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Improve your writing style and grammar
Whitesmoke writing support software is designed to help people improve their English or tailor their text to a specific style, namely legal, medical and even online dating.
However, anyone expecting to develop the smooth tongue of Casanova or literary grace of Dickens overnight should think again.
Following a short installation Whitesmoke integrates with most text-based software running on your PC, including Word, Outlook and Messenger, allowing you to check and correct your text at the click of a button.
It’s neither fast nor seamless though. A couple of pages of text in Word takes around 30 seconds to check, at which point you make modifications in a very similar way to Microsoft Office’s spelling and grammar tools - nothing particularly innovative there.
The interface is also frustrating to use as it disables the text application you have running until you tell it to either accept or cancel the proposed changes.
In terms of performance it’s really nothing special and we had a hard time discerning any substantial changes from the different modes or styles of writing, aside from alterations via a simple thesaurus.
Whitesmoke also suggests its software is ideal for foreign students or those with English as a second language.
In an attempt to directly test this we were dismayed to see it suggesting proposed changes for the sentence “Me England come today and learn words still bad” as “Me England comes today and learn words still bad” - still bad indeed.
What’s more, you’re offered alternative choices for specific words or spellings (some of which make no sense at all) and if your grasp of English is poor you’d be ill-prepared to make such decisions anyway.
Regular updates to the service are available as improvements are made, but on the basis of this test we find it very hard to recommend.
Pros: Integrates with most text-based applications; regular
updates available
Cons: Slow; not much more effective than Microsoft’s spelling
and grammar tools; little change with different styles
Overall: Whitesmoke is frustrating and largely ineffective at
improving your writing style
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WhiteSmoke not worth it
I had hoped that WhiteSmoke would be as good as advertised. Unfortunately, the program misses most basic spelling and grammar errors, and the thesaurus makes incorrect suggestions. I don't think their marketing people have ever tried using the program. I found it was a complete waste of money and time.
Posted by Ron K., 20 Apr 2007
WhiteSmoke issues
I'm an English language teacher in China. Part of my job is to mark correspondence work from students and I thought I could do with a worthwhile writing programme. Wish I hadn't. For those of us who can read and write to a secondary school level Whitesmoke is worthless. The grammar check and Thesaurus in Microsoft Office is better and FREE. Not only is does this software not do what the promoters suggest it will do, but it actually makes its own mistakes. It offers alternative words and grammar that are absolute nonsense. I really wish I had downloaded a trial version, however, due to its Guaranteed Money Back promise I took the plunge and bought it on the basis of favorable reviews. I don't want to risk insulting some reviewers here but my God, one can only guess at their own level of English! Now to the sticking point. Whitesmoke's guarantee has been proven worthless to me at this moment in time. Having supplied the requested evidence of my complaints, I was offered a deal of extra expensive software free. I declined the offer and focused on my Guaranteed Refund. I was then told that I would have to wait up to a month, and in the meantime I was sent a promissory note! The inconvenience of this waiting is a real nuisance I have say. Anyway, not only has the month past-by well and truly but, no contact from Whitesmoke. I have suspected I might have to chase them for my Guaranteed Refund so I sent a frustrated e-mail to them and guess what? NO REPLY. So my good readers, you have been warned!
Posted by Gerard Callaghan, 03 Jun 2007
A better program
I tried whitesmoke and was VERY dissapointed from start to finish. I did however find another program called Correct English that actually did meet my needs. It was easier to use and the feedback was much better. Plus, I was able to try it for free before I had to buy it.
Posted by John P, 06 Nov 2007
great software
I didn't know people do commercials on a review. I tried Correct English, didn't understand what to do there at all , and the user experience sucked. On the other hand, WhiteSmoke really helped me, it was easy to use and fast, I liked this program very much , I advise it really , there's a free trial so download it and juge for yourself.
Posted by Den, 23 Sep 2008
Whitesmoke vs RightWriter
I tried WhiteSmoke and it was OK but it kept popping up wanting to analyze everything I typed. I tried RightWriter next and liked it better. It was easy to use and does not require internet access. I never understood why I had to have internet access to use WhiteSmoke. It just locks up and does not analyze if you are not connected to the Internet. That is why I like RightWriter more, I can use it on my laptop even when not connected. Both programs catch errors and seem to be very similar otherwise. Neither catches every mistake and both identify non-mistakes sometimes but that is why you have to review your writing before making any changes. Both definately helped improve my writing. My grammar is better today than it was six months ago when I started using them.
Posted by Clarice Richards, 25 Oct 2008
Think Twice before you buy
I've had nothing but problems with the company. I purchased the Creative Writing version of the program and I could only download the general program. I contacted Customer Support, and they never responded back. After four days of use the General Program started giving an Error 60 every time I tried to access the program. Since then I have asked for a refund. (It's been well within their 30-day guarantee.) Yup, you guessed it no response back. All in all I'm really disappointed with every aspect of this purchase.
Posted by Katherine Wood, 01 Nov 2008
Great grammar checker, text enrichment
I am a personal assistant to a high-profile professional editor, and Whitesmoke has saved me countless hours of editing and fixing grammatical errors. The review written by Paul Lester warns against those who expect a "Casanova" or "Dickens"-like ability with language, which I think is pretty unreasonable to expect from any computer-run program. As far as correcting grammar, spelling and style errors, Whitesmoke delivers. I also like it better than Microsoft Word. Whitesmoke's interface is easier to use and navigate and provides better, more detailed explanations.
Posted by Cynthia, 03 Feb 2009
A Very Good Tool - whitesmoke
I bought the 2009 general writing version of whitesmoke in January. The grammar check is very thorough, compared to microsoftw word which barely corrects anything grammar related. This is a good tool for anyone who wants to make sure they are writing correctly with no obvious grammar mistakes, and it teaches you why its a mistake in teh first place, too. Installation is simple - you get an email with clear instructions for downloading.
Posted by Martha, 23 Apr 2009
WhiteSmoke English Writing tool
A wow of an English correction software. I am aware that I make mistakes when writing in English, but now I don't have to worry. This software corrects it all for me. I also enjoy the other benefits of the program which are online tutorials and grammar lessons and tips. It is really informative. It took me 3 mins to download and now it is there whenever I use write in English at home or at work. I downloaded at both places at a very special price and have the benefit of this application wherever I am. Highly recommended.
Posted by stan, 27 May 2009
Whitesmoke writing tool
A great solution to an easy way out of making mistakes. Just type away, making mistakes and they are corrected as you go. The punctuation is added, in the event of you forgetting, as well as the addition of capital letters. When I hit a snag, I called the support who were really helpful with my inquiry. I I like this software.
Posted by miramira1, 08 Jul 2009
Excellent
A great job. Very happy that I found the software since it has been a great help when it comes to my thesis. The mistakes that the software picks up and automatically correct is so good. The templates are excellent. Money well spent.
Posted by miramira1, 23 Jul 2009
Whitesmoke outstanding software
I downloaded the Whitesmoke software and since then I send letters and emails without hesitation. I used to hesitate about sending out written stuff because my English, spelling, punctuation and grammar is so putrid, that I would ask a friend to check. No more.... It goes out with the push of the enter,,,,corrected and looking good.
Posted by Cheryl OLeary, 31 Aug 2009
Helping hand
I find Whitesmoke to be a great "helping hand" and very precise in their corrections. I use the templates as well as the tutorials. Try it.
Posted by Bruce, 05 Oct 2009