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if you ask any technical writer about the best single sourcing tool on the market-a tool that allows you to generate multiple output types from a single source document-chances are they will tell you about Web Works Publisher from Quadralay. With the release of WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word 9.0, Quadralay has taken the program to a whole new level, making the product more accessible without trading in its trademark power. This review looks at some of the key new features.
A WHOLE NEW FACE
If you are familiar with previous versions of WWP, ePublisher Pro may initially throw you for a loop. Instead of a single window with a long list of files as in the past, the new interface is more graphical and is divided into several panes. The Start page and Preview pane provide a way to select or start projects and preview files. You manage projects and add files to a project in the Document Manager panel and view output files in the Output Explorer, essentially what constituted the single window in the previous version.
The Start Page includes a New Project button and an Open Project button, so when you open the program, you have a clear starting point. For the most part, the new design works quite well and will help newer users get oriented without ignoring the needs of more experienced users. The Preview pane provides a way to see files without going back to the source document, something that should please users who have been forced to switch frequently between programs. The previews generated slowly (as did output), but Quadralay is aware of this and has indicated they are working on speed issues for the next revision (which should be available well before this review is printed).
There is also a Document Design pane, which is hidden by default (except for a visible tab). Moving the mouse over the tab opens the pane and provides a way to edit the document in the Preview panel directly without returning to the source document. This could be a blessing or a curse since users could override a carefully...