Author Topic: have MS works default to desktop (Read 12631 times)

songdongnigh · « **on:** February 11, 2008, 04:46:30 PM »

Hello all,

This is a small thing, but I can't find a solution. I've looked on the net and this forum but perhaps am not searching with the correct question.

I blog and work from the desktop. I would like to force Microsoft Works Word Processor, or whatever I copy and paste from the web to save to the desktop rather than "My Documents". Going in and out of "My Documents" is a bit of a pain as is always having to select “save to desktop“.

I have an HP pavilion 750n, XP Home, SP2, pretty much updated (no IE7) I use Firefox.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Much.

Broni · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2008, 05:39:58 PM »

Doesn't File>Save As give you the option WHERE to save it?

songdongnigh · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2008, 07:24:07 PM »

Thanks Broni,
The default "save as" is now my documents. I must then use the drop down menu or the next higher folder icon to select the desktop. What I want is for the default location to be the desktop.

Broni · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2008, 07:29:17 PM »

When you select Desktop from drop down menu, and save your file there once, the Save As dialog box will from now on come up with Desktop saving location (until you change it to something else).

songdongnigh · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2008, 07:45:29 PM »

Hi Broni, I tried that with "document A", dropped down & selected desktop & saved. Then I created document B, & when I saved, it again reverted to save in my documents. I suspect that since this is MS Works, not MS Word, it operates differently. I think Works is somewhat more limited that Word.

I'm also begining to believe that that's just the way it is without getting way down deep into Works.

Broni · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:01:18 PM »

You never know. In most cases solutions can be found.
What Works version is it?

Broni · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:13:42 PM »

It looks from my search, that you can't.
You may try to use free OpenOffice: www.openoffice.org

songdongnigh · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:14:36 PM »

Hi Broni, It looks like it's Microsoft Works Suite 2002. Thats all I can find. Properties gives no info.

songdongnigh · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:20:24 PM »

Hi Broni, OOPS, missed your last post. I've been thinking about open office too, but am pretty lazy. I'll give it a try though. Thanks much for your time. BTW, I'm a regular reader of computerhope & learn something every day. Kudos to all the volunteers.

Cheers

Broni · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:23:45 PM »

I use Open Office, and before your post, I even forgot, I have MS Works, too...hehehe

songdongnigh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:07:37 PM »

Hi Broni,

FYI, I downloaded & tried Open Office. BUT, while it recognizes 147 types of documents, MS Works (.wps) is not one of them (I tried several variations of MS document types). That makes it incompatible with my several thousand existing documents.

I see you too have Works. If you can figure out how to integrate the two, let me know, maybe I'm missing something.

OO's default save to location is also My Documents. I tried the dropdown & save to desktop with a test document but the next test document I tried to save also defaulted to My Documents.

Evidently, Bill’s idea of document organization (must go into My Documents) is some sort of universal rule.

I’ve never used My Documents, preferring my own organization. (mine is better)

Oh Well.

Thanks again. Hope this information is helpful.

Cheers

Broni · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2008, 09:46:41 PM »

To determine a default directory for files generated with OpenOffice.org act as follows:

1. Menu Tools - Options.
2. Select on the left panel the option routes in the area OpenOffice.org

3. In the right pane select the route called My Documents and click on the edit button to change it.

4. In the box that appears, select that folder you want to be the default directory. To this end, the look on the tree of folders and drives, helping us to the + and-signs to display or enter into the content of each unit and / or folder.

5. Once selected folder, we click on OK and exit the Options box.

Broni · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2008, 10:12:22 PM »

I found this, concerning wps files in Open Office: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/FAQ:Writer:DocumentManagement#How_can_I_open_Microsoft_Works_wordprocessor_files_.28.wps.29.3F
How can I open Microsoft Works wordprocessor files (.wps)?

The libwps library was designed to allow OpenOffice.org, KWord, Abiword, and similar programs to import Microsoft Word wordprocessor documents. Though available since early 2007, the mainstream OpenOffice.org has not incorporated the code (issue #8938). Here are some options:

* Use any of these OpenOffice.org variants which include libwps: OxygenOffice Professional, NeoOffice, Ubuntu, Debian (?), or [http://www.go-ooo.org Your OpenOffice.org (go-oo.org)
* Use the command-line libwps wps2html converter.
* If you have Microsoft Works, open the .wps in Microsoft Works and resave as .rtf.
* If you have Microsoft Word, use Microsoft's Works to Word converter. Then, save as .doc.

All links at the above page.

songdongnigh · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:00:37 PM »

Hi Broni,

Sorry I dropped out last night, but had to get some zzzzs.

Your solution for changing the default in OO worked fine.

There is another solution just down the page of the link you provided; "How to open Works .wps files in OpenOffice.org 2.x?" Unfortunately, Bill has stopped support for one of the two MS files needed: "Works 6.0 Converter for Works and Word Users". Guess he just can't stand competition.

I'm afraid that opening and changing document extensions one at a time just isn't feasable, plus they might need to be changed back later.

Finally, I see that OO word documents have a .odt extension. While it can be saved as .doc, it's starting to be a whole lot more trouble than it's worth just to default a Works Word document to the desktop. Not sure I'll try the other processor options.

I did send OO a heads up on the no longer supported file at MS.

I think Bill has me beat.

Thanks again for all your help and hard work. And anyway, I learned a lot through the process.

soybean · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:11:05 PM »

After reading through this discussion, I'm still not clear on whether you need to be able to recognize and .wps format. So, I'll mention a freeware word processor called AbiWord. It will recognize and can save in .doc and .rtf formats, among others, but does not recognize the .wps format.

I have a portable version on a flash drive and I've found that whatever folder/location was used for the last save is where it looks the next time. In other words, I saved a file to the Desktop with it, closed it, opened again, and found that a new file would be saved to the Desktop. So, it remembers.

songdongnigh · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:46:38 PM »

Hi Broni,
All I'm trying to do is eliminate a step in what should be a simple thing. Since I started a blog a year ago I've put up over 1,100 posts, most of which involve using Works Word to assemble, copy, paste and write up comments. I work off the desktop by creating folders or just a document with each post on the desktop, post them & then place the folders or documents in an appropiate top level folder, again, kept on the desktop. It just seems unreasonable that the end user can't choose where the default save location for anything should be, be it documents, .jpgs or whatever. OO looks like that can be customized.

I guess I have to decide weather to go 100% with OO or stick with Works. OO may be better in the long run as it’s much more robust and customizable.

Sometimes the learning curve is a brick wall.

Thanks again
Regards

Broni · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:03:13 PM »

Quote

There is another solution just down the page of the link you provided; "How to open Works .wps files in OpenOffice.org 2.x?" Unfortunately, Bill has stopped support for one of the two MS files needed: "Works 6.0 Converter for Works and Word Users".

I've read about the above option, but since M$ doesn't have it anymore, I omitted it.
Then< i did some more digging, and I think, I found working download:
http://www.stonehill.edu/instructional/converters.htm
Scroll all the way down to:

Quote

Works 6.0 to MS Word

The Works 6.0 Converter allows you to convert word processor documents created in Microsoft Works 6.0 to Microsoft Word and other Works programs. Specifically, this converter works with Works 2000, 4.5, and 4.x, and Word 2002, 2000, and 97. File Name: wp6rtf.exe Download

Broni · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:04:38 PM »

Quote

OO may be better in the long run as it’s much more robust and customizable.

I agree...

songdongnigh · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2008, 06:34:35 PM »

Hi Broni,
   Well, this is sure turning into a search into the netherworld of the internet. I looked at about 20 likely sites via Google trying to find an old copy of Microsofts now unsupported converter & came up blank.

   I downloaded the file wp6rtf.exe from Stonehill that you suggested, but when I tried to install it (several times) I got the message "converter installation failed". Go figure.

   Cheers

soybean · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2008, 06:40:22 PM »

Did you read my comments about AbiWord? Do you really need a full-featured word processing program to compose your blog messages?

Broni · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2008, 06:47:51 PM »

Yeah. I assume, that it's nothing crucial, and we've been doing this just for a heck of beating all odds.
I can keep playing, can you?...LOL

Quote

I downloaded the file wp6rtf.exe from Stonehill that you suggested, but when I tried to install it (several times) I got the message "converter installation failed".

I just found out why...
I did search for wp6rtf.exe, and I came up with other links.
Funny thing was, the first hit: http://www.computerhope.com/dutil.htm
But, actually this converter is designed for M$ Office. Upon installing it (if you have Office), you can...

Quote

Open Microsoft Word and select File, Open, and in the Files of Type, you should now have the option to open Microsoft Works 4.x and 6.x documents.

Said that, we'll need to find wps to doc converter...

Broni · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2008, 06:52:16 PM »

How big are those files, altogether?
You may start here: http://www.zamzar.com/

Broni · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2008, 06:57:58 PM »

Another option...
That downloaded file may work, if you install Word Viewer 2003, first.

The whole procedure will be like this:
1.

Download and install Word Viewer 2003.
2.

Install Works 6.0 Converter for Works and Word Users (wp6rtf.exe)
3.

Start Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003 from Start > (All) Programs.
4.

An Open dialog appears. At the bottom of this dialog ensure that the Files of type drop-down is set to All Files(*.*).
5.

Now browse to your .wps file and select it.
6.

Click Open. A warning dialog will appear. If you trust this file et cetera, click Yes and, like magic, your .wps will open!
7.

Choose Edit > Select All then Edit > Copy.
8.

Now open OpenOffice.org 2.x Writer and do Edit > Paste.
9.

You should now see the text of your document in OpenOffice.org 2.x.
10.

Choose File > Save As and save your document in your preferred format and location.

Broni · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2008, 07:00:26 PM »

Sorry, soybean. I'm not forcing anything. I've been just trying to resolve "unsolved mystery".

songdongnigh · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2008, 07:03:07 PM »

Hi soybean,

I read your comment about abiword, but was still stubbornly trying to use the OO. I’ll go give it a try now. My word processing needs are pretty basic.

I think this is called going around Robin Hood’s Barn. But I like a good challenge.

Broni,

Nope, no Office, thats the problem. I’m getting ready to do my first computer build project from an old hulk (good MB but trashed HD) & will be buying XP Pro & installing OO. My current rig is 6 1/2 years old.

Cheers

Broni · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2008, 07:05:20 PM »

I know, you don't have Office, so read my next posts.
I'll be happy, if you like soybean's application, but I also want to know if my workaround will work.

songdongnigh · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2008, 07:19:12 PM »

Broni, OK, I'll try your wordviewer 2003 workaround too & get back.

soybean, thanks much. I just installed abiword, so now I have 3 word processors & can't even typ or spel. Guess I know what I'll be doing the rest of the night.

Cheers

songdongnigh · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2008, 07:30:56 PM »

Broni,

FYI, I had previously installed Wordviewer 2003 as part of the first attempt to convert .wps so OO could read it. Tried wp6rtf again & still will not install, same error.

Guess I'll play with AbiWord now & see if it improves my spellin & typin.

Cheers

edit:

It's been a great education. Thanks again.

Broni · « **Reply #28 on:** February 12, 2008, 08:01:51 PM »

Oh well...Happy computing

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Author Topic: have MS works default to desktop (Read 12631 times)

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