blog

A: See above.

Q: Does X5 allow you to open more than 9 documents at once, and use Alt+Tab to scroll through these?

A: You can open up to 10 documents within WordPerfect and you can tab through those pages by using keystrokes Control + F6. ..

Q: Will the new X5 have a database similar to older versions, like WP9 or WP 10?

A: Yes, Paradox is included in the Professional version as the database application.

Q: I have already downloaded X5, but I don't see an 'real' difference compared to X4, hence my interest in this webinar.

A: Check out the web site for additional information –

Q: Does WPO X5 support or comes with Dragon Naturally Speaking still?

A: Yes, we work closely with Nuance to make sure the current version of WordPerfect always supports Dragon. Sometimes we have eStore specials with Dragon/Nuance products.

Q: Is there a desktop publishing software in Word Perfect Office X5?

A: Nothing like Publisher is included, but WordPerfect creates Press-Quality documents, especially using our PDF for Commercial Output.

Q: Can I copy my XP with WP 12 files and paste "logically" on a new computer with Windows 7 and X5?

A: You can simply install

Q: How well does this integrate with Corel Draw?

A: WordPerfect can import CorelDraw graphics.

What is included?

Q: Does the trial include the PaperPort and Thunderbird applications

A: Yes. You will see links for them in your receipt

Q: Is the Lightning available?

A: Yes, Lightning is available and is installed by default.

Q: What is the difference between WordPerfect Student and WordPerfect Professional?

A: Home and Student does not include the Thunderbird add-on nor Nuance PaperPort and Professional includes Paradox database.

Q: Is PaperPort part of the X5 package?

A: Yes, in Standard and Pro.

Q: Does the box version of X5 include a paper user manual or guide?

A: Yes, the boxed version of Standard includes a printed manual. The same manual is also installed as a PDF file and can be accessed via the Reference Center in any version.

　

What is the difference between WordPerfect Office and Microsoft Office?
Q: What is the difference between the 2 office versions?

A: WordPerfect Office X5 includes additional PDF import and export capabilities, PDF annotations and additional editing from Nuance PaperPort 12 SE and a calendar add-on for Thunderbird mail – not to mention support to Open and Save all versions of Microsoft Office files.

Q: What features will be useful to publishers and/or editors of scholarly journals?

A: Utilizing many of the built-in templates by way of File / New from Project . . . and OfficeReady Templates that are included in the software (add them during installation) and additional OfficeReady templates available

Macros and formatting

2010-03-31T02:39:00Z

We met with Ed Mendelson, a professor at Columbia and longtime contributor to PC Mag, a few weeks back. He always provides insight into the market and WordPerfect for me. One thing he suggested was to provide or expose more of the developed and available functionality to users. There are some great macros both at WordPerfect Universe and specific sites which I will point out going forward. Ed mentioned some specific functionality so I did a search to find ones that I thought would be of interest.

A great macro is available at Barry MacDonnell's Toolbox. Created by Ron Hirsch, this macro replaces formatting in documents, so that you can easily change particular details easily (e.g. change all bold text to italics). Check out the macro called "Replace Codes - Plus.wcm " for the functionality.

I will post more going forward. But this is a cool macro (that works with the new X5 too) to get you started.

Regards,

Jay

New in WordPerfect X5! Web Services (Tutorial) : Part 3

2010-03-25T13:31:00Z

And the last file for the tutorial (attached).

New in WordPerfect X5! Web Services (Tutorial) : Part 2

2010-03-25T13:30:00Z

Here's the second tutorial file (attached).

New in WordPerfect X5! Web Services (Tutorial)

2010-03-25T12:59:00Z

One of the great new features in WordPerfect X5 is the Web Services functionality. WP now allows you to query online web services and import the data directly to your documents. In addition, we've added a Data Storage option that works for all database imports. This feature returns database/spreadsheet/Web Service data into a named variable array, which then allows you to access this data through macros.

In the following tutorial I want to show how these two new features can be combined to get some pretty cool results. In completing this 15 minute tutorial, you'll create a template that automatically pulls data from a free online web service and populates a table, all based on user input. The PerfectScript code contained in the tutorial is re-usable, so you can create your own web-aware templates once you get the hang of things!

The instructions are in the WebServicesTemplateCreatorTutorial.pdf file. You'll also need to save the SampleTemplate.wpt and the WSTemplateCreator.wcm files locally for use during the tutorial.

Hope you enjoy, I'll be around to answer any questions you may have!

Jason

WordPerfect Office X5 launches today

2010-03-23T04:08:00Z

An exciting day for the WordPerfect Office team, and I hope for you too. We launch X5 - our latest version.

The big things I would note:

Runs on Window 7 (and includes some touch functionality)
Opens, edits and saves Microsoft formats (even the latest ones)
Adds new tools including Nuance PaperPort 12 SE (scanning, document management and PDF functionality like edit and annotate) and Mozilla Thunderbird for WordPerfect Office (eMail client)
Adds new collaboration capabilities like SharePoint server integration and Web Services support (this is way cool if/when I can explain it later)
Adds a new help system
Adds enhancements around printing, stability, etc.

Plus it still has the favorite features like Reveal Codes, Make it Fit, etc.

I will blog more later. But, today we are at FOSE (big US Government tradeshow) where we will also announce some new legal tools. If you are in and around Washington please drop by our booth.

Cheers,

Jay

Learning opportunity

2010-03-17T01:51:00Z

Take a guided tour of Corel® WordPerfect® Office at our upcoming FREE Webinar and see new ways to do more with words, numbers and ideas. Join our product team as we give a live demonstration of the features and enhancements that power this one-of-a-kind office suite.

Want to have a guided tour of what's new in WordPerfect Office? Be sure to sign up for our FREE webinar!

WordPerfect in the Top 10 - One award I could live without

2009-11-02T15:10:00Z

ZDNet ran an article on the 10 biggest failures in IT history last Friday. I usually like to be part of top 10s, but maybe not this one. But, there was WordPerfect right at #8 on the list. Well, not so much WordPerfect, but Corel, for failing to topple Microsoft with this great technology.

I can't speak for decisions made 20 or even 10 years ago. But, I have always been competitive, so I like to think that there are always possibilities, and some may have been missed. But, I can not discount Microsoft's ability to stamp out comeptitors (allegedly) through bundling and other techniques. Just ask Netscape, or SUN and Java or maybe even ODF...

What I can speak to though, is the absolute focus on our key customers. We do not have multi-million dollar launch budgets to spread our message like Microsoft. But we have been successfully delivering huge value to our customers, that sees us holding many major customers against a powerful Microsoft tide. And, maybe, shame on the Corel of old for failing to win the market, but for the last twenty years we have pushed Microsoft to deliver greater features at increasingly lower prices - saving taxpayers, consumers and businesses millions of dollars and increasing the utility of office software. And, although we do not make billions of dollars, even a small percentage of a $12B market allows us to continue to deliver great software and service to our customers.

As part of the discriminating population that knows the value in WordPerfect, dear OfficeCommunity readers, thank you for your taste, your loyalty and belief in a better office suite.

Cheers,

Jay

Do any lawyers out there work on TOAs?

2009-10-08T01:23:00Z

Hi Folks,

Just polling community members as to whether anyone works on TOAs (either manual or using some sort of tool or WPO itself). Would love to dialog on how you do things.

Regards,

Jay