Our primary goal: To assist the technical author
PolyTechnic SoftWare Associates primary effort has been the development of a PolyTechWriter with a focus toward the technical writer's need to render their work into virtual form. The PolyTechWriter uses a special scripting language, which we refer to as THTML, coupled with an interactive equation writer and Interactive Vector Diagram Maker. These scripting files are displayed by the PolyTechReader.Some illustrations of the PolyTechReader features are available within the PolyTechReader branch in the left frame of this page. These illustrations, however, are just graphics images of the PolyTechReader features, they are not interactive. Simply put, most application programs which are used to present information, such as Microsoft Word or the Adobe Reader, are not interactive. The PolyTechReader is interactive.
If you are providing or have thought about providing your students with additional technical information, and have attempted to use the internet, then you understand the limitations of HTML. If you have or are using the xmath component of XML or LaTex we congradulate you on your persistence. Our new PolyTechReader and PolyTechWriter replaces the normal word processor and is used to both create and display your writings. The special features built into the PolyTechReader/Writer are specifically designed for technical writing. Equation writing with computational capability, variable definitions, current variable values and units which are globally stored avoid the repetitive nature of both xmath and LaTex. Write the equation in the basic language syntax and it appears in conventional math form with all variables dynamically defined as the mouse cursor is passed throughout the equation. Vector drawing script commands inherent to the PolyTechWriter assist in creating and dynamically changing diagrams. Random problems and graded random quizzes may be created. Linking these concepts and combining the normal link and popup logic of a browser provides a new and unique environment for virtual writing.
Write a single page, or an entire text.
An entire text on the topic of Strength of Materials was developed by PSA personnel to test and prompt the continued development of this PolyTechReader/Writer software. This entire text has been tested and used in the classroom for several years and is currently being revised for general release during the 2003 academic year. Authoring tools are currently being developed within the PolyTechWriter to ease the technical writing using this new THTML language.
If you are a want-to-be author on a technical topic and believe as we do that the virtual technical text is in the near future, then contact us and become involved with this new technology.