[scribus] Scribus 1.3.7 Released spell check support under windows.

[John Culleton]

On Tuesday 15 June 2010 15:32:50 Nick Vettese wrote:
How is using multiple programs more efficient than using one?  I 
am both a Windows and a Linux user, so you downward tone 
towards Windows users kind of irks me, as I have been a 
user/administrator of both types of systems for many years, so I 
am no Johnny come lately.

With respect to spell checking I encounter three situations and 
have different strategies for each.

1. Writing an email: I use the built in spell checker in Kmail and 
correct keying errors as they occur. 

2. Writing  a 650 word +/- column once a week: I key the column 
using Gvim with the spell checker turned off (the default on my 
setup). Just before dispatching the column I turn the spell checker 
on and correct the underlined words as needed. I am not distracted 
by spelling corrections as I am composing the article.

3. Writing or preparing a longer document: I prepare the document 
in plain text via Gvim or convert from doc or pdf format to plain 
text.  I spell check the text document using ispell.  Most 
misspelled words can be corrected with a single keystroke. If I 
have an unusual word, often a proper name, that is correct as is 
then I key "a" and that spelling will be accepted from that point 
on.  Alternatively I can add a word to the spelling dictionary with 
the keystroke "i".  This single keystroke method is faster than 
retyping the word.  Half or less of the words found by the spell 
checker program need to be rekeyed. 

There are two efficiencies to be gained by using the standalone 
spell checker. First the flow of typing is not interrupted by either 
spelling errors or formatting considerations. Second when a word 
is misspelled a single keystroke is faster than backspacing and 
rekeying the word.  I can spell check a book length document in a 
few seconds, certainly less than a minute. 

As others have mentioned using separate programs for separate 
functions instead of bundling everything into one big program is a 
Unixish way to operate.  Although I began using computers before 
there was a Unix I find that Linux to be comfortable and efficient. 
In particular the plain text document format with formatting tags 
inserted if/as necessary is my native modus operandi.  I have no 
objection to a spell checker being added to Scribus, so long as I 
can turn it on and off. I just see no need for it with all the other 
spell checking options I have and use regularly, including of course 
the aging but still useful spell checker resident between my ears. 

John Culleton
Wexford Press
"Create Book Covers with Scribus"
Printable E-book 38 pages $5.95
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24676863/
http://www.booklocker.com/books/4055.html