Sponsor's Message

Over the years I've used all kinds of software but a lot of the time I use my computer to edit text. Sometimes that text is programming source code, sometimes its HTML, sometimes its stories or articles.

Early this morning, as I was busy typing up some material for an overseas publication, I realised that despite the fact I'm now using a computer which is at least a thousand times faster than the one I was using twenty years ago, I'm not actually transferring thought to disk any more quickly.

In fact, there are some aspects of my all bells and whistles, Windows-based text editor that are even more cumbersome and awkward than my old copy of WordStar for the 8-bit CP/M operating system.

Sure, today's fancy WYSIWYG word processors running in a fully GUI environment with hundreds of megabytes of RAM offer some nice benefits -- but the job of getting thought to disk is now slightly slower than it used to be, thanks to this "modern" software.

A prime example of this is something as simple as moving the cursor around the screen.

In "the good old days (tm)", programs like WordStar allowed you to move through your document *very* quickly without taking your hands from the main part of the keyboard.

That's right -- there was no need to reach for cursor keys, function keys or a mouse to move the cursor or execute a command. WordStar's cursor up/down/left/right and even page-up/page-down commands were all accessible through the main QWERTY part of the keyboard.

Now, as a fairly fast touch-typist, I find that having to move my hands from the home keys and then replace them at regular intervals adds a small but annoying increase to the time it takes to type up a document.

As a result, I don't use Microsoft Word unless I really have to. My "modern" editor of choice is Multi-Edit, which I've configured to use a host of shortcut keys for oft-needed operations. I wonder however, just how many of those people who have never used "old fashioned" software realise how modern software tends to sacrifice speed and efficiency for "powerful features" and cute but intensely annoying wizards.

Even web browsers are showing the same kind of feature-creep at the cost of efficiency.

I think I am possibly the last person in the world who still uses Netscape 4.5 (with image-loading and Javascript turned off) as his primary web browser.

Why do I do this?

Well firstly, I don't like the fact that IE is still riddled with holes that make every visit to an unrecognised site just like a game of Russian roulette.

Secondly, NS4.5 with graphics and javascript off is damned fast -- except when it comes to rendering large tables which can take forever. Okay, it doesn't have a trillion bells and whistles but at least it doesn't keep constantly telling me that thanks to my I'm security consciousness, the pages I'm viewing may not display correctly because an Active-X component wasn't loaded -- or that it's now going to automatically download and install the piece of code required to view this data-type.

Now maybe if I was a regular PC user and websurfer I'd sit back and marvel at all the animated, shiny, sparkly features that "Windows XP turbo plus advanced" and "Microsoft Word 3000 (weighty tome version)" offer me, but quite frankly I'd rather just get the job done as quickly and simply as possible.

I want software that is like a true sports car -- no air conditioning, no thick pile carpets, no power windows, no automatic transmission -- just lots of power, with a clutch, brake, accelerator and steering wheel for controls.

Note: sorry today's column is a bit late -- the mains voltage here has been fluctuating from 90V to 260V this morning and there have been *big* thunder storms. But I just love the way my true UPS just keeps on delivering 240VAC even when the mains is so low that the light-bulb in my room isn't even lighting up.

If any Aardvark readers want to share an opinion on today's column or add something, you're invited to chip in and have your say in The Aardvark Forums or, if you prefer, you can contact me directly.

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