A humble announcement of the release of Syntax for Windows... __________________________________________________________________________ ...OK: what is a Syntax? syn-tax (sihn'tahks'), noun 1: A connected or orderly system: harmonious arrangement of parts. 2: The way in which words are put together to form phrases, clauses, or sentences. Etymology: < Greek suntassein, to combine. -- Webster's Syntax for Windows is a hypertext documentation software tool you use to automatically convert, or compile, your existing and new WordPerfect files (DOS and Windows-based!) into the Windows environment documentation and training material you need. Whew... __________________________________________________________________________ We think that's always the first question an announcement should answer. If you don't know what the product is sort of supposed to do, why bother reading on? Reading on __________________________________________________________________________ Really, it's no bother. There's more to Syntax for Windows, of course. If all it did was automatically turn word processed files into Windows hypertext documents (oh: and with integrated graphics, sticky notes, user-defined hypertext links, and so on), it could be a real ho-hummer by now. After all, the big guys have all that. Sort of... ...if you enjoy meeting new languages and 8-bit words and like doing it as complex as you can; or, if you enjoy calling up graphics in a separate window... ...and then doing something with that window. Most of the attention is on Lotus' extremely nice SmarText. Our Lotus position __________________________________________________________________________ We don't compete against Lotus, by the way. That's part of the proof we're not fools. Besides, we don't think we could ask $495 per copy and keep a straight face; or, charge $95 per copy for additional readers. You can send us $495, if you'd like. We don't mind. But $69 will do fine, thank you. And the cost per reader? $10 each, with multiple-copy, heavy discounts. That way you can afford to have someone else view your document. Why keep it to yourself? Specifications __________________________________________________________________________ ...it's really not that bad... Syntax for Windows has only two major requirements...you must use Windows 3.1 or higher to run Syntax for Windows and you must have at least VGA graphics capability (640 by 480 resolution or better). A mouse is required to use the Reader. If you have Windows 3.1 installed and running successfully, you can use Syntax with no additional hardware or accessories. Neat. If you are using the Syntax Compiler to create Syntax magazines, having a legal copy of WordPerfect--DOS or Windows version--to build your individual documents is an unavoidable necessity. So, too, is a good graphic capture/conversion program, of which many are available in commercial and shareware markets. (Oh: don't be put off by our use of the term compiler; to create a Syntax magazine all you need are the source WordPerfect files and the Syntax Compiler. The Compiler does all the work necessary to create the Syntax magazine, automatically--there is no dependency on other compilers, programmers, or ancillary applications.) ...a Syntax magazine? __________________________________________________________________________ A Syntax magazine is the collection of Syntax-compiled documents and ancillary files which are related via their hyperlink dependencies. For example, if your hypertext project involves a set of five discrete training documents, and you create hypertext links which reference each of these five documents, then Syntax treats these together as a magazine. What kinds of magazines can you create? __________________________________________________________________________ How about employee handbooks, training manuals, review documents, newsletters, trouble-shooting guides, an unreal chain letter, case histories, project time-lines, corporate identity specifications, style manuals, "coffee-table" art books, lab books, tutorials, program demonstrations and class aids, recipe books, journals, novels, histories, help desks, children's books and tutor guides, catalogs and flyers, promotional material, papers and dissertations, research findings, topical comparisons, and the list really does go on... How easy is Syntax? __________________________________________________________________________ You judge: here's an abbreviated 7-step process for quickly producing a Syntax magazine, a complete hypertext document: Step 1: Create the document Create a WordPerfect document and define and tag text for the Table of Contents and Index. Step 2: Define hypertext links If you wish, define additional hypertext references using WordPerfect's comment function. Step 3: Retrieve graphics Retrieve any graphics and put them wherever you want in the WordPerfect document. (And that's exactly where they'll appear in the magazine...) Step 4: Produce the TOC and Index Generate the Table of Contents and Index in WordPerfect. Step 5: Save the file Save the WordPerfect file. Step 6: Run the Compiler Run the Syntax Compiler (usually just by selecting a filename). Step 7: Read the magazine To read the magazine, execute the Syntax Reader. How to evaluate Syntax for Windows __________________________________________________________________________ It's simple: download SYNTAX.ZIP from CompuServe (use the CIS file-finder function to locate SYNTAX.ZIP) or many fine BBSs. Registered users recieve an original diskette, User mini-Manual, and support services. For online support services and additional ordering information, contact Joe Haak at CIS: 70324,621. All other request for information may be directed to Ross Flaven at CIS: 76547,1216 Thank you for your interest in Syntax for Windows. Copyright (c) 1992 Dialectic Systems, Inc. and WriteWare, Inc. All rights reserved. Prices subject to change without notice. SyntaxTM and Syntax for WindowsTM are trademarks of Dialectic Systems, Inc. and WriteWare, Inc. WordPerfectTM is a trademark of WordPerfect Corp. WindowsTM is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. SmarTextTM is a trademark of Lotus Corp. Dialectic Systems, Inc. 1 Shelter Rock Place Moorestown, NJ 08057-2115 (609) 722-0929