4.1 MAIN SOFTWARE WORD PROCESSORS Do you use open-source/ free or proprietary software? Which is the most popular word processor in your class? Do you use a word processor? What do you use it for? Software programs are used every day by almost everybody working on a computer, can be used for very different functions and can be of different types. Open-source, free software or proprietary software? Open-source software is software available for free together with its source code so that it can be modified and shared. Free software, as the name suggests, is free but the source code is not available. It is often a trial or a basic version of proprietary software. Proprietary software refers to programs owned by an individual or companies which are sold with some restrictions of use and do not provide the source code, i.e. they cannot be modified by the user. Word processors Word processors are used to write and manipulate text documents. When the user enters text by typing, the software provides tools for copying, deleting and formatting the text. Main functions The main functions of a word processor can be grouped into two categories: text formatting, which refers to the appearance of the text and includes choosing the font type and size, bolding, underlining and italicising; to bold: mettere in grassetto to italicise: mettere in corsivo mail merge: stampa unione misspelt: con errori di ortografia template: modello trial: di prova unreliable: inaffidabile text editing, which refers to the content of the text and includes creating, editing, saving and printing documents, creating and editing tables, inserting elements from other software such as illustrations or photographs, and correcting spelling and grammar. 150 THE USES OF COMPUTERS Other features Some important features of word processors are: the layout, which refers to the orientation of the page and margins; the revision, which is a function that enables multiple users to modify or add notes to a text. The notes and the corrections are visible to other users until they are accepted or refused. Word processing software typically also contains features to make it easier to perform repetitive tasks, for example, a standard letter template can be used to send similar letters to different people. Main uses The very first word processors were just used to enter and edit simple texts. Modern word processors can produce different and more elaborate kinds of texts: letters, memos, CVs, questionnaires, reports, leaflets containing graphics, newsletters, printed envelopes, personalised letters using mail merge, worksheets, labels, web pages and so on. Available software The first word processor was a program called WordStar (1982) and worked with DOS. The first word processor for Windows appeared in 1989: Microsoft s Word 1.0. Today, other word processors are available to users, although Microsoft Word is the major player on the market. They include: Google Docs a free online word processor which utilises cloud storage, Open Office Writer both free and opensource, Lotus Word Pro proprietary software provided with the Lotus SmartSuite but compatible with Microsoft Windows computers, and WPS Writer part of a free office suite for different OSs, often found on smart phones and tablets.