The documents management task could be difficult in absence of an adequate software application that is able to automatize the work flow in order to obtain optimal results both from the degree of information organization point of view as well as the print output or final presentation structure.

LyX is a free word processor defined as “document processor” because its functionality is based on the WYSIWYM (What You See is What You Mean) concept as compared with the traditional WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) text processors. Due to this fact, the user is able to concentrate over the document content structure, the visual layout being handled automatically by the software.

LyX combines the LaTeX document preparation system with a comfortable graphical user interface by implementing the a markup language paradigm in comparison with the typewriter technique. LyX is recommended for anyone that have to prepare high quality documents with any type of content, especially long complex documents like theses, technical reports or software documentation which require cross-references, hyphenation, mathematics symbols,bibliographies, tables and more.

Due to its outstanding functionality and features, LyX is able to automate the various text processing and formatting tasks based on the LaTeX system. For example, the paragraphs indentation depends on the type of context (the variable space between words and lines is managed by the software).

Because the software deals with the user document layout automatically, features as document ruler, tab stop or an extra white space are not available proven as useless in the case of document management based on WYSIWYM concept.

There are many other notable features that makes LyX different that similar document processors. The user is able to manage one or more complex documents in multiple work areas tabbed based. The split views functionality permits an easier document navigation and processing.

The layout modules, ciation dialog, support for hyperlinks and URLs, mathematical equation editing macros, context menus, autocompletion functions, multilanguage support, LaTeX commands, version control handling (SVN) are only a few important characteristics of the upcoming stable version of LyX software.

From the main menu, the current document can be exported in a large variety of file formats like DVI, PS, PDF and more. User is able to generate high quality PDF documents automatically, without being the need to modify the default settings. The PDF on-the-fly update operation is also available by clicking a button.

The source code ( based on C++ programming language) as well as binaries of LyX are available for free download. The source code can be compiled on the common operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS).

The LyX application could be regarded as a novelty in the document processing software field due to the integration of WYSIWYM concept through the powerful LaTeX system controlled from a simple to use graphical user interface. The extensive documentation and tutorials makes easy for anyone to start a complex project like a book or a PhD thesis without the need of having solid “typewriting” knowledges.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 1st, 2008 at 1:02 am and is filed under Software Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.