05-14-2010, 04:46 AM

Hi,


I have to go through a 90+page text and graph based document.

This doc is originally a windows based feature rich document.

I had to use my Mac to go through this document, as it looks the most appropriate application on my Mac is "TextEdit".

But the text that comes from a windows application, appears so small especially the fonts its indeed very painful to the eyes. And most importantly, I have to finalize this document pretty sooner than later!

I have tried to see if I can exploit "TextEdit" to meet my needs with add-ons etc, but this application seems rather very basic!

I am wondering are the applications, which are more feature rich to manipulate text which are graph based docs, incl. those which were originally windows based/or any convertible usable versions?

Appreciate any useful feedback!

05-14-2010, 05:52 AM

While Text Edit won't give you as much in terms of features as Pages you can change the font - Select All the choose font as you want here. You need Format/Show Fonts to get the selector


Click for full size

05-24-2010, 08:21 AM

Hi,


thanks for the useful link.

05-24-2010, 04:58 PM

Yes, Text Edit is basic, but it's still quite powerful - and it's quick!

When you open that document in TextEdit, hit Command-A to Select All, and then Command-+ to increase the text size to more readable proportions.

To answer your direct question, Word is the ultimate text editing application. AppleWorks will do a good job too. You operate Leopard - does it have Pages?

Check this link too The Top 10 List Of Word Processors For Mac Users | Mac App Reviews | Mac360.

05-25-2010, 06:46 AM

Hi,


thanks for the details.

As to "Pages", I did try to locate it as it seems I dont have it on my Mac. Do I need to upload it or where is it located?

Well, I have all the Words Pro set on my Window OS, but tired of all the delays while processing docs, and complications. It might be the ultimate, but not much user geared - at least not for me!

I found openoffice much more stable and user friendly and that for free...

05-25-2010, 08:54 AM

Pages would be in your Applications folder, if you haven't Trashed it. It came as a 30-day trial version with Leopard. You'd have to purchase a license in order to use it now. That might be possible by just opening it and clicking the appropriate buttons. (and entering your credit card number, etc.)

05-25-2010, 08:57 AM

Hi,


I have an issue with "Textedit".

Well, yesterday I did update that long document that I am going through. Today I discovered, two different files with the same file name the only difference between them is that one of it has "autosaved" added to its ending file name!

However, it seems its the same file, but the size is something like 1/4 of the original. Having looked at the file and compared to the original there doesnt seem to be any differences, even the changes that I did yesterday hasnt been taken over/saved!

In fact I did save the updated version yesterday, before going to sleep mode. Also, the autosave version has yesterdays date as file creation date, while the other has its original creation date - both versions are on my desktop!

Where is my updated version?

05-25-2010, 05:19 PM

Check in Text Edit/Preferences to change it if need be;


Click for full size

Original is probably in same location as first time you saved it.

05-26-2010, 06:25 AM

Hi,


thank you all for the usefful hints.

Collin Bl, the doc that I was talking about, the original version is in the location where it was first saved! But I did duplicate that version to my desktop, and re-edited it and left it on my desktop, but now cant locate that re-edited version anywhere!

Search on my Mac, turns up all the same versions that i know about but not the reedited version!

05-26-2010, 04:22 PM

But once you had saved to the desktop and then done a further edit - did u remember to do a further save to lock in the changes?

05-27-2010, 06:36 AM

Yes, I did - thats why it bothers me that I cant locate where it is now!

Does Textedit sort saved documents, in its own folder file name index, if so where is that index located?

Do you know what exactly does autosave on Textedit do .i.e. autosaving every 5 min. or something?

Also, I am wondering why virtually same documents one which has been edited with Textedit, indicate differing file sizes!

05-27-2010, 04:34 PM

Autosave creates a temporary file. With Word for example, that .tmp or .temp may appear on the desktop. As far as I know, it is not user-accessible. Each time an autosave is completed, the temp file is deleted, only to be created again during the next xx minute interval.

TextEdit has in its Prefs several choices about autosaving, and what happens with temp files, but I don't see in this (Tiger) version where the temp files are placed.

Have you used Finder (rather then Spotlight) to look for the missing file? Cmd-F from desktop does a more thorough job, and lists its findings in a more helpful way. Have a look too in Home > Documents > temp.

In looking for long-forgotten files, I've gone as far as to use a single word that I recall from a file, using Finder, and/or an application called FileBuddy. It's remarkable how they dig out what the mind has forgotten.

05-28-2010, 06:15 AM

Hi,


thanks so much for the details.

I was now able tolocate the file(s), but now I have several files with differing versions(updates). Also, "Textedit" seems to create a file with a file name ending "alias" whats that about...!

Gosh, so confusing - I just wanted to update a document(file); now seems like I have the updates on several differing files...!

I have again checked on few of the same files which have the exact content, but the file size as is indicated is not the same; do you know why?

05-28-2010, 08:47 AM

A file with "alias" appended to it cannot be created by the application. It has to be created intentionally by the user. Perhaps you accidently hit the keyboard combo that creates one when a file was highlighted. An alias is like a "shortcut" in Windows. It's not a "real" file, but just a pointer to the file. If the file name changes, the alias still finds it. Likewise, the name of the alias can be changed if you want, but you'd only want to make a minor change so you remember what the original file is.

05-28-2010, 10:13 AM

Hi,


well I am not aware that I created that "alias" intentionally.

With combo you mean to say "command" key?

If it is that I did use it to increase the size of the text on "textedit"...!

Ok, this is for anyone - I am newbie still figuring out...; why you have the option of "alias", "dublicate" or even copy on Mac, what to use each of them for?