WhiteSmoke Review: Is Automated Writing Enrichment Possible?
A Look at WhiteSmoke Software Versus Conventional Word Processors.
Allegedly, WhiteSmoke has the ability to analyze sentences and concepts, not just words. In theory, this is superior to a typical word processing program. However, does it live up to its promises?
Reviews are mixed for WhiteSmoke software, which I purchased a few weeks ago at the sale price of $56.25. The company's effective advertising piqued my interest.
WhiteSmoke lures both writers and non-writers both for its time-saving edits and improved prose. Nothing replaces hands-on editing but technology bares a reputation for efficiency.
After all, even esteemed writers benefit from an editor - though I happen to prefer a living one, sometimes. Moreover, WhiteSmoke better fits into a writer's budget than to put one on the payroll.
Should you wish to save time reaching the bottom-line, ultimately, a refund was requested and received. Yet, not all writers have the same literary needs. Further, the majority to benefit from WhiteSmoke may indeed be non-writers.
WhiteSmoke's Performance
The basic WhiteSmoke writing software works with additional enhancement modules such as creative writing, medical writing, legal writing, and an expanded dictionary and thesaurus.
The basic module seemed a sufficient place to begin, and the modules are not particularly low cost. Though WhiteSmoke is currently running some decent sales.
Eager to do an edit, WhiteSmoke soon analyzed some of my documents. The results were about equal parts helpful and a mix between "Blah" and "Huh?". After I happened to uninstall a novel writing program not in use, the ratio increased to about 75 percent totally ridiculous in word replacement suggestions.
Seemingly, WhiteSmoke was feeding off the intelligence of the custom dictionary formerly installed with the other writing program, though WhiteSmoke is not suppose to work that way.
Another drawback to WhiteSmoke entails the requirement of being online when it's in use, to access necessary databases. Had this been clear at the start I likely would not have purchased the program. Although it is not as if most of my documents require a security clearance to read.
Notably, three and one-half to four stars is fitting for WhiteSmoke's enhancement suggestions -- as it recommends potential adjectives and adverbs. The suggestions at least provide room for pause concerning modifiers -- either to consider WhiteSmoke's proposals or to create your own.
For creative writers, the WhiteSmoke creative module may prove extra helpful. As I optimize for Web copy and write 99 percent non-fiction, admittedly I have eliminated many modifiers in my work, perhaps to a fault.
WhiteSmoke's Bottom-Line
Overall, WhiteSmoke will be a dismal failure to some and to others the next best thing since the advent of the word processor. It depends in part on what type of writing you do and how well you write.
WhiteSmoke has received a number of accolades, so it obviously works for some people. In addition, business writing or correspondence would seem well suited for WhiteSmoke's capabilities.
To the company's credit, despite some criticism to the contrary, they honored their 30-day guarantee of WhiteSmoke and responded within a few days with a refund.
Yet, for my particular writing style and editing needs, WhiteSmoke failed to live up to expectations. Though I may re-investigate it in the future pending improvements and for other writing purposes.
Additional Specifications:
Numerous accolades for WhiteSmoke include:
CNN's Business 2.0, "The Best 31 Business Ideas in the World"
"The State of Mississippi values WhiteSmoke's services and support..."
- State of Mississippi, Department of Finance & Administration
WhiteSmoke Functions:
English grammar check
Thesaurus
Spell check
Proper punctuation
Text enrichment
Synonym dictionary
English grammar corrector
Punctuation corrections
Adjectives & adverbs
Idiom Dictionary
Published by Donna Porter
Writer / Journalist -- A Yahoo News! Contributor Donna began her writing and internet career in 1995 in the health industry and became an early dot-com entrepreneur soon after. Masters certified in Internet... View profile
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- WhiteSmoke will benefit some writers.
- WhiteSmoke's didn't meet expectations, though optional modules may be more helpful.
- Business writing seems well suited for WhiteSmoke software.
47 Comments
Post a CommentThe software requires contact with the central server to work. About half the time, the server seems to be down now. Very annoying.
To add insult to injury, there is absolutely no support now. I got disgusted and ask for a refund, but of course they never responded to that either.
I am writing this to warn people. I am not the type to run around looking for something to wine about. STAY AWAY from their products!
I think your review was too kind. I'm a professional writer and found Whitesmoke to be far less helpful than Word's spellcheck feature. It incorrectly adds commas, marks names and all technical terms as misspellings and misses real errors. Worse, since I downloaded it, I have been inundated with popups that appear while I'm working, attempting to get me to buy an upgrade. Wasting $84 was bad enough, but these popups are awful!
I would rate this software 9 out of 10 if I was asked for a rating.
The corrections are done while one types. Grammar is corrected and explanations are given. The tips of the day of useful and so are the built-in lessons.
Not expensive and good.
Why on earth would "sssimpleton" ask for a refund. It is an awesome program and worth every $ that is spent on it. SSS,, have you looked at the built-in templates. I have been using them non-stop since downloading, and for those alone, it is worth the download. I ask again, have you looked at the tips of the day???? Have you considered the time you save in editing all the stuff you write and send out on any platform of your computer.Hey guys, be real. I would like you to send me a software that can stand up to WhiteSmoke
Have just purchased the software, what a nice product. I thank all of you who recommended it, I can now do the same having used it for a short while.
Writing is different with WhiteSmoke.
Hope you all get as much benefit out of the WhiteSmoke software as I am. Corrects my mistakes, places commas and periods where necessary and generally, upgrades the look of my text. So easy to use and I have to compliment the support who reply to emails within their promised period of time. I chose to differ with Ruzbe, I was greatly impressed with their emails - didn't get any headaches, happy to say.
Tried it, wasn't impressed, got a refund right away..
Maybe in teh past their cust service wasn't top notch but it seems they got their stuff together.
Ruzbe: If you wanted a package sent to you instead of just using the downloaded product, you should ask for a backup CD, I did and they sent it to me right after my initial purchase of the 2009 general writing version. Its a product that has worked quite well for me. The grammar checker is impressive compared to MS Word's.
You will waste your time, money, and you will also get headache with all the lies what they promise to you by emailing.
Respectfully,
Ruzbe -London
I purchased WhiteSmok on November 2008, then realised they are not going to send any package, what was promised in their website. Thus I needed to download it from online and then I found that software needs Network connection all the time, even while my PC was connected to network, it was always complaining: "connect to network then try again" for installation. I sent more than 20 emails to WhiteSmoke customer service and all the times they have replied with the same information: "Firewall and antivirus should not be active while installing the WhiteSmok", this is just a rubbish advice as I did several times, but the software is not still running. I advice you "Do not purchase this product as it is not reliable and WhiteSmoke is just cheating you and stealing your money that is all about". Personally I will challenge this people as they lied to me and not even refunded me. Please do not buy this product as it is rubbish and it is not going to work for you as they said in their adve