Need good boilerplate app

[randy]

I need to make a document (in Word, for example) by pasting in
paragraphs from a library of paragraphs just by hitting a code or
keyword (so I don't have to cut and paste every time from all these
different sources).

In other words, I'm writing documents that are each made up of custom
"cut-and-pasted" sections chosen from a library of about 100 different
paragraphs. Instead of cutting and pasting text into word documents 30
times, I can cut and paste text once and then pick and paste anytime
from my own library.


Prefer Mac OS X--Any help??

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Hi Randy,

I can help get you part of the way to the solution you desire. From Word's
VIEW menu choose OFFICE CLIPBOARD. You can put up to 24 things onto the
clipboard.

There's a new version of Word coming out soon. It will be loaded with new
features. I recommend that you check it out as soon as it becomes available.
You should sign up for the notifications here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004lb

Trust me. You will want it. Wish I could tell you more

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Hi Randy,

In addition to the office clipboard, you can check out AutoCorrect,
AutoText, and the IncludeText field, three different ways of using
boilerplate. If Help doesn't give you enough info, post back. I'll try to
scrounge up more references on these features.

DM

 

[randy]

Thank you both for excellent suggestions.

I can't believe that I didn't think about the AutoText option. I guess
that I figured it wouldn't hold more than a brief phrase, but I tested
it with a full page of text.

Also, I never even knew about the Office Clipboard. I await the
release of the new Office eagerly.

 

[Gene van Troyer]

There's a new version of Word coming out soon. It will be loaded with new
features. I recommend that you check it out as soon as it becomes available.
You should sign up for the notifications here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004lb

Trust me. You will want it. Wish I could tell you more

Sigh. Why must registered users sign up for special notification? It
should be automatic, especially after all of the hoops MS makes you jump
through to register, making you feel like it's a special privilege to
register...

I know, I know, you can't answer that...

Gene van Troyer

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Glad that worked, here is the link I couldn't find before on AutoText, which
may still be helpful.

http://members.verizon.net/~vze27sds/autotext.htm

DM

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Hi Gene,

So far (for the last 20 years on the Mac, anyway) Microsoft has not used the
registration submissions to pester owners about new versions or even about
software updates. You would think this would be a great resource for them to
mine, but they opt for privacy. This is a good thing, isn't it?

If you want to be notified you have to sign up. Otherwise Microsoft leaves
you alone.

-Jim

 

[Gene van Troyer]

So far (for the last 20 years on the Mac, anyway) Microsoft has not used the
registration submissions to pester owners about new versions or even about
software updates. You would think this would be a great resource for them to
mine, but they opt for privacy. This is a good thing, isn't it?

If you want to be notified you have to sign up. Otherwise Microsoft leaves
you alone.

Oh, yes, but I don't consider update notifications to be pestering. A
check box on the registration page should be sufficient.

On the other hand, given the intensity of virus propagation, I can see
the logic....

Gene

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Oh, yes, but I don't consider update notifications to be pestering. A
check box on the registration page should be sufficient.

On the other hand, given the intensity of virus propagation, I can see
the logic....

Gene

I think you all are debating the wrong topic. What is ridiculous is
that instead of creating a web page about the new offerings in Office 2004,
one has to go to the trouble of getting email at all. The information
should be publicly available to all on the web with no extra action
required.

Dayo

 

[John McGhie [MVP - Word]]

*I* can answer that... In the USA litigation scene post-Enron they have
not yet found a way to do it in a way that guarantees that you won't get
sued.

You can use a form of words on the legal disclaimer in the Registration
dialog that gets you "95 per cent safe". But they have not yet found a way
to say "By checking this box, you have given us permission to email you
about new releases and you cannot sue us if we do."

They are working on it. In Word 2003, the Office Update mechanism will
eventually be developed to say "There's a new version available: would you
like to order it?"

Hope this helps

This responds to article

Sigh. Why must registered users sign up for special notification? It
should be automatic, especially after all of the hoops MS makes you jump
through to register, making you feel like it's a special privilege to
register...

I know, I know, you can't answer that...

Gene van Troyer

--

Please respond only to the newsgroup to preserve the thread.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. GMT + 10 Hrs
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[John McGhie [MVP - Word]]

Hi Dayo:

That's also a legal issue. There *will be* a web page, but not until they
can commit to an exact "on-sale" date.

To start talking now about features that "may not" be included in the final
version is an almost guaranteed law suit in the USA.

Cheers


This responds to article

I think you all are debating the wrong topic. What is ridiculous is
that instead of creating a web page about the new offerings in Office 2004,
one has to go to the trouble of getting email at all. The information
should be publicly available to all on the web with no extra action
required.

Dayo

--

Please respond only to the newsgroup to preserve the thread.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. GMT + 10 Hrs
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Hi Dayo:

That's also a legal issue. There *will be* a web page, but not until they
can commit to an exact "on-sale" date.

To start talking now about features that "may not" be included in the final
version is an almost guaranteed law suit in the USA.

Cheers

Exactly. I think it's a bit wrong to market a product when they don't know
what it will do. While such techniques are by now probably built into the
fabric of American life, I still think companies should be called on it.

Dayo

 

[John McGhie [MVP - Word]]

Those of us who have to specify and buy the products would prefer that they
released the feature list when they have completed their design, so we can
begin our evaluation process while they're making the software.

But they can't because people haul them into court if they have anything on
the feature list that is not in the shipping product.

Which means we have to wait to see what hits the store shelves before we can
determine whether it's any use to us.

Software "Research and development" has the word "Research" in it for a
reason. You never actually *know* that a feature is going to be on the CD
until it passes User Acceptance Test, and that's about 18 months after you
signed off the feature list.

The features for Word 2006 are now set in stone: none will be added. The
ones they can't get to work in time will be taken away The feature list
for Word 2008 is just about to go out for approval. As an MVP, if you go to
the Summit you will see bits of it and be asked to comment on them

People: If you don't like anything about Word 2008, it's Dayo's Fault!!
She was There, She Signed Off on it...

{Giggle, Chortle} There: now see if you can hide from the deluge of email
that will cause

Cheers

This responds to article

Exactly. I think it's a bit wrong to market a product when they don't know
what it will do. While such techniques are by now probably built into the
fabric of American life, I still think companies should be called on it.

Dayo

--

Please respond only to the newsgroup to preserve the thread.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. GMT + 10 Hrs
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

You mean this web page and the links from it?
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004

All you have to do in internet explorer is to use Favorites > Subscribe and
IE will notify you when the web page changes. No email subscription is
necessary. IE does not notify any web computer that you have subscribed to
its web page.

-Jim

I think you all are debating the wrong topic. What is ridiculous is
that instead of creating a web page about the new offerings in Office 2004,
one has to go to the trouble of getting email at all. The information
should be publicly available to all on the web with no extra action
required.

Dayo

--
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

Everyone is encouraged to post answers to any unanswered questions whenever
you see one that you know the answer to.

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Hi Jim,
No, this page, linked from the one you cited,
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004lb

Where they let you sign up for a "launch bulletin". "Be the first to know.
Coming soon! Office 2004 for Mac. Here's your chance to stay on top of the
latest news and information. Simply sign up for the free Office 2004 for Mac
Launch Bulletin to receive updates on new features, promotions, sneak
previews and availability dates."

I don't feel I should have to give them my name to get news of new features
and availability dates.

Dayo

 

[John McGhie [MVP - Word]]

Hi Dayo:

Oh, you don't. Anyone's name and email address will do

Cheers


This responds to article

Hi Jim,
No, this page, linked from the one you cited,
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004lb

Where they let you sign up for a "launch bulletin". "Be the first to know.
Coming soon! Office 2004 for Mac. Here's your chance to stay on top of the
latest news and information. Simply sign up for the free Office 2004 for Mac
Launch Bulletin to receive updates on new features, promotions, sneak
previews and availability dates."

I don't feel I should have to give them my name to get news of new features
and availability dates.

Dayo

--

Please respond only to the newsgroup to preserve the thread.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. GMT + 10 Hrs
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Chuckle, chuckle, good point.

Dayo

Hi Dayo:

Oh, you don't. Anyone's name and email address will do

Cheers


This responds to article

 

[JE McGimpsey]

I don't feel I should have to give them my name to get news of new features
and availability dates.

You don't - just create a throwaway hotmail account/p*ssport (I've had
at least 50 over the last couple of years, never with *any* valid
personal information). Check it for the next three or four months, then
forget it.

Or, as Jim suggested, set IE to check the Mactopia website for changes.

Personally, I much appreciate not getting unsolicited email from
Microsoft.