I am seriously considering buying a Macbook. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few people, everyone I know uses the Windows Operating System. I, however, want to get away from Windows because I am sick of the problems I have had throughout the past few years.
My questions are as follows:
I have been using Windows XP for the past ten years with Office 2003. When someone sends me an e-mail with the file attachment, “dot Docx,” JAWS just tells me that Windows cannot open this file, or something like that. I know that it is not JAWS, but the version of Windows and MS Office I am using. However, I am wondering if someone sends me an e-mail with an attachment containing an Office file will I be able to convert it into an OSX file so I can read it?
In addition, will I be able to convert an OSX file into an Office file so I can send it as a file attachment in an e-mail?
It seems like someone on here said that it is possible, but I’m not sure.
I am quite stupid when it comes to technology beyond the basics. I know that when I finally get my Macbook, I will have to read most, if not all the tutorials, and I am willing to do so. When I want something bad enough, I am willing to do what it takes to get it.
Thank you in advance.
Enjoy.
Comments
My thoughts
<p>Congratulations for acheaving evrithing you wish for. I don't use MAC and can't help with your questions, but it seems to me that upgrading your office pack, computer or Windows OS will cost you less efforts , time and money. By the way, you can open docx files without problems if you just install free office compatibility pack from microsoft here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/2/2/9222D67F-7630-4F49-BD26-476B51517FC1/FileFormatConverters.exe .dot files are just word templates. If I can help with your windows problems, you can write to me privately.</p>
Docs on mac
Good morning. I use both mac and windows and offer the following.
When you buy a new Mac it comes with Text edit and Pages. Both programs will open .doc and .docx files. If you write a document in text edit it is saved in .RTF which just about any word processor can read. If you write a document in Pages which is a more fully functional and accessible word processor you'll need to export the document to word. I do this on a fairly regular basis and have had no complaints. So, the answer is, yes, if you buy a mac you can easily corospond and share information with your Windows colleagues. The nice part about using the mac is productivity software is free. It comes with Pages which is used for word processing, numbers used for spreadsheets and keynote used for presentation such as powerpoint. All are accessible. There are times when work arounds need to be used but it's quite duable. Example, right now headings are not identified however simply using the command that identifys formatting shows a larger font meaning that a heading is present. So, I'd say look at the tutorials and ask questions and if you can go to an apple store armed with the documentation and play with a mac. You'll be surprised at what you can do.
Hi,
Hi,
I agree with the previous poster 100%! If you can, try to find the podcasts and documents and tutorials about the mac first before you go and look at them. I would study the VoiceOver commands, as they are really not that difficult once you grasp everything, then go to an apple store if there is one in your area and fiddle with a mac for a while. I personally haven't used windows for going on 5 years now, and love the mac side. Yes we sometimes have to use workarounds, but everything is doable once we grasp it.
Good luck, and if there is anything else we can do, just post!
HTH and happy finding
Also Agreed
Hi there. I agree with everything that's been said here. This is my first Mac computer, and I've had it since the end of 2013. Though I haven't printed anything yet, I have used TextEdit both for reading and writing and it works great with VoiceOver. The reason I haven't yet printed anything out is that the printer I currently have actually belongs to my next-door neighbors. It's one of those monster printers that include a scanner, fax machine and probably other bells and whistles which quite frankly I don't need at this time. At least that's what I've been told, and perhaps it's true to some extent. But I digress. I only briefly looked at Pages, but it seems accessible. The only thing about VoiceOver that still trips me up in some places is the whole business of interacting and uninteracting. But with more practice I'll get it. This isn't to say that VO is a bad screen reader. I love it and am forever grateful to Apple for developing it.
Hey Mr. Hess,
Hey Mr. Hess,
I just want to clarify with you. I understand that there is a way to convert a pages or text-editor file into a docx file, but are you saying that when someone sends me an e-mail with a Docx file, I will be able to open it in Pages or Text-editor.
P.S. Please let me know if I the names of these programs correct, because I did not double check them before I posted this reply. My apologies, I usually do.
Hi,
Hi,
No worries. If someone sends you a .doc or .docx file you'll be able to open it in pages/textedit.
HTH
Hi Lucretia,
Hi Lucretia,
yes, you will be able to do both of these things.
i recently switched to the mac and love it.
I regularly read work attachments in word and then send them back to people in word format after editing them in pages.
Your only difficulty would be reading tagged pdfs but there is an app that helps with that.
It's far from perfect, but it can be worked around.
The other thing that sold me on the mac was I could purchase a version of windows and use either Nvda or jaws and have a virtual machine or partitioned hard drive if I wanted to.
I could literally have the best of both worlds and accessibility.
Hth and ask away if you have more questions,
Liz
Thank You and Another Stupid Question
I would like to thank everyone who has commented on this forum. I now have some valuable information.
I have another question though. I know that I will be able to read Word documents and convert Pages documents into a Docx document, but can the same thing be done across the board? What I mean is Can the same things be done with Numbers/Excel and Keynote/Powerpoint as can be done with Pages/MS Word?
I know that this sounds like a stupid question, and I apologize, but I learned a long time ago to never leave anything to chance.
I am planning to read the guides on this site, and I am sure I will have more stupid questions before I make a life changing commitment. For me, it seems life changing because, like everyone else who has switched from Windows to Mac, I will have to learn a whole new system. Of course, I am willing to do so.
I thank everyone for their patience and understanding.
Enjoy.