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I am interested in front-end systems for TeX, particularly Windows and
Unix systems.  I have a brochure from TCI Software Research Inc. that
describes their product, Scientific Word, which is a Windows front-end
to LaTeX.  I also have the review of Scientific Word that appeared in
PC Magazine (1992 May 26).  Scientific Word is a rather costly package!

1.  Does anyone have any experience with Scientific Word?

2.  Are there other front-end systems for Windows or Unix?

3.  What do you think of the concept of a front-end to TeX?

With regard to the third question, the TCI brochure says, ``Time spent
entering and correcting TeX codes is dead-time during which you
cannot think about the content of the document itself.''

The brochure reiterates the distinction that Lamport made between
logical design and visual design, and describes the superiority of
logical design over visual design.  Then it continues, ``Before
Scientific Word, this approach was only available in batch systems
like TeX, LaTex, and production typesetting systems which use markup
languages.  The unique feature of Scientific Word is that it provides
a graphical interface to logical design. ... Visual design is an
inefficient and short-sighted use of modern windowing systems.  More
often than not, visual design systems [e.g., Ami Pro, Word for
Windows, WordPerfect for Windows] entice highly paid professionals to
waste many hours fiddling with the appearance of a document, only to
produce an inconsistent and unprofessional result.  This is not a
fault of the windowing systems themselves but of the software written
for them, although it is unfortunate that windows and visual design
are often seen as synonymous.  The gains in productivity that are
supposed to come from graphical interfaces will only be realized with
logical systems like Scientific Word.

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Craig Anthony Leger             
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