The Word is Nisus Writer

Posted on 29 Apr 2003 at 15:25

Nisus has released a completely rewritten version of its Mac OS X word processing application, Nisus Writer Express.

The software has a number of features that recommend it, not least the ability both to open Microsoft Word documents and save files in the .doc Word format for both Macs and Windows PCs. Although this is not in any way unique, AppleWorks for instance can do the same, Nisus Writer handles it more intuitively.

To make the editing and formatting of documents easier, Nisus Writer Express organises all its tool palettes into a pop-out drawer. The palettes are subdivided into three Groups - Writing, Sections and Formatting, but a Palette Library editor is provided so you can edit these Groups or create your own so all the tools you use most frequently are available together.

All the usual text editing tools are provided, plus the one feature of Word beloved of journalists and copy writers, the live word count. Documents can be formatted with columns and page sections - with automatic page numbering. Documents automatically have fields for headers and footers

Perhaps the best of the editing features are the editable clipboards. Multiple clipboards can be created, saved and named, and recalled from a menu. If you have text that you use repeatedly, such as a phone number or email address, it can be pasted into the document simply by selecting the relevant clipboard.

Image import is limited, in as much as images can be placed, but not moved or resized

Nisus Writer Express uses Mac OS X's built-in spell checker. As a 'cocoa' application, it also integrates fully with other OS X features, such as the Services menu and Colors [sic] palette, and allows you to edit its keyboard shortcuts.

Nisus Writer Express costs $59.95 (about £37.50) from Nisus; Licensed users of Nisus Writer 6.0 and above can upgrade for $34.95.

A beta version is available to download.

Author: Simon Aughton