What's the first word processor you remember using? Word, WordPerfect, Works or something else altogether? On the one hand, word processing has come a long way in the last two decades. On the other hand, the image above shows Microsoft Word 1.0, which is almost 20 years old. And you know what? You could still use it to write most of your daily correspondence if you really wanted to.

ImpressionSoft@Work has an overview of the history of MS Word, from version 1.0 all the way up to Word 2007. Do you remember when Microsoft added real-time spell checking or the ability to draw to Word? What about the first version to include the annoying paper clip pop-up assistant?

If the trip down memory lane is making you nostalgic, don't forget that you Microsoft made Word 5.5 for DOS available as a free download a while back. And the download link still works.

[via WinBeta]

There are dozens of alternatives to Microsoft Word for people who need to create or edit text documents but don't feel like shelling out the cash for Microsoft Office. We're rather fond of AbiWord and OpenOffice Writer around here. Both are full-featured MS Word alternatives that are capable of opening and editing Word documents. And they both come in portable versions which can be installed to a USB flash drive for carrying from computer to computer if that's your cup of tea.

Jarte is another portable word processor. Although you can install Jarte to a Windows PC, you can also download a zip file that contains all the files and settings you need to run Jarte on any computer using a flash drive. Jarte is based on Microsoft WordPad, but it includes a ton of features that you won't find in WordPad including advanced formatting options and a spell checker.

The program also has a rather unusual interface, including tabs for switching between multiple open documents. And while most word processor have a ton of toolbars atop the text field letting you change fonts, colors, or page formating, Jarte has just a few large buttons. You click on these buttons to find submenus with all of those other features, many of which you probably don't use very often. The concept is nice, as it saves a lot of screen real estate. But it's kind of annoying that it takes two or three clicks to perform some functions that take just one click on other word processors.

Jarte is available as a free download. But if you want some of the more advanced features like real-time spell checking, you'll have to cough up $19 for Jarte Plus.

[via Techie Buzz]