Working with Pages and Word-questions!

Question

NOTE: Sorry for the similarity of this to my post a few minutes ago titled "Which do I use, Pages or Word)? I learned some things through experimentation and have created subtler and more challenging questions for you.
Help me out here (please). I am now working with Pages, sharing documents with dozens of behind the times colleagues who are using some old program called "Word." It's my job to work with these people and I'm trying to make it as easy for everyone as possible.
Do I have this right? When I create a document (or open an old Word document into pages), in order to be able to share it with people, I save it, and check the box to save a copy in Word format. Then when I send my documents, it works like a charm. Yes?
If I start by opening a Word document, and every time I save I check "save copy to Word," I end up with only one document, no version in Pages. If I start with a Pages document, or save without checking the box, I end up with two separate versions of the document (like when I create a pdf)? It appears that if I I want to keep working in the Word format, every time I save it will give me a dialog box and make me check the box (and possibly select my location). This is cumbersome since I am now in the habit of saving often (you learn that when you work with Word for the Mac for any period of time--bomb, bomb, bomb). So, an I correct in assuming that if I want to save regularly, I really have to work in Pages, and then be scrupulous about saving into Word when I'm done for the day, or just before I send? It's sort of a pain in the butt, although I can learn to do it--I just want to make sure I'm not missing something here. Also, is there an autosave function so I don't have to rely on my discipline? Or does it never ever bomb?
What happens if I open the Word version and make changes to it? Do I have to do something differently to make sure I have both versions identical? Am I better off always to open the Pages document to work on, then save and send?
Do I always then have two versions of the same document (like I would if I did this same thing with pdf)?
How do I make sure that the Word version is always up to date since that is the one I am sending to colleagues? Do I always have to save and check the box, and then select the correct document to send?
I do see that when sending a single document I can easily send it while I am in the document itself. When I do this, selecting to send it as a Word document (or a pdf for that matter), will it send the version I most recently saved, or the version that is on my screen (if I forgot to save changes)?
FInally, I'd be open to any tips from people working regularly with others who must use Word. I want it to work as simply as possible, but want to set up some good habits from the beginning.
Finally, finally, have you had problems with compatibility. I have to say that there have been very few Word document yet that I've opened that I haven't gotten a message that says that Pages doesn't support some aspect of the document and formatting is removed, or spacing is different, etc. The most common is that "paragraph borders operate differently so all borders except outside borders have been removed." I'm a bit nervous about this--will I be getting documents from others that I can't trust? Will I have to ask them to send a pdf as well so I can confirm that I got it right? Can anyone ease my mind? Or am I living in reality?
Thanks a million!
EagerLearner
Message was edited by: eagerlearner

Answer 1

Well yes they are not the same program so there will be differences.
For example Pages only allows a border all the way around a paragraph with few options on the style of line, which is why you got the warning.
A workflow would consist of you doing your work in Pages however you like it and when you have finished and saved, making a Word copy which you despatch to your colleagues and then throw away.
Of course this is more cumbersome than sticking with MsWord which is another option. You choose. It comes down to whether or not you have to tightly conform and interact with Word users. Maybe Pages is not for you, or even NeoOfffice which is a clone of MsOffice.
Test it. If it works and you like it stick with whatever solution works for you.