Originally Posted By: etaoin
JUST EDIT IN MAIL!


By "edit" I mean to access macros such as those provided by Word which make it possible to expedite a typical operation that might otherwise require multiple keystrokes. I believe that Word provides about 400 such macros, including for example the standard B, I, U, and T as well means to place any of the others also in the taskbar for instant access . These might include styles, bullets, selective highlights, dictionary, border, centering, thesaurus, navigation, selective caps, small caps, interchanging characters or words, subscripts and superscripts, inserts and format of various kinds, etc etc etc

In addition what I call the personal macro, or one you can compose for a special purpose may also be placed in the Outlook taskbar. For example to restore spelling flags in a large document requires a routine entailing 18 keystrokes. In Outlook, to facilitate the operation one merely composes a personal macro for the purpose, placing a link in the toolbar so that when needed the entire megillah can be accessed with a single click of the mouse

Wile I realize in Mac Mail a number of keyboard macros are available for these purposes, it's a nuisance to have to learn and then remember all the necessary keystrokes. Otherwise Mail has virtually no editing capability at all except spelling, which by the way is grossly unsatisfactory, unable to recognize dozens if not hundreds of common misspellings

So in editing an email message, for instance, it becomes necessary to cut and paste it back and forth between Mail and Word, very tedious. To this end my IT No. 1 Son composed for me two rather complex macros for the purpose, making it possible to switch the message back and forth in only one or two quick clicks of the mouse. However, not everyone has an IT in the family, while the integral system of Outlook/Word is still quicker and more convenient

Although it's sure than Mac will eventually realize its mistake and provide more nearly complete editing capabilities, in the meantime if you do much writing or corresponding but were considering a switch from Bill to Mac you might want to hold off

dalehileman