MacEase, which publishes WriteNow Enhancer an add-on product that provides the discontinued WriteNow word processor with a Tool Bar and several other upgraded or new features, has launched an unofficial WriteNow support site.

The new Web page is presented in a FAQ format in hope of cutting the volume of often very similar email queries. Topics addressed include:
Who owns WriteNow?
Is WriteNow still being published?
Is WriteNow still being supported?
Can WriteNow or the updates to WriteNow still be purchased?
Can I buy or get a copy of WriteNow from MacEase?
Is WriteNow compatible with OS 8 or OS 9?
Will WriteNow Enhancer make WriteNow work better with OS 8.5 and later
Why do some users have problems using WriteNow with Systems 8.5 and later while other users don't?
Are there any workarounds for restoring my ability to use WriteNow?
What do I do about accessing my WriteNow files if I am no longer able/willing to use WriteNow?

WriteNow is a small, fast, but powerful word processing program that enjoyed considerable popularity in the early to mid-'90s, but got orphaned when its developer was assimilated by The Learning Company several years ago. It is no longer published or supported. There are still a core of loyal WriteNow fans out there, especially older PowerBook users, but the program is showing its age, being bereft of tool bars and some of the other features users have come to expect from newer word processors.

On the other hand, some like WriteNow just fine the way it is. Applelinks reader Doug Glenn wrote after we originally reported on the release of WriteNow Enhancer 2.0 last week:

Dear Mr. Moore:

I just read with interest your piece on WriteNow Enhancer.

I use WriteNow as my wordprocessor of choice - have for many years in fact. I find that it works great with OS 8.6 on my PPC6500. [w/ G3:400 card :-) ]

WriteNow 4.0 lacks "menu bars" and other useless fou-fou. To me, this is not an omission, but a blessing. Simplicity is the order of the day. One can write a screen play, novel, thesis, or what-have-you with only 5-6 different keyboard commands. Given the simplicity of such an arrangement, of what possible use would a tool-bar be? These 'add ons' just get in the way -- a waste of screen space if you ask me. (Of course, strictly speaking, you didn't quite ask me, did you? Oh well...)

WriteNow supports tables, [ I wish to God that Word's table editor was as easy to use! ] has a great spell checker and thesaurus, supports multiple columns, graphics, and in short, is the most sweetly designed wordprocessor I've ever encountered -- and I've used'm all...

Some time ago, I purchased the WriteNow Enhancer product. It crashed the computer (hard) every time it was envoked. Had to throw it away - total waste of time and money.

I develop (database) software professionally - 20 years now. To me, the 'perfect' software:
a) presents only those features the user actually needs -- neither more nor less. (and lets the user configure to taste)
b) is fast
c) is small and uncluttered
d) doesn't try to be all things to all people with 437 'features' that go unused.

Bloatware sucks.

Thanks for the great articles,

Doug Glenn

However, for those who prefer more bells and whistles, MacEase's WriteNow Enhancer Adds These Additional Features to WriteNow:
• With a single Mouse click you can display all the characters -- including hidden characters -- that are included with each font on your system and insert them into your document.
• You can now view and tile all WriteNow windows with a single Mouse click.
• You can now create and store multiple signatures for your documents. With a single Mouse click you can insert any stored signature into your document.
• You can now quickly and easily create a glossary for items you use repeatedly in documents as well as items stored for future access. These stored items can be just a few words, a quotation, or several paragraphs -- you can customize the glossary to fit your needs.
• You can select and insert any one of several pre-configured date formats into your documents with a single click of your Mouse.
• With a single Mouse click you can easily adjust your point size -- at a resolution of one point at a time.
• The font, point size, and style of the text you are working with are always visible.
• Clicking the Sort button will apply an alphanumeric sort to the selected rows in your document.
• The P-1 button quickly prints one copy of your document, eliminating the need to navigate the Print Dialog box.
• The Tool Bar can be quickly and easily windowshaded or made invisible.

Changes Included in the recently released WriteNow Enhancer 2.0:
• WriteNow Enhancer 2.0 has a completely redesigned interface.
• The new interface is especially easy to use on smaller monitors and on PowerBooks.
• The new interface automatically repositions itself when you reposition your active WriteNow window.
• A user-configurable, Auto-Save feature has been added.
• Additional text style buttons have been added.
• You can now create your own keyboard shortcut for hiding/showing WriteNow Enhancer.
• WriteNow Enhancer's code has been updated and improved.
• Additional shortcuts have been added to WriteNow Enhancer.
• WriteNow Enhancer is now compatible with all versions of OS 8 and with OS 9.

Systam Requirements:
- A Macintosh computer with System 7.5.3 or later (including Systems 8, 8.1, 8.5, 8.5.1, 8.6, and 9.0)
- WriteNow 3.x or 4.x
- 68020 or later processor (including PowerMacs, iMacs, G3, G4, PowerBooks, and Performas).

While some users of WriteNow have reported that WriteNow causes freezes and crashes with System 8.5x, 8.6, and 9.0, Writenow Enhancer's developer says he has received many reports (like Mr. Glenn's above) of WriteNow working fine with these versions of the OS, noting that "WriteNow Enhancer is compatible with the latest versions of the Mac OS, but WriteNow Enhancer will not affect WriteNow's OS compatibility. In other words, if WriteNow is not working properly on your system, WriteNow Enhancer won't fix the problem."

WriteNow Enhancer comes with a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee and sells for $19.95. If you are a registered user of WriteNow Enhancer 1.0, you may upgrade to the new version for only $11.95.

For more information, visit:
http://www.kagi.com/MacEase/writenow_enhancer_main_.html

You can find the WriteNow support page at:
http://www.kagi.com/MacEase/WriteNow-latest_info.html

Charles W. Moore

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February 09, 2010