[tether]

i just got a new powerbook and it doesnt seem to have much in the way of word processing applications. TextEdit doesnt seem too bad, though i havnt used it much, but it doesnt seem to have a word count tool, or a dictionary or thesaurus. what options would i have without spending money?

[Toutgood]

This forum has a nifty search function. I'd suggest you use it to search for threads discussing word processor applications. This has been discussed many times.

Obviously besides word itself there's a lot of different cheap wp apps. Mellel, Nisus Writer Express are two that I've used and liked.

But that said, TextEdit may be able to do what you need. Take a closer look at it. It's a bit more powerful than the SimpleText type app.

[TETENAL]

I like Pages

TextEdit like (almost) every other application has a dictionary and a thesaurus. Have a look at the context menu or press ⌃⌘D while hovering over a word.

[monkeybrain]

Yes, what Tetenal said, or just load up the excellent Dictionary.app (it's in your App folder).

For word counts, check out the freeware counters here: http://macupdate.com/search.php?keywords=word%20count that add functionality to Textedit.
Personally I use WordService from Devon, here at the bottom:
http://www.devon-technologies.com/pr...e/services.php
It installs a service so it is accessible in most apps (including Safari, Pages etc). You just select the words to be counted, > app menu > services > statistics and there you have it. All for free too!

[JKT]

There is also a sticky thread at the top of the forum called What application do I use if I need to....? which makes suggestions for various apps that you can use for particular needs. For some reason, mindwaves persists in keeping NeoOffice/J in the feeling geeky section instead of adding it to the Word processing/office section...

[Randman]

TextEdit on Tiger is quite robust and Apple offers a built-in dictionary/thesaurus on OS X. There's also a freeware app called Word Counter, if needed.