Nisus Writer: Difference between revisions
imported>HapHaxion No edit summary |
imported>Smenzel m →History |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
First introduced in 1989, Nisus was the first word processor for Macintosh able to handle multiple type systems within one document, e.g. [[Arabic alphabet|Arabic]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], [[Japanese writing system|Japanese]], etc., thanks to [[WorldScript]]. Other distinguishing features of the program were non-contiguous text selection, multiple editable clipboards, one of the earliest implementations of multiple [[undo]], voice recording, and inline annotations. It also | First introduced in 1989, Nisus was the first word processor for Macintosh able to handle multiple type systems within one document, e.g. [[Arabic alphabet|Arabic]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], [[Japanese writing system|Japanese]], etc., thanks to [[WorldScript]]. Other distinguishing features of the program were non-contiguous text selection, multiple editable clipboards, one of the earliest implementations of multiple [[undo]], voice recording, and inline annotations. It also offered [[grep]] search and replace that was accessed through a graphical [[dialog box]] instead of [[command line options]]. These features, which were more advanced than those typically found in word processors of the day, were also present in Nisus' [[QUED/M]] [[text editor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nisus.com/products/QUEDM/|title=QUED/M|website=Nisus Software|access-date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> | ||
An unusual feature of the Nisus [[file format]] was that all font and formatting information was saved in the file's [[resource fork]], with the [[data fork]] containing only [[plain text]]. Thus, if the file were to be opened in another program on the Mac, or on a [[Windows PC]], the text would be readable (although style information would be lost). This predates [[cross-platform]] file formats as used by word processors like [[Microsoft Word]]. Contemporary editions of Word had different formats between the Mac and Windows versions and required a translator if | An unusual feature of the Nisus [[file format]] was that all font and formatting information was saved in the file's [[resource fork]], with the [[data fork]] containing only [[plain text]]. Thus, if the file were to be opened in another program on the Mac, or on a [[Windows PC]], the text would be readable (although style information would be lost). This predates [[cross-platform]] file formats as used by word processors like [[Microsoft Word]]. Contemporary editions of Word had different formats between the Mac and Windows versions and required a translator if their files were to be readable by other programs (or each other) at all. The technique of using the resource fork to store style information was later implemented by [[Apple Inc.]] for the standard Macintosh styled text format as used in [[SimpleText]]. | ||
In 1992, '''Nisus Compact''' | In 1992, '''Nisus Compact''' was released.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=The History of Nisus Software|url=https://nisus.com/about/history.php/ |website=Nisus Software|access-date=2024-08-08}}</ref> It was a reduced version of Nisus for Apple's 68K [[PowerBook]]s, that fit entirely within RAM to avoid accessing the hard disk and thereby draining the laptop's battery. It was at first a commercial product, but from 1999 it was given away as a [[freemium]] with various books and magazines as part of a marketing campaign.<ref name="history"/> "Upgrades" to Nisus Writer were offered at a discount. | ||
In 1994, with the release of version 4.0, the name of the program was changed from Nisus to Nisus Writer, together with a redesigned interface, support for sound, QuickTime, Publish & Subscribe, text-to-speech, autonumbering, color graphics and table and equation tools.<ref name="history"/> | In 1994, with the release of version 4.0, the name of the program was changed from Nisus to Nisus Writer, together with a redesigned interface, support for sound, QuickTime, Publish & Subscribe, text-to-speech, autonumbering, color graphics and table and equation tools.<ref name="history"/> | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
In 2001, Nisus Writer 6.5, the last classic version of Nisus, was released.<ref name="history"/> It ran under [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9.2.2]] and [[PowerPC]]-based [[Mac OS X]], but only in the [[Classic (Mac OS X)|Classic]] environment, and is no longer available for purchase.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nisus Writer Classic is no longer for sale. |url=https://www.nisus.com/NisusWriter/ |website=Nisus Software|access-date=9 October 2021}}</ref> | In 2001, Nisus Writer 6.5, the last classic version of Nisus, was released.<ref name="history"/> It ran under [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9.2.2]] and [[PowerPC]]-based [[Mac OS X]], but only in the [[Classic (Mac OS X)|Classic]] environment, and is no longer available for purchase.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nisus Writer Classic is no longer for sale. |url=https://www.nisus.com/NisusWriter/ |website=Nisus Software|access-date=9 October 2021}}</ref> | ||
Rather than porting Nisus Writer to Mac OS X, Nisus Software released a fundamentally different product in 2003 called '''Nisus Writer Express''',<ref name="history"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Nisus Writer Express |url=https://nisus.com/Express/|website=Nisus Software}}</ref> which they had bought from its original developer Charles Jolley. Originally known as Okito Composer, it was based on [[Cocoa (software)|Cocoa]] and complied with Apple's Mac OS X user interface guidelines. They hired Jolley as managing director, in which capacity he oversaw further development of the word processor he had created. Jolley left Nisus in 2005, after which he worked for Apple from 2006 to 2010 and Facebook from 2011 to 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wellfound.com/p/charles-jolley|title=Charles Jolley|website=Wellfound|access-date=2024-08-08}}</ref> | |||
In 2007, Nisus Software released '''Nisus Writer Pro''',<ref name="history"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Nisus Writer Pro |url=http://nisus.com/pro/ |website=Nisus Software}}</ref> a more advanced version of Nisus Writer Express, intended more for business and designed as an alternative to the Mac version of Microsoft Word. It supported more file formats<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nisus.com/blogs/?p=208 |title=Nisus Writer Pro 1.2 added ODF export |website=Nisus Software}}</ref> and by 2011 it had features such as comments, mail merge, go to page, track changes, drawing tools and watermarks.<ref name="history"/> | In 2007, Nisus Software released '''Nisus Writer Pro''',<ref name="history"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Nisus Writer Pro |url=http://nisus.com/pro/ |website=Nisus Software}}</ref> a more advanced version of Nisus Writer Express, intended more for business and designed as an alternative to the Mac version of Microsoft Word. It supported more file formats<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nisus.com/blogs/?p=208 |title=Nisus Writer Pro 1.2 added ODF export |website=Nisus Software}}</ref> and by 2011 it had features such as comments, mail merge, go to page, track changes, drawing tools and watermarks.<ref name="history"/> | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
[[Category:Classic Mac OS word processors]] | [[Category:Classic Mac OS word processors]] | ||
[[Category:MacOS word processors]] | [[Category:MacOS word processors]] | ||
[[Category:MacOS-only | [[Category:MacOS-only software]] | ||
[[Category:Proprietary software]] | |||
Latest revision as of 08:39, 5 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". Nisus Writer (known as just Nisus from 1989 to 1993[1]) is a word processor program for Apple Macs, made by California-based Nisus Software, Inc.[2] The program is nowadays available in two varieties: Nisus Writer Express and Nisus Writer Pro.
History
First introduced in 1989, Nisus was the first word processor for Macintosh able to handle multiple type systems within one document, e.g. Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, etc., thanks to WorldScript. Other distinguishing features of the program were non-contiguous text selection, multiple editable clipboards, one of the earliest implementations of multiple undo, voice recording, and inline annotations. It also offered grep search and replace that was accessed through a graphical dialog box instead of command line options. These features, which were more advanced than those typically found in word processors of the day, were also present in Nisus' QUED/M text editor.[3]
An unusual feature of the Nisus file format was that all font and formatting information was saved in the file's resource fork, with the data fork containing only plain text. Thus, if the file were to be opened in another program on the Mac, or on a Windows PC, the text would be readable (although style information would be lost). This predates cross-platform file formats as used by word processors like Microsoft Word. Contemporary editions of Word had different formats between the Mac and Windows versions and required a translator if their files were to be readable by other programs (or each other) at all. The technique of using the resource fork to store style information was later implemented by Apple Inc. for the standard Macintosh styled text format as used in SimpleText.
In 1992, Nisus Compact was released.[1] It was a reduced version of Nisus for Apple's 68K PowerBooks, that fit entirely within RAM to avoid accessing the hard disk and thereby draining the laptop's battery. It was at first a commercial product, but from 1999 it was given away as a freemium with various books and magazines as part of a marketing campaign.[1] "Upgrades" to Nisus Writer were offered at a discount.
In 1994, with the release of version 4.0, the name of the program was changed from Nisus to Nisus Writer, together with a redesigned interface, support for sound, QuickTime, Publish & Subscribe, text-to-speech, autonumbering, color graphics and table and equation tools.[1]
In 2001, Nisus Writer 6.5, the last classic version of Nisus, was released.[1] It ran under Mac OS 9.2.2 and PowerPC-based Mac OS X, but only in the Classic environment, and is no longer available for purchase.[4]
Rather than porting Nisus Writer to Mac OS X, Nisus Software released a fundamentally different product in 2003 called Nisus Writer Express,[1][5] which they had bought from its original developer Charles Jolley. Originally known as Okito Composer, it was based on Cocoa and complied with Apple's Mac OS X user interface guidelines. They hired Jolley as managing director, in which capacity he oversaw further development of the word processor he had created. Jolley left Nisus in 2005, after which he worked for Apple from 2006 to 2010 and Facebook from 2011 to 2013.[6]
In 2007, Nisus Software released Nisus Writer Pro,[1][7] a more advanced version of Nisus Writer Express, intended more for business and designed as an alternative to the Mac version of Microsoft Word. It supported more file formats[8] and by 2011 it had features such as comments, mail merge, go to page, track changes, drawing tools and watermarks.[1]
Current product range
As of December 2023, the latest versions of the two word processors, Nisus Writer Express 4.2 and Nisus Writer Pro 3.2, are both compatible with macOS Sonoma.[9]
See also
- List of word processors
- Comparison of word processors
- OpenDocument software
- Office Open XML software
- MathMagic, an equation editor compatible with Nisus Writer, supporting automatic baseline alignment
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Script error: No such module "Official website".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Navbox".