But some people are intimidated by the MOO interface and activity, and prefer the GUI interface of a Windows-like product. Others know that it is sometimes easier to sell the quality of something you paid for versus something you got for free, like Netscape Communicator and MOO. So there is still value in these programs in that sense. And, for those schools without ready Internet access in their computer labs, or where a program with clear heuristic purposes for the teaching of writing is more attractive than a Web browser or MOO client, these programs are still going to serve their most important function: aiding teachers who are teaching students to write in collaboration with each other.
Given the pace of development for both software and the Internet itself, a review of any kind is an almost empty gesture. But since people in real classes, once they've made software and hardware decisions, have at least temporarily stabilized the development process, this review may, I hope, be useful. This is a work in progress. It does not represent itself as complete, authoritative, or final. I urge others who have used these packages--especially those who have used more than one of these packages--to write to me with their own narrative comparisons to be integrated into the developing taxonomy, or to suggest additional software for comparison.
This project was originally begun during a consultation with Sixth Floor Media, the makers of Commonspace collaborative writing software. It was originally converted to HTML for the Epiphany Project by Greg Ritter of Gallaudet University's Academic Technology department. The URL for the Epiphany version is http://mason.gmu.edu/~epiphany/docs/comparison.html. This version is updated and revised from the original publication at the Epiphany site. Assistance has been provided by staff at Sixth Floor Media, Daedalus, Inc., and WW Norton.
The next phase of the project will be the evaluation of heuristic software designed for individual or course-based Creative Writing. Suggestions for software to evaluate or exercises to perform with the software may be sent here. Suggestions for comparative exercises that use standard word processors, hypertext authoring tools, or other software in creative writing contexts will also be welcomed.
Software currently under consideration: