Author Topic: Recommend portable word processor, please? (Read 21,747 times)

rjbull · « **on:** February 09, 2010, 10:07 PM »

Other than Jarte, please an anyone recommend a portable = no-install, run-from-a-USB-stick word processor? Not expecting anything like Word; indeed, I want something simpler. Word is often too complicated. Widely-used format like RTF (as used by Jarte) preferred, and also freeware, but the latter not absolutely vital.

Thanks...

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:14 PM »

Microsoft Wordpad?

This saves in RTF format, its Free, and its bundled on to every windows machine.

wraith808 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:16 PM »

Quote from: Stephen66515 on February 09, 2010, 10:14 PM

Microsoft Wordpad?

This saves in RTF format, its Free, and its bundled on to every windows machine.

It doesn't satisfy the first requirement - no-install/portable from a usb-stick.

I use AbiWord, and it satisfies all of my need. You can find a portable version at PortableApps.com. It is packaged as an executable, but you can extract it with 7-zip and copy the AbiWord directory from $_OUTDIR and it works just fine.

HTH

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:27 PM »

Easily portable from a USB stick, just download the RAR file attached to this message, unpack it, and put the folder (and ALL contents onto your USB drive)

Wordpad.rar (739.8 KB)

rjbull · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:30 PM »

@Stephen66515: Jarte is based on WordPad, but with extra features, and they say it can be run from a USB stick. The point about WordPad being bundled with Windows anyway is a good one, though.

@wraith808: I looked at AbiWord years ago, and wasn't impressed, but that was then and maybe now is better. I hadn't thought to look at porteableapps. Good idea, thanks.

tomos · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:31 PM »

Did you manage to pick up a free copy of Softmaker office [edit: 2008] when they were going around?
You can 'export' the install to a usb stick

rjbull · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:34 PM »

Quote from: tomos on February 09, 2010, 10:31 PM

Did you manage to pick up a free copy of Softmaker office [edit: 2008] when they were going around?
You can 'export' the install to a usb stick

I certainly did! Very generous offer. I didn't realise you could make it portable. Thanks!

tomos · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:45 PM »

Quote from: rjbull on February 09, 2010, 10:34 PM

Quote from: tomos on February 09, 2010, 10:31 PM
Did you manage to pick up a free copy of Softmaker office [edit: 2008] when they were going around?
You can 'export' the install to a usb stick
I certainly did! Very generous offer. I didn't realise you could make it portable. Thanks!

Start >> Progs >> Softmaker Office >> Utilities >> Install on USB stick

dont have much experience with it, but have used it from portable version & seemed okay

wraith808 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:55 PM »

Quote from: Stephen66515 on February 09, 2010, 10:27 PM

Easily portable from a USB stick, just download the RAR file attached to this message, unpack it, and put the folder (and ALL contents onto your USB drive)

So... if it's installed on all windows, why would you need it on USB drive? And if it's able to not be installed, will this still work?

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2010, 11:29 PM »

Yes it works. It DOESNT technically need to be on a USB drive, but its handy, just in case there is a problem with the wordpad on a target computer.

cmpm · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:59 AM »

Atlantis can be portable.
This is instructions for the paid version.

http://www.atlantiswordprocessor.com/en/help/index.php?page=html/flash_drives.htm

I could not find how to do it with Atlantis Nova, the free version, but it should be possible, I would think.

http://www.atlantiswordprocessor.com/en/nova.htm

Target · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:19 AM »

Portable freeware lists a few more

2 that could be worth a look are Angel writer (this ones been mentioned here before) and Q Jot (I've seen favourable reports on this one, though ymmv)

wraith808 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:40 AM »

Quote from: Stephen66515 on February 09, 2010, 11:29 PM

Yes it works. It DOESNT technically need to be on a USB drive, but its handy, just in case there is a problem with the wordpad on a target computer.

Cool... I didn't know that. I always thought it was like ie and such- part of the os that is, and dependent on other things being there.

Target · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:59 AM »

Open office is also available as a portable app - see http://portableapps.com

rjbull · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:38 PM »

Quote from: tomos on February 09, 2010, 10:31 PM

Did you manage to pick up a free copy of Softmaker office [edit: 2008]

Turns out it was a good thing I did. My AV, F-Prot, is flagging the 2006 installer:

Quote

File(s) found
F-PROT Antivirus has stopped the following viruses, please review the list and take
the appropriate action by checking an infected item.

Description Filename
Found password stealer: W32/Pws.BQZG (exact) Softmaker_ofw06freefull.

It doesn't flag 2008. I reported to F-Prot, who asked me to send them a copy of the file zipped up and password-protected to stop it getting deleted on the way. Vista Home Premium would not let me "open" the file, not to zip it, copy it or even MD5 it, not even in Safe Mode. I've put a message in Softmaker's forum for them to contact F-Prot themselves.

rjbull · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:41 PM »

Quote from: Target on February 10, 2010, 03:19 AM

Angel writer (this ones been mentioned here before)

I'd noticed mention of it here on DC, but their Web site doesn't (as far as I can see) mention that it's portable, something I'd have expected them to say if it was.

Target · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:28 PM »

Quote from: rjbull on February 10, 2010, 09:41 PM

I'd noticed mention of it here on DC, but their Web site doesn't (as far as I can see) mention that it's portable, something I'd have expected them to say if it was.

if you 'unpack' the installer using UniExtract the application can be found in the APP folder - you can run the app from there, or copy the files to a folder of your choice and delete the folder you unpacked to

Portable freeware also advises to rename HELP1.CHM to HELP.CHM and to delete HELP2.CHM - not sure why, but it may or may not make a difference...

rjbull · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2010, 02:54 PM »

@Target: thanks... how would you rate Angel Writer against the alternatives?

jaden · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2010, 10:54 PM »

If you don't rename Help1.chm then you can't see the help from within AngelWriter (it's hard coded to load Help.chm).

Angel Writer looks pretty good. I'd never used it before but it appears lightweight and functional. QJot is also a good alternative.

Target · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:37 PM »

Quote from: jaden on February 11, 2010, 10:54 PM

Angel Writer looks pretty good. I'd never used it before but it appears lightweight and functional. QJot is also a good alternative.

thanks jaden!! I figured as much, but I was too lazy to do the math

Quote from: rjbull on February 11, 2010, 02:54 PM

@Target: thanks... how would you rate Angel Writer against the alternatives?

I couldn't say as I pretty much only use a text editor (Notepad++), but I do seem to recall seeing positive reports on it

jaden · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2010, 12:50 AM »

Quote

thanks jaden!! I figured as much, but I was too lazy to do the math embarassed

No problem. It gave me a chance to try out Angel Writer

dantheman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:56 PM »

Although it is not specifically a word processor,
EssentialPIM has a portable usb version (free/shareware) that might suite your needs.