Comparison of Pages and Word

The first comparison in which they are exactly the same entering the data.  I realize that this is one of the most obvious, but I would say that it is very important.  In both application at least 80% of the document is keying the information into the application.  Since both are done the same way I felt it necessary to mention this.  In both applications there are chooses about the font size, the type of font layout and orientation.  They might be in different places, but it is basically the same.  Both applications give a wide range of templates to choose from.  Both applications allow for the inserting of different options images and graphs.  I dare say in the most important similarity if two average document were turned in to a class one done with iWorks Pages and the other with Microsoft Word few if any teachers could not identify which one came from which.  This is the most important aspect in the final analysis.  Whether one is done with an iPad or a PC it would make no difference.  Keying in on the screen or a keypad really is a mater of choice.  If anything just taping the screen to make a selection really seems a little easier. (That is unless you have big fingers like me and seem to hit the wrong one too often.)

There are differences though that need to be noted.  The first difference that I noted was the absence of a mouse.  To highlight and select data was quite a bit different.  Certainly not difficult to learn with Pages, but different due to the iPad.   To me the iWorks pages was not as intuitive.  Knowing the different options to be found under the paintbrush depending on what was clicked would not have occurred to me without some instruction.  I really missed the tabs, but I think I can understand why they would not be there.  I can't imagine how difficult it would be to try and choose one option with my finger if I were using MS Word on a tablet.  It seems at times that it is difficult to pick the correct option such as line spacing with a mouse.  It would truly be impossible with my finger.  

 It was very clear to see the iPad/Tablet influence when it came to seeing how to scroll through the pages of the Pop-up options.  There was no scrolling down instead it was sliding to different windows across the side.  Uploading the Pages document seemed to be quite a bit different.  Again not impossible to learn, but I believe it would take a while to learn that web address by heart.