# Chapter 1

# Introduction to BeatWare Writer(TM)

BeatWare Writer is the word processing and page layout application developed specifically to take advantage of the speed and highly visual interface of the BeOS. BeatWare Writer is powerful, fast, and efficient. It provides much of the formatting control previously available only in high-end professional desktop software. Advanced features of BeatWare Writer make it easy to:

- Drag and drop pictures and images directly into any document.
- Drag and drop text for easy design layout.
- Control margins, tabs, and columns visually with a mouse.
- Change text color easily for emphasis or to enhance graphic design.
- See the effect of your changes on the entire document in real time.
- Save your documents as plain text or in Rich Text Format.

This BeatWare Writer's Guide introduces you to the features of the application and shows you how to use them effectively. The guide includes the following information:

- System requirements
- Adding, editing and modifying text
- Customizing layout with frames and graphics
- A reference chapter of menu commands, keyboard and Toolbar shortcuts

## Text Conventions

Convention | Appears as
Keyboard shortcut | Cmd+A, where Cmd is Command key on Macintosh-type keyboard and A or Alt key on PC-type; + sign indicates that you hold down a key or keys while pressing another.
Menu path | Menu commands are written starting with the main menu heading, followed by the menu item, followed by the submenu item or dialog checkbox: Text/Font/Courier.
Emphasis | boldface