Re: A radical idea: a new XyWrite

[Kari Eveli lexitec@xxxxxxxx]

Phil,

If the source code can be obtained somehow, it should be turned into an
open-source project. That way it would gain much more developer interest
and perhaps even sponsors.


Reviving the Atex heritage is also something to consider: after all, the
publishing industry might be interested in an open-source typesetting
alternative. Why XyWrite developers did not keep the typesetting focus
beats me. The mainframe ancestor of XyWrite is alive and still doing
business:

 https://www.atex.com/

Down memory lane: PC Mag on Atex and XyWrite (1984):
https://books.google.fi/books?id=amQldGdl9LkC&lpg=PA211&ots=ETFn-WHdwk&dq=atex%20xywrite&hl=fi&pg=PA203#v=onepage&q=atex%20xywrite&f=false

The XyWrite text format which I have put into good use in
lexicographical text databases is not the best for modern applications.
I am converting it to XML-type format myself. No doubt, it is an editing
convenience in its simplest form (Xy3). An XML-based format is what is
required today. The current NB lacks it, and is scorned by users that
opt for programs like Oxygen XML Editor (https://www.oxygenxml.com/).
But if we drop the Xy format, what is left of XyWrite?


As to typography, there are plenty of capable free alternatives.
Scribus (https://www.scribus.net/) for general typography.
TeX packages offer a lot for technical writers:
https://www.tug.org/interest.html#free

or Lyx for math: https://www.lyx.org/
Universities are using these and their commercial brethren like
ShareLaTeX (https://www.sharelatex.com/).


What would have we to offer that is better or even close to what there
is already there for free? I must say that my initial 'vaste programme'
comment is by no means exaggerated. A paid application is out of the
question. An open-source hobby project for a few aficionados may be
doable if the source code becomes available.


Best regards,

Kari Eveli
LEXITEC Book Publishing (Finland)
lexitec@xxxxxxxx

*** Lexitec Online ***
Lexitec in English: http://www.lexitec.fi/english.html
Home page in Finnish: http://www.lexitec.fi/


> One of the many powerful assets of Atex/XyWrite was that it was capable
> of being /programmed/. A new implementation should have hooks for
> running/using scripts written in modern program and scripting languages.
>
>
> Conjectures can be infinite and still gets nothing done.
>
> Perhaps it would be a good idea for the various participants to throw
> out a few ideas of what they would like to see in a new embodiment of
> XyWrite. We could discuss, see the potentials and perhaps come up with
> something that would make it useful for all of its traditional uses and
> find some that would make it even more relevant for today.
>
>
> The distribution method and form are important, too. Depending on the
> source we use, and the cost, we could consider making this available as
> a modestly priced utility, or ’app,’ making it available on line or even
> as a public domain project that could become self-perpetuating.