WordPerfect on iMac

I am a dyed in the wool WordPerfect user. My dilemma is that although I have always used a PC, I am seriously consxidering getting an iMac. iMac does not use WordPerfect.
The main reasons I use WordPerfect are;
1-WordPerfect has "Reveal Codes" available at the bottom of the screen (scaleable) MS Word has a form of reveal codes, but unlike the HTML codes, Word does not reveal every single code, keystroke, or command. Thus, one is often left wondering where the "indent" or other strange command is hiding.
2-WordPerfect will convert MS Word into WordPerfect. MS Word does not reciprocate. Thus, one is left with copy or cut and paste to get MS Word content into WordPerfect.

There are other, but less bothersome ---to me-- but this is in essence the reason I have not given up my PC yet!

Any helpful (non esoteric) suggestions?
WHM

G'day and welcome to the forums.

If the changes are too much stay where you are and avoid all that angst. Should you get a late model iMac WordPerfect will be a thing of tha past. having said that Office 2011 is a great suite, the best going around.

I wasn't even aware anyone was still making WordPerfect.

To use it on the Mac you will need to run Windows in a virtualization environment (you could also use Boot Camp but that's not likely to be practical for your needs).

I gave up WP in 1995 and have been using MS Word since. I don't miss reveal codes at all, but there is a learning curve to doing things the Word way and if you don't have to switch away from WP (compatibility with others if sharing Word documents is the biggest reason I would think) then might think twice. I run some old Windows software on my Mac using Windows in Parallels Convergence, and those programs can open files kept in the Apple folder system, but that option seems expensive and awkward.

You might like using Apple's Pages software.

For a while I ran WP 5.1 (DOS version) in a Wine Bottle using Darwine, but finally gave up. Agree with you, I really miss the reveal codes capability. You can sort of do this in MS Word, but it isn't the same.

FWIW I still miss WordStar, the best Word Processor ever made.

RavingMac said:

FWIW I still miss WordStar, the best Word Processor ever made.

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Curious - have you ever tried Joe as a Wordstar workalike?

gsahli said:

Curious - have you ever tried Joe as a Wordstar workalike?

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No, never even heard of it. Last WordStar clone I used was the code writing portion of Turbo Pascal, since that used WS commands, and that has been almost 20 years ago.

For a while I ran WP 5.1 (DOS version) in a Wine Bottle using Darwine, but finally gave up. Agree with you, I really miss the reveal codes capability. You can sort of do this in MS Word, but it isn't the same.

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I still have my original set of WP 5.1 3.5" floppy disks. For kicks, I may install it using Crossover or WINE (I have both running on my iMac). Threw away my WordStar stuff long ago because it was on 5.25" floppies.

chscag said:

I still have my original set of WP 5.1 3.5" floppy disks. For kicks, I may install it using Crossover or WINE (I have both running on my iMac). Threw away my WordStar stuff long ago because it was on 5.25" floppies.

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I had a pair of 8inch drives and floppies for the longest (CPM) but finally pitched them. I am very bad (like many of us here) with holding onto stuff.