MACROXX  There also exist a version of AbiWord 2.4.4 which runs natively on IntelMacs (it is compiled for IntelMacs). It can be downloaded here :

http://snipurl.com/abiword  (Version 2.4.5)

CHAGRINS  This is the only program I've found to open WordPerfect (wpd) files, other than MacLinkPlus. It takes awhile, and the interface isn't pretty, but AbiWord has reliably opened every WordPerfect file I've thrown at it, and allowed me to quickly export it into RTF or a number of other formats.  (Version 2.4.5)

EL_GUAPO  Complete crap.

This program locks up every time I double-click a document to open it when AbiWord is already open.

Text is unreadable with wacked-out letter spacing. Sometimes letters completely disappear! This is completely inexcusable for a word editor.

Other features/ bugs? What's the point? If it can't even work at it's most basic function, there is no point in considering any other feature this program may have.  (Version 2.4.5)

TELLPELL  I just downloaded and used it for 10 minutes, and I have to agree that AbiWord 2.4.5 (on mac os x 10.4.8 on a powerpc) is simply unusable. As mentioned, text spacing is awful; can't tell where the cursor is; and Bold and Underline didn't work for the font that the app picked.

I never got far enough to try any other features. As mentioned by others, if I can't tell whether I have a space in the middle of a word or not, and can't tell where the cursor is, it is not a usable word-processing app.

[I'm really only rating value. putting 3 for the (other) ratings, which I'm required to fill in.]  (Version 2.4.5)