I agree that word is bad, but I don't think we have a great replacement yet.
Markdown -- standard markdown isn't expressive enough (no tables for example), there are lots of extensions but none which are "standard".
LaTeX -- doesn't produce accessible documents, so is a non-starter in lots of areas (seriously, the PDFs it generates are some of the worst around when it comes to accessibility. Word's are amazing).
If we put aside the Word file format, and maybe the ribbon, is Word bad though?
I've been using it for decades, and have tried OpenOffice and LibreOffice too over the years - nothing comes close to Word.
Markdown is not suitable for "normal" users, but as a developer, I've come to prefer markdown for technical documentation and such (especially where I want a history, diffs etc), but I still use Word for a lot of other things.
Word is incredibly fully-featured - I use a lot of functionality, but am likely still only using a fraction of what it has. It really does have all your document editing needs covered.
Aside from the file format, I think Word is a fantastic piece of software. I have a few annoyances with it now and then, but it's been very dependable and kept me in good stead over the years.
> If we put aside the Word file format, and maybe the ribbon, is Word bad though?
Is the ribbon bad, though, or are we just living through 2003 era UI shock for 13 years now?
I lambasted the ribbon as was fashionable back then, but actually using it in 2020?
It's good. Like, legit amazing UI design. Makes it easy to peck through menus and find what you want. Structures chords for power users, and importantly makes those chords visually discoverable. I've found a pile of good keyboard shortcuts just by starting to slowly press a chord on the ribbon.
It's great for mouse users.
It's great for noobs just learning the ropes.
It's great for keyboard users who already know their stuff.
It's amazing at facilitating the learning process into knowing your stuff
It's been great for 17 years. Do we still have to pretend it sucks because we were used to a different way of doing things?
I said that because I know the ribbon is still contraversial, and some people still don't like - personally, I've come to like it, if not love it as you have.
Markdown -- standard markdown isn't expressive enough (no tables for example), there are lots of extensions but none which are "standard".
LaTeX -- doesn't produce accessible documents, so is a non-starter in lots of areas (seriously, the PDFs it generates are some of the worst around when it comes to accessibility. Word's are amazing).